Careers Advisory Service - Find further study: when and how do I apply?

Find further study: when and how do I apply?

Ideally, you should start your enquiries before your final year, especially if you're hoping to study overseas, but in practice very few people do!
Many popular vocational courses are full by Christmas, and so you need to apply early in the autumn. Primary age range PGCE courses and journalism are examples.
For most taught and research degrees, January/February is the peak time to apply.
In most cases the closing date is simply when the course is full!
For most postgraduate courses there is no central clearing system, but there are some clearing systems and closing dates for specific vocational courses e.g. teacher training, law and clinical psychology.
For most courses, you apply individually to as many universities as you like, using the individual university's postgraduate application form. If you're looking for a PhD project it can also be worthwhile to write a speculative application to potential supervisors enquiring about the possibility of working with them.
Prospects.ac.uk provides a free online application facility for UK and international students to apply direct to many, though not all, UK universities for postgraduate research and courses.
You may see taught and research courses advertised as late as a few weeks before the course begins, but don't count on leaving it that late if you want a choice, or maximum chance of any funding.

Download our guide as follows: