Postgraduate study in Great Britain

There are over 160 higher education institutions in England, Scotland and Wales, including some of the oldest in the world, such as Oxford and Cambridge. All of these are regulated by a number of official bodies to maintain a high standard of research and teaching. The basic postgraduate degree structures are the same as those in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland: taught and research.

Applying for your course

There is no central body through which applications for postgraduate study can be made. You can obtain prospectuses and application forms from individual institutions and apply to them directly. With over 18,000 postgraduate options available in the UK it is advisable to shortlist about four to six courses. 

Confirm the entry requirements before applying: a Northern Ireland or Ireland undergraduate degree will generally be treated the same as a British qualification but check with the admissions office if you’re not sure. 

For a research degree, you will be asked to write a proposal for your intended field of research and might be invited for an interview. If English is not your first language, you will need a minimum score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

Apply as early as possible in the academic year and be aware that some courses, such as medicine, law and teacher training courses, have earlier deadlines.

Funding your course

Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland residents are not considered international students and can expect to pay ‘home’ student fees. This can cost anything from £1,000 to £9,000+ (or around €1,475 to €13,280+) per year and does not include the cost of living. Accommodation, food, bills and socialising will vary depending on where you choose to live: studying in London will be more expensive than in a suburban town. Scotland is very popular with students from Northern Ireland and Republic as it has relatively low living costs. 

A significant source of postgraduate funding comes from government-funded Research Councils, which specialise in a range of subjects. Graduates from Northern Ireland can apply for full funding hwile graduaets from the Republic of Ireland are able to apply for a fees-only award. If you intend to study in England or Wales you'll need to consult your institution or its local education authority; if you're studying in Scotland, seek advice from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

Other sources of funding include institutional scholarships and awards, charities, foundations and trusts, career development loans and professional loan schemes. Make sure you apply for funding at least a year before your course begins, be clear and concise with your request and remember that even if you are given help with funding it may only cover part of your costs.

A home away from home

Studying in England, Scotland or Wales offers you the chance to study away from home but not so far away that you spend all your time, money and energy travelling to and fro. Also, you won’t have to learn a new language or spend a lot of time getting to know a whole new culture.

Further information

For a database of courses and institutions and further information about studying in the UK, check out targetcourses.co.uk. 

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