The UK offers thousands of taught and research postgraduate courses that are respected and recognised throughout the world. UK research has an exceptional reputation; despite the country's size, it contributes almost a tenth of the world’s research output. Whatever your subject, you will be able to further your academic qualifications in an environment that attracts some of the best intellects to study at some of the best institutions in the world.
It is usual to study the same subject as your first degree, or a related subject, but you do not have to. There are also conversion Master’s, which are designed to help you to move into a new subject area (such as computer science, information studies, teaching and law).
Broadly speaking, postgraduate degrees either follow a taught programme or are research based. The most prestigious research degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), the highest academic award available. You can also study for a masters. You can also study a Master's Degree in Philosophy (MPhil), the Arts (MA) or Science (MSc). Although these are taught courses, they also require some research and/or academic independence. There are also a number of postgraduate certificates and diplomas. For more information, see our information sheet:
Choosing your Postgraduate programme (PDF 230KB)
Subject Review Reports on the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) website look at the quality of the teaching of each subject, the students' learning experience, and the support/guidance available to them in different UK universities and colleges.
Entrance requirements are usually equivalent to a UK first degree in a relevant subject and a test of proficiency in English language (usually an IELTS band 6.5, a TOEFL score of 550, or equivalent). You will need to contact your chosen university for specific requirements. Now that the Bachelor-Master structure has been introduced in Belgium you can use the following as guidelines:
- Belgian Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard*
- A Belgian Master’s degree is considered comparable to a British taught Master's degree standard*
* information provided by The National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) - www.naric.org.uk
This means that students holding a Belgian Bachelor degree can continue with a UK Masters degree programme.
Students holding a Belgian Master degree will most probably be accepted onto a UK Phd course.
See our section on comparing Belgian qualifications to UK qualifications.
However, you will always need to contact your chosen university for reassurance on their specific requirements before you apply.
Prospective research students should be preparing to research into a relevant programme. You can find out what programmes are acceptable at our EducationUK website or on Postgrad and Prospects (online directories of postgraduate opportunities). The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) also offers good information and inspiration through a ranking system of research subject for each institution.
Even if you have already checked the website and prospectus of your preferred university, it is a good idea to contact the relevant department for further details of their research activities before making an application.
Once you have decided where you would like to study, check with the departments to see if there is a closing date for your application.
You need to request an application form from your chosen university (there is no standard form available). You should also apply at least twelve months before the proposed start date (usually October), especially if you are also applying for a scholarship.
While your application is being processed, you can prepare your research proposal. This should be a short (usually two pages) summary, based on research in your field.
European Union (EU) students studying at universities and colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay the same fees as UK students, known as ‘home fees’. You also need to make sure you can pay for where you live, your food, clothes and basic needs. Some universities offer scholarships, but there is a lot of competition for these and you should not depend on it. Find out more about funding your studies.
Pour des informations en français: http://www.britishcouncil.org/fr/france-education-etudier-au-royaume-uni.htm ou www.studyrama.be
Voor informatie in het Nederlands: het spijt ons dat de inlichtingen niet beschikbaar zijn.
Für Informationen auf Deutsch: http://www.britishcouncil.de/d/education/study.htm
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