{"id":189,"date":"2023-09-08T14:19:03","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T13:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/futures-online\/?page_id=189"},"modified":"2024-11-04T16:24:23","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T16:24:23","slug":"postgraduate-applications-and-personal-statements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/postgraduate-study\/postgraduate-applications-and-personal-statements\/","title":{"rendered":"Postgraduate applications and personal statements"},"content":{"rendered":"

When to apply<\/h4>\n

Most postgraduate courses will open applications from Autumn,<\/strong> but it’s important to start researching courses the summer before you want to apply so that you can make a note of any important deadlines. Postgraduate programmes typically take on smaller numbers of students than at undergraduate level, so although they will usually post a deadline date for applications, they will often close the application window as soon as they have filled the course. As such, we recommend that you apply as early as possible and don’t leave it until the deadline date as you may be left disappointed. Before applying, consider calling the relevant admissions team to understand how many students they typically take on the course you’re interested in and how competitive it usually is.<\/p>\n

Most postgraduate courses will have academic entry requirements, typically but not always a 2:1 or first-class honours degree. However, some courses accept lower degree classifications and may be more interested in your relevant experience in the field.<\/p>\n

Check out our handy guide to applying for postgraduate courses below:<\/p>\n

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Postgraduate study checklist<\/h4>\n

Start this the summer before you are thinking of applying<\/p>\n

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Research courses carefully and make a shortlist of those you want to apply to.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Take a note of any course deadlines and give yourself plenty of time for your application.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Gather any evidence or documents you might need to submit as part of your application (for example a transcript).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Get in touch with your referee in plenty of time to ask for their permission to provide you with a reference.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Clarify what you need in order to apply, read the advice below, and use our CVs, applications and interviews<\/a> section to help you get started.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Book careers appointments with a Careers Adviser in your Student Futures Account<\/a> for help with your applications!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How to apply<\/h2>\n

Applications for postgraduate study differ across courses and institutions. For most courses, you will apply online directly to the university, though there are some exceptions. For example, law, teaching and graduate entry medicine and dentistry all use a centralised admissions system like UCAS.<\/p>\n

As part of your application, you could be asked to provide one or more of the following:<\/p>\n

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\n Chevron right<\/title>\n <\/path>\n<\/svg> CV<\/h2>