Find the Right Course

Studying for a postgraduate degree in the UK can transform your career. There are a number of postgraduate study options available in the UK such as –

• Taught Masters – allow you to build on knowledge gained during your undergraduate study through lectures, seminars and practical work
• Research Masters – focus more on independent study and involve less guidance from tutors.
• Postgraduate certificates and diplomas – allow students to study something new or build on the skills and knowledge already gained during their undergraduate degree. They are usually shorter than a master’s degree and you won’t have to do a thesis or dissertation.
• Professional and vocational qualifications – help to improve or gain skills for specific jobs. Most awards involve practical training. This gives you the opportunity to experience a job first-hand.
• Conversions courses – usually taken by graduates who want to change subject area after their first degree. Often students do this to develop more professional skills. For example, you could study History for your undergraduate degree and do a Law conversion course to begin your career as a lawyer.

Masters programmes usually last one year full time, although some research-based courses can take 18 months to two years to complete. To gain entry onto a course as an international student you will need:

• to have gained a Bachelors degree or an equivalent qualification in another country
• to ensure you can meet the required level of English language to participate fully on your chosen course

Explore all postgraduate study options available for admissions at universities and colleges.

A Pre-Master’s is aimed for students who wish to study a university Master’s degree, but cannot be admitted directly. Pre-Master’s course develops students’ abilities in research methods and practices, English language and academic literacy skills, and understanding of current and emerging themes in the relevant field of study. After successful completion of Pre-Master’s course, students can begin the Master’s degree.

Entry requirements for Pre-Masters course vary from university to university. The minimum entry requirement is usually a Bachelors degree (or its equivalent) in an appropriate field.

Explore all Pre-Masters study options available for admissions at universities and colleges.

Get started in your academic career with an undergraduate degree. Various options are available to study at undergraduate level such as –

• Bachelors degrees – A bachelor’s degree is a common first-year degree. It gives you a thorough understanding of a subject. Bachelor’s degrees usually have a set programme of academic study. Some incorporate practical elements and placements. There are different titles of degree, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng). If you complete all years of the degree successfully with at least a third class pass, you’ll get an ‘honours’ degree. A full-time bachelor’s degree normally takes three years to complete (four in some cases). Part-time options are also available at some universities and colleges.
• Shorter undergraduate level courses -Shorter courses are often equivalent to the early years of a full three- or four-year undergraduate degree. They can stand alone as a qualification, or you can progress to a full honours degree. Options include:
  • Foundation degree
    A foundation degree is equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. It usually involves academic study and work-based learning with an employer.
  • Diploma of Higher Education
    Diploma of Higher Education or ‘DipHE’ courses can be academic, but are mainly linked to a particular job or profession such as nursing and social work. They are normally equivalent to the first two years of a degree.
  • Higher National Diploma
    A Higher National Diploma or HND usually has vocational or professional elements. It is equivalent to the first two years of a university course.
  • Certificate of Higher Education
    Certificate of Higher Education or ‘CertHE’ courses focus on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. A CertHE is equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree. At the end of a course, you can choose to keep studying towards a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree. It can also help you change careers or progress in your current career.
•  Vocational courses – These are shorter courses at undergraduate level that take just one or two years to complete.
  • Level 4 Vocational Courses – equivalent to one year of undergraduate study
  • Level 5 Vocational Courses – equivalent to two years of undergraduate study
  • Level 6 Vocational Courses – equivalent to three or four years of undergraduate study.

Entry requirements for undergraduate courses are set by individual institutions and will differ depending on subject area and where you choose to study.

Explore all undergraduate study options available for admissions at universities and colleges.

If you do not meet the academic or English language requirements or other academic requirements set by the university that you are interested in to study undergraduate course, then a pathways course can help.

Foundation pathway courses help to improve English skills and give the confidence to start undergraduate study.

Explore all study options available in Foundation courses for admissions.

Vocational study prepares people to work as a technician or to take up employment in a skilled craft or trade. Vocational education is sometimes referred to as technical education.

Vocational courses are designed to equip students with job-specific skills that they can transfer into the workplace and boost their employability. They are designed in close partnership with employers, thereby ensuring a competitive edge and exposure to the latest industry. Vocational education can take place at the post-secondary, further education, or higher education level. These course are provided in various subject areas.

Explore all Vocational, CPD and Technical Education courses available for admissions at universities and colleges.

Roughly 500,000 people travel to the UK each year to learn English in the UK.

As the home of the English language and with a reputation for academic excellence, combined with a rich cultural heritage, diversity and blend of countryside, cities and coast in close proximity, the UK is the perfect destination to learn English.

From a one week general English course over the summer, English for Business, and up to eleven months foundation/pathways courses to help you prepare for higher education, the UK has a huge range of choices to learn English.

Find all study options available in English Language courses to get admissions.