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postgraduate courses
What does a typical application involve?There is no central admissions system that covers all postgraduate courses. The style of application depends on the institution and on the course. Check instructions carefully. It may take the form of: - the completion of an application form;
- a CV emphasising your academic record, together with details of your proposed research interests. It is best to send an explanatory letter with an application form and a CV.
Questions about your source of funding Application forms often ask how you intend to finance your study because departments need to know how many of their applicants are seeking nomination for funding awards (if any) or competing for other public funding. If no funding is available through the department then state your most likely source of funding (if you have any). You do not have to have a definite source at this stage. ReferencesGood academic references to support your application are critical to the selection and award seeking processes. Choose your referees with care and discuss your plans with them. Send them a copy of your application when you send it off. Ensure that their references are submitted to the appropriate awards body by the specified closing date. Closing datesMost higher degree courses do not have official closing dates. Exceptions include courses in medicine, law and teacher training. Further details are given in the relevant section of explore types of jobs. The general lack of official closing dates does not necessarily mean that you can apply for a course at any time. In fact, delaying your applications is most unwise. If you make a late decision to pursue studies at postgraduate level, it is always worth making enquiries. It may be possible to defer entry to a postgraduate course. You should make early enquiries to admissions staff if you intend to be abroad during the recruitment cycle. back to top Timetable for applicationsThe following guidelines are suggested to allow time for adequate preparation when choosing and applying for further study. 24-18 months in advance - Research your options and plan a timetable of actionIt is never too early to consider your options, and some research done now could pay dividends later. An early start could also enable you to acquire relevant work experience, if this is necessary. This is particularly important if you are interested in very popular courses, such as law or journalism, or professions related to medicine. Investigate your eligibility, possible funding and the timing of applications. 18-12 months in advance - Continue research and firm-up plans- Before your summer break, make sure you know the timings of any applications for further study/training relevant to your long-term plans.
- Talk with members of staff at your own institution who are experts in your chosen field. They may be able to suggest institutions worth further investigation and related areas of study.
- Check the dates of postgraduate fairs. Also check the dates of university open days.
- If you have a specific research interest in certain fields, you might consider writing your own research proposals, in conjunction with your potential supervisor, for submission to funding bodies.
12-6 months in advance (autumn/winter) - Apply for places and funding- This is the time when most people start to plan and take action with regard to postgraduate study in the UK. Note that certain employment sectors start recruiting for their graduate training programmes (e.g. chartered accountancy firms) at this time.
- If you have not already done so, make initial enquiries about postgraduate courses. You may want to attend a postgraduate study fair, collect a prospectus and chat to university staff. Be prepared to outline the content of your first degree and specify areas of particular interest related to the department concerned, e.g. any relevant options you have taken, and dissertations or research projects you have done. You should obtain further information about what is entailed in the proposed course or research, the extent to which you are likely to meet the academic criteria for admission, and the possibility of nomination by the department for a funding award (where relevant).
- Attend department open days or arrange a visit to the target department. In the case of research programmes try to arrange a meeting with the potential supervisor.
- Make applications as soon as you are clear about the courses or research programmes you prefer, possibly before Christmas or soon after New Year. Popular courses might need very early applications. Those that must be applied for through a clearing house often have early closing dates, such as early December for primary teaching and clinical psychology. Check in plenty of time.
- The autumn is also a good time to start looking for funded research degree opportunities, especially those in the science and medicine areas.
Last 6 months in advance (spring) - Continue with applications, attend interviews- It is at this time that course providers start to call in candidates for interviews and it is important that you are prepared.
- By now you will probably know to what extent you have been successful in obtaining offers, and whether or not there is funding attached. The offers are usually conditional upon your final degree results, so give priority to your academic work.
- By the end of the academic year, departments are much clearer about the level of funding available and, subject to candidates’ satisfactory degree performance, can confirm or clarify their offers.
If you have made a late decision to consider postgraduate study- Keep your eyes open for course and research post advertisements in Prospects Postgrad; The Guardian; Times Higher Education; The Independent and specialist journals.
- Look at postgraduate course notice boards in your department and careers service for stop press announcements about course places, often with funding.
- You might see openings for research assistants/teaching assistants in higher education institutions that involve salaried contract research or teaching and might offer the opportunity to register for a research degree. Staff members in relevant areas of expertise can frequently advise on methods of preparing effective applications for such posts.
If you don’t have a place by the time your studies are completed- Keep looking because it is still possible to pick up late offers, particularly as you will have your degree results rather than a predicted grade.
- It is not unknown for course places with funding to become available in the weeks before the start of some taught courses.
- Research places can appear at any time and it is worth scanning the sources mentioned throughout the year if necessary.
Be prepared to respond quickly when you spot an opportunity and anticipate interviews at short notice. For more help with applying, see applications, CVs and interviews.
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