Before you apply

Reading and understanding this information carefully means that your application to Aberystwyth should be a smooth process.
Please get in contact with the Postgraduate Admissions Office if you have any questions about how to submit your application or what our Entrance Requirements are.  

• General Academic Entry Requirements

  Taught Masters

  Generally, the minimum entry requirement for most taught Masters courses is a lower second class honours degree (2.2). However, some departments may require upper second class honours degrees (2.1) (e.g. Department of International Politics) or relevant work experience (e.g. for MBA programme).

  Research Courses

  If you are applying for a research or funded Masters and PhD course you should hold or expect to achieve an upper second class (2.1) honours degree or above.

  Non-graduates

  Non-graduates with at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience are welcome to apply for any Masters course. In this instance your application will be judged on an individual basis. Non-graduates are not eligible for places on PGCE courses or PhD programmes.

  International and EU students

  International and EU applicants must meet our English Language requirements in addition to the academic criteria set out above.

  You may compare your qualifications to see if you meet our criteria using our comparability calculator.

   

   

• Comparing Qualifications

  We have compiled a list of comparisons of UK and International qualifications for your convenience. Unfortunately, this cannot be a full listing for every country in the world but we have included qualifications from countries that we at the Postgraduate Admissions Office encounter frequently.  The list is reviewed throughout the academic year and is subject to change.

  The comparability table is derived from NARIC information [International Comparisons and/or Grading Transfer System] with additional information from the Postgraduate Admissions Office and is provided for general guidance purposes only.

  Aberystwyth University is only able to recognise qualifications awarded by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that are recognised degree awarding bodies and listed as recognised HEIs by NARIC.
  Please click the relevant link below:

  Comparison with other EU HE Qualifications

  Comparison with non-EU HE Qualifications

  Mature Applicants

  Mature applicants with at least 24 months relevant work experience may be considered for taught Masters Programmes. Evan if an applicant's academic qualifications are not comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree, their work experience may supplement their overall profile and could be a deciding factor in determining whether or not they are suitable for the relevant taught Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate course.

  The UK Higher Education System

  To compare an international qualification with a UK qualification, one must first define the relevant UK qualification.

  The UK Bachelor's degree is usually studied over a period 3 years in which they will accumulate 360 CATS credits at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Some students in the sciences may study for an additional year, at Level M, in order to obtain an undergraduate Masters degree (e.g. MEng, MPhys, MMath, ..) that consist of a total of 480 CATS credits and are recognised as appropriate research training for these subject areas.

  UK Bachelor's Honours Degrees

  Degree Classification	Mark Range	Percentage of Students obtaining Class/ Division [Source: UK NARIC]
  First [1] Honours	70% to 100%	8.93%
  Upper Second [IIi]	60% to 69%	41.57%
  Lower Second [IIii]	50% to 59%	30.00%
  Third [III]	40% to 49%	4.6%
  Fail/ Drop out	0% to 39%	14.9%

  UK Masters Degrees

  Masters Degrees in the UK are usually 12 month full-time, 2-year part-time or 3-year distance-learning programmes. These may be specialist courses leading on from a Bachelor's degree in that subject area; Research Training or Research Preparation Masters that specifically prepare students for PhD; or conversion courses that condense the essential elements of final 2-years of a Bachelor's degree and a Masters dissertation into a 12-month period. All taught Masters programmes and consist of 180 CATS Credits. An MPhil is a research degree with no taught element. An MRes includes a taught element (1/3) and a research element (2/3). Entry requirements to Masters Degrees are usually either a 2i or a 2ii Honours degree. Some vocationally oriented Masters courses also require relevant work experience. 
  N.B. 180 CATS credits = 90 ECTS credits

  UK PhD

  This is a pure research programme conducted under the supervision of a specialist in the field. Where relevant, students will follow research training modules during their first year to support their research project. The final assessment will be based on the doctoral thesis and a viva-voce examination in the presence of a (non-Aberystwyth University) External Examiner and a (Aberystwyth University) Internal Examiner. A full-time PhD programme takes at least 3 years whilst a part-time PhD programme will take at least 5 years. Entry requirements are usually a 2i Honours degree and in some cases a relevant Masters degree.

• Essential documents you must submit

  In addition to the information required on the application form, you will need to attach copies of the following documents to your application (whether online or offline):

  1. Two references must be supplied for each application please see section 'essential references' for further information
  2. University transcripts (certified translated copies are required if original document is not in English or Welsh)
  3. Degree certificates  (certified translated copies are required if original document is not in English or Welsh)
  4. Personal statement within 1-2 A4 pages
  5. Two References (see reference requirements below)
  6.  Research proposal (for MPhil/ PhD applicants only)
  7. School or college transcripts/certificates (International applicants only)
  8. Curriculum Vitae (MBA course only)
  9. English language certificates (EU/International applicants only)
     
  10. Further supplementary documents are required by the Department of English and Creative Writing. Please see their specific course pages for details.
      

  If you are unable to supply all additional documentation at the time of your application, our Postgraduate Admissions team will contact you to follow up.

• English Language Requirements

  International and EU applicants will need to show evidence of a sufficient knowledge of English. This must be proved before you begin your course. If you have not achieved the required level before sending us your application, your formal offer for postgraduate study will include a condition stating that you need to achieve this level before the start of your course. If you do not reach the required level of proficiency, it will not be possible to admit you onto the course.

  N.B. All non-EEA students: All students applying to Aberystwyth University must demonstrate that they are competent in the use of the English language and satisfy the University’s requirements as below. The following qualifications are accepted by the University and are considered to satisfy a minimum of CEFR B2 level in each component (speaking, writing, listening and reading). This is the minimum level acceptable for degree level study in order to secure a visa to enter the UK via Tier 4 (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/).

   This table outlines the levels of proficiency needed.

  N.B. Test results are only valid for a maximum of two years.

  N.B. General entry requirement of IELTS 6.5 applies to: Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences; Computer Science; Education and Lifelong Learning; European Languages; History and Welsh History; Information Studies; Law and Criminology (Taught LLM courses and Legal Practice course); Mathematics and Physics; School of Art; School of Management and Business (MBA, MScEcon in Accounting & Finance, MScEcon in Banking and Financial Regulation, MScEcon in International Business and Public Policy, MPhil and PhD); Sport and Exercise Science; Welsh.

• Essential References

  Two references are required for all postgraduate applications.

  Unless stated otherwise these should be academic references.

  If you do not provide references with your application it will not be processed.

  Please ensure all references meet the following criteria, each reference should:

  • Be written on letterhead paper. Emailed references will only be considered if they are sent directly from the referee’s official work email. We do not accept references from yahoo, gmail or hotmail accounts, for example.
  • Be signed and dated by the referee. Email references that meet the above criteria are the exception.
  • Contain the contact details and position of the referee.
  • State your name, address and the course you have applied for.
  • State how long the referee has known you and in what capacity.
  • Address the issue of your suitability for the course you have applied for.

  Applications for the MBA and the Masters in Archive Administration, Records & Information Management, and Information Governance and Assurance must provide one professional reference, in addition to the academic reference, to comment on your work experience.
  
  The University provides downloadable reference forms on the applying offline page. You may pass these forms on to your referees for them to complete and return to the University. See our page about applying offline for address details.

• Research Applicants Only

  If you are applying for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) you should:

  • Check the research interests detailed on the relevant department's website to see if we can offer expert supervision in your chosen area of specialisation;
  • pepare a research proposal (1000 - 1500 words) to outline the research project you would like to undertake (does not apply to applicants for the Institute of Mathematics and Physics);
  • submit a full application (either online or offline) with all supporting documentation and your research proposal, including how you intend to fund your research degree.

  In addition to the above, some Departments require that additional supplementary documents are provided, so it is important to check the specific course page for details.

  Research applicants for Science subjects (UK/EU)

  In addition to the above, contact the relevant academic department regarding the availability of project studentships and deadlines for applicants.

• Students with disabilities

  If you have a disability, medical condition and/or support needs it is important that you inform the University so that you receive appropriate support. Please ensure you declare your condition on your application.

• Legal Practice Course

  Please note, there are a number of programmes for which you apply using different application systems. The Legal Practice Course uses the CAB online system 

• Teacher Training (PGCE)

  Please note, there are a number of programmes for which you apply using different application systems.
  The PGCE Teacher Training courses use the GTTR online system.
  

• Application deadlines

  We advise students to apply as early as possible before the start of their degree.

  • Applicants for Research Degrees should generally apply before the end of February to be considered for a funded place.
  • Applicants with who intend to bring their family should generally apply before the end of February.
  • Distance Learning application deadlines are two months prior to the course start dates.
• Starting dates

  • Nearly all our taught programmes start towards the end of September.
  • Distance Learning programmes in the Department of Information Studies start in April and September, other than the BScEcon in Information and Library Studies course which starts in June.
  • Distance Learning programmes in the Department of Law and Criminology start in April and October.
  • Research degrees (PhD, MPhil, LLM by Research): normally end of September and late January/early February for full-time research study.  Part-time research students (not resident in Aberystwyth) may begin on the first day of any month of the year, subject to departmental approval.

  
  For further clarification please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office.

• Final Checklist for Applying

  1. Make your application and attach 2 references
     • ONLINE applications - attach references to the application or emailed direct from referees
     • OFFLINE applications - email the completed application form (or print and complete 2 copies) and send 2 references in sealed envelopes or emailed direct from referees
  2. Research course applicants should include their research proposal (N.B. not applicable to Mathematics & Physics)
  3. Apply for research funding where applicable (29th January or 1st March Deadline)
  4. Receive a conditional offer from the Admissions Office (within 4 - 6 weeks of receipt of application)
  5. Accept your offer within the time frame noted in your offer
  6. Join Aberystwyth Prospective Postgraduates on Facebook and meet up with other applicants
  7. International students apply for student visa (allow plenty of time for your application to be processed)
  8. Non-native English speakers, where necessary, apply for pre-sessional academic English language programme at the International English Centre (IEC)
  9. Send documents requested by the Postgraduate Admissions Office to fulfil the conditions of the initial offer (e.g. Bachelor degree results, proof of scholarship, English language qualification)
  10. Receive unconditional offer and a 9-digit student number
  11. Apply for accommodation online here, using the 9-digit student number (note: accommodation is guaranteed until 31st August).
  12. Buy a bedding pack online from Click2Campus (when you book your accommodation)
  13. Accept your accommodation offer and send licence agreement and deposit cheque to the university.
  14. Arrange transportation to UK/Aberystwyth – keep in mind the following dates:
      • Accommodation contracts start on Saturday 24th September 2011 (contact Accommodation Office if you intend to arrive earlier)
      • International Welcome, Sunday 25th September 2011
      • Term starts Monday 26th September 2011
      • Postgraduate Induction, Monday 26th September 2011
      • NOTE: SOME PROGRAMMES BEGIN EARLIER THAN 26th SEPTEMBER – CHECK YOUR OFFER LETTER!
  15. Read Postgraduate Induction and Registration information available online or sent by post
  16. International students contact Postgraduate Admissions Office with the following details:
      • Name and student number
      • Arrival date
      • Arrival airport
      • Arrival time in UK
      • Proposed transport to Aberystwyth (bus, train?)
• Ready to Apply?

  You can apply Online or Offline