Applying for your postgraduate taught course at Swansea is straightforward- we’ve put together a handy guide to make your application journey as easy as possible.
Applying for a postgraduate taught course
How do I apply?
You can apply for the majority of our postgraduate taught courses using our online application portal. There are different application procedures for the following courses:
You can find full details on each course page.
When do I apply?
For most of our courses, there are no formal deadlines and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We’d recommend submitting your application as soon as possible once you are happy with your choice of postgraduate programme; the earlier you apply, the more likely it is that there will be space available on your course.
There are obvious advantages to applying early due to high demand for popular programmes. It is also worth noting that if you’re planning to apply for external funding, you’ll usually need to have a firm offer of a place to study before you will be considered for an award. You should apply for your chosen course well in advance of the closing date for any funding applications. Further information on funding opportunities can be found on our funding pages.
There are some exceptions to the rule…
Some of our more popular courses will have early deadlines, and we’d strongly recommend submitting your application as soon as you can.
If you’re unsure about when to apply for your chosen postgraduate programme, get in touch with the relevant academic school or department for advice- contact details will be provided on the relevant course page.
Do I need to provide any other documentation of part of my application?
As part of your online application, you will need to include:
1. A personal statement
You should use the personal statement to outline your interest in your chosen programme of study. This is your chance to persuade an admissions tutor that they should make you an offer of a place to study – keep your statement concise, specific and relevant, check for correct spelling and grammar, and try to include the following:
- Why you want to undertake this particular course, and your interest in the subject matter
- How your undergraduate degree and any previous experience has prepared you for the course. Applicants who have not previously completed a university-level course should demonstrate how their career to date has prepared them for postgraduate study
- Your future plans (career and/or academic) and how this particular course will contribute to them
DO tailor your personal statement to the course and department and be explicit - you need to demonstrate your subject knowledge and skills, as well as a meaningful commitment and enthusiasm for what you’ll be studying.
DON'T include details of extra-curricular activities unless they genuinely contribute to your understanding of and desire to study the course subject matter.
2. Two academic or work- related referees
You will also need to submit two references as part of your application. If you graduated within the last five years, these should be lecturers or tutors from a previous course.
If there's been a long gap since you last studied or you’re coming from a non-academic background, admissions tutors will usually accept references from an employer or another appropriate individual who can reasonably comment on your academic ability. References from relatives or friends will not be accepted.
If you are using a previous employer as a reference, think carefully about who you ask. An employer's reference is only valuable if they can comment on your ability to undertake the course in relation to your work experience.
How should references be submitted?
References should be submitted EITHER:
- On the relevant referee forms, OR
- On headed paper, OR
- Be emailed from an academic email account
When can I expect to hear about the outcome of my application?
Once we’ve received your online application and all the necessary supporting documentation, we will acknowledge receipt of your application via email within two working days.
We aim to notify you of our decision (or issue an invitation for interview) within 10 working days from the point you receive your acknowledgement email.
For more information about what happens once you submit your application, visit our Postgraduate- After you Apply webpages. You can also contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office by email or telephone: +44 (0) 1792 295358.