What is postgraduate study?

We offer two main types of postgraduate courses - taught courses and research degrees. Here we explain what you study, how, and what you learn.

Taught courses Research degrees

Taught courses

These courses normally involve a formal structure of lectures, seminars, lab work (if relevant), projects and a dissertation. You cover more advanced aspects of subjects studied at undergraduate level. You receive credits for each module you pass.

Master's degrees

Include intermediate awards such as a postgraduate certificate (60 credits) and a postgraduate diploma (120 credits). For a full master's degree award, you need to successfully complete 180 credits - this includes the core element of advanced independent work, such as a research project or dissertation.

Types of course

We offer a variety of full-time and part-time taught postgraduate courses, such as:

Course length

A full-time master's degree is normally completed within one year. You also need to do private study throughout the course. A part-time master's degree is typically completed within two years - but can be extended. Please check the exact course dates with the relevant School before applying.

Doctorates

Usually completed within three years. You can find the length of each course and which intakes are available within each course page.

Assessment methods

These vary for each course. We place more emphasis on assignments, essays, case studies and project work and less on formal exams. The final part of a master's and doctorate is usually an advanced independent dissertation or project.

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Research degrees

For students interested in in-depth academic research, our research degrees provide the opportunity to earn a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) across a range of disciplines.

• More about our postgraduate qualifications and assessment regulations
• More about research degrees