How to apply online for postgraduate courses in five simple stages

Stage 1

You decide on the programme and qualification that you wish to apply to by reading our online prospectus. Find the course you wish to study and simply click on the link at the side of the page: Apply online for the full-time course or Apply online for the part-time course.

It's not yet possible to apply for all courses online. If the course you are interested in accepts online applications then there will be links in the right hand column of the online prospectus entry inviting you to 'apply online' for either part time or full time study. Currently distance learning courses can't be applied to online.

It is important that you read all the relevant parts of the Postgraduate Prospectus relating to the course(s) for which you are applying before completing the application form. This is to ensure you are familiar with the course content and entry requirements. If further information about the course is required, then please contact the relevant academic department directly before completing and submitting your application (contact details can be found on the course details page or departmental website).

Having accessed the online application form through a specific course, the details for the course will automatically appear on the form before you begin to complete your application. However, please do check that these details are correct. If you wish to apply for more than one course, you will need to follow the link through the relevant course and complete a new application form.

Stage 2

Before you start completing the online application form, you should make sure you have the following information:

Course or research programme choices
Personal Information
Academic qualifications held including English Language, if appropriate
Personal Statement/Research proposal
Names and contact details of two Referees (one must be an academic referee)

Please ensure all sections are completed as fully as possible to assist with the processing of your application. Also check the information you have entered is correct and make any necessary amendments before submitting your application, as you will not be able to change details once submitted.

Stage 3

So that you can access the online application form we ask that you create a user account so that your application is kept safe and you can save your application and return to it at a later date if necessary.

Stage 4

Once you have done this you can process to fill out our online application form.

Stage 5

Although the majority of your application will have been made online you will need to send us your supporting documents so that you can complete your application and we can make an assessment. Here is a checklist of supporting documents that you will need to send:

Two completed written references
Copies of qualification certificates/transcripts
Proof of English language competency for those applicants whose first language is not English

These supporting documents need to be sent to:

Admissions Office
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
United Kingdom

Download Cover Sheet for Online Applicants PDF
Download Reference Forms for Online Applicants PDF

Some useful advice about sending in your supporting documents

Although the Graduate Admissions Office does not have a central deadline for accepting applications, individual departments may. If departments have deadlines, then they will be listed in the course details. Or, you can contact the department directly.

We recommend submitting your application as early as possible to avoid any important documents (for example offer letters, visa letters and registration material) not arriving on time. The Graduate Admissions Office will not send out information by courier or express delivery. Nor are we able to send offer letters or visa letters as email attachments. Please note that although we will fax offer and visa letters to you on request, immigration authorities require original letters with an official signature and university stamp. It may also take 28 days or more to organise a visa. It is therefore your responsibility to submit all required documents allowing sufficient time for visa processing. We advise international students to apply no later than 31st July (unless they are currently in the UK and have leave to remain in the UK. If such students are accepted by the University, Student Welfare Services will advise students at registration how to renew their visas).

What Next?

Once we receive your supporting documents we will make an assessment of your application. Details are passed to the relevant department who will inform you if you are successful or not by email. We will then notify you officially by letter of the outcome within 3-4 weeks. If you are successful and we make you an offer a registration pack will be sent to you. You then need to complete the forms in the registration pack and return them to us straight away - we then know that you intend to accept our offer.

Next Step

Proceed to courses in the online prospectus to select the programme that you wish to apply to.