If you’re ready to fast-track your career, completing postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom can set you up for success. The UK pairs a long history of academic excellence with cutting-edge research facilities. Postgraduate students work alongside dedicated professors and colleagues from around the world at some of the most respected educational institutions operating today.
Read on to learn more about the UK’s postgraduate application process. But before you start to apply, check your target courses’ pages on the ApplyBoard platform for up-to-date information.
Start The Application Process Early
A popular English expression is ‘the early bird gets the worm,’ and this saying applies to studying abroad, too. Here, it means that students who start the postgraduate application process early are more likely to get into their target course.
In the UK, most postgraduate courses begin in September or October, with application deadlines in June or July. However, application periods may open as early as March and courses can fill up quickly (especially for high-demand fields such as health science and business). We recommend that students apply as close to the start of the intake window as possible.
When you apply to postgraduate courses in the UK, proof of finance is usually a required part of your application. You’ll need to show you have enough money for your course fees, your living costs, and living costs for any dependents. To help cover these expenses, you may need to apply for funding from organizations in your home country, which can add three to four months to your overall application timeline. This means many international students should start working on their study abroad application process in November of the year before they plan to begin their studies.
Considering other study destinations? We’ve got postgraduate application guides for Canada, the United States, and Ireland.
Find the Right Course
At the postgraduate level, it’s vital that the course you choose aligns with your skills and goals. Be sure to research specific university requirements and set goals you’d like to achieve through postgraduate study before making your final list of target courses. Throughout the application process, you will be asked about your study goals, so it’s good to have them in mind.
Remember, some institutions will let you choose a second course ‘in reserve.’ This is your backup, in case your first-choice option isn’t available or you don’t secure a seat in it.
While course and university rankings are important to take note of during your study abroad research, those shouldn’t be the only factors.
Other factors to consider:
- Course structure (lecture, seminar, etc.)
- Your desired area of interest or research topic
- Campus and research environments
- The university’s location in-country (In a big city? In a small community? Hot or cold climate?)
By starting the application process early, you’ll have time to consider how choosing different courses could affect your overall academic goals and future career.
Also, it’s important to be able to communicate why you’re interested in the university and course that you’ve applied to. As part of your application, you will be asked for a personal statement or research intent document. Statements that show how your academic history and interests clearly align with the course, and tie in any applicable work history, are sure to stand out. Keep in mind that the university’s admissions team might require an interview, where they will likely ask more interest and skills-based questions.
Present yourself well with a strong personal statement or statement of purpose: learn how with this blog!
Ensure Your Applications are Complete
Specific application requirements vary between universities, and some postgraduate courses require extra documentation ranging from a research proposal to a portfolio of past work. However, there are some common requirements for applying to study in the UK across almost all applications.
Most Applications Require:
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- An official bachelor’s degree transcript with a minimum GPA. Note that UK institutions may prioritize Honours degree-holding applicants.
- Proof of language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or the Pearson Test of English). To apply for a student visa, a Secure English Language Test (SELT) may be required (IELTS and Pearson provide SELTs and will work for UK visa purposes).
- A statement of purpose/personal statement and a resume.
- Proof of financial support.
- A completed authorization form.
- A copy of your passport.
- Immigration history questions.
Some Applications Require:
- Standardized test scores, like the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for business school.
- One or more reference letters from professors or employers.
- A research proposal (for PhD students).
- Portfolio (most commonly required for art and design-related courses).
Every institution’s requirements vary, so read the course page carefully before assembling your application.
Tip: When possible, submit your application documents in PDF format. This will help ensure that your documents are legible across all platforms.
Your study abroad goals are important, so give yourself enough time to make sure nothing is missing from your application. Many applications are rejected because the application is incomplete or has incorrectly filled-out documents. Have one or two people read over your finished application to ensure it’s clearly written and complete. If you’re working with a recruitment partner, you can ask them to look at your application, too.
Ready to start applying? Use our ApplyBoard platform to find a UK postgraduate course that can fast-track your career today!