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.
How to apply for a PhD
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