Postgraduate prospectus

Applying to Essex: postgraduate application

How do I apply?

We welcome online applications. The online application form will take you about 20 minutes to complete.

If you prefer to complete a paper application, the form can be downloaded from the PG application website or you can request an application form to be sent to you by contacting the Graduate Admissions Office by e-mail: pgquery@essex.ac.uk, or by telephone: +44 (0)1206 872719.

What information do I have to provide?

The online or paper application form will ask you to provide:

• your personal details
• details of the academic qualifications that you already hold, or are waiting to complete
• any English language qualifications (eg IELTS, TOEFL)
• the names and contact details for two academic or professional referees.

You must also send us your ‘supporting documents’. We can not process your application until these have been received. If you submit an online application, these should be posted or e-mailed separately. If you complete a paper application, you can include these items with the application form. The supporting documents will include:

• transcripts of your university-level studies to date
• copies of certificate(s) for any degrees or other awards that you have completed
• a research proposal (required for most research degrees)
• two references, in sealed envelopes.

References should be on headed paper in order for us to verify the position of the person writing the reference. Electronic references must be sent from the individual’s professional email address, so that we can verify the authenticity directly.

Scanned copies and photocopies are acceptable at this stage. We may ask you for originals if you are offered a place.

Some departments, schools or centres will require additional items in support of your application. Full details of the requirements and where to send the information is available alongside the online application form for you to read or print and will be provided with a paper application form.

What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language, we ask you to provide evidence of your ability to understand and express yourself in English for academic purposes. This is important to ensure that you derive full benefit from your studies. If you have a score which is less than two years’ old in an internationally recognised test, such as IELTS or TOEFL, please supply a copy with your application.

If you do not have a current score, an offer will be conditional upon achieving one. The score required will vary by subject and details are contained in the individual subject entries. Students who have successfully completed university-level studies in the medium of English will not normally be asked for a test score.

We implement the following IELTS/TOEFL score equivalents:

You can arrange for your TOEFL test score to be sent to the University by entering our institution code, which is 9836, on your examination papers or the score report request forms.

We also accept the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), at grade B or C, depending on the programme of study.

If you have a level of English which is close to that required for your degree, you may be able to meet our requirement by following a pre-sessional course before the academic year.

Is there a deadline?

There is no deadline for the receipt of applications but it can be difficult to obtain copies of transcripts, certificates and references at short notice. We therefore advise that you apply by 1 July. You should also take into account any deadlines for applications for funding, such as scholarships.

Keeping track of your application

We aim to respond to applications for taught courses within three weeks, and to applications for research degrees within six weeks, once we have received all the relevant documents from you and your referees. When we acknowledge your application you will be issued with a PG Number, which is your unique reference number with the University. You can use the PG Number to create an account on our applicant web pages ‘myEssex’.

If we offer you a place, we will send you our decision by post and electronically. You will be able to view and download an electronic copy of the offer letter from ‘myEssex’ within 24 hours of a decision being made. We will send you an e-mail with instructions on how to do this.

You should use ‘myEssex’ to keep us informed of any changes to your contact details by updating them online.

Can I study part-time?

We welcome applications to study part-time at postgraduate level. Most of our taught courses and research degrees are available part-time. The tuition fees are proportionate to the full-time rate. If you wish to study part-time, please state this clearly on your application. It is possible for overseas students to undertake part-time study provided that they have the necessary visa and immigration status to do so.

Disabled students

Applications from disabled students are considered against the same academic criteria as those from other candidates. If you are disabled you should state this on your application form so that early consideration can be given to meeting your accommodation and, where necessary, daily care requirements. Please write to the Head of Graduate Admissions if you would like additional information before submitting an application.

Occasional students

Applications for those who do not wish to gain a degree or other qualification are made in exactly the same way as those for graduate programmes. When making an application, you should indicate the reason for wishing to study as an occasional student, and the length of time you wish to spend at the University. Enquiries should be addressed to the relevant department, school or centre. Overseas students should be aware that visa restrictions may apply to occasional study.