Postgraduate Programmes and Frequently Asked Questions

It's easy to apply, simply create an account and apply via the Postgraduate Applicant Portal.

There is no application fee for postgraduate taught or research applications.

For help on using the applicant portal, watch this short video:

Please note that applications for the PGDE in Primary Education or PGDE in Secondary Education must be submitted through UCAS.

Please take the time to gather your documents and write your personal statement before starting your application, you have 30 days in which to complete it before submitting. There is an option for you to request an extension within the Applicant Portal but only after the first 28 days have passed. If your application has expired we may be able to re-activate it for you, please email pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk with your personal number and application number (if known) and the postgraduate degree programme you were applying for.

You won't be able to submit the application until you have uploaded the following documents:

Official transcript. If you have graduated, this should be a copy of your final transcript. If you haven't finished your degree yet, please upload a copy of your transcript to date. We accept scanned copies of the official transcript issued by your current or former university. If the transcript is not in English, please upload a scanned copy of the transcript in the original language with an official translation in English.

Personal Statement. We suggest that you prepare the personal statement before you start the application. As a guide we would recommend that you write between 250 to 500 words to answer the following questions:

1. Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Aberdeen to study this subject?
2. Which personal qualities do you possess that will help you to successfully complete this programme of study?
3. How will studying this programme help you when you return home and in your future career?

Some degree programmes may require additional documentation such as a CV/Resume or professional references before a decision can be made. Please check the prospectus entry for your programme before submitting your application in case any additional documents are necessary.

We can usually assess your application if the minimum documents have been uploaded with your application. If you haven't graduated or, if you haven't supplied an essential document, you might receive a conditional offer of admission. If so, you can upload documents to satisfy the condition via the Applicant Portal later.

Other documents which can be submitted with your application or which can be uploaded later are:

Final official transcript or degree certificate

We can only accept a copy of the final official transcript or degree certificate, which confirms the degree has been achieved in the original language and with an official English language translation. You can upload these after you have submitted the application form.

Evidence of English language proficiency

View information about our English language entry requirements and the documents that are acceptable to demonstrate proficiency in English.

The University's Language Centre also offers a range of English language courses to help you improve your English language skills and to reach the University's English language entry requirements.

References

References may be required for some postgraduate programmes. These may be academic references or professional, employer references. If references are required, this will be noted in the Entry Requirements section of the prospectus entry for your programme. Referees are welcome to email to us directly from their professional e-mail address or, if providing you with a letter, the reference should be written on headed paper so that you can e-mail it or upload it to the Applicant Portal.

Previous UK Study (PUK)

If you are an International Student who has previously undertaken or are currently undertaking any period or type of study in the UK please upload copies of your UK Visas and/or Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and admission/CAS letters to your Applicant Portal.

Visa Refusal

If you have previously submitted a UK visa application which was unsuccessful please upload a copy of the refusal letter to your Applicant Portal.

For any other questions about the application process, please contact: Postgraduate Admissions or the School of Education for queries relating to their specific programmes.

Applicants requiring a Student Visa - application deadline for January 2025 and September 2025

January 2025

We recommended that applications from non-UK applicants looking to join us in January 2025 were sent as soon as possible, and preferably by Monday 2 December.

Please accept your offer and send all required documents to the Admissions Team as soon as possible and preferably by Monday 16 December.

Please note that in some cases where students can clear their conditions and have access to fast track visa services some flexibility can be provided.

September 2025

We recommend that applications from non-UK applicants looking to join us in September 2025 are sent as soon as possible, and preferably by Monday 11 August.

We recommended that you accepted your offer and sent all required documents to the Admissions Team as soon as possible and preferably by Monday 18 August.

Applicants not requiring a Student Visa - application deadline for January 2025 and September 2025

January 2025

The application deadline for applicants not requiring a Student Visa for part time and full time postgraduate taught degrees starting in January 2025 was Monday 9 December. This includes applications for online postgraduate taught degrees.

If you have completed a degree at a UK university this year but not been issued with a final certificate of award and are therefore concerned that you will not meet out entry requirements, please be assured that we will consider your application and may well be able to offer you a place.

Your offer will need to be accepted and any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer uploaded to your applicant portal by Wednesday 18 December. This will give the Admissions team time to process your paperwork in time for the start of teaching which commences on Monday 10 February.

September 2025

The application deadline for applicants not requiring a Student Visa for part time and full time postgraduate taught degrees starting in September 2025 is Monday 8 September. This includes applications for online postgraduate taught degrees.

If you have completed a degree at a UK university this year but not been issued with a final certificate of award and are therefore concerned that you will not meet out entry requirements, please be assured that we will consider your application and may well be able to offer you a place.

Your offer will needed to be accepted and any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer uploaded to your applicant portal by Monday 15 September. This will give the Admissions team time to process your paperwork in time for the start of teaching which commences on Monday 22 September.

Research degrees

Unless you are applying for an advertised studentship or research project, most Research degrees can start at any time. You are welcome to apply up to 18 months before your preferred start date. Actual start dates will be confirmed in the admissions documentation.

After submitting your application, you will receive an email acknowledgement from the University. Your application will be reviewed by an Admissions Co-Ordinator and an Admissions Officer.

We will contact you if additional information or documentation is required before a decision can be reached. Additional documents would need to be uploaded onto the Applicant Portal.

We will let you know the outcome of your application by e-mail however you can check the status of your application at any time in the Applicant Portal.

We will always communicate with you using the e-mail address which is linked to your application, if you change e-mail address please ensure you update your e-mail address in the Applicant Portal.

Information about what to do next can found in the Offer Holder Information section of our website.