Postgraduate programmes

Postgraduate degree courses in the UK can be divided into Masters and PhD/Research programmes.

Masters courses

Taught Masters

These courses normally last 1 year full-time and 2 years part-time although overseas (non European Union) students are not allowed to study part-time in the UK.

Work is usually divided into various modules (subjects) which are taught through lectures, seminars and workshops and examined through coursework, presentations or written exams at the end of the course. Many Masters courses are assessed primarily through a thesis or dissertation which is an extended piece of research or project which is written up and presented by the student. The qualification gained at the end of an postgraduate course is called a Master’s Degree. Students that do not complete the thesis/dissertation will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

The two most common Masters are the MA (Master of Arts) and MSc (Master of Science.) although there are specialisation Masters such as the MArch (Master in Architecture.) In order to study a Masters course you must usually have completed an undergraduate degree course in a relevant subject although extensive workexperience will also be considered.

Research Masters

Research Masters are usually of the same duration as a Taught Masters, and result in the same qualification. The difference is in the delivery of the course – in a Research Masters the student undertakes a research study on a topic of their choice throughout their studies, supervised by an academic, and produces a thesis to present their research rather than attending taught classes or seminars.

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PhD programmes

A PhD is a programme of doctoral research in which the student carries out detailed research in a certain subject area and then presents their research in a thesis. This is usually examined by a professor from your university and a professor from another university, who then question you on your research in an oral examination known as a viva.

In order to carry out a PhD you must often have completed an undergraduate and Masters degree in a relevant subject. The length of time it takes to obtain a PhD can vary, but it usually takes a minimum of 3 years full-time or 6 years of part-time research.
Students who successfully complete their PhD are entitled to call themselves ‘Doctor’ and can go on to become researchers in academia or industry. The first year of a PhD programme is called MPhil and when you apply for a PhD programme you will usually receive an offer for the MPhil first. It is during your MPhil that you will finalise your research proposal in partnership with your supervisor before you're allowed onto year 2 and 3 of your PhD study.

Many universities nowadays also offer special PhD programmes which are 4 years in length called a PhD with Integrated Studies or New Route PhD which include a Masters degree. These programmes are of particular interest to students that have only completed an undergraduate degree.

More information

If you'd like to receive more information about the Taught Masters and PhD programmes offered at the universities we represent or would like to order an application pack please contact us

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