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Postgraduate
Diploma or certificate courses
Taught Masters
Research Masters
Research Doctorates
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There are two main types of taught postgraduate course: Master's programmes, which normally consist of classes and seminars plus a dissertation; and diploma or certificate courses, which consist of classes and seminars (sometimes the same taught elements as a Master's course), but with no dissertation. Some diploma courses enable you to transfer to a Master's when you have successfully completed them.

A research degree is the ultimate opportunity if you want to pursue your own specialist interests. You'll be expected to initiate and develop your topic under the supervision of one or possibly two academics. To be successful, you will need to demonstrate intellectual independence.



Diploma or certificate courses

Qualifications offered Entrance requirements Teaching methods Assessment methods Duration
  • PG Cert.
  • PG Dip.
  • British or recognised overseas undergraduate degree in a relevant subject plus English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band six or above). Programmes are intensive and you should be prepared for a heavy workload. Postgraduate students attend classes and lectures, do a great deal of independent reading and/or experimental work between classes, complete regular written assignments, and write a substantial dissertation. Continuous assessment and/or final exams. Nine months.



    Taught Masters

    Qualifications offered Entrance requirements Teaching methods Assessment methods Duration
  • MA
  • MSc
  • LLM
  • MEd
  • Others
  • As above. As above. Taught elements are assessed by continuous assessment and/or final exams. The dissertation forms a major part of the total assessment. One year.



    Research Masters

    Qualifications offered Entrance requirements Teaching methods Assessment methods Duration
  • M.Phil.
  • MA/M.Sc. by research
  • M.Res.
  • British or recognised overseas undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, at 2.1 Honours or above plus English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band six or above). Students are expected to work on their own under the guidance of a supervisor. Roughly the first two-thirds of the programme are spent researching the topic and planning the dissertation. The remaining time is spent writing the dissertation, which describes in detail the research. Dissertation - typically 30,000 to 40,000 words. One to three years.



    Research Doctorates

    Qualifications offered Entrance requirements Teaching methods Assessment methods Duration
  • Ph.D
  • D.Phil.
  • Taught or research Masters degree in a relevant subject plus English Language proficiency (e.g. IELTS band 6 or above). An outstanding academic record is expected. Students will be expected to work on their own to a large extent, under the guidance of a supervisor. The research is usually written during the third year. The first two years are spent researching the topic and planning the dissertation. Dissertation - typically of 70,000-100,000 words. Three years minimum.
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    The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.