How to apply for a Postgraduate Degree

So, you’re interested in applying for postgraduate study? Here’s a step by step guide covering all you need to know to apply. Unlike undergraduate degrees where you will apply via UCAS, you can apply straight to the University for a postgraduate degree - almost like a job application. However, there are a few exceptions to this that will require you to apply through a slightly different process. They include: Teacher Training (gov.uk), Conservatoire courses (UCAS Conservatoire) and Law courses (LawCabs).



Firstly, here's a checklist of everything that you'll need: 

  • Scanned copies of your prior education certificates (if you have not yet graduated your referee will need to provide your predicted grade)
  • Two references (one academic and one employer)
  • personal statement

Are you a current BCU final year student?

If you're a current BCU undergraduate student, then you can apply in just a few clicks via our fast track application.

1. Find your course

Hopefully, you’ll have completed all your research and found the course you want to apply for. So you can just go straight to the course page and begin your application.

2. Check the entry requirements

Be sure to double-check you meet the entry requirements for the course. It’s also important to make sure that you have included the relevant information in your personal statement to show the tutor why you’re an ideal candidate.

3. Prepare your documents

Make sure you have your scanned certificates and references at the ready so that you can complete your application in full. Don’t panic if you haven’t completed your undergraduate degree yet, you can still submit an application – a conditional offer could be given, based on you achieving the required result.

4. Apply directly online

On the course page you’ll see an ‘apply now’ button. Using this will allow you to create an account on the MySRS portal (or the relevant external portal), to complete your application. This is very similar to a job application. We need to know a bit about you, your education history and your employment history. For creative programmes, we may follow up with a request for a portfolio and/or interview from you. 

If you're applying for a Teacher Training course, Conservatoire course or a Law course, please read our FAQs to find out more about how to apply through external portals. External portals will guide you through the necessary application stages.

5. Hit submit

Once you’re happy with your application and provided the necessary information, you'll be prompted to digitally sign an application declaration and then you just hit submit! You will get an email from us confirming that we have received your application. If you don’t feel quite ready to submit yet, you can save your application and review it at a later date. We do advise that you complete your application as early as possible, as popular courses can fill up very quickly.

6. Receive an offer

Once you’ve submitted your application it is sent through to our admissions team and they will then contact the relevant tutor to review your application. Some courses will require an interview/audition or other assessment method before a decision can be made and our admissions team will be in touch if you are successful in this next stage. 

Once all of this is complete the admissions team will process your offer. You will receive your offer via email which can then also be seen through the MySRS portal. Once you have received this you will have the option to accept your offer in the MySRS portal and then we’ll be able to guide you through the next steps.

Want to find out what happens after you submit your application? Check out our postgraduate application timeline.

What should you do next?

Come to a Postgraduate Open Event

Our campuses have a real buzz about them, at our Open Events, you’ll have the chance to experience it for yourself. See where you could be attending lectures, getting on with independent study and meeting fellow postgrads for a coffee.

Register for the next Open Event

Download our postgraduate guide

Our Postgraduate Guide provides details of all our postgraduate taught and research courses. It also provides information about the research environment at Birmingham City University

Download the guide

Apply for a course

So, you’re interested in applying for postgraduate study? Here’s a step-by-step guide covering all you need to know to apply. Unlike undergraduate degrees where you will apply via UCAS, you can apply straight to the University for a postgraduate degree.

Find out how to apply

Sign up to find out more

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Get advice on your personal statement

Not sure what's required of you in a postgraduate personal statement? Don't worry, our guide has top tips, examples from real students and all the guidance you'll need.

Download the guide