Why it’s not too late to apply for a Postgraduate Masters course – A practical guide to applying

Not every student's journey to university is the same.

Did you know that some universities will accept postgraduate applications (if there’s still places available) until just a few weeks before the course starts? Unlike the fixed undergraduate application timetable the postgraduate process is more flexible so don’t worry if you have left things a little late.

It’s always worth checking each universities PG course deadlines as they can vary widely from university to university, and between degrees.

But be careful, if you’re an international student who needs a visa to study in the UK as this will extend the applications process, so you’ll need to factor this in to your timeline...

Don’t worry, we will talk more about this later on in the blog. First, let's look at the stages for applying...

What are the stages of applying to a PG course?

We’ve broken how to apply into simple steps to help you secure your place no matter when you apply during the year...

1. Search for your course - pay attention to fees and funding, module outlines and entrance and English language requirements to ensure you find your perfect match. Why not have a look at some of the PG courses, here at Newcastle, on our course finder page
2. Check entry requirements
3. Check application and deposit deadlines
4. Prepare your application
5. Write your personal statement - find out our top tips here
6. Apply through our application portal
7. Complete and submit your application

For most programmes there are no deadlines and if there are, this will be advised on the website.

Find out more about how to apply.

How long will it take?

Once you have applied, at Newcastle, we aim to respond to your application within 10 -15 working days. For some courses, or during busy times, it could take longer.

If you’ve ever got a question about your application, you can send us an enquiry via the application portal you originally applied through.

And if we need any further information to help us make a decision, we will email you. You can track the progress of your application by logging in to your account.

When you have met all of the conditions of your offer (and paid a deposit if required), you will receive a ‘Confirmation of Place’ email.

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Getting your CAS and visa issues sorted

If you’re an international student, and need a visa to study in the UK, then you’ll have an extra step to complete to secure your place.

Alongside the ‘Conformation of Place’, you’ll also receive a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) number from us, which you will need in order to apply for your visa. There’s a handy step by step guide to help you through the process, here.

It can take between 3-8 weeks to process visa applications, so if you’re thinking of starting your studies in September you’ll need to act quickly!

Top tips for late visa applications

Visa applications are managed by the UK Home Office. There are a few things you can do to help when applying for a visa slightly later than you anticipated:

Apply for your Student Visa using the priority service if this is available in your country. There is an additional fee to pay, but it can speed up the processing time.
Start preparing for the visa application while waiting for an offer from the university. When using personal funds to support the visa application, this must be held for at least 28 days, so it’s never too early to start preparing this while waiting for the offer and CAS from the university. You can also complete a TB test (if required) in advance.
After submitting the online visa application, try and book the earliest appointment for biometric enrolment.. Visa applications will only be considered once the appointment for a biometric enrolment has been completed.