Postgraduate study

Am I qualified for the programme I want to do?

You can find the entry requirements for individual postgraduate programmes are in the A-Z list of programmes. This includes information on both academic and English language requirements (if English is not your first language).

If you cannot find the information, or you are unclear what the entry requirements are, you can contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team by:

• Online: using our online enquiry from
• Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 4515

Please note, the Postgraduate Admissions Team can only tell you what the entry requirements are, they cannot tell you whether you will get an offer or not.

We need to have a completed application form and all of the required supporting documents before an admissions officer can make a decision.

I only have a diploma, can I still apply?

We normally look for students to have successfully completed an honours degree after secondary or high school and in most cases to have majored in a relevant discipline.

Therefore, students with diplomas are not qualified for entry. However, if you have work experience or have taken a professional qualification which is directly relevant to the type of Masters you wish to take, then this can sometimes compensate if you have not completed the required honours degree. For this to be taken into consideration you must supply a comprehensive description of work experience related to your intended Masters programme.

Pre-masters programmes are also available at Glasgow International College and are designed to prepare international students for admission to postgraduate degrees at the University of Glasgow. 

• See Glasgow international College 

What documents do I need to provide to make an application?

As well as the completed online application form, we also need the following:

• A copy of your current or final academic transcripts and their official translations
• A copy of your degree certificates and their official translations (if you have already completed your degree)
• one academic reference
• Any additional documents specifically listed on the Taught degree programmes A-Z
• An English language Test like IELTS if English is not your first language (this can be provided after you apply if you do not have a valid test at the time of application)
• Copy of your passport (photo page) - non-EU applicants only

I have not finished my first degree, can I still apply?

Yes, but you will not receive an unconditional offer until we have received your final results. You may be made a conditional offer on finishing your degree at the required grade.

If you are made a conditional offer then you should upload your final results (final transcript and degree certificate) through Applicant Self-Service when you receive them.

I have not completed an English language test and English is not my first language, can I still apply?

Yes*, you can still make an application but you will not receive an unconditional offer until we have received an English language test from you that meets our requirements (see the programme English language entry requirements on the Taught degree programmes A-Z). You may be made a conditional offer on providing an English test at the required grade.

*Please note the following exceptions to the rule where an English test is required at time of application:

• Select Dentistry programmes: see the Taught degree programmes A-Z
• Managing Art & Cultural Heritage in Global Markets IntM

Do I need to provide all of the other required documents at the time of application?

It is advisable to provide all of the other required documents listed above at the time of application.

However if you do not have all required documents at this time then it is still possible to make an application and provide further documents at a later date, as long as you include a full current transcript (and an English translation if required) with your application. We may then be able to make you an offer conditional on providing further documents.

Please note though that no decision can be made without a full current transcript (and an English translation if required) and some programmes require all of the above listed documents before a decision can be made. If you submit an application without all the documents that we require before we can make a decision then we will send you an email requesting further documents - see the 'I have received an email requesting supporting documents' section below.

For consideration for some scholarship competitions such as Erasmus Mundus, applicants should note that all required documents must be submitted by the scholarship application deadline.

How do I add supporting documents to my application after I have submitted it?

To upload additional documents to your application you must log into Applicant Self-Service. You access the Applicant Self-Service through the same log in page on the “Apply Now” button on your course web page.

Next, go to the 'Admissions' section at the bottom of the screen and click on the link called 'Upload Document'.

Please be aware that documents must not exceed 5MB in size and therefore you may have to upload your documents in sections that do not exceed 5MB, or page by page, rather than as a full document.  The online system allows you to upload supporting documents only in PDF format and the maximum size for all documents combined is 10MB.

Please note that we do not accept documents sent to us by email and all documents must be uploaded (with the exception of references emailed directly from referees). If you have any problems uploading documents to Applicant Self-Service then see 'I am unable to upload documents?' on the Application troubleshooting/FAQs page. 

Do I need to send you my original reference?

No, a clear scanned copy of your reference on headed paper is acceptable.

You can upload this either when you are making your application online or after you have submitted your application through Applicant Self-Service.

If your referee prefers to send a reference directly to us then you can enter their details on the online application and we will send your referee a link so they can send us a reference directly.   

It is preferrable that you provide either an uploaded reference or contact details for your referees at the point of application, however referees can also post their references. Our postal address is:

PG Admissions
71 Southpark Avenue
University of Glasgow
Glasgow
G12 8QQ

References should be signed and on headed paper.

Your referees should state your name, your Student ID and the course you are applying for on the reference letter.

Can you contact my referee yourself to ask for a reference?

If you enter your referee’s contact details including email on the application form we will email them requesting they submit a reference once you have submitted the application form.  When the referee responds and sends a reference you will be sent an email to confirm the university has received this.

We cannot contact the referee on your behalf if you do not enter their details during your application process before you submit.

Can my referee email their references?

It is preferrable that you provide either an uploaded reference or contact details for your referees at the point of application. However, if this is not possible, or you change referee after you have submitted an application, then we can accept a reference by email. 

Your referee can email a scanned copy of their letter to us, provided it is on headed paper and signed.

We will also accept a reference by email provided the email is from your referee's professional email account and contains their full employee name and address.

They should send it to pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk.

Erasmus Mundus referencing policy

Please refer to the relevant consortium webpage for the Erasmus Mundus referencing policy. This is a different procedure from other Masters’ courses.

Do I need to send you my original IELTS/TOEFL iBT/PTE Academic certificate?

No, we can verify your English results online so you just need to upload clear scanned copies.

Do you accept TOEFL iBT?

Yes, TOEFL iBT is still accepted from both home/EU and international students.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests from international students.

Can I just print my last degree module results from my University online results system?

No, we do not accept this as proof of your results.

We need an official transcript from your University, which you should be able to get from your Registry department.

If it is your final transcript, it needs to state what your final overall result is.

Please include the transcript of your full degree, not just the last year.

My degree transcripts/references are in a language that is not English, is this ok?

No, we need an official translation of your documents into English if they are not printed in English in the first place. We will not be able to process your application until you have uploaded a copy of your original documents and their official translation.

The official translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator/translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The translator/an authorised official of the translation company’s full name and signature
• The translator/translation company’s contact details

The translation is a document that can be independently verified. The original translation will be required when you apply for your Tier 4 visa.

Where a translation of an overseas qualification or award certificate is submitted, we will not take it as a direct translation of the academic level of that award. We will always use UK NARIC to assess the equivalency of overseas qualifications.

I have just sent you all my original documents: can I get them back?

You should not send us original documents and all supporting documents should be scanned copies of the orginals which you have uploaded, either when making your application online or by using Applicant Self-Service after you have submitted an application.

If you do send us orginal documents by mistake then you should contact the Admissions team.

Do you need to see my CV or personal statement?

These documents are generally not required for most programmes but may be required for some programmes.

See the entry requirements for your programme on the Taught Degree programmes A-Z.

I have received an email requesting supporting documents. What does it mean?

The email will list the documents that we need to make a decision on your application. Follow the directions given in the email, access Applicant Self-Service and upload your supporting documents.

Entry requirements and required documents are listed on the .

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete and that all required documents are submitted on time. Failure to do so may mean that your application will not be considered.

I have received an email telling me that my application will be withdrawn because my documents have not been submitted. I do not have the documents you require. What do I do?

Please contact the Admissions team through the online enquiry form.

Do I need a visa and how do I apply for one?

Please consult the Home Office's 'Check if you need a visa' website to help you decide whether you need a visa or not.

You can also find more information on how to apply for a visa on the:

• Home Office Visa and Immigration Student Visa website
• Our International Student Support pages

How much time should I allow for getting my visa?

This will partly depend on where you apply for your visa. You can visit the Home Office Visas and Immigration website's Visa Processing Times page to give you an indication of visa processing times in your country. As it is a complicated process, it advisable to start applying for it as soon as possible.

What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?

If you are applying for a Tier 4 visa then you will require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before you can make a visa application. A CAS is an electronic document which is issued by the University but held by the Home Office on their Sponsor Management System and is identified by a 14 digit reference number. If you are an international student then we will normally issue you with a CAS once you have accepted an unconditional offer. When we issue your CAS we will email you to let you know your 14 digit CAS reference number and the information we entered on your CAS. You will need to know your CAS reference number and the information we entered on your CAS to apply for a Tier 4 visa.

You can find more information on CAS at the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.

When will I receive my CAS information?

CAS are only valid for six months and can only be used from three months before the start of your programme. If you accept an unconditional offer more than three months before the start of your programme then you will likely receive an email detailing your CAS information around three months before the start of the programme. If you accept an unconditional offer within three months of the start of your programme, we will issue you a CAS within three working days of your unconditional offer being accepted.

I have been accepted to an English language pre-sessional course at the University: can I have a joint CAS for my academic course which includes the Pre-sessional course?  

This is sometimes possible - please see the Joint CAS section of the Language Centre's FAQs.

I am having problems getting my visa: who can advise me?

You can get help from International Student Support.

I won't get my visa in time for the start of my course: can you extend my latest enrolment date please?

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will show the latest date at which you can enrol. You can only arrive late for your programme with the course convenor’s permission, as you may have missed too much teaching. Before you arrive late, please check with the Admissions Team that you will be allowed to start late. If you are allowed to start late then the Admissions Team will update your CAS.

My visa application was rejected: what do I do now?

Please send a copy of your visa refusal notice from the Home Office to the Admissions Team. Depending on the reason that your visa was refused, we may be able to issue you with a new CAS so you can make a new visa application.

I have received my CAS: can I still change my course?

A CAS is linked to a specific programme. Please take time to consider your options before you accept an unconditional offer. If you still want to change your programme, contact the Admissions Team. This however may delay your visa application process.

I have received an offer: do I need to pay a deposit?

For select programmes you will be asked for a deposit to demonstrate your commitment to attend the programme and secure your offer of a place.

Deposits are normally only requested from international students and must normally be paid by the deadline specified on your offer letter or deposit request email.

More information about deposits, including a list of the programmes that require a deposit, can be found on the Deposits page.

I have been asked to pay a deposit: how do I make the payment?

If you are required to make a deposit payment to secure your offer of a place for admission then your offer letter will detail this requirement, the deadline by which you must pay the deposit and how to make the deposit payment.

I am trying to make my deposit payment on Applicant Self Service but it is only showing for the year before my intended start: can I still make the payment?

The mention of the academic session on Applicant Self-Service is for financial administration purposes only so please ignore this and proceed with your deposit payment as per the payment instructions on your offer letter.

I am unable to pay a deposit because I am planning to fund my studies through an official financial sponsor...

If you are applying to, or have been awarded, a scholarship from your home country that covers all tuition fees and you are therefore unable to make the deposit payment, you should upload a copy of your scholarship application or award letter to your application by the deadline date.

If you do not upload this evidence by the deadline we cannot guarantee your admission to the programme and your offer may be withdrawn. To upload this evidence you should log into Applicant Self-Service and click on the ‘Upload Documents’ link.

Can I request an extension to my deposit deadline?

Please refer to your offer letter which will indicate whether an extension request will be considered for your programme. Please note that extension requests will not be granted for highly competitive programmes.

What will happen if I pay my deposit after the deadline shown on my offer letter?

If you pay the deposit after the deadline then you may still be able to secure your offer of a place, this will be dependent on the number of places we have remaining when we receive your deposit.

If we are not able to accept your late deposit payment and we withdraw your offer then you will be entitled to a refund - note that in this instance any refund will incur the standard handling fee (see the Deposits page for the terms and conditions).

When will I know if my deposit has secured my offer of a place for admission?

As long as you pay your deposit by the deadline date then, once your deposit payment has been received, you will have secured an offer of a place on the programme. We will send you an email to acknowledge this within 3 working days of receipt of payment.

If you pay your deposit after the deadline then it may take 1-2 weeks before we can confirm whether your offer of a place has been secured.

How do I request a refund of my deposit?

Please view the terms and conditions at the Deposits page which outline the circumstances where deposits will and will not be refunded. If you meet the terms and conditions where a deposit will be refunded then you should send a refund request through the online enquiry form.

Note that if you are requesting a refund due to not meeting the academic or language conditions of your offer then you will need to upload evidence through Applicant Self Service before sending the refund request online form submission.

How long does it take to receive my refund?

If you paid by credit or debit card then refunds can be made to the card that the deposit was paid from within 2 weeks. If you paid via bank transfer then refunds can take 4-6 weeks once processed by the Accounts Receivable Team.

Where can I find some Careers advice?

Amongst many other features, our Careers Service offers:

• Comprehensive links to opportunities for work experience
• Advice on programme choices.
• A number of Information Centre Resources to support career choices and planning
• Advice on finding a job or placement at the University whilst studying here.

There is now a dedicated International Careers Officer to help International students with finding employment opportunities.

How can I contact the Postgraduate Admissions team?

Please complete our online form with your enquiry and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.