Postgraduate and post-experience students can choose to learn in two ways: through taught courses or research projects. There are important differences in the nature of work undertaken, the period of study and the method of examination.
Search our taught postgraduate courses
Find out more about our research
Taught courses
Taught courses normally involve formal lectures and/or seminar programmes and written exams. Often, they will impart advanced knowledge or techniques in specialised aspects of subjects you've previously studied more generally at undergraduate level.
Your subject area does not necessarily have to follow directly from your undergraduate studies, although your first degree, and often related work experience, should provide a sound foundation in the new specialism. Certain postgraduate courses lead to exemptions from professional examinations and ultimately to membership of professional bodies. Some courses act as conversion programmes, enabling you to switch your area of specialism.
Methods of assessment vary. Where practical work is involved, you may have to submit reports for evaluation. Long essays are common and formal exam papers are often set. Many courses include a written dissertation, although at this level you will not be required to make an original contribution. You may need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of a topic by presenting a clear and coherent account based on material from various sources (such as research papers, articles and books). On some courses, an important element of the dissertation will be the incorporation of the results of your own practical work.
A taught course will lead to one of the following awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma (PgCert/PgDip) - These qualifications usually require at least one year of full-time study or about two years of part-time study.
- Masters of Art or Master of Science (MA or MSc) - These awards usually involve one year (a minimum of 48 weeks) full-time or about three years' part-time study. A Master's qualification may involve producing a dissertation after completing a PgDip course. Sometimes the PgDip and Master's are identical in length but the Master's course project is more demanding. Some Master's courses are modularised, allowing greater flexibility by offering a wide choice of options.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) - This qualification focuses on the principles of management and the development of management skills, and is by nature a broad course for students over the age of 25 who have at least two years of management experience.
- Master of Laws (LLM)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/Legal Practice Course (LPC) - LLMs allow law graduates to undertake specialist study after graduation and typically require one year of full-time study or two years of part-time. The GDL is designed for non-law graduates wishing to enter the legal profession, and the LPC is a one-year full-time, two-year part-time course vocational course for solicitors.
- Master of Music (MMus) - This qualification for music graduates allows specialised study and involves one year of study full-time or two years part-time.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - The PGCE is the recognised postgraduate qualification for teachers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Candidates can choose between primary and secondary teaching, and there are options for specialisation at secondary level. Full-time courses involve one year of study, with some options available as part-time study.
- Professional qualifications - Many of our postgraduate courses are accredited by professional bodies, providing you with a superb range of professional qualifications and courses combining academic study with professional awards, eg ACCA, RICS, IMechE and SRA.
Find details of all our taught courses.
Research courses
You can obtain a postgraduate qualification by research through independent exploration, analysis and the preparation of a thesis under the supervision of a lecturer who specialises in your chosen subject.
We offer research awards which can be followed part-time, full-time or a combination of the two. Research at this level presents a considerable challenge, both intellectually and organisationally. You will need to be able to work independently and acquire skills which will be valuable whatever your career intentions.
You should have a first-class or second-class honours UK degree in a relevant subject. To register for a PhD you will normally also need to hold a Master's degree, or you may transfer from the MPhil. Other evidence of ability and relevant background knowledge, for example publications or academic references, will be considered.
You may begin your programme of study at any time during the academic year. You will determine your area of study and the outline of the research programme, and will prepare and submit a formal application in consultation with your supervisor. A supervisory team will provide assistance with the development and progress of your research programme and will ensure that you have appropriate training, while you will be responsible for the programme’s execution. Progress is monitored annually through the University's Research Degree Committee. When the research is completed, you will prepare a thesis for examination. Your supervisor will advise on the preparation and submission of this. An oral examination (viva voce) follows.
International students can study on a part-time basis in their own country, provided that there are sufficient facilities and that they attend the University usually for an average of at least six weeks per year.
Our research awards include:
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - An MPhil usually takes two years by full-time study or three years by part-time study. However, there is no minimum period for the completion of the degree. You will complete a thesis but the criteria used in its assessment are different from those applied at PhD level. No 'original contribution' is required, which will allow other aspects of the discipline to receive more weight. The maximum registration period is three years full-time and four years part-time.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - A PhD usually takes three years by full-time study or four years by part-time study. However, there is no minimum period for the completion of the degree. Your thesis must contain an original contribution to the understanding of the subject which is sufficiently important to merit publication. The maximum registration period is five years full-time and six years part-time. Opportunities exist to transfer from MPhil to PhD if your progress demonstrates that development to this level can be achieved. You must submit a transfer report with your application, and undergo an oral examination.
- Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) - The DBA award is a new form of degree designed around action learning, reflective practice and the management of change in organisations. Professionals in other fields have been trained in this way for many years. The DBA gives business professionals the benefits of a similar approach.
Details of research opportunities within each faculty are provided via our research pages. For more information, please contact the relevant Centre of Research Excellence.