An important thing to consider as you near the end of your degree is whether or not you're interested in applying for postgraduate study.

Postgraduate study can often feel like a daunting topic to approach. There are a lot of misconceptions about the application and funding processes, and the wide variety of courses available can seem overwhelming and unfamiliar. This blog aims to demystify all things postgraduate, and get you started on your journey to further study.

There are many reasons why someone might choose to pursue further study after graduation:

Boost you career prospects

an anatomy model of a head
Some professions, such as Medicine, require a postgraduate degree

A postgraduate degree can increase your earning potential and enhance your job prospects. In fact, some professions require you to hold a postgraduate qualification before you can pursue them (e.g., Medicine).

Postgraduate study can also help you change your career entirely. For example, conversion courses can open up new opportunities and allow you to pursue a career that is unrelated to your undergraduate degree.

Specialise in a field the interests you

A postgraduate degree gives you the opportunity to explore your academic interests further, while developing skills in research, planning and critical thinking. While these are useful skills to have in any area of employment, they're particularly valuable to those hoping to establish themselves in academia.

Benefit from flexibility

There are a wide variety of part-time and remote postgraduate courses available. This increased flexibility not only allows you to fit your studies around your personal commitments, but also makes it possible for you to gain relevant work experience alongside your degree.

Types of postgraduate study

There are many different types of postgraduate study, meaning that with a little research, you're likely to find a pathway that suits you and your learning style. Below are some examples of postgraduate degree options you can explore.

Taught courses

Taught Master's courses are led by a course leader, with students attending weekly lectures and seminars. Common taught courses include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.

A full-time taught course typically takes one or two years, and will likely involve completing a dissertation or final project towards the end of your studies.

 

A student wearing Solicitor's robes is looking out of a window
Many professional qualifications relate to a specific industry such as Law, Teaching or Medicine

Research courses

Not all postgraduate courses are fully taught. For example, a Master of Research degree (MRes) concentrates more on independent research.

The most common form of postgraduate research degrees, however, are doctorates, such as PhDs. The primary component of a PhD is the completion of a doctoral thesis, an in-depth research project on a specialist topic.

Professional qualifications

Professional qualifications are courses that relate to a specific industry or career. Completion of a professional qualification is sometimes a requirement for pursuing certain career paths.

Common examples of professional qualifications are PGCEs (Teaching), MBChB (Medicine) and LLMs (Law). 

How to apply for postgraduate courses

Interested in applying for postgraduate study? Here's a step-by-step guide to the application process.

1. Find a course

Do your research and find a course you want to apply for. A good starting point for this research is the ºüÀêÊÓƵ's tool. Websites such as and can also be useful.

2. Check the entry requirements

Entry requirements will differ depending on the course you're interested in, so be sure to double-check that you're a suitable candidate.

Some courses will ask for a minimum degree classification (e.g., a 2:2 or higher). Don't panic if you haven't completed your undergraduate degree yet, as you can still make an application based on your predicted grades.

3. Apply online

Unlike undergraduate degrees, where you apply via UCAS, postgraduate applications can be made directly to the ºüÀêÊÓƵ. There are a few exceptions to this, however, including and courses.

Once you're ready, go to the course page and click 'Apply Now'. You will then be navigated through each stage of the application process. You'll be asked to fill in some personal details, as well as your education and employment history. Some courses may require you to submit a portfolio or personal statement.

4. Upload your documents

As part of the application process, you will be asked to supply evidence of your previous education. This can be done by scanning your certificates and uploading them to your application. Again, don't panic if you haven't yet received your degree classification - this can be done at a later date.

Some courses may also ask you to provide one or more references to support your application, so be prepared for this.

5. Receive your offer

Once you've submitted your application, it's sent through to the relevant admissions tutors and reviewed. Some courses may ask you to attend an interview before making you an offer. If your application is successful, you will be contacted by the ºüÀêÊÓƵ and made a formal offer to study on your chosen course. If you're yet to complete your undergraduate degree, this offer may be conditional upon you achieving a specific degree classification.

 

How to fund postgraduate courses

Postgraduate fees can vary from course to course, and thinking about finances can often feel overwhelming. Here's all the info you need, including government-backed funding options and how the ºüÀêÊÓƵ can support you further.

Alumni Discount

The Alumni Discount is a 20% tuition fee reduction available to all Worcester graduates enrolling onto an eligible Master's or PhD course at the ºüÀêÊÓƵ. You can learn more about the discount by visiting the ºüÀêÊÓƵ's Course Fees page.

Postgraduate loans

For those of you interested in completing a PGCE, postgraduate funding works slightly differently. Instead, you'll apply for your loan via the undergraduate Student Finance portal. Learn more .

Postgraduate Master's Loans help cover tuition fees and living costs while you study. Unlike undergraduate Maintenance Loans, the amount of funding you're entitled to is not based on your income, or your family's income.

Entitlement figures are reviewed annually and are subject to change, so for the most current information I'd recommend checking out the pages on the gov.uk website.

Doctoral loans

As with Master's Loans, eligible PhD students can apply for via the gov.uk website. Again, this funding is not based on household income.

Access to Learning Fund

The Access to Learning Fund is Worcester's hardship fund. It is a non-repayable grant administered by the ºüÀêÊÓƵ to help both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are experiencing financial difficulty.

Any further questions? You can contact our Postgraduate Admissions Office at pg-admissions@worc.ac.uk.