Finding your Course
Finding your Course
Undergraduate Pathway
Undergraduate pathway courses - the most common being International Foundation, lead into a UK undergraduate degree. Some are provided by universities directly, others are through partners or independent schools. Foundation courses usually start in September or January and last for 9 months or more.
Undergraduate Degree
An undergraduate degree in the UK most often lasts 3 years for most courses, but sometimes longer. UCAS is the most common application method, but some universities also accept direct applications. Usually UK universities are looking for A-Levels, IB qualifications or US AP’s for entry onto undergraduate degrees, but most institutions also accept a range of international foundations. Previous study at university level can also help to gain admission. Enrolment starts in September for the vast majority of undergraduate courses.
Masters Degree
Masters courses in the UK typically last for one year. Most courses start in September but some universities also have other start dates - e.g. January. A masters course gives you the opportunity to build on your existing knowledge or take your career in a new direction. For example “conversion courses” allow you to study a subject without necessarily having a previous background in that area.
The standard format of the programme is to have two semesters of classes and to do a dissertation in the third term. Most but not all masters courses follow this format. Some masters offer classes instead of the dissertation and others offer will have work placements built into the course.
Application is usually direct through the university website. For many UK universities the application is free, but some have a nominal charge.
PhD
Unlike most degree or masters courses a PhD does not have set requirement criteria that allow you to know whether you will be admitted. A PhD should be extremely specialised and the research should make a unique contribution to academia. The application process can either require you to submit a research proposal (often the case with Humanities or Social Sciences) or for you to apply to contribute research to a pre-defined project (often the case for a PhD in Science or Health).
Universities will usually expect PhD candidates to have a Masters but this is not always a necessity. It is usually important that applicant have existing academic research experience though, even if this was gained during an undergraduate degree. PhD’s in the UK last a minimum of 3 years.
Tips For Finding the Right Course
Search online with some key-words, e.g. “MSc Finance” as well as “ac.uk” and see what options come up. Also websites like https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/ can be a great starting point.
Check the content of the course - most university course pages will list “Modules” in other words classes. Investigate and compare the content between courses.
Is your programme a conversion course? Think about whether you would like to continue in a subject you already have background in, or take your career in a new direction. Often universities can offer conversion courses. This is something to look out for, not only in terms of the requirements but in terms of what level your course-mates will be at.
Are you looking for a dissertation? Find out whether each course has a dissertation and consider whether this is something your looking for. Doing a dissertation can be lonely and sometimes stressful, but on the plus side its a great way to build in-depth specialist knowledge in a specific area. Its also valuable if you are considering a PhD in future, or a career in research or academia.
Keep your options open. Its good to have a focus, but also stay open minded about alternatives you may not have thought of before.