Postgraduate study background image

Postgraduate study

Explore postgraduate courses and providers, get advice on whether a masters is right for you and learn the secrets of a successful application.
Search all course providers

Is postgraduate study for you?

The first step into postgraduate study is usually a masters or a shorter postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or postgraduate diploma (PGDip) course. You can browse universities and course providers on targetjobs if you are ready to explore your options.

A man facing a white board. There are calculations written on the whiteboard. The man has an inquisitive gesture.

But undertaking further study is a big commitment and so it’s worth taking the time to think about whether it is right for you. It is a good next step if you want to ‘convert’ to a career needing a specific academic background or vocational training, or if you want a career in academia. It can also be a good next step if you are passionate about a subject and want to learn more – or if you want to acquire specific skills. But if you are only doing it because you are not sure what else to do, you may find that the expense outweighs the benefits.

A young woman in an orange t-shirt writing in a notepad. She has a laptop open in front of her.

Applying for further study

Application success

In most cases, you apply directly to the course provider or university via an application form (teaching and law are notable exceptions). On your application form, you can expect to be asked for your standard biographical, educational and work experience details – but the key section is your personal statement. Here is where you write about your passion for the subject, how the course would help you achieve your ambitions, why you particularly want to study at this institution and why you would make a good student. For some courses, such as in journalism or nursing, you may also need to submit a portfolio and/or attend an interview.

Read our quick tips for application success and then go on to our advice about choosing your referees .

a glass full of coins. There is a small plant growing from the coins.

Student finances

Funding your masters

Depending on the institution and your mode of study, a masters will cost UK students somewhere between £4,000 and £23,000 (PGCerts and PGDips less).

Many students take a postgraduate loan from the government − they are available at both masters and doctorate level (PGCerts and PGDips aren’t eligible). But do seek out scholarships, bursaries and grants. For example, the UK government offers scholarships and bursaries in areas such as teaching and healthcare; the Inns of Court offer them for aspiring barristers; and many universities and charities offer grants to particular student cohorts, such as students with disabilities or those facing economic hardship.

It’s worth noting, too, that some employers will fund a conversion course if you agree to work for them afterwards.

Game changers wanted - Office for Students

Popular areas of study

Teaching, law and STEM

Those who can… teach

There are several routes to gaining qualified teaching status – a PGCE (postgraduate certificate in education) is arguably the most well-known, but not the only one.

Discover further study providers

Research leading further and postgraduate study providers in the UK.

Arden University
University of Bath
The London Academy of Trading (LAT)
The City Law School
Manchester Metropolitan University

FAQs

It is recommended that you apply at least six months before your masters or other postgraduate course starts, so in March or April for a course that starts in October. Deadlines are typically set only a month or so before the course start date, but most places get filled well before then.

A masters degree typically takes a full academic year of study full time (two years part time), includes a project or dissertation and earns 180 academic credits. A postgraduate diploma covers similar content to a masters, but does not include that final project or dissertation, typically takes two terms of study full time and earns 120 credits. A postgraduate certificate takes only a term’s worth of study full time and earns 60 credits. Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are most commonly found in more vocational subjects.

Whether a masters is worth the study, expense and time commitments depends on what you want to get out of it. No masters can guarantee you a job, but a conversion course can get you entry into certain professions that otherwise would require a specific undergraduate degree. A masters course paves your way into academic research, and may give you the time to develop the skills and work experience to enhance your CV if you do want a career in industry. Very few graduate jobs require a masters degree, however – at least in sectors not needing a conversion course or vocational study.

More careers advice

Browse by category

Advice for school leavers

Discover the world of options open to you on finishing school or college and get tips on how to make the right decision for you.

CVs, applications and tests

Find the tools and tips you need to help you apply for graduate jobs or internships. We cover every aspect of the application process, from writing a CV to answering online application questions and sitting psychometric tests.

Career ideas

Find advice for figuring out your dream career, including what options are available to you after graduating and how to choose the right graduate role.

Finding a job

Finding a job isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Here we help you to jump potential hurdles, giving essential advice for home and international students: from applying in tough economic times to getting a top graduate job with a 2.2.

Internships

Completing an internship allows you to sharpen your skills, improve your CV, prepare for the world of work and potentially land yourself a graduate job. Discover what internships actually involve, how to apply for them and how to make the most of them.

Interviews and assessment centres

You impressed on paper; now it’s time to show the employer in person that you’re the right hire. Learn how to do this with our expert advice for answering interview questions, developing interview techniques and acing assessment centre exercises.

Job descriptions

Discover the qualifications, skills and experience you’ll need for more than 300 job roles and find one you’ll love.

Job offers and working life

Job offers, rejection emails and stepping into the working world with your first graduate job can pull you in a million directions. Fortunately, we’ve curated advice on how to accept job offers, bounce back from rejection and make an impact in your first job.

Skills for getting a job

Discover the skills that major graduate employers seek and how you can demonstrate them on your application form, and at interviews and assessment centres.

University life

Wanting to leave uni with a degree is a given. But what do you want from the other bits of student life? Discover how to combine study, rest, work and play with our insights from students and graduates.

advice by sector

Which career interests you?

undefined background image

We've got you

Get the latest jobs, internships, careers advice, courses and graduate events based on what's important to you. Start connecting directly with top employers today.