Postgraduate taught programmes: how to apply?

There are five key steps to consider when making your application to study a postgraduate course in the College of Arts and Law. 

1. Choose your course using Coursefinder

To apply for your postgraduate course at the University of Birmingham, you must use our Coursefinder. By clicking on the specific course you wish to apply for you will be directed to an application specifically designed for your course which will guide you through the process of compiling and submitting your application and supporting documents online.

Your application is specifically designed for the course you choose to apply for and it is sensitive to the answers you provide as you proceed through the application. See application guidance notes.

Once you have submitted an online application you will be sent details of how to enter your applicant portal. This portal will allow you to send and receive communications with the University. It will also enable you to track the progress of your application at every stage of the admissions process, update your personal information, view decisions and accept any offers you may receive.

2. Consider whether you meet the entry requirements:

• General requirements
• International entry requirements
• English language requirements

3. Check the specific course entry requirements, which can be found on individual course listings in our Coursefinder

4. Contact the department if you need any advice about a particular course for example, if you need advice on which specific course to apply for

5. Consider the supporting documents you might need to upload as part of your application (see below)

If you have difficulties with any aspect of the application process, please contact:

• calpg-research@contacts.bham.ac.uk
• +44 (0) 121 414 5005

When you apply for a postgraduate course via Coursefinder, you will have the option to upload your supporting documents. The following information will usually be needed before a decision can be made on your application:

• Two academic references (or if appropriate to the programme applied for, one could be from your employer).
• Degree transcript(s) - originals or certified photocopies:

EU and international applicants - if you are currently studying outside the UK or have obtained your qualification(s) outside the UK

UK applicants - if you are currently studying in the UK or have obtained your qualification(s) in the UK and your university provides transcripts. If you are not a recent graduate send certified copy(s) of relevant qualifications. University of Birmingham graduates do not need to provide transcripts or copies of degree certificates, however we advise applicant's who graduated prior to 2000 to provide copies of their qualifications as they may take longer to verify. 

• Certificate to show competency in the English language, if English is not your first language and you have already taken a test (See English language requirements).
• Personal statement, approximately 5000 characters, explaining why you are interested in studying on your chosen programme. Alternatively, you can type this within your application.