UCAS - Postgraduate courses

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Find out more about applying for postgraduate courses

There are many different postgraduate qualifications available - they generally require applicants to have undertaken some previous study or experience in the chosen field, usually an undergraduate degree.

Taught postgraduate courses leading to a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) degree usually consist of a one year full-time course consisting of a series of lectures and course work followed by an exam.

Research degrees such as the Master of Philosophy (MPhil), which usually takes one year full-time, or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which takes a minimum of three years full-time, involve an in-depth study of a specific subject or topic followed by a written dissertation or thesis. Most research degrees are taken under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

How to apply

Search for postgraduate programmes through UCAS' postgraduate application service, UKPASS (UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service). You can apply online to universities and colleges using the scheme and there are links to universities and colleges who use other online application systems. Contact details are provided for those without an online system, so that you can check how they would like you to submit an application.

If you are applying for a subject listed below, please read through the following information.

Music - for postgraduate courses in music performance, you apply through CUKAS (Conservatoires UK Admissions Service), unless the course is at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, who accept applications direct.
Social work - for degree qualifications (postgraduate and undergraduate) in social work, you apply through UCAS.
Nursing - for diploma and degree qualifications (postgraduate and undergraduate) in nursing, you apply through UCAS.
Teaching - if you are applying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education or a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, then you apply through the GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry). Teaching courses at undergraduate level are processed through UCAS.

Career routes after higher education

If you have studied, or are planning to study, in Scotland, you may find the What Do Graduates Do? publication on the HESCU website useful. Find out what happened to graduates and postgraduates six months after completing a course in a Scottish higher education institution. The information is based on the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey, conducted for the Higher Education Statistics Agency and interpreted by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services [Scotland].