Archive Website of the UK government

How to find postgraduate places

Search online

There’s plenty of information about postgraduate opportunities online. You can search for taught courses and research positions – and read profiles of institutions or students’ reviews of courses.

• Prospects: postgraduate study Opens new window

• Postgraduate Search: find courses online Opens new window

Look in specialist publications

Many postgraduate opportunities, particularly research positions, are advertised in academic and trade journals. Some newspapers publish higher education supplements: it's also worth checking these.

Visit postgraduate fairs and open days

Postgraduate fairs are a useful way of meeting people from different institutions face-to-face.

If you’re interested in a particular institution, going to an open day will allow to you view the facilities and talk to staff and students.

• See a list of forthcoming postgraduate fairs and open days on Prospects Opens new window

How to apply for a postgraduate place

The application process can vary between institutions, so check the details carefully. It’s often possible to apply online through university and college websites.

Apply through UKPASS

Some universities and colleges accept applications through UKPASS. This is a free, online service run by UCAS. You can submit up to ten different applications, track their progress and attach supporting material like references.

You can also submit applications through the Prospects website. If you use Prospects to apply to an institution that accepts applications through UKPASS, your application will automatically be sent to UKPASS.

• Apply for up to ten postgraduate positions with UKPASS Opens new window

• Apply online through Prospects Opens new window

Postgraduate courses in social work, teaching and music

Some postgraduate courses have a different application process:

• social work courses (apply through UCAS)
• Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses (you’ll usually apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry)
• practice-based music courses at UK conservatoires (you’ll apply through the Conservatoires UK Admissions Service)

• Postgraduate study: teacher training, social work, healthcare

• CUKAS: Conservatoires UK Admissions Service Opens new window

Applying for funding

If your course has funding attached

Some postgraduate positions come with funding attached, known as studentships. Studentships are more commonly available in science subjects, and for research rather than taught courses. They can cover fees and living expenses.

Studentships are mainly funded by the seven UK Research Councils. Some are also funded by universities and colleges, or by companies (often jointly with one of the Research Councils).

The position itself and the studentship are often covered by a single application. You won’t usually apply directly to a Research Council: in most cases, you’ll need to apply to the university or college department where the position is based.

• Research Councils UK Opens new window

If you need to secure funding yourself

If your course does not come with funding, then you’ll need to explain in your application how you intend to pay for your studies.

There are many sources of potential funding, although financial help doesn’t tend to be automatic. See ‘Funding postgraduate study’ to find out more.

• Funding postgraduate study

The application form

As well as covering sources of finance (if your place doesn’t come with funding), the application will ask you for details of:

• why you are applying
• your academic qualifications
• relevant skills and experience
• academic referees who can support your application
• your research proposal (for research opportunities)

Referees

Good references are an important part of your application, so choose your referees carefully. Remember to send your referees a copy of your application.

Interviews and offers

You may be offered a place based on your written application. Alternatively, you may be called for an interview.

At the interview, you are likely to be asked to give more details about the answers you provided in your application. You could also be asked new questions, for example about your career ambitions or your views of a particular issue in your chosen field.

Offers can be unconditional or conditional. A conditional offer depends on you achieving certain grades or qualifications in your current studies.

When do courses start?

Taught courses can start in October or January. On most research places you'll start in October.

More useful links

• Postgraduate qualifications

• Studying at an overseas university (Britons living abroad section)

Useful contacts

• Graduate Prospects

• Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS)

• Universities and higher education contacts