How to Apply for a Master’s Degree

When Should You Apply for a Master’s Degree?#

There isn’t a universal deadline for all master’s programme applications in the UK. Some universities set a fixed deadline for each programme, while others accept applications until a course is full. Most master’s degrees start in September, but some will start in January or at other points in the year.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to start researching courses around 9 to 12 months before you want to start studying, with the aim to submit your application several months before the course start date (and the earlier the better). It’s particularly important if you need to arrange funding or accommodation in order to study, and even more so for international students who also need to submit a visa application.

For the most up-to-date information, make sure to check the individual course page. Popular courses are likely to fill up fast (possibly before the stated closing date), while scholarship deadlines may be even earlier. Start your research early and plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

Can You Apply Before You Graduate or Without a Bachelor’s Degree?#

Yes, you can absolutely apply for a master’s degree before you finish your undergraduate programme. In this case, universities will assess your application based on your grades so far rather than your final degree classification; universities can also make a conditional offer, which requires you to achieve the required grade in order to progress to the master’s programme.

However, applying without a bachelor’s degree, while possible, isn’t quite as simple. Some universities will consider relevant professional experience or other certifications and qualifications in place of an undergraduate degree (or other traditional academic background). This varies significantly, not just between universities and institutions, but also between courses within the same institution. One thing to note is that jumping straight into a master’s without a bachelor’s degree can be incredibly challenging, so it’s worth speaking directly to the university’s admissions team if you don’t meet the formal criteria to see if the programme would be a good fit for you.

Similarly, getting a third-class degree in your undergraduate degree doesn’t mean you can’t go on to postgraduate study. If you have strong professional experience and other relevant qualifications, you may be able to secure a place on a course with a strong application. On the other hand, many universities will be strict on the 2:1 or 2:2 requirement. If you’re still studying and are concerned about your final classification, speak to your university about the options available.

A long gap between finishing university and applying for postgrad studies won’t hold you back; if you’ve built up relevant work experience after graduating, this can even strengthen your application. However, some unis might need you to demonstrate that you’re ready to return to academic study. If you can show through your personal statement, references or recent professional development that you have the skills and motivation needed for postgraduate study, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Finally, it is possible to apply for a second master’s degree, for example if you want to change careers later on. However, you’ll need to carefully check the available funding, as there may be less available once you already have a master’s. For example, if you already have a master’s degree or equivalent qualification, you won’t normally be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from Student Finance England.

2. Check the Requirements and Application Deadline#

Once you’ve made your shortlist of courses, you need to carefully review the course page before starting an application. Make a note of the application deadline, academic requirements, English-language requirements and any other supporting documents you’ll need to provide. If you intend to apply for scholarships or other financial support, check the relevant deadlines for these as well.

Even if you don’t fully meet the advertised requirements, in some cases it’s still worth contacting admissions before ruling the course out, particularly if you have relevant professional experience.

3. Prepare Your Application#

Locate the university’s application portal and create your account. Each portal will vary in terms of the user interface and submission requirements, but typically you’ll be required to enter your personal details and education history before uploading the requested supporting documents. Check that any supporting documents are in the right file format, and that the file sizes are under any stated limits (you may need to compress larger documents if required).

When preparing your application, make sure everything is tailored for the specific course you’re applying to. For example, if your personal statement is so vague that it could have been submitted to any uni, it won’t be as convincing as one that clearly explains why you want to study this specific course.

Also, get in touch with your nominated referees to let them know what to expect, and ensure that they can respond before the deadline.

What Documents Do You Need?#

The exact requirements and supporting documents for a master’s degree depend on both the university and course, but here we’ve outlined the documents you’d typically be expected to provide:

- Your degree certificate and academic transcript (or an interim transcript if you haven’t graduated yet)

- A personal statement (sometimes called a statement of purpose)

- Academic or professional references

- A CV covering your work history, education and skills

- A passport or other identification, particularly for international applicants

- Evidence of your English-language ability, primarily for international students

- A portfolio, research proposal or other course-specific material

Make sure all of your documents are up to date; for example, an expired ID or out-of-date transcript could cause delays in the process. You’ll also want to choose references who can give a good account of your specific abilities, knowledge and passions. For recent graduates it normally makes sense to use an academic supervisor or lecturer, but if you’ve been working for a few years then a professional reference might make more sense. Make sure you let your reference know that you intend to include them in your application (just in case they’d prefer not to provide a reference for any reason), and let them know which course you’re applying for and when the reference is due.

FAQs#

Is There a Limit to How Many Master’s Programmes You Can Apply to at Once?#

There isn’t a hard limit across the UK on the number of master’s programmes you can apply for, because as we mentioned, there isn’t one centralised system for submitting applications; individual applications are submitted directly to each university. However, some universities do set their own restrictions. For example, UCL allows applicants to apply for up to two taught master’s programmes in a single year. Therefore it’s important to check whether the unis you’re applying to have similar restrictions in place.

While you could theoretically apply for hundreds of courses at different universities, in practice it makes more sense to spend your limited time tailoring and strengthening your applications for the courses you’re most interested in.

Do You Have to Interview for a Master’s Degree?#

Not always, but it varies by course and university. While some unis will require an in-person or online interview, many will base their decision entirely on the strength of your application and supporting documents. Interviews are typically more common for competitive, research-based courses, where admissions boards will be keen to understand your focus and motivations.

If an interview is a mandatory part of a given application process, expect to discuss your academic background, relevant experience, and what you’re hoping to get out of the course.