Application Requirements for UK Masters Courses

Understanding the entry requirements and documentation needed can help to ensure a smooth application journey.

Checking you meet the Requirements

Most UK unviersity course pages will give details on eligiblity for application - usually under an “Entry Requirements” section.

Look for the grade requirement e.g. 2:1 (Second Class Upper) in a degree and whether a specific subject background is mentioned e.g. “first degree in an economics related subject”. If no subject background is mentioned you can assume that any degree major at the specified grade is acceptable.

A degree and an English language certification are usually the two fundamental qualifications you need for a place on a UK masters course. However some courses will have other requirements such as work experience, a portfolio or an interview. In all cases other documentation such as reference letter(s), a personal statement, passport copy or a CV will also be requested.

English Language

The UK immigration authority UKVI put less ownness on universities to check English language ability for a list of countries that they regard as English-speaking. This is a short list and at the time of writing (Dec 2022) does not include any African anglophone countries such as Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya.

For this reason, UK universities have to make their own judgements and there are a range of admission policies on accepted English language qualifications. Some universities insist one of the UKVI’s Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificates - the most well-known being IELTS. Other universities will accept other tests and many will recognise African tests such as WAEC, NECO or KCSE. Universities may also recognise that your degree is taught in English in order to assess you as meeting their requirements.

The most failsafe route to ensuring you meet English language requirements is to sit a SELT test, e.g. UKVI accepted IELTS within two years of your intended university enrolment.

However, you can usually make the inititial application to UK universities without an English language test, so some applicants decide to wait to see if they need the test, depending on which university they settle on. You may save time and money if it turns out you dont need the test for your chosen course, or your plans change.

Required Documentation

The university and location you choose can make a big difference on the experience you will have in the UK. Each destination has something to offer but finding the best environment for you can help to make sure you thrive and have a postive experience.

Most univesities will need the following documents, however you may not need all of this documentation to make the initial application:

-University degree certificate(s)
-University transcripts
-English language certification
-At least one reference/recommendation
-Personal statement
-Any professional certificates
-School certificates, e.g. WAEC or NECO
-CV
-Passport copy

You can often make the application without all of the above and universities will allow you to submit it subsequently. Often universities will make a Conditional Offer based on the conditions of receiving missing documentation.

References

There is some good guidance examples on references requirements on the two pages below
- https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/supporting
- https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/apply-pg/doc-requirements-explained.aspx

Typically one reference is required, but some courses may require two or not require any.

References can be in two forms. Universities may ask for one of the following, but many accept either form of reference:

  • A letter submitted online by the applicant or agent

  • Details of the referee - to be contacted directly

References Guidelines:

  • Universities usually prefer academic references if you have been at university in recent years - i.e a reference from one of your professors/tutors/lecurers during your degree.

  • Reference letters need to be on headed paper and signed and dated.

  • Whenever providing email addresses of referees - either as a contact or on the letter itself, it is usually required for the email address to be official, i.e. not @gmail, @hotmail etc.

  • The referee should mention how long they have known you and in what capacity.

  • The referee can make general comments about ability, strengths and suitability to undertake postgraduate study, but if it can include your ability in English language that can be helpful as some universities will accept this towards your English language requirement.

  • Most universities dont need a separate reference for each application - so if you can obtain a general reference letter without mentioning the name of the university applied for, you should be able to use it again and again.

Bentley GSC Support

The information on this page is a general guide, but Bentley GSC can support and be on hand to answer questions during the whole process.