Masters degrees

Most people who study a taught masters have completed an undergraduate degree and want to develop specialised knowledge within the same subject area. A taught masters can act as a stepping stone to a PhD, or allow you to pursue a career within your field of study. 

Alternatively, you can use a taught masters as a conversion route, switching from your undergraduate specialism to something new. Some of our degree programmes allow for this, meaning you can develop new expertise in an area you have not studied previously. 

If you want to pursue a specific career, for example in social work or architecture, you can benefit from one of our practice-focused masters degrees. These can help you to develop industry relationships and often include work placements. Many are also accredited, giving you a professional qualification that is recognised within your chosen industry.

You normally need to have an undergraduate degree to be accepted onto one of our taught masters programmes. In most cases, we require you to have graduated with a first class or upper second class degree, or the international equivalent.  

For some of our programmes, we may accept you solely on the basis of work experience.  

Check entry requirements on the degree finder 

Many of our taught masters programmes are flexible when it comes to duration and delivery, meaning you can study in a way that suits your lifestyle and commitments. 

Full-time delivery 

A full-time taught masters usually takes 1 year to complete.  

Most of our full-time masters are taught on campus, but an increasing number are taught online. 

Taking the full-time route allows you to complete your studies in as short a time as possible. This can be a benefit if you are planning to take a break from work. 

Part-time delivery 

A part-time taught masters usually takes 2 to 3 years to complete. 

We offer part-time delivery for all our online programmes and some of our on-campus programmes. 

This delivery mode is ideal if you have other commitments that you need to fit around your studying. 

Part-time intermittent delivery 

A part-time intermittent taught masters usually takes 3 to 6 years to complete, although some can be completed within 2 years. 

With this delivery mode, you pay for individual courses as you take them. This route gives you the longest amount of time to complete your masters and the most flexibility if you need to fit your studies around other commitments.  

Part-time intermittent study is usually only offered for online programmes. 

Learn more about part-time intermittent delivery and other flexible study options 

Taught masters programmes are structured around weekly teaching. The exact teaching you receive will depend on the programme and whether it is delivered on campus or online, but common formats include: 

You will usually have to complete coursework as part of a taught masters. You will also carry out independent research, which you normally submit as a dissertation.

A taught masters is not the only way to study at postgraduate level and gain a qualification. We also offer postgraduate certificates and diplomas, as well as our postgraduate professional development (PPD) scheme.  

Diplomas and certificates 

Postgraduate professional development (credit-bearing short courses)