What is postgraduate study?

Difference between undergraduate and postgraduate study

 Undergraduate Batchelors degree
eg BA, BSc       

Postgraduate Taught Masters degree
eg MA, MSc, MRes		Postgraduate Research degree
eg MPhil, PhD 
Taught or research? Taught        Taught Personal research project
Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications level 		 6        7 8
Full time duration  Normally 3 years for a standard BA/BSc. Normally 1 year. MPhil: 2 to 3 years
PhD: 3 to 4 years.

It is often possible to transfer from an MPhil to a PhD without increasing the total duration of the PhD.
University of Exeter fees  Standard Home/EU and international tuition fees across all programmes. Tuition fees vary by programme and fee status (Home/EU or international).   Differential tuition fees between science and non science degrees, and fee status (Home/EU or international).
Government student
loan available?  		 Yes.        Not presently. Please see our funding search to identify if relevant scholarships are available. No, however some students successfully receive funding through the UK Research Councils, industry or the University. Please see our funding search.
University of Exeter entry requirements Varies by programme, but normally between A*AA-ABB.       Varies by programme, but often a 2.1 Honours degree from a recognised institution. Further information. Varies. Often a taught Masters degree is required, however direct progression from BSc may be possible in the sciences. Further information.
Successful students will
  • apply the methods and techniques that they have learnt to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;
  • critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution – or identify a range of solutions – to a problem;
  • communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • have qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment.
  • deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level;
  • continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level;
  • have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment.
  • make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data, and be able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas, or approaches; 
  • have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.