Postgraduate Study
Take the next step in your education with a postgraduate programme that fits your academic background, interests and future plans.
Whether you want to specialise, change direction, develop your professional expertise or prepare for research, Study With FM can help you compare your options and plan your application.
Postgraduate study at a glance
- What it is
- Advanced university-level study, generally after a Bachelor’s degree, including taught or research Master’s qualifications and shorter postgraduate awards.
- Typical length
- Many full-time Master’s programmes take one to two years. The duration depends on the country, course, research requirements and study mode.
- Who it suits
- Graduates and professionals looking to specialise, change direction, build career-relevant expertise or prepare for further research.
- What you normally need
- Usually a recognised Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, plus course-specific academic, language and application requirements.
- What you could gain
- An MA, MSc, MRes or another postgraduate qualification, depending on the programme. Professional recognition must be checked separately.
- How we help
- We help you compare programmes, understand requirements and prepare an application suited to your background and goals.
- A common mistake to avoid
- Choosing a programme by its name or university ranking without comparing its content, outcomes and entry requirements.
What is postgraduate study?
Postgraduate study is higher education usually undertaken after a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification. It can help you build specialist knowledge, develop research skills or work towards a particular professional goal.
Postgraduate qualifications include Master’s degrees, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas and doctoral degrees. This page focuses on Master’s-level and other postgraduate options before doctoral study. For PhDs and other doctorates, read our Doctoral Study guide. Their research and application requirements can be substantially different.
Types of postgraduate programme
Taught Master’s degrees
A taught Master’s typically combines lectures, seminars, assessed modules and independent study. Many courses also include a dissertation, research project or substantial professional project.
Common awards include an MA, MSc, LLM, MBA, MEd or MFA. What you actually study, how you are assessed and which qualification you receive depend on the course.
Research Master’s degrees
A research Master’s places greater emphasis on independent investigation and supervised research. It may involve research-methods training, data collection or analysis, academic writing and a substantial thesis or dissertation.
Examples include an MRes, an MPhil or a research-focused MA or MSc. A research Master’s may help prepare you for doctoral study, but it does not guarantee admission to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas
A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is generally shorter than a full Master’s and may support professional development, specialisation or further study.
A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) usually involves more study than a PGCert but less than a full Master’s. It may be a standalone award, part of a longer programme or an exit qualification.
These names, credit values and progression arrangements are not identical in every country.
Professional postgraduate qualifications
Some programmes are designed around a profession or specialist career. Depending on the course, admission or completion may involve relevant work experience, an interview, a portfolio, placements, background or health checks, professional examinations or registration requirements.
A postgraduate award does not automatically provide a licence to practise. Check recognition and accreditation with the relevant professional body.
How long does postgraduate study take?
Many full-time Master’s degrees take around one to two years, but there is no universal duration. Research-based, professional, part-time and specialist programmes may take longer.
In much of the European Higher Education Area, 60 ECTS credits represents a full academic year. A typical second-cycle Master’s qualification carries 90 or 120 ECTS credits, although 60-credit and other structures also exist.
Always check the exact course length, study mode and credit requirements for the programme you intend to enter.
Who is postgraduate study for?
Postgraduate study may suit you if you want to:
- Deepen your knowledge of a subject you studied as an undergraduate.
- Move into a related field or change academic or professional direction.
- Develop advanced skills for your current or intended career.
- Gain research experience or explore a possible PhD pathway.
- Return to education after time in employment.
- Work towards a qualification valued or required in a particular profession.
A postgraduate qualification is not automatically the best next step for every graduate. Consider the course content, career relevance, total cost, funding options, professional recognition and any immigration implications before deciding.
What are the entry requirements?
Requirements vary by university, country and programme. For direct entry to most Master’s courses, you will normally need a recognised Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. Some courses also specify a minimum grade, GPA, particular undergraduate modules or a closely related subject.
Other requirements may include:
- Language proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or another form of evidence accepted by the institution. There is no universal postgraduate IELTS score.
- Professional experience: relevant employment or practical experience, especially for some MBAs and specialist programmes.
- Application documents: transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, personal statement or statement of purpose, references and identification.
- Course-specific evidence: a portfolio, writing sample, research proposal, interview or proof of professional qualifications.
Some programmes accept applicants from varied academic backgrounds or consider relevant professional experience. Others have strict prerequisites. Check each course individually rather than relying on general university requirements.
Applying for a research programme
Research-focused applications may require you to explain your research interests, develop a research question, prepare a proposal and demonstrate relevant academic preparation.
Supervisor arrangements differ between institutions. Some programmes expect you to identify or contact a potential supervisor before applying; others allocate or confirm supervisors later. Always follow the department’s published instructions.
Study With FM can provide research-application guidance, including proposal review and feedback, supervisor research and help understanding the application process. Your research ideas, proposal and submitted academic work must remain your own.
Postgraduate study around the world
Qualifications with similar titles do not always have the same structure or duration.
- Canada: Master’s degrees generally take one or two years after a Bachelor’s degree and may be course-based or involve a thesis, research paper or practicum.
- Australia: Options include Master’s by coursework, research or extended study, as well as Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas. Master’s programmes are typically one to two years.
- Netherlands: Many MA and MSc programmes take one or two years, but research, specialist and professional courses may be longer.
- South Korea: Graduate-school Master’s programmes generally take at least two years, and applicants normally need a Bachelor’s degree or legally recognised equivalent.
- European Higher Education Area: Many systems use ECTS, but credit requirements and programme structures differ by country and institution.
Compare individual courses, not just national averages. See our study destinations for more information about studying abroad.
Application deadlines and funding
There is no single international postgraduate application deadline. Dates vary by course, institution, intake and funding arrangement. Some research programmes also have supervisor-dependent or funding-linked deadlines.
Start by checking the specific programme’s application date and document requirements. Many institutions have a main intake, while some programmes offer additional start dates. Scholarship and studentship deadlines may fall earlier than the course deadline, so early planning is especially important if you need funding.
Tuition fees depend on the destination, institution, subject, qualification, duration and your fee status. In addition to tuition, consider living costs, travel, accommodation, insurance and any required application or immigration charges.
Possible funding sources include university scholarships (such as merit- or need-based awards), government funding, research studentships, employer sponsorship and external organisations. Check the eligibility rules, award value and duration, conditions and deadlines, and whether a separate funding application is needed. Neither a place on a course nor an application through Study With FM guarantees funding.
What will you study, and what qualification will you receive?
Depending on your programme, your work may include advanced modules, seminars, independent study, presentations, individual or group projects, laboratory or studio work, fieldwork, research methods, a dissertation, a thesis or professional practice.
Not every course includes an internship, placement or dissertation. Check the published module list and assessment structure before applying.
Your award may be an MA, MSc, LLM, MBA, MRes, MEd, MFA, PGCert, PGDip or another recognised qualification. Confirm the exact award title, awarding institution, qualification level, credit value where applicable, and any professional accreditation or registration requirements that matter to your plans.
How to choose the right programme
Look beyond a university’s overall ranking. Two courses with similar names may differ considerably in what they teach and the opportunities they offer.
Compare:
- Modules, teaching methods, assessment and research opportunities.
- Academic prerequisites, language requirements and professional recognition.
- Course length, study mode, location and total costs.
- Scholarships, intakes, application deadlines and career relevance.
- Supervisor expertise, where relevant to research study.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by ranking alone: the best-known university may not offer the best-fit course.
- Assuming every Master’s lasts one year: duration varies by country and programme.
- Overlooking prerequisites: subject-specific modules, professional experience or a portfolio may be essential.
- Reusing a generic statement: application writing should respond to each programme’s requirements.
- Preparing documents too late: references, translations, language tests and proposals can take time.
- Missing funding deadlines: they may be earlier than admissions deadlines.
- Assuming a qualification is professionally recognised: check with the relevant regulatory or professional body.
- Treating an offer as a visa guarantee: admission and immigration permission are separate decisions.
- Relying on outdated immigration information: use the destination government’s current rules before making financial or relocation decisions.
Visas, immigration and family considerations
International students may require a visa or other immigration permission. Eligibility and conditions depend on the destination, nationality, programme, study mode and individual circumstances. Rules about financial evidence, work during study, family members and post-study options can change.
For the United Kingdom, Student visa applicants generally need an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Some postgraduate students also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, depending on their nationality and course.
For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, UK Student-route permission for dependants is generally restricted to qualifying PhD or other doctoral students, students on a research-based higher degree, and certain government-sponsored students. A taught Master’s degree does not automatically make you eligible to bring dependants.
Check the current official guidance on UK Student visas, ATAS and dependants before making travel or financial commitments.
Study With FM provides education consultancy, application assistance and general information from official sources. We are not regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and do not provide regulated UK immigration advice or representation. For personalised immigration advice, consult an appropriately authorised professional. Visa decisions are made by the relevant government authority.
How Study With FM can help
Our support is shaped around your academic background, goals and the work agreed for your application. Depending on your needs, we can help with:
- Profile and destination review: understanding your qualifications, interests, experience and possible study destinations.
- Programme selection: researching suitable taught or research courses and comparing published entry requirements.
- Application planning: organising deadlines, required documents and the next steps.
- CV and statement support: preparing or reviewing your academic CV, personal statement and other application materials where included in your service.
- Research application guidance: understanding proposal requirements, reviewing draft proposals and researching potential supervisors where relevant.
- Funding and interview preparation: identifying published scholarship or studentship opportunities and preparing for course or research interviews where agreed.
- Applications and offers: preparing or progressing applications where agreed, understanding offer conditions and comparing your options.
You work with a named adviser who can help you keep the process organised. We can also connect you with relevant accommodation, pre-departure and arrival support.
Final admission decisions belong to the institution. We cannot guarantee an offer, scholarship, supervisor acceptance, visa, employment or professional registration.
What to prepare before contacting us
It helps to have your academic qualifications and transcripts, intended subject, preferred countries, expected budget and desired start date. A CV, language-test results, research interests, a shortlist of courses, or details of existing applications or offers can also be useful.
You do not need to have every detail decided. We can help you work out which postgraduate routes are worth exploring.
Frequently asked questions
Related support
Thinking about postgraduate study?
Whether you have a specific course in mind or are still exploring your options, we can help you understand what is possible and plan your next steps. Your initial consultation is free. We explain the scope and any fees for further services before you proceed.