A postgraduate degree is any qualification studied after completing an undergraduate degree, usually a bachelor's degree, sitting at Level 7 or above on the UK qualification framework, above the Level 6 bachelor's degree that normally precedes it. The most common type is a taught Master's degree, typically completed in one year full-time, but the postgraduate category also includes research degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates, and doctorates, each with its own length, structure and entry profile.
This guide explains exactly what counts as a postgraduate degree, the different types available, how long each takes, what entry requirements to expect, and how postgraduate study is funded, including the Postgraduate Master's Loan for the current academic year and alternative funding routes worth exploring.
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What Counts as a Postgraduate Degree?
A postgraduate degree is defined by coming after a completed undergraduate qualification, not by any single format. It sits at Level 7 (Master's level) or Level 8 (doctoral level) on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, above a bachelor's degree at Level 6. Postgraduate courses assume you already hold working knowledge of your subject from undergraduate study and build on it with more depth, specialisation and independent research, rather than teaching fundamentals from scratch as an undergraduate course typically does.
Types of Postgraduate Qualification
Taught Master's (MSc, MA, MBA)
The most common postgraduate route. A taught Master's is structured similarly to the final year of a bachelor's degree, with modules, seminars and assessed coursework, culminating in a substantial dissertation or research project. MSc (Master of Science) and MA (Master of Arts) follow the same subject-area convention as BSc and BA at undergraduate level. An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a specific type of Master's aimed at those with existing management experience.
Research Master's (MRes)
An MRes is weighted much more heavily towards independent research than a taught Master's, with far less structured teaching and a larger research component throughout the year rather than concentrated at the end. It often serves as a stepping stone towards a PhD, giving students a genuine taste of sustained independent research before committing to a multi-year doctorate.
Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas (PGCert, PGDip)
A Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma are shorter postgraduate qualifications, often covering the taught modules of a Master's degree without the final dissertation. A PGDip typically represents about two-thirds of a full Master's course. Many universities allow you to complete a PGDip first and later add the dissertation to convert it into a full Master's degree, giving you flexibility if your circumstances change partway through.
Doctorates (PhD)
A doctorate is the highest academic qualification, built almost entirely around original, independent research resulting in a substantial thesis, rather than coursework and exams. Most PhD applicants hold both a bachelor's degree and a Master's degree already, having built up relevant research experience along the way. A PhD typically takes three to four years full-time, considerably longer than a taught Master's degree.
How Long Does a Postgraduate Degree Take?
| Qualification | Typical Full-Time Length |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) | 3 to 4 months |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) | 8 to 9 months |
| Taught Master's (MSc, MA, MBA) | 1 year |
| Research Master's (MRes) | 1 to 2 years |
| Doctorate (PhD) | 3 to 4 years |
Part-time postgraduate study is widely available, typically doubling the full-time length. A one-year taught Master's commonly takes two years part-time, with teaching concentrated into fewer days per week or delivered in the evening to accommodate working students.
Entry Requirements for a Postgraduate Degree
Entry to a taught Master's degree normally requires a completed bachelor's degree, with most courses asking for at least a 2:2 Honours classification and competitive courses preferring a 2:1 or above. Beyond classification, admissions teams typically also weigh:
- Subject relevance: some Master's courses require a closely related undergraduate subject; others, particularly in business and management, accept graduates from any discipline
- Relevant work experience: weighted more heavily than at undergraduate level, and sometimes used to offset a lower degree classification
- Personal statement or research proposal: generally more detailed and subject-specific than an undergraduate application
- Academic references: usually from your undergraduate tutors
Mature applicants returning to study after time in work are common at postgraduate level, and universities are generally comfortable with a gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, provided your application explains clearly why you are returning now.
How to Fund a Postgraduate Degree
Eligible students starting a taught Master's degree can apply for a Postgraduate Master's Loan from Student Finance England. Unlike undergraduate funding, which splits support into a separate Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan, postgraduate funding is paid as one combined amount covering both tuition and living costs together, and it is up to you to decide how to split that amount between the two.
| Postgraduate Master's Loan Detail | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan (2026/27 academic year) | £13,206 |
| Repayment threshold | £21,000/year, 6% above |
| Write-off period | 30 years after the April you were first due to repay |
The Postgraduate Master's Loan is not means-tested and is not guaranteed to cover your full fees and living costs, so many students combine it with savings, part-time work or an employer contribution.
For the full breakdown of undergraduate Student Finance England funding by comparison, see our Student Finance England guide.
Taught Master's vs Research Master's: Which Should You Choose?
A taught Master's suits students who want structured modules, a clear syllabus and regular contact with lecturers, finishing with one substantial dissertation at the end. It is the better fit if you are using the qualification to move into a specific career or specialism, such as business, project management or counselling, where the structured curriculum maps directly onto professional skills employers actively look for when hiring. A research Master's (MRes) suits students who already know they want to pursue research as a career, typically as a stepping stone towards a PhD, since it gives a much larger share of time to independent investigation from the outset rather than concentrating it into a single final project.
Can International and EU Students Access Postgraduate Funding?
Students with a UK-eligible immigration status, including EU Settled Status, Indefinite Leave to Remain, refugee status and humanitarian protection, can apply for the Postgraduate Master's Loan on the same basis as UK nationals, subject to the same three-year residency requirement that applies to undergraduate funding (waived for refugees). Students without a qualifying immigration status are generally charged international fees and are not eligible for UK government postgraduate funding, though some universities offer their own international scholarships for specific courses, which are worth researching directly with the admissions team. Our international students page explains funding eligibility by immigration status in more detail.
Working While Studying a Postgraduate Degree
Because a taught Master's degree packs a full year of specialised content into twelve months, the workload is generally heavier week to week than a typical undergraduate year, which makes combining full-time postgraduate study with full-time work genuinely difficult for most students, even with a flexible employer. Part-time postgraduate routes exist specifically to make working alongside study realistic, spreading the same content over two years with fewer contact hours per week. Students who need to keep working full-time while completing a Master's should seriously consider the part-time route rather than assuming full-time study can simply be fitted around a job.
Postgraduate Courses Through AEC Consultant
AEC Consultant's partner universities offer taught Master's programmes in MSc Global Business, MSc Project Management, MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy, and MSc Global Sustainable Development. Our advisors check your undergraduate degree classification against entry requirements, confirm your Postgraduate Master's Loan eligibility, and handle your application directly with the university, with the same free admissions service we provide at undergraduate level, from first enquiry through to your offer.
Is a Postgraduate Degree Worth It?
This depends heavily on your field and goals rather than having one universal answer. In fields such as academia, research, clinical psychology and some engineering specialisms, a postgraduate qualification is close to a requirement to progress beyond entry-level work. In broader fields like general business and management, a Master's can accelerate progression and widen your professional network, but employers typically weigh it alongside relevant work experience rather than treating it as a substitute for experience. Before committing to a postgraduate degree, it is worth researching whether the specific career you want genuinely requires it, or whether the same progression is achievable through work experience and professional qualifications instead, since a Master's represents a real investment of time and money that should match a clear goal rather than general uncertainty about what to do next.
Other Ways to Fund Postgraduate Study
The Postgraduate Master's Loan is the main government funding route, but it is not the only option. Many universities offer their own postgraduate scholarships and bursaries, sometimes specifically for students from under-represented backgrounds or for particular subjects the university wants to grow. Some employers sponsor staff through a part-time Master's directly relevant to their role, covering some or all of the fees in exchange for a continued commitment to the business. It is worth checking directly with your chosen university and, if you are already working, your employer's learning and development policy, before assuming the Postgraduate Master's Loan is your only available source of funding for the course you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a postgraduate degree?
Any qualification at Level 7 or above, studied after completing a bachelor's degree. This includes taught Master's degrees, research Master's degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates, and doctorates.
How long does a postgraduate degree take?
A taught Master's degree normally takes one year full-time or two years part-time. A research Master's can take one to two years. A doctorate typically takes three to four years full-time.
What grades do I need for a postgraduate degree?
Most taught Master's courses ask for at least a 2:2 Honours degree, with competitive courses preferring a 2:1. Some universities accept a lower classification if you have substantial relevant work experience.
How much is the Postgraduate Master's Loan for 2026/27?
The maximum Postgraduate Master's Loan for courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year is £13,206, paid as one combined amount covering both tuition and living costs.
How do I repay a Postgraduate Master's Loan?
Repayments are 6% of your income above £21,000 a year, deducted automatically once you start earning above that threshold. Any remaining balance is written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
What is the difference between a PGCert, PGDip and a Master's degree?
A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) are shorter postgraduate qualifications, typically covering part of a Master's degree's content without the full dissertation. Many students complete a PGDip first and can later top it up to a full Master's by adding the dissertation component.
What is the difference between a taught Master's and a research Master's?
A taught Master's follows structured modules with regular contact time, finishing with one dissertation. A research Master's (MRes) gives far more time to independent research throughout the whole course, often as preparation for a PhD.
Can international students get the Postgraduate Master's Loan?
Students with a UK-eligible immigration status, such as EU Settled Status, Indefinite Leave to Remain or refugee status, can access the Postgraduate Master's Loan on the same basis as UK nationals, subject to a three-year residency requirement that does not apply to refugees.
Can I work full-time while studying a postgraduate degree?
It is difficult alongside a full-time taught Master's, since the workload is concentrated into one year. Part-time postgraduate routes, typically spreading the same content over two years, are designed specifically to make combining study with work realistic.
Are there other ways to fund a postgraduate degree besides the government loan?
Yes. University scholarships and bursaries, employer sponsorship for a directly relevant part-time Master's, and personal savings are all common alongside or instead of the Postgraduate Master's Loan.
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