University of Suffolk

The University of Suffolk is a prominent higher education institution based on the south coast of England, known for its comprehensive postgraduate curriculum and student satisfaction. It offers students the opportunity to join a welcoming, diverse academic community and get involved with ground-breaking research, active student societies, and a vibrant student nightlife. 

The university was originally established in 2007 as the University Campus Suffolk, as a collaboration between the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex. It acquired university status and independence in 2016, taking on its current name. Today it’s a thriving university with a student population of more than 5,000 individuals. 

It took 31st place in the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards, reflecting the strength of student opinion around its courses, support services and graduate prospects. 

Suffolk has four campus sites across East Anglia. The main campus can be found in Ipswich, while other campuses are found in Bury St. Edmunds, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. Each campus has a particular focus and offers students modern facilities to learn in. 

Students at the University of Suffolk are able to enjoy a coastal lifestyle in one of several bustling seaside towns, giving them access to miles of beautiful coastline and plenty of bars, restaurants, venues and restaurants to enjoy during their downtime. Ipswich is just an hour away from London by train, allowing students to benefit from the myriad professional and cultural opportunities that the UK capital offers. 

Prospective postgraduate students can explore a wide range of postgraduate study pathways at the University of Suffolk. These range across master’s degrees, shorter postgraduate certificates and diplomas, as well as professional courses and CPD opportunities. 

The university embeds professional development into all of its course offerings, whether through internship and placement opportunities with relevant employers, stimulating and applied learning, real-world project work or through the development of valuable transferable skills. 

Suffolk is also a pioneer of online postgraduate education, with short courses and full degrees alike being possible from anywhere in the country or beyond. Students will be able to learn through a quality digital learning environment, where course material, peer-to-peer collaboration and personalised support and guidance from experienced teachers are as seamless as in person. 

It's also possible to study many postgraduate programmes on a part-time basis, allowing students to work part-time, meet family commitments or retain their current lifestyle while they study. 

Students can explore a range of postgraduate qualification types, from PGCert to PGCE, MSc or MA. 

The University of Suffolk seeks to encourage a wide range of students to apply for postgraduate study, and works to ensure that students enrol on the course best suited to their goals and current experience level. As a result, students will need to meet the specific entry requirements of their chosen course before they can commence their studies. 

For example, students applying to the Suffolk Executive MBA will need to have a minimum of three years’ professional experience in a relevant area. They will also typically have a degree at 2:2 level or above, though equivalent experience is also accepted for consideration. Completion of an interview is required. 

Applicants for the MSc in Psychology will need to have a 2:2 level degree or higher at undergraduate level, in a relevant subject area. 

Students applying for the MA in Criminology: Crime & Victimisation are required to have an undergraduate degree at 2:2 level or above, preferably in a social science subject. 

Entry requirements may change over time, so students should check the university’s website for current information before applying. 

The University of Suffolk seeks to enhance the future prospects of its postgraduate students at every available opportunity, placing employability as a top priority for every degree programme. The university recognises that the form of a successful career is changing in a modern world and seeks to prepare students for a diversity of professional pathways ranging from the employee to the entrepreneur, or enterprise. 

The university has a strong record for graduate outcomes, with over nine out of ten of its graduates finding further study or employment within 15 months of graduating from Suffolk according to the latest HESA survey. 

The university invests in a dedicated careers, employability and enterprise team that works to help students determine their career direction, goals and next steps to success. There are various initiatives and services on offer from the day students begin their studies. The university’s various links to industry and other organisations allow students to access valuable networking opportunities, well-attended jobs fairs, skills workshops and presentations led by sector leaders, and various employment and internship opportunities. 

Accommodation

The University of Suffolk appreciates the importance of being able to find appropriate living arrangements when it comes to the success and happiness of its postgraduate students. The university doesn’t direct students to their accommodation but works to provide a broad range of options for students to choose from, depending on their budget and taste. 

As well as a number of halls of residence, which are all located with easy access to the campus, the university also manages or accredits a number of shared houses. These are perfect for students looking for a more focused study atmosphere, or those who want to live in friends. 

Ipswich and the other towns the university has a presence in are all welcoming coastal towns with a wide range of private rental opportunities available too. Students who prefer to arrange their own accommodation can do so, securing modern apartments or seafront townhouses according to their preference.  

Suffolk has support staff on hand who are available to provide information, advice or guidance around any stage of the accommodation process. This might be reviewing tenancy agreements, payment plans, accommodation features or any other relevant topics. 

There are various funding opportunities available to postgraduate students at the University of Suffolk, designed to help reduce the barriers to study for certain students or reward academic achievement. The eligibility criteria, deadlines and value of each award will vary. 

Some of the available scholarships, bursaries and awards include: 

• The Alumni Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme, which provides a reduction to tuition fees of 25% for students who have already completed a degree at the university or one of its legacy institutions. The students must be studying an eligible taught or research postgraduate degree. 
• The Estranged Student Bursary, which offers an award worth £500 each year to eligible students. 
• A range of PhD Fee Waiver Scholarships become available on a rolling basis, and offer full discounting of tuition fees for successful applicants. These awards may relate to a certain programme or be awarded in response to a successful research proposal. Students can check for the currently available scholarships on the university website. 

Full details of the variety of funding opportunities available through the university, its partners, or external organisations, can be found through the university website.