Masters degrees and courses

What is postgraduate taught study?

Postgraduate study is the next step on from undergraduate/first-degree/Bachelors degree study, and consequently places serious academic demands on you as a student. There are essentially two different types of postgraduate study: taught programmes and research or doctoral degrees.

The majority of our taught postgraduate programmes are Masters degrees. A Masters degree is a qualification awarded for demonstrating a high level of expertise in a specific field. It's at level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), above Bachelors but below Doctoral.

They are similar in style and structure to undergraduate degrees, but the tuition you receive will be more advanced. You will usually have a choice of modules so that you can tailor your programme to your own interests. They also generally consist of lectures, seminars, assessments (via essays and/or exams, dissertations or group projects, for example). You’ll be expected to work more independently than at undergraduate level, but still receive support from your tutors.

What is the difference between an MA, MSc, and MRes?

We offer the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) and the Master of Research (MRes). We also offer specialist taught postgraduate degrees, such as the One Planet MBA and the Master of Laws (LLM).

• MA - You’ll normally find MA programmes within social science, arts and humanities, and business programmes
• MSc - MSc programmes are typically for students in STEM subjects such as science, engineering, and mathematics. You may also find some MSc programmes in the social sciences and business, where the course involves quantitative data analysis, for example
• MRes – This programme combines advanced subject-specific tuition with advanced level training in the methodological, analytic and research skills which are vital for the undertaking of further research.

Students also have the option of studying a Masters by Research programme (MbyRes). Not to be confused with the Taught MRes, the MbyRes is a research-level degree.

Can I study part-time/online/by distance-learning?

Yes. We offer part-time, distance-learning, and online options.

Part-time study

Most Masters programmes are 11-12 months full-time, with many programmes also available for part-time study and lasting roughly twice as long. Please note that international students are subject to visa regulations which normally prevent part-time study if study is not by distance-learning or online.

Distance-learning

Increasingly we offer distance-learning programmes which require little or no attendance at our campuses and enable you to study for a postgraduate qualification from Exeter, anywhere in the world. Some programmes are delivered via ‘block teaching’; intensive 1-2 week bursts of on-campus lectures, seminars, and activities, which can fit more easily around your working life.

Online study

We also have Masters programmes available for fully online study.

What are PGCert and PGDip's?

Some of our Masters degrees can be taken in a shorter form, by omitting the dissertation or some of the taught modules. Full Masters programmes consist of 180 credits of which around 60-90 will be for the dissertation element; Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip, 120 credits) and Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert, 60 credits) covering only taught modules are also available in a number of subject areas.

Is there a way I can view the status of my application?

Yes, you can view the status of your application on The Gateway. Details of how to access this are included in your application acknowledgement email. You can also use The Gateway to upload outstanding documentation, to accept an offer we have made, request a deferral, request an extension to your deposit deadline and view any correspondence we have sent you. If you submitted a paper application, please contact Admissions if you require a status update.

I have received an offer letter. What do I do next?

Our offer email contains guidance notes on how to accept your offer.

How do I accept my offer?

You can accept your offer by visiting The Gateway here. You may also need to pay a tuition fee deposit to secure your offer. This will be stated in your offer letter, along with an associated deadline.

My offer includes a condition for English language proficiency. How do I prove this?

You will need to send us an English language test certificate of results which meet the requirements specified in your offer. You can upload a scanned copy of your results on The Gateway. For further information about which tests and scores are acceptable please see English Language requirements.

Why do I need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check?

If you are asked to complete a DBS check this is because it is likely you are going to be working with vulnerable adults or children whilst studying on your programme. If you have lived within the UK during the last 5 years we will ask you to undertake a UK DBS check. If you have lived outside the UK for more than 12 months within the last 10 years you will need to provide a police check or certificate of good conduct from that country. These checks are independent of each other and it is your responsibility to provide the non-UK police check. Full details will be sent you with your offer. For further information is given on our Disclosure and Barring Service page.

How do I obtain the necessary documents to apply for a student Visa?

All students must use a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to apply for a Student Visa. The University will generate a CAS number for an applicant once their offer is unconditional and has been firmly accepted. The CAS number will sent via email, as will the CAS Statement. Applicants must ensure all details in the CAS are correct before submitting a visa application.

Can I accept my place for more than one programme?

No. When you accept your place on a programme you are committing to that specific programme. Any other offers you may be holding will be released.

Can I defer my place?

Requests for deferral will be considered on a case by case basis.

Applicants wishing to defer will need to put their request in writing and submit it via our enquiry form (please ensure you quote your Exeter Reference Number – which can be found on the top of your original offer email). We aim to notify applicants of an outcome within 10 working days (please note, that for research applicants the timeframe may be longer as we will need to check supervisors' availability).

Applicants are only permitted to defer entry once. Subsequent to this, a new application will be required which will be considered in line with others applying for entry in that year.

Deadline for requesting a deferral

Applicants who do not request a deferral within this timeframe will be required to reapply, as your original application and documentation will not be retained.

Can I change the status of my application to part-time (or full-time)?

Yes. You will need to contact Admissions and request the change. We will check there are places available and that you are eligible. Once this is confirmed, we will send you a new offer email. Please be aware that if you require a Student Visa you will need to check UKVI regulations, as it is not always possible to study part-time.

Can I change programmes?

It is sometimes possible to change programmes. If the programme you wish to change to is within the same discipline please contact Admissions, providing us with details of the programme you wish to be considered for. If you are wishing to apply to a programme that is in a different discipline you will need to submit a new application via your applicant portal The Gateway.

How can I apply for accommodation?

We guarantee to offer accommodation to all new unaccompanied International postgraduates for the full academic year starting in September as long as you apply by 31 July in your year of entry. Note: You are defined as an international student if you pay international fees. For further details please visit our Accommodation Office webpages.

Exeter Accommodation Office 
Phone: +44 (0) 1392 722524
Email: accommodation@exeter.ac.uk

Cornwall Accommodation Office
+44 (0) 1326 253639
Email: accommodation@tremoughservices.com

How can I get a PDF version of my offer email?

This is available on The Gateway and can be viewed and printed on the 'Progress on your application' screen.

My offer includes a condition to provide a reference. How do I do this?

You need to provide us with a reference from an academic referee who is in a position to comment on the standard of your academic work and suitability for postgraduate level study. See full details of what a reference needs to contain and how to send it to Postgraduate Admissions.

Please note that we will not contact a referee and make a reference request on your behalf.

When will I receive my CAS?

Once you have firmly accepted your unconditional offer, the CAS process will begin automatically. Issuing times will vary depending on the time of year and there can be delays in the peak summer period.

Further information and the current CAS issuing timeframes can be found on our website.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes - all postgraduate taught offer holders for full-time taught programmes, and Part-Time MSc Extreme Medicine, need to pay a deposit to secure their place unless they are being fully sponsored.

Do I need to pay a deposit if I am sponsored?

If you are in receipt of an approved scholarship or studentship covering your full tuition fees and can provide documentary evidence of this, you will be exempt from paying a deposit. Further information can be found on our student fees webpage.

Do I need to pay a deposit if I am applying for a UK Student Loan?

If you're applying for a UK postgraduate loan we will automatically extend your deposit deadline until 31 July 2026. All you need to do is tell us this is the case. To do so please contact us via our enquiry form.

Please be aware that if you pay £1,000 of your deposit and subsequently apply for a UK postgraduate loan, that the deposit will be non-refundable except in cases that fall within the policy as outlined above.

How do I pay the tuition fee deposit?

You will need your 9-digit Exeter Student Number, your Date of Birth and Full Name. Details of how to pay can be found on our Make a Payment pages.

After making a successful payment, you will receive one of the following:

• Online debit or credit card payments: a confirmation email from epay@exeter.ac.uk quoting a unique reference number.
• GlobalPay for students: a reference number that can be used to track your payment via student.globalpay.wu.com/geo-buyer/exeter#!/tracking. 

Once your payment has reached Admissions, your status will be updated and an email confirmation sent. You will be able to view this on your Gateway. 

PLEASE NOTE – it can take up to 10 working days after a payment is made for your admission status to be updated.

Can I get a refund of my deposit?

Deposits may be refunded in other exceptional circumstances. Please see our Refund Policy for further information.

Will I be refunded my deposit if I defer?

No. Your deposit will be rolled over with your application to the next admissions cycle. If you apply to defer for a second year, you will need to reapply and your deposit will not be refunded unless there are extenuating circumstances.

How do I know if the University have received my Tuition Fee Deposit payment?

After making a successful payment, you will receive one of the following:

• Online debit or credit card payments: a confirmation email from epay@exeter.ac.uk quoting a unique reference number.
• GlobalPay for students: a reference number that can be used to track your payment via student.globalpay.wu.com/geo-buyer/exeter#!/tracking. 

Once your payment has reached Admissions, your status will be updated and an email confirmation sent. You will be able to view this on your Gateway. 

PLEASE NOTE - itcan take up to 10 working days after a payment is made for your admission status to be updated.