Postgrad students in Old Portsmouth

How we make our decision

Understand what we're looking for in your Master's application.

There's more than one route into Master's study. When you apply to join us, we assess your application on all the information you give us, not just your academic achievements.

Your personal statement, references and any professional experience are all used by our admissions team when they make their decision. We're not just looking for outstanding candidates on paper – we're interested in the person behind the application too.

Things we consider

  • past and predicted academic achievements and qualifications
  • extra-curricular activity such as work-experience, cultural and social life, and non-academic qualifications
  • your enthusiasm, commitment and potential
  • your references
  • your personal statement (if relevant)
  • interview performance (if relevant)
  • portfolio quality (if relevant)
  • admissions test (if relevant)
  • extenuating circumstances (if relevant)

Ready to find your perfect course?

Now you know how we assess your application, take a look at one of our Gold-rated postgraduate courses and take the first step towards your exciting future. 

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Assessing applicants with relevant criminal convictions

If you've declared a relevant criminal conviction in your application, we'll contact you to confirm you've declared it correctly. Please don't give us details of the offences when you apply.

If you declare a conviction, your application will be passed to our University Criminal Convictions panel for a decision on whether we can make you an offer.

Fitness to practice

If you are invited to an interview for a professional healthcare or dental course, you'll be required to declare if you have ever been subject to any disciplinary procedures, or fitness to practice processes by any regulator, professional body, employer or educational establishment. If you declare a fitness to practice issue, your application will be passed to a senior member of faculty staff for the course you have applied for to make a decision on whether we can make you an offer.

Need to help with your application?

If you've got questions about how we assess your application, or need a hand with applying, we're here to help.

Contact us

Got a question to ask? We're on hand to help and give you the answers you need: whether you're curious about how and when to apply for a course, or want to know where we are and how to get here.

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How to apply for Master's study

How to apply to study a Master's degree. Get advice on what your application should include and learn how we'll asses it. 

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Postgraduate Open Events

Come to our next event to talk to our course leaders, researchers, expert support teams and current students. 

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