Types of postgraduate study

Our postgraduate degrees (master’s degrees) offer you the chance to explore a subject at an advanced, in-depth level. You can expect the course content and assignments to be more complex and demanding than at an undergraduate level.

Most postgraduate students will have completed an undergraduate degree. For many of our courses, it’s a requirement that you’ve already gained a degree-level qualification in a related field. Alternatively, you should have significant relevant work experience.

There are two types of master’s degrees:

  • Postgraduate taught (PGT) degrees
  • Postgraduate research (PGR) degrees

Read more about these below.

Frequently asked questions

A master’s degree is the most common type of postgraduate qualification. It usually takes one year to complete full-time or two to three years part-time. When you graduate you'll be awarded a master’s degree, such as a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc).

There are other types of postgraduate qualifications, including:

  • Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip)
  • Conversion courses
  • Doctorates

For more information on these qualifications check out the rest of this helpful article.

Most postgraduate master’s degrees take one year to complete if you’re studying full-time, or two to three years if you’re studying part-time.

Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas take a shorter amount of time to complete.

Our integrated master’s degrees (also known as undergraduate master’s degrees) combine three years of undergraduate-level study with one year of postgraduate-level study. Taking four years in all (full-time) or around six years (if studied part-time). Some of these courses give you the option of going on a year-long industry placement which adds an extra year to the length of your course.

Postgraduate taught (PGT) degrees

Most students opt for our postgraduate taught (PGT) degrees. These are similar in format and delivery to what you’ll have experienced at undergraduate level.

Your studies will likely consist of a mixture of taught sessions, essays and other assignments, independent study, and (for some courses) exams.

Postgraduate research (PGR) degrees

Some of our students choose to study a postgraduate research (PGR) degree. This offers a very different experience from the life of a postgraduate taught (PGT) student.

Doctorate level qualifications

The most advanced qualifications we offer are our doctorate-level degrees, which include:

  • MD Res Doctor of Medicine
  • PhD Doctor of Philosophy

A PhD can take three to four years to complete full-time, or around six or seven years if studying part-time.

Find out more about our postgraduate research degrees.

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