Thinking about a master’s degree in the UK, or drawn to the experience of studying
abroad but unsure where to begin? Besides the subject you study, the UK lets students
work part-time while studying (at bachelor’s and master’s level), and it suits anyone
who wants a shorter programme. So how complicated is the process, and what do you need
to prepare? Here is the complete sequence, step by step.

Choosing your course and university

Applicant requirements

Check what grade average and what IELTS score each university requires, and whether
particular subjects ask for an unusually high score.

The university

  • Is the university’s ranking right for you?
  • Is it strong in the faculty or field you plan to study?
  • Does it have the facilities and amenities you need?

The programme

  • It should be a subject you genuinely find interesting — look at what is taught and which modules are included.
  • What areas does it cover, and does it specialise in anything in particular?
  • How long does the programme take?

Preparing for IELTS

Sit the IELTS exam and achieve the score your university requires. IELTS is divided
into 4 parts, each measuring a different language skill, and each part is scored from
0 to 9. The four scores are averaged to produce your Overall Band Score, which has a
maximum of 9.

Not ready for IELTS yet?

If you don’t yet have plans to sit IELTS, or you aren’t confident in your English,
look for a university that offers a pre-sessional course or a
pathway programme — at some universities you can complete their own
English course and then progress straight onto your degree.

Preparing your application documents

Each university may ask for a different set of documents, so read the details on that
university’s website carefully — or let WIN check and submit them for you. The
documents typically used are:

  1. Your transcript and degree certificate
  2. Your Resume / CV
  3. A personal statement explaining why you want to study this course here and what you will contribute
  4. A recommendation letter from a lecturer or employer

For a bachelor’s degree, the process is simpler because UCAS
(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) lets you apply to several universities
and upload all documents in one place.

For a master’s degree, each university may ask for different documents
and different IELTS scores — read each one’s requirements and write a statement that
names the specific course and university.

Accepting your offer

An Unconditional Offer means you can start getting ready to travel —
no extra exams or courses required.

A Conditional Offer means the university is willing to accept you but
you need to meet certain requirements first; most often this is raising an IELTS score,
or taking an additional English course before your studies begin.

Arranging accommodation

Speak to the university’s student adviser, or ask the WIN Education team, who are happy
to give information and advice free of charge. Most universities provide halls of
residence with costs included, but you may only be able to stay for one year, after
which you’ll need to find somewhere else to live.

Applying for your visa and medical check

The university and the WIN team can help with this, or you can speak to the
university’s student adviser directly. Once you have your visa, pack your bags —
you’re ready to fly.

How WIN supports you

WIN is an official representative for more than 100 universities for students
interested in studying in the UK, the USA, Australia or New Zealand — covering
information about studying abroad, life as a student overseas, and every step of
preparing your application. The WIN team is ready to advise and support you at every
step, completely free.