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How to apply for Postgraduate Study
Apply online now for a PhD at the University of Leicester
If, after reading this page, you still have any questions, please email the Admissions Office and we will be happy to advise.
All postgraduate applicants, for both research degrees and taught Masters programmes, should apply direct to the University using the online or paper application form, except for Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) where application should be made through the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology.
You can apply online for all distance-learning and most campus-based courses and research degrees. For campus-based courses only, you can choose to apply by post instead. These instructions cover the following:
| Application Steps | Supporting Information |
|---|---|
|
1: Identify the course you wish to study 2: Gather supporting documents |
Application Steps
1: Identify the course you wish to study
You will find Apply Online links on each course/degree page in the Postgraduate Prospectus but, before applying, make sure you are familiar with the course content and entry requirements in the prospectus. You can also find more detailed information about our courses in our departmental websites. If you have any queries about the course, please contact the department. There are department contact details on each course page.
2: Gather supporting documents
Before you complete the application form, you should make sure you have the information listed below. You will need to submit supporting documents as part of your application. You can upload electronic versions of any of your supporting documentation during online application. The more documentation that you are able to upload, the quicker the decision making process will be. You will need:
- Course or research programme choices
- Personal Information
- Academic qualifications and transcripts
- Personal Statement/Research Proposal
- Two completed references (one must be academic) OR names and contact details of two people from whom we can request references (one must be an academic referee).
- Photograph (optional)
- Proof of English language competency (if your first language is not English)
3: Decide how to apply
We encourage online applications but if you prefer to apply by post (campus-based courses only), see:
If you wish to apply online, read on:
Go to the page detailing the course you wish to apply for in the online Postgraduate Prospectus:
- Find a Masters degree in our online Postgraduate Prospectus
- Find a Research Degree in our online Prospectus
On each prospectus course page, you will find either a link, a button, or a box on the right hand side called ‘Apply Online’.** Select this link and you will be taken to the main Student Records System application process. ** If there is no Apply Online link, and no alternative instruction, please email pgadmissions@le.ac.uk
4: Complete the Application form
f you do not already have a Student Record System account, enter a user name and a password on the first page and select ‘New Applicant’. Otherwise, log in, using your existing details. An account will allow you to save your part-completed application then come back and complete and submit it later.
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and submit it.
You will receive an email to confirm that we have received your application.
5: Sending supporting documents by post
If you are applying online, we prefer you to upload supporting documents during the application. However, if you are applying by post, or if there are any supporting documents that you were not able to submit online, or that your referee will not supply direct, you can send these through the post.
Attached to your confirmation email will be a cover sheet. Print this and include it with your documents.
Where to send your supporting documents:
| For campus based courses only |
For distance learning courses only |
|---|---|
|
Send supporting documents to: Admissions Office |
Send support documentation to the relevant academic department. You will find the address on the prospectus page for your intended course: |
Supporting Information
What next?
Your application is forwarded to the academic department in which you wish to study. The department may contact you for further information or to invite you for interview. The assessment of your application can take up to 28 days. Once the postgraduate tutor has made a decision, you will be informed whether or not your application has been successful. If you are successful and we make you an offer, you will receive further instructions about what to do next, including payment and how to become a student. If you have any queries at any stage, please use the contact details in any correspondence you receive from the University about your application.
If you have not supplied references, your nominated referees will be contacted and offered the opportunity to upload references via a secure link. If you have given us an email address, this will speed up the process. We encourage you to check that the referees have been contacted and that they respond, as it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive references.
Deadlines and the start of the course
Although the University does not have a central deadline for accepting applications, individual departments may. Please contact the relevant department for further information.
We recommend submitting your application as early as possible to avoid any important documents, e.g. offer letters; visa letters; registration materials, not arriving before the start of your course. We do not normally send out information by courier or express delivery. Nor are we able to send offer letters or visa letters as email attachments.
The majority of campus-based taught Masters programmes start in early October. Research degree students start at this time as well, but may also start in January, April or July; however this should be discussed with your department as research training courses may only be offered at certain times of the year.
International Students
Please note that, although we will fax offer and visa letters to you on request, immigration authorities require original letters with an official signature and university stamp. It may also take 28 days or more to organise a visa. It is therefore your responsibility to submit all required documents allowing sufficient time for visa processing.
Equal opportunities in admissions
The University assesses the applicant's potential to achieve success as the criterion for selection. Admissions Tutors will therefore consider factors relevant to the applicant’s academic aptitude. No applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, social class, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, or ethnic or national origins. Any conditions for entry to a course will only be imposed if justifiable on academic grounds.
