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FAQs for Prospective Postgraduates

The Application Process

How do I apply for an MA or PhD programme?

Candidates should apply through the University’s Admissions Office using the University's online application system:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/PostgraduateStudents/ApplyingtoQueens/

The application form is designed to be completed online and submitted electronically to the university. Information can be saved and edited before submission. Guidance Notes are also available at the above link. The Notes contain useful information which will be of help to you later in the year should you have any queries.

Can I submit more than one application?

You can complete as many applications as you like but we would advise you to apply only for those courses for which you are interested and for which you are eligible. Please note that we currently have no restriction on the number of applicants that will be accepted to any of our postgraduate programmes.

Do I need to supply references with my application?

No, you don’t need to supply references. You simply enter the names, addresses and email address of two academic referees. Please note that these must be academic referees and not, for example, from your employer. Please make sure you enter accurate and up to date email addresses so that the system is able to contact them. It is good practice to notify your referees that you have applied for a programme and to expect a request for references.

What is the closing date for MA and PhD applications?

If you wish your application to be considered for funding, the closing date for a September 2013 start is 15 February 2013. YOU MUST ENSURE THAT YOU ENTER ACCURATELY ALL YOUR UNDERGRADUATE AND, IF RELEVANT, POSTGRADUATE DEGREE RESULTS (with percentages) BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. If results are not entered, we will not be able to consider your application for funding. You should aim to submit your application several days in advance of the published closing date to enable time for references to be sought and a decision to be made on your application. You should select the option "I hope to or have already obtained funding for my studies" on the funding section of the online application form.

However, if you don’t wish to be considered for funding we will accept your application until July in the year of entry.

Admission Requirements

For MA/MRes/Postgraduate taught (PGT)

Applicants are normally required to have a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject (single or combined honours). In exceptional circumstances the holder of a good Honours degree in a subject other than History or Anthropology may be considered for admission, usually subject to an interview

For overseas students, a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.3 or higher (or equivalent) from an accredited institution is normally expected.

For PhD

Applications to register for a research degree will be assessed by the School Postgraduate Committee. Decisions will be based on the following criteria.

1. Academic record and potential, as assessed from degree results, references, the quality of the research proposal, and if necessary a personal interview.
2. Applicants should normally have completed or be in the process of completing an MA or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
3. Topic: The proposed topic should be worthwhile, in the sense of offering a significant contribution to existing knowledge and understanding, and be feasible, in that there should be adequate source material available and that it should be possible to complete the project within three years full time or six years part time.
4. There should be a potential supervisor in the School available to supervise the project and who has agreed to do so. You are advised to contact a potential supervisor of postgraduate co-ordinator before making your application.
5. The proposal should be compatible with the research interests of staff involved in supervision.

Applicants are very strongly recommended to communicate with the relevant Postgraduate Co-ordinator before submitting an application. These are:

Fees

What are the fees for an MA/PhD programme?

The fees for 2013-2014 academic year can be found on the University website

Funding

What Funding is available?

Notification of available funding is normally received by the School in December/January and posted on the above School webpage. In general, funding is quite limited and competitive. If you look at our funding webpage you will find details of available funding for entry in 2012.

Is there a separate application form for funding?

Last year there was no separate funding application. You should select the option "I hope to or have already obtained funding for my studies" on the funding section of the online application form. Applicants for the MA programme will be ranked according to their undergraduate degree results to date. Applicants for PhD are ranked according to their undergraduate result and their MA results to date.

Important Note:
YOU MUST ENSURE THAT YOU ENTER ACCURATELY ALL YOUR UNDERGRADUATE AND, IF RELEVANT, POSTGRADUATE DEGREE RESULTS (with percentages) BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. Other international qualifications will be assessed. If results are not entered, we will not be able to consider your application for funding. You should aim to submit your application several days in advance of the published closing date (Wednesday 7 March 2012) to enable time for references to be sought and a decision to be made on your application.

When will I be notified about the outcome of the funding competition?

Funding is usually allocated in March and all applicants notified in late March/early April.

Find out more and Visit us

The School is holding a Postgraduate Open Day on 1 February 2012. Full details on our website.

If you would like to visit our School and talk to a member of staff about studying for one of our postgraduate programmes, please contact Susan Templeton at s.templeton@qub.ac.uk