References

We will usually ask you to provide references in support of your application.

Check reference requirements

Reference requirements vary between degree programmes. Some programmes do not ask for any references, while others require either one or two references.

Check reference requirements for your chosen programme in the degree finder

Who can provide a reference

Your referees should be able to comment on your potential to undertake postgraduate study.

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.

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.

You will need to name your referees in your application form.

Providing your references

There are multiple ways you can provide your references. You can either:

provide the details of your referees and we will contact them directly
source and submit the references yourself

If you are submitting references yourself, you can do this online or by post.

If you want us to contact your referees

Most applicants provide contact details for their referees so we can request references on their behalf.

If you choose to do this, you should notify your referees and make sure they are happy to provide a reference. Your referees should aim to have their references ready within 5 working days of you submitting your application.

You will provide us with the referees’ email addresses in your application and we will send a reference request by email. This will provide them with a link to upload a reference to your application, or allow them to send it directly to us.

Our system will not send out reference requests until after you have submitted your online application and received a University Username (UUN) (7-digit number beginning with an S). This can take up to 7 days. It may take longer for us to issue reference requests, depending on the volume of applications being processed at the time.

We will only send one email to your referee(s). If they do not respond, it will be your responsibility to contact them with a reminder. You can check the Applicant Hub to find out whether your referees have responded with your reference.

If you want to contact your referees directly

You can source references yourself and submit them to us, either:

submit them to us online or by post
ask your referee to send us your reference by email

Our reference request template will help you prepare a request to send to your referee.

Postgraduate reference request (757.83 KB / RTF)

Postgraduate reference request (140.06 KB / PDF)

Option 1: submit your references online

You can upload the reference yourself. A reference must be printed on headed paper, dated and have a handwritten signature.

You can scan and upload your reference to your application when you submit it.

If you have not uploaded your references at the point of submitting your application, you can upload them to the Applicant Hub at a later date. However, we cannot make a final decision on your application until we have your references.

Access the Applicant Hub

Option 2: ask your referee to email us your reference

Your referee can email their reference to us directly at futurestudents@ed.ac.uk

They must use their professional email address and quote:

your name
your UUN
the degree programme you have applied for

We will then upload the reference to the application system.

Option 3: send your references by post

You can post your references to the relevant College or School office. Make sure 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.

Find contact details for your programme on the degree finder

Guidance for applicants and referees

Applicants: guidance on providing references to support your application

Referees: guidance on providing references for postgraduate applicants

The legal context of providing references

Your referee does not need your consent to provide a reference for you. By requesting a reference, you are taking steps towards making a contract with the University, and there is a legal basis (‘performance of a contract’) that allows your referee to use your personal information for this purpose.
Your referee cannot provide confidential references; they must be prepared to share the reference with you.
Your referee has a legal obligation to use due care when compiling your reference in order to ensure its accuracy.
As references involve the sharing, handling and disclosure of personal data, they are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation.