一、Before you apply
Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.
Entry requirements
To study at postgraduate level, you will need to meet our academic and English language entry requirements.
Entry requirements
When to apply
You may apply at any time, however, we strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible so that we have enough time to process your application.
Application deadlines
Find the application deadline for your chosen programme in our degree finder.
Degree finder
If you will require a visa then you apply should apply even earlier to allow time for the visa application process. Further information on visas and immigration can be found on the International Office website.
International students - visas and immigration
Similarly, if you are applying for financial support you will need to be aware of the relevant funding deadlines. You may need to have an offer in place from the University before you can be considered for some sources of funding, but you don't need to wait for examination results or the outcome of scholarship applications before you apply for your programme of study.
Scholarships and loans
We may consider late applications if we have places available, but you should contact the relevant Admissions Office for advice first.
Supporting documents
When you apply, you will need to upload:
a transcript with all of your results achieved to date
copies of your degree/diploma certificate, if you have already completed your qualification
references, if these are required for the application to your chosen programme
evidence of your competence in written and spoken English, if English is not your first language
certified translations, if your original documents are not in English
a research proposal, if this is required for the application to your chosen programme
To make sure your application is processed in the fastest possible time, you should upload your supporting documents along with your application. We can't make a decision on your application until we have received all your relevant documents.
Find out more about references, certified translations and research proposals:
References
Certified translations
Research proposals
Contacting us
If you wish to discuss your proposed programme and any special conditions that may apply to your studies, please use the degree finder to find the contact details for your chosen programme
This is particularly important if you are interested in research because the School needs to make sure it has the appropriate facilities and expert supervision available.
二、How to start your application
Applications for our postgraduate programmes are made online.
Applications for most of our postgraduate programmes are made online through our degree finder. To apply for a programme, look up your chosen programme in the degree finder.
Starting your online application
Once you've found your programme in the degree finder, look for the "Apply" button in the "Applying" section.
Choose the option with your preferred award, study mode and start date, then choose "Apply" to begin your application.
Completing your online application
The application form contains guidance on how to complete each section.
You do not need to complete the application in full; you can save a partially completed application. If you do this, an email will be sent to you that provides a link to allow you to return to the application to complete it.
Once you have submitted your completed application, you will be able to track its progress and accept or decline any offers you receive.
Exceptions: when to apply by other means
There are some circumstances where you should not apply using the University's own online application system.
When applications are handled by another university or organisation
If the applications for your chosen programme are handled by an external organisation, institution or professional body you will need to apply using their own online system. (For example, applications for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programmes are made through UCAS .)
In these cases, the alternative application route and procedure will always be clearly indicated in the programme information on the degree finder.
When you are unable to use the online application
If you are unable to use our online application system, you may apply by post.
Please contact Student Recruitment & Admissions to request an application form.
三、Personal statement
You will need to submit a personal statement of around 500 words, outlining your academic history and relevant experience.
Your personal statement is an important part of your application: it will help selectors to decide whether you are good match for the programme you have applied for and, just as importantly, whether the programme is right for you.
Areas to cover
Your personal statement gives you the opportunity to outline your academic history and relevant experience in order to demonstrate that you are a suitable candidate for the programme you have applied for.
You should also use your personal statement to outline your motivation for your chosen area of study. Try to answer questions such as:
Why are you interested in studying at Edinburgh?
Why have you chosen this particular programme?
What are your career plans, and how will your studies support these?
If you have any other relevant experience, for example paid or voluntary work experience or additional qualifications not stated elsewhere, then please include this information in your personal statement, or you can add it to the “Relevant knowledge/training skills” field in the application form.
If you are applying for more than one programme you should write a tailored personal statement for each of your applications. This enables you to refer to the specific programme you are applying for and to highlight how your academic background and skills make you suitable for this particular programme.
Length and writing style
Your personal statement should be no more than 3,500 characters (approximately 500 words) in length and should be written in formal English, using appropriate grammar and punctuation.
It is a good idea to ask a friend to proofread your statement for you before you submit your application.
四、References
You will usually be asked to provide references in support of your application.
Reference requirements vary between degree programmes: some programmes do not ask for any references, while others require either one or two references. Find the specific reference requirements for your chosen programme in our degree finder.
Choosing your referees
Appropriate people to provide your references would include a Personal Tutor (or equivalent) or another academic who has taught you at undergraduate or masters level. They should be able to comment on your potential to undertake postgraduate study.
If it is a while since you graduated you may be able to supply a work-related reference in place of an academic one. This would typically be written by a line manager.
Requesting a reference
Download our reference request template, which will help you prepare a request to send to your referee.
Providing your references
You can provide your references in one of the following ways:
Online (through the Applicant Hub)
You can upload your references with your online application.
Alternatively you can provide us with the referees’ email addresses and we will send a request by email. This will provide them with a link to upload a reference direct to your application, or alternatively to send it directly to us. Please note that the system will only send one email, and that it is your responsibility to send reminders if required.
Please ensure that your referees are prepared and able to provide the references within five working days of the submission of your application. More information for the referee can be found on the help for referees webpage.
Help for Referees
If you have not uploaded your references at the point of submitting your application, you can upload them at a later date through the Applicant Hub.
Applicant Hub
More information can be found on the references guidance webpage.
References guidance
By post
You can post your references to the relevant College office. Please ensure that your full name and date of birth are clearly indicated on each reference. If you have already applied and received your UUN you should also include this.
五、Certified translations
You will be asked to provide transcripts of your academic record to support your application.
Transcripts should provide full details of the degree class and grades you received in each unit or module.
If these documents are not in English they should be accompanied by a formal certified translation into English provided either by:
the awarding institution
a sworn translator (this would be a translator sworn before a court in a non-UK jurisdiction)
a Fellow (FITI) or Member (MITI) of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), who may self-certify the translation
Find a list of Fellows and Members of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting:
Institute of Translation and Interpreting
If the translation is not provided by the awarding institution we will also ask you to provide:
confirmation from the translator or translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document
the date of the translation
the full name and signature of the translator or of an authorised official of the translation company
the translator or translation company's contact details
