Postgraduate study in the UK

Why do postgraduate study?

If you fancy riding out the recession with further study, a postgraduate course at a UK university can give you the knowledge and skills to get ahead

But with tuition fees typically between £3,000 and £10,000 for home-based students and double for international students, undertaking a postgraduate course is a decision you shouldn't take lightly. Before making the step into postgraduate study you should know exactly what you wish to accomplish.

Reasons for doing postgraduate study

As a postgraduate, you could have the opportunity to:

• further your career - it may not always increase your starting salary, but studies show that the majority of postgraduates earn more than undergraduates over their careers;
• change career direction - many postgraduate courses can act as conversion courses if you want to enter a different sector;
• pursue a passion for a particular subject - you can explore your personal interests, as most taught courses will let you select modules. Research courses will allow you to pursue interests in greater depth;
• enter a profession that needs a specific qualification - some vocations demand a postgraduate qualification as an entry requirement. Lawyers, doctors, teachers, librarians and physicists are just some examples;
• gain a clear insight into industry and create invaluable contacts - although this may not be your main reason, postgraduate degrees will uncover industry contacts and work experience opportunities;
• study flexibly - many courses are designed to fit around careers or parenting, with more than half of UK students choosing part-time postgraduate degrees, according to The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2011.

Make sure you have a solid set of reasons for doing postgrad study before you make any commitments.

Will postgraduate study improve my job prospects?

More than a quarter of graduates surveyed felt their future employment prospects were better as a result of their qualifications, according to a 2011 report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

In order to improve your job prospects, you will need to choose your postgrad degree carefully and research your chosen field. Check the entry requirements and career development paths for your chosen profession in types of jobs.

Can I afford it?

The two main expenses facing you when applying for postgraduate study are tuition fees and cost of living.

As a general rule, London is the most expensive city to live and study in. The 2009 Living Costs and Food Survey backs up this fact. Average weekly household expenditure in London topped £550, whilst the South West totalled nearly £475 and Yorkshire only £400.

City University London sets its budget for postgraduates students at £223-£423 per week, with the jump in expenses depending on choice of accommodation and how far you have to travel. The University of Manchester estimates a postgraduate student on a full-time course will spend around £200 per week on living costs. Compare this to a postgraduate student at the University of Stirling in Scotland, who will pay out just £140-£145 during an average week.

Student loans are not usually available to Masters students and so bank loans are a popular option. There are also various Research Council grants available if you hold a first or a 2:1 honours degree from a UK higher education institution. For further information, visit funding my further study.

Should I do a taught course or research degree?

This choice can depend on which subject you wish to study or which career path you want to pursue. The main differences between a taught course and a research degree are:

• taught courses are led by a tutor, and students attend weekly seminars and lectures. There is also some emphasis on independent learning but not as much as on a research degree. The two main types of taught courses are Masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas. These are divided into modules like undergraduate degrees and usually take one year full-time or two years part-time to complete, with students assessed via exam or dissertation;
• research degrees rely on independent study with support a few hours a week from an academic. The best known research degree is the PhD, which can last three to four years full-time or six years part-time. Students are asked to present new knowledge in a research project or thesis, typically 40,000 words or more. Find out more about Doctorates.

To find the right course for you, search courses and research.

Choosing a UK university

The UK has a worldwide reputation for postgraduate education. Research the courses, costs, location and lifestyle to find the best university in the UK for you...

Where can I study?

There are currently 165 higher education institutions in the UK, all offering postgraduate courses. For a list of universities and colleges in the UK, see universities and departments. To find out more about university towns and cities, see the city guides.

If you're an international student, you can check that the institution you are applying to is recognised by the government as being a degree-award winning body at Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEDD) .

Which are the best UK universities?

Four UK universities are in the world's top six:

• University of Cambridge
• University College London (UCL)
• University of Oxford
• Imperial College London

To find out which universities excel in your subject area, see the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2012 .

London is ranked second best student city in the world, with Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow also in the top 50.

When choosing your place of study, bear in mind the increased cost of living in London and South East England compared to the rest of England and Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. You should also consider:

• whether you want to live in the city, countryside or coastal areas;
• if the content of the course matches your needs and job aspirations;
• the reputation of the department;
• the quality of the teaching and facilities;
• availability of funding for your course.

What postgraduate courses are available?

Postgraduate qualifications in the UK include certificates, diplomas, conversion courses, Masters degrees and PhDs. To understand the different types of postgraduate study that are available, see qualifications explained.

To find a postgraduate course in the UK, search courses and research.

Test your English language skills

To study in the UK you need to obtain a student visa, part of the Tier 4 category of visas. To be eligible, you need to prove you have a minimum level of proficiency in English. Find out how you could qualify...

How to prove your level of English

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is the guideline that sets out the different standards of English for international students.

Its scoring system ranges from level A1 (a basic ability to communicate and exchange information) to C2 (understanding almost everything heard or read, speaking fluently and constructing complex sentences and phrases).

The minimum requirement for international students who need a visa to study at or above degree level is the B2 level of proficiency.

The B2 level requires understanding of the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their specialised field.

Students should be able to:

• interact with fluency;
• speak to native people without strain for either person;
• produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of topics;
• explain a viewpoint on topical issues.

For more information, see Council of Europe - The Common European Framework in its Political and Educational Context .

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has created a list of approved secure English language tests (SELTs), which will help you to prove your level of English to universities.

Each test has a different grading structure, but they all correspond with the CEFR scoring system, so whichever test you take and whatever score you get, you will be able to check your CEFR level and whether it meets your visa and university requirements. You can find out how your chosen SELT is scored in relation to CEFR guidelines at Cambridge ESOL - Test Scoring .

This can be complicated, so make sure you take a look at the different SELTs available below, check how they're scored, and clarify exactly what level of English your chosen course and university requires.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS is the most commonly accepted test in the UK. There are two types of test to choose from:

• Academic - for those who want to study in an English-speaking institution.
• General training - for those who are going to English-speaking countries for secondary education or work.

Both are made up of four parts - speaking, reading, listening and writing - and the results are graded on the IELTS nine-band scale. A minimum average score of six or seven is usually required by universities.

To find your nearest test centre, visit IELTS Worldwide Search . Further information is available at IELTS (International English Language Testing System) . 

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

This is a computer-based test of academic English, which is available throughout the year at secure test delivery centres around the world. Test takers receive an overall score and sub-scores for reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Most institutions will require a PTE Academic score in the range of 50-64. Some institutions may list a higher or lower score, depending on the course.

For more information, visit Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) .

English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL)

Cambridge ESOL  exams are accepted by almost all UK universities and colleges as proof of English language skills. They test real-life language skills and cover the four key skills: speaking; reading; listening; and writing.

They are accepted by the UKBA for student visa applications and you can also gain valuable UCAS tariff points that can be used when applying to UK universities. The exams can be taken in 2,500 centres in over 130 countries.

Trinity College London also offers ESOL qualifications that are accepted by both the UKBA and universities within the UK and internationally. The institution's Integrated Skills in English (ISE) exam is typically taken by those who want to prove their level of English for educational purposes and spans CEFR levels A2-C2. For more information, visit Trinity College - ESOL .

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Most universities offer further languages support to students who have already been accepted onto courses. This is called English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

There are two main types of EAP in the UK:

• Pre-sessional courses - for students who want to improve their English for study purposes before starting their UK course. Students with an average IELTS score of six are encouraged to take intensive pre-sessional courses for at least a month, those with 5.5 for at least two months, and so on.
• In-sessional English support - for students who have already started postgraduate study. This kind of support can include intensive English lessons, as the students have already been accepted for full-time study, but classes in specific skills are also offered, as well as tutorials or one-to-one help from an EAP expert.

All students whose first language is not English should contact their university's in-sessional support programme as soon as possible after arriving.