Applying for a postgraduate course

Thinking of rejoining student life? Pondering your postgraduate course application? Well, start putting pen to paper and posting off your forms.

Although the majority of people apply within their last year as an undergraduate in an attempt to secure funding, it’s not too late to apply for a postgraduate course now. But as taught courses are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, you may miss out if you leave it any later.

Lisa McAleese, graduate administrator at the University of Manchester, deals with postgraduate- level applicants from the enquiry stage through the application process to registrations. ‘At this time of year we do see an influx of people who weren’t really sure what their degree result was going to be and are pleasantly surprised. They get a higher qualification than they thought they would and then start to think about postgraduate study. We get applications from overseas students at this time of year as well. As they have a different funding situation their application cycle is different.’

However, Lisa estimates that three-quarters of applications for postgraduate study are in by this time of year as they are tied in with the funding cycle of the Research Councils. Lisa explains: ‘The Arts and Humanities Research Council’s closing date for applications is May 1 so what we tend to find is a spurt of applications for arts courses after Christmas because they’re required to tie their applications to University in with applications to funding bodies.’ But she adds: ‘There are other types of applicants who have worked or have other support who aren’t tied into this cycle and may apply any time throughout the year as at Manchester there isn’t a closing date as such for our programmes.’

For those applying for a postgraduate course, the main priority, Lisa says, is to get an application in as soon as possible. ‘Generally departments tend to fill up on a first-come-first-served basis. So the sooner people can get an application to us the sooner we can start looking at it. Although we can’t actually make a decision until we get a full application in, if someone has shown an interest in a programme of study, it is registered. Then as soon as we get the supporting documentation we can make a final decision. But it’s imperative they get that initial application in as soon as possible.’

If you’re wondering whether it is too late to apply or haven’t yet secured funding it’s still worth applying now. ‘Many courses aren’t filled at this stage and you can also defer entry. So if you get a place on the course and have to defer for financial reasons you can do. But you must also bear in mind that taught programmes can change on a yearly basis so check that the course will still be on offer the following year.’

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