Last call for September postgraduate applications!

CONTENTS 

• Choose your course 
• Do your research & don’t compromise 
• Don’t waste time 
• Get your house in order 
• Manage expectations & have a plan B  
• Practicalities, paperwork and proof of eligibility 
• Documentation checklist 

Hoping to study a master’s in September but haven’t quite got round to applying yet? Well, the good news is, it’s still not too late to apply! The bad news is, time is running out, so you will need to get your house in order. That means gathering all the necessary documents needed to support your application and, more importantly, start researching and selecting the programmes and universities you wish to apply to; at this late stage in the game, you should be hedging your bets and applying to multiple institutions just in case your first choice is already full.  

Unlike undergraduate courses, postgraduate programmes offer more flexible application schedules. Some courses accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, while others may have multiple application rounds during the year. Deadlines for postgraduate programmes vary; therefore, check deadlines before applying and if you have any doubts, you can always speak directly to the admissions office, at a specific university, to see what leeway there is, if any, for late applications. Occasionally, some courses have extended deadlines, so always worth reaching out to the admissions team directly.  

Ideally, when planning for a September enrolment, you should be thinking of applying at least six months in advance, between January and March. This gives you plenty of time to get your paperwork in order and beat the crowds. September is a popular enrolment point for home students and international alike, and many scholarships work around this cycle, too. Moreover, places fill up, particularly on popular postgrad programmes, so if you want to be in with a chance of getting a place on your chosen course, the sooner you apply, the better! However, this is not always possible, life gets in the way, right? Maybe you’ve been so engrossed in completing the last year of your undergraduate studies and time has just run away, or you have decided to take a new career direction and completing a postgrad qualification will help you achieve your ambitions. Whatever your reasons behind applying late in the day, it really doesn’t matter. What matters now is prioritising the next steps you need to take to secure a place for September. So, what are those next steps?  

Choose your course 

First, choose the postgraduate course you are interested in. Sounds easy, right? But this is a big financial commitment, and not to be taken lightly. Make sure the course you’re applying for aligns with your goals, ambitions and academic expectations; if you are following a specific career pathway, make sure the course is accredited with the appropriate governing bodies to ensure you have the necessary qualifications upon completion to take your career forward. There are many variations of similar programmes, so know yourself, know the criteria needed for your chosen career and be sure the course you are applying for will help you achieve those goals. You can search postgraduate programmes using our PGS search tool.  

Do your research & don’t compromise 

Research courses and find your ideal programme/ programmes. Yes, you don’t have much time, but that’s no reason to be sloppy or short sighted. Take the time thoroughly research programmes related to your field and cast a wide net. Try to find a few programmes that match your objectives. At this stage in the game, the more universities you apply to, the greater chance you have of securing a place; but, this does not mean you need to compromise on your long-term goals by settling for any programme just because there are still places available; better to defer, than to pursue a course which is not who you are or who you hope to be.  

Don’t waste time 

Check application deadlines, no point building up your hopes for a course where the deadline has passed or closed early due to already being full. Be informed and do your research. You can go on to university websites and check their course directory, where you will find information on application deadlines and the supporting documentation you need to submit along with your application. Make sure your academic background meets the course requirements, again no point in applying if you know you don’t match the academic criteria required. Yes, there is flexibility often depending on experience and background, but do you have time to argue the case? If you think not, then go for courses where you’re a good fit. It will be more straightforward, less time consuming and gives you a greater chance of being accepted.  

Get your house in order 

Having all your paperwork and documentation to hand means you can apply to multiple institutions and enhance you prospects of securing a place for September. Be mindful though, even if you are applying to similar programmes, make sure your personal statement is tailored to each individual course. Do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important your personal statement reflects how you match course criteria, why you would make a good MA or MSc student and how the course will help you to achieve your career goals, demonstrating your commitment to undertaking postgraduate studies. To find out more about writing a personal statement, read our guide. 

If you are planning on studying a doctorate and are wondering how to write a PhD personal statement, we also have a PhD specific guide to support you. 

Manage expectations & have a plan B  

While you should be hoping for the best, there is also the possibility you may have left it too late. Popular programmes in more elite institutions fill up quickly. If this is the case, you can always defer until the next intake. Try to have a plan B in mind just in case. On the bright side, you will now have all your paperwork in order, which will make things much easier next time round and gives you more time to refine your personal statement or even revisit your research proposal.  

Practicalities, paperwork and proof of eligibility 

This is where attention to detail is everything. So, once you have checked eligibility, check again. Criteria will vary depending on you chosen programme. You may need to submit GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE test scores (Graduate Record Examination) for certain courses such as MBAs, economics or finance programmes. However, on most other postgraduate programmes this is not necessary. If it is, make sure you have these results to hand so you can input them directly on your application form. If English isn’t your first language, you will also need to demonstrate proficiency in the language, by completing an IELTS test or TOEFL exam and will be asked to submit these grades on your application form. For more detailed information about applying for a postgraduate course, check out our guide.  

Documentation checklist: 

1. Completed application form: 

Most universities have online portals where you can download or upload application forms. Submitting your application form and accompanying doucments online significantly speeds up the process.  

2. Personal statement: 

Your personal statement is crucial to your application and demonstrates your suitability for the course. It gives you the chance to showcase your subject knowledge, skills and experience and why you are the right fit. Don’t waste this opportunity; be mindful about the information you put in the statement, marrying it to course objectives and ensure it’s well-written. Get someone to proofread for content quality and grammatical accuracy. 

3. References (x2):

Depending on your personal circumstances and background, references can be either academic or professional, or a combination of both. If you left education some time ago, then citing professional references is perfectly acceptable. Just make sure you’ve checked first with potential referees that they are happy to supply references on your behalf. Academic references will be from tutors who have supervised your work at undergraduate level.  

4. Copies of your degree certificates:

You will need to supply proof of your degree qualification by submitting copies of your certificate/s. 

5. Academic transcripts:

You may be asked to submit a transcript, which is an official academic record of your attainment at undergraduate level. Transcripts provide details of the subjects and you have taken, alongside the number of credits earned for each module. If you don’t have a copy of your academic transcript, contact the university and they will be able to issue a replacement. 

6. GRE/GMAT scores if applicable:

As mentioned before, this is not a prerequisite of most courses but if you are studying business or related field, you may be required to submit results. If so, you can complete these tests at a designated test centres around the country, just make sure you do this in advance, so you have your results to hand when completing your application.  

7. Research proposal:

If you are applying for a MPhil or MRes you will need to submit a research proposal. This is where you can outline your field of interest and the area you wish to investigate and base your thesis on. You will need to explain how you intend to conduct your research, the methodology and the objectives you hope to achieve. 

8. English language proficiency if applicable: 

If English is not your first language, then you will need to submit evidence of proficiency in English. Depending on what region of the world you are coming from, this could be in the form of an IELTS grade or TOEFL. These exams should be taken in advance, so you can input the grades on your application. Most master’s require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, but this may vary depending on the programme.  

9. Curriculum Vitae (CV):

For some courses, you might be required to submit a one-page CV, detailing your academic background, work experience, any research you have undertaken and publications.  

10. Funding and scholarships:

It’s important to check funding deadlines as they may close before the application deadline. If this is the case, make sure you apply for whatever one occurs first. You may be asked about how you intend to fund your course, so even if you don't have funding confirmation yet, make sure you have a plan in mind and are able to articulate what you intend your source of funding to be. This may include scholarships, grants, bursaries or loans.  

While applying for a postgraduate programme at the last minute can be challenging, it's not insurmountable. If you submit a strong application and there are still places available on the programme, then there’s no reason you can’t secure a place at the last minute. Writing a strong personal statement is key, particularly if the course you are applying for is a popular one. You might be facing fierce competition, so make sure your application stands out from the crowd. Ensuring you have submitted all the necessary documentation at the same time as your application, will also speed up the process. If there is anything missing, it may slow things down, so make sure you have all your documents to hand when you apply. 

Finally, best of luck! Now, what are you waiting for?  

Next: Start your postgraduate journey. Search courses now!