

Postgraduate taught FAQs
Read our frequently asked questions.
Before applying
The most up-to-date and detailed information on the courses we offer and related matters is available on our postgraduate degree pages.
You can also download a postgraduate brochure too.
Please see our postgraduate taught fees page for the latest information.
All of our courses start in September and some also have a February intake. Please see the course information page for the postgraduate degree you are interested in, for details on the start dates available.
All of our courses are offered on a full-time basis and some of them also offer part-time or distance learning options. Please see the course information page for the postgraduate degree you are interested in, for details on the modes of study available.
Entry requirements
The score or level of English language required varies between courses. Please visit the individual postgraduate degree pages to see the requirements for each one.
The qualifications we can accept as evidence of English language ability are available on our English language requirements page.
We will consider applications from students who narrowly miss out on achieving the required grades. In some cases, two years of management level work experience within your chosen field may be sufficient to make up for a shortfall in required grades, but applications will be considered on a case by case basis and will usually be reviewed by the faculty.
If you have taken or are taking non-UK based qualifications, please check our international students pages for information on the entry requirements from your country. If your country isn’t listed, contact the Admissions team for more information.
Making an application
You can apply online via our website. The application forms are available on the course information page for the course that you are interested in. Just look out for the apply online section. Take a look at our postgraduate degree pages for more details on the courses we offer.
Yes, you can apply online via our website. The application forms are available on the course information pages for the course that you are interested in. Just look out for the apply online section. Take a look at our postgraduate degree pages for more details on the programmes we offer.
We do not charge a fee for submitting an application to us.
You will need to include the following:
- Scanned copies of signed/stamped qualifications (certificates or transcripts) to show how you meet, or expect to meet, the entry requirements
- Evidence of English language level (if English is not your first language)
- A copy of your passport (if you need a visa to study here)
- A personal statement
- Contact details for two referees.
You can usually apply via our website from September (depending on your chosen course) for September entry in the following year (or for February entry for some courses).
Yes, you can apply for more than one course, however we ask that you consider your choices carefully and ensure that your personal statement is relevant to each application that you make. You may be made more than one offer, but will only be able to accept one of them. When you accept one offer, any offer offers will be withdrawn.
Yes, you will need to include a separate and relevant personal statement for each course that you apply for.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible to allow us sufficient time to process your application (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) if a visa is required), and to avoid any disappointment if your chosen course reaches capacity. Please see our how to apply page for the latest information.
You can track the progress of your application via Surrey Self-Service. If a decision hasn’t been made on your application after eight weeks, you can contact the Admissions team to check the progress.
If you have not received an email from us with your University number 48 hours after submitting your application, please check your spam/junk folder, and if you don't see anything there, please contact the admissions team at admissions@surrey.ac.uk.
It is only possible to defer postgraduate applications within the same academic cycle, e.g. from a September start to a February start (where available). Please send your request to the Admissions team. We will confirm whether or not the deferral is possible. If you wish to be considered for the following academic year, you will need to submit a new application when the next admissions cycle opens in September.
If you haven’t yet received a decision you can withdraw your application by logging into Surrey Self-Service and selecting ‘withdraw application’ in the ‘available actions’ section. If you have received an offer, you can decline it by selecting ‘respond to offer’ and then ‘decline offer’.
Take a look at our postgraduate scholarships and financial support page for information regarding potential sources of funding and financial support for postgraduate students, including scholarships and postgraduate loans.
If you wish to be considered for a different course, please submit a new application through the course page, providing a new personal statement. If you just wish to add/remove a placement, or change from Part time to Full time or vice versa, please email admissions@surrey.ac.uk.
After applying/accepting an offer
Most non-UK and non-EU applicants studying subjects in certain areas require an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application. However, if you have indefinite leave to remain, you will not require ATAS to study in the UK.
To check whether your chosen course requires ATAS, look at the CAH3 code shown on your offer letter and then visit the gov.uk website to see if this is on the list of subject areas concerned and whether your nationality requires an ATAS certificate. There you’ll find further details on how to apply. We will also contact you if you require an ATAS certificate, with specific instructions when it is time for you to apply. When making your application, you must use the specific module list that has been sent to you by the University of Surrey.
Please note that UK immigration law does not allow universities to register students for an ATAS applicable course (and ATAS applicable nationality) until the student has supplied the university with all the relevant ATAS certificate details for their application.
If you have questions about how and when to apply, please refer to the gov.uk website.
You will need to:
- Pay your deposit/provide evidence of sponsorship
- Apply for accommodation
- Apply for ATAS (if required and following specific instructions that we will send you)
- Upload evidence to meet the conditions of your offer via Surrey Self-Service.