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Postgraduate degrees are those studied after an undergraduate degree.  Master’s courses eg MA, MSc, MBA, are referred to as ‘taught’ programmes. This differentiates them from research programmes that are normally preparation for a PhD.

It might also be useful to explore qualifications needed for specific roles, and you can do this via the job profiles on the .

In the UK, typically, a full time master’s course will take one full calendar year, often October to September, or 2 years part time. (Whereas a postgraduate diploma or certificate can take 6-12 months full time or 2 years part time.)

Why you might want to pursue a Master's degree

Further study will help you to do one or more of the following:

• Continue with your first degree subject in more depth or in a specialised area.
• ‘Convert' your first degree to something completely different.
• Achieve a professional qualification needed to pursue your chosen career (e.g. law, teaching, social work, librarianship or clinical psychology).
• Develop your research skills.
• Experience life at another university, either in the UK or abroad.

You can use the following websites to find a postgraduate course in the UK:

Choosing the right course for you

To make sure you are investing your time and money in the most appropriate course, it will be helpful to think about:

• the type of course you would like to study
• what you hope the course might lead to and how it fits in with your career plans – check out what others have done after the course
• entry requirements
• whether work experience is required
• the length of the course
• availability of funding and your own financial circumstances
• reputation of the institution or department
• course structure and teaching and assessment methods
• mode of study, e.g. in-person, online or remote
• academic facilities and support services available
• professional association membership or accreditation as part of the course
• location and travel considerations
• which courses other graduates from your course have chosen
• what career areas former students have entered. (Contact the admissions tutor or the careers service at the relevant university).

How to fund your study is an important consideration. So you will need to allow time to investigate scholarships, awards, loans and other sources of finance, many of which will have specific eligibility criteria and early deadlines. Studentships might be fully-funded, part-funded or you may need to self-fund your studies.  Each university will have details on their website about funding for their postgraduate courses.

Full-time course fees for home students are around £9000 and for approximately £17,000 for international students.  In addition, the cost of living can be in excess of £10,000 a year for a full-time course.

The average and specific course costs of certain postgraduate qualifications are provided by . Remember to take into account your living expenses too.

Part-time study, where the fees are considerably reduced and you have the opportunity to fund yourself through part-time employment, may be a viable option for you.

and  can be used to search for thousands of different funding awards.

Postgraduate loans for Master's degrees

UK Government  of up to £12,471 are available for students studying a master's at a UK university (if you're from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland the systems are slightly different). The loan is not means-tested. Visit the  for eligibility and to find out more.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

This is a for current and prospective postgraduate students (any subject, any nationality) looking to fund PhD, Master's, and PGCE study in the UK through grants from charities, trusts, and foundations.  It is subscribed to by ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ.

In the blue 'Login now! box on the above link, simply click Login! when you are on campus/attached to the University network.

Graduates and prospective students can email studentservices@lboro.ac.uk and ask for the ‘Alternative Guide PIN’ and they will send it to you. In Section 2 in the green box, type in the PIN and your email address, and you will have access.

The application process

The application process for postgraduate study is different from undergraduate applications. You can apply to as many programmes as you like and there is no centralised service such as UCAS.

But we don't advise making too many applications at once, as your applications will need to be well-tailored to the programme that you are applying for and that can be quite time consuming.

Applications can usually be made throughout the academic year direct to the university you wish to attend.

When you apply will depend partly on how competitive the programme is. If it is a popular course, then it may be filled long before the beginning of the year.  So it is worth checking with the institution you are applying to in case they do have a deadline and what their recruitment process is.

Typically, you will need to provide the following as part of your application:

• a personal statement tailored to the programme of study (see more below)
• academic transcripts
• two or more references – make sure you keep your academic referees informed of your plans and ask their permission before you give their name on your application
• your CV
• a portfolio, if required (more likely for art, design or some engineering students)
• a research proposal, if required

If you are asked to attend an interview, the main focus will be on your academic achievements and your ability to complete the course successfully.

 provides useful advice about how to ensure your application is effective.

Writing a personal statement

Personal statements should be succinct and tailored to the programme of study. Your statement should evidence your:

• capability to complete master’s level study
• relevant skills and experiences
• interest in the subject area
• awareness of this specific programme and the institution’s engagement with the subject area.

The prospects website offers some useful tips and examples in their guide

If you have enjoyed your time at ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ, why not stick around for your postgraduate education?  Or how about a year in the capital, studying at our London Campus? 

As a ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ graduate, you will automatically receive an alumni bursary of 10% off your tuition fees.

Find your master’s degree – Look at the selection of master’s degrees available at ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ.  

Before you apply – Some things to consider and check before you take your application further

How to start your application – Information on the application process, deadlines,  documents needed and references

Contact ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ's Admissions Office

Consider your motivations carefully and research the different types of courses available. You might also wish to research the institution’s postgraduate student experience and/or its location. It will be especially important to consider whether or not studying towards a PhD best meets your career plans.

Research Programmes

 or Master of Research: The MRes is a master’s degree that emphasises independent study over taught instruction. You will still complete some taught units on an MRes but you will be focusing mainly on your own research project. Effectively, it’s a self-contained research training qualification that can prepare you for a PhD. It usually takes 1-2 years full-time, longer part-time.

An  or Master of Philosophy is a pure research degree. Instead of completing taught units and assessments, an MPhil consists entirely of your own independent project. An MPhil can be part of a PhD or a step towards  registration, but you can also study it as a standalone qualification.

: there are several ways to gain a doctorate:

• (doctorate by thesis): 3-4 years full-time or 5-6 years part-time.  Why not explore opportunities at ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ?
• , also known as the ‘new route PhD’, involves studying a one-year research  (MRes) before progressing onto a three-year PhD.
• : geared primarily towards current professionals in vocational sectors such as healthcare, teaching and education (EdD), and  (EngD). This type of doctorate includes a significant taught component and, therefore, a smaller research project. It typically takes 2-8 years to complete. Note: Unlike many professional doctorates, the  is typically offered as a full-time course and is aimed at young engineering graduates with little or no professional experience.
• : often taken by mid-career academics who have not had the opportunity to undertake a standard doctorate degree. Usually between 5-8 published pieces are required, but may vary between institutions.
• : If you have family or work commitments, or are an international student, this gives you the chance to undertake a PhD without having to live close to your chosen university. It is also a good option if the subject you're researching or access to archive materials require you to be based in a specific location.
• Working with industry: Many universities work collaboratively with each other and/or industry partners forming Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) or Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).  You can explore opportunities at ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ and .
• By practice: A research degree submission with a practice element is designed to accommodate the idea that not all knowledge is best represented and communicated in written form. It will enable innovative practices of research and representation in doctoral work.

Your reasons for studying a research degree may include one or more of the following:

Drive to explore and learn new things. Have a sense of excitement for working on a project of your own that focuses on a problem at the cutting-edge of research, with a desire to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Become an expert in your area. By working exclusively on a project with a specific topic for an extensive period of time.

Enjoy the academic environment. Relish an environment that provides intellectual stimulation, flexible working hours and may include a mixture of lab and office work.

Develop important transferable skills. These would be useful whatever career you pursue.  For example, complex problem solving, working independently and as a member of a team, written and verbal communication, meeting deadlines and time management.

Progress in your chosen career. A PhD will be an essential requirement to pursue some careers, e.g. an academic or research career and, in most cases, to teach in higher education. 

Intense interest in something. If you have undertaken countless little research projects as hobbies and have a natural thirst for knowledge or an insatiable appetite for reading books about a particular topic, you may wish to conduct more in-depth research.

Resources to help you decide whether studying towards a PhD is for you include:

? (register to access for free - ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ has an account with Vitae)

You can search for PhD opportunities via the links below or on  websites. For example, ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ postgraduate study web pages. If you can’t find a research project of interest, you can write and submit your own research proposal.

• Explore options for postgraduate study
•  – various subjects
•  – sign up for alerts

Employer related routes:

• ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ PhD opportunities

There are various funding opportunities for studying towards a PhD. Some institutions offer fully funded research projects, part funded by an employer, loan or grant (some relevant to a specific discipline) or totally self-funded. The links below will help you explore funding options.

• Government PhD Loan
•  – including teaching, social work and medical/healthcare; learned societies and charities and trusts

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding 

This is a for current and prospective postgraduate students (any subject, any nationality) looking to fund PhD, Master's, and PGCE study in the UK through grants from charities, trusts, and foundations.  It is subscribed to by ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ.

In the blue 'Login now! box on the above link, simply click Login! when you are on campus/attached to the University network.

Graduates and prospective students can email studentservices@lboro.ac.uk and ask for the ‘Alternative Guide PIN’ and they will send it to you. In Section 2 in the green box, type in the PIN and your email address, and you will have access.

Check individual institutions’ web pages for instructions and guidance for completing applications. Make sure you provide all the required information and documentation, within the relevant time frames.

Information in the following resources will be helpful:

• Create your own research proposal

These courses are usually linked to a job or profession and can take your career in a new direction. Law, teaching, psychology, property and medicine are just some of the areas you can consider. Sometimes you will need relevant work experience before embarking on these courses.  More information about conversion courses can be found on  and on . Popular areas of vocational training are listed below.

Teacher Training

• Applications for all routes into teacher training (apart from the  route) are made through the .
• Primary teaching is very popular so apply as soon as you can.
• All potential applicants will have to be interviewed before being offered a place. Interviews can vary considerably from a straightforward interview to a group discussion, mock lesson or presentation.
• Tests in literacy and numeracy are usually required.
• More information about completing your form, preparing for interview and tests can be found on the  website.
• Work experience in a school or similar setting will strengthen your application and is often expected.

Law

• Non-law graduates, whether considering the bar or legal practice, should apply for a 'conversion' course via . This might be either the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) introduced in September 2021.
• There is no deadline for the SQE but early application is advised. Try and get some related work experience before applying.

Social Work

Some postgraduate master’s courses are still available but the majority are now at undergraduate level with application through .

• , the  and  all contain useful information on training in this professional area.
  

Health Care

• provides comprehensive information and advice about application methods with links to other relevant sites. Areas covered include audiology, dietetics, physiotherapy and chiropody.
• The  (STP) is a three year (paid) training programme that includes work-based and academic learning. Whilst on the programme you will also complete a part-time master's degree at the university offering your chosen specialism. 

Psychology

• The  provides details of funding and application methods for clinical psychology postgraduate courses.
• For all other programmes of further study in psychology consult the .

Short and part-time professional and vocational qualifications

These are available at further education colleges, private colleges, online and by distance learning. For more information about courses across the UK visit . To find out about opportunities to study in your local area visit the online prospectus for the relevant institution or centre.  

There are now many short (and longer) qualifications that can be studied remotely, some of which are free, from providers such as  and . You can also find a wide range of courses, including some postgraduate options, on the course comparison site .  Other useful websites for additional qualifications and  include ,  and .

Undertake further qualifications whilst working

This can happen either as part of a graduate training programme (e.g. accountancy qualifications) or as part of an individual agreement where your employer releases you to undertake a job-related course (e.g. certificate or diploma in human resources accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.) Some graduates also enrol for part-time courses at their own expense, to enhance their career prospects.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a three-way project, bringing together a recent graduate, a business and a university. The scheme involves graduates working in companies on strategic business and product development projects. These are jointly supervised by the business and university and you get the opportunity to register for further qualifications while working.   Find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ.

Finding a suitable postgraduate course abroad may be tricky and will therefore take more time. There are a number of websites which provide general information on study abroad and cover options in different countries. Others will enable you to search for a course in a particular country. If at first you don't find what you are looking for, don't give up. Persevere through the websites below and individual institutions should provide you with the specific information you need. 

 answers your questions and points you in the direction of useful sources of information on living and studying in specific countries. Find information on qualification names, language requirements, exchange programme options, fees and international scholarships, how to apply for postgraduate study abroad, and study visa basics.