FAQs

Is there an application fee?

There is no application fee for any of our MSc courses.

What are O and A levels?

In the British education system O and A levels are school leaving qualifications. Candidates are usually 16 years old when they take O levels/GCSEs. A levels are normally taken at 18 years old and are considered to be university entrance exams. If you have not studied these qualifications, please give details in the relevant section of the application form of your secondary/high school qualifications, including subjects taken and grades awarded.

Is it necessary for candidates whose first language is not English to take a language exam?

Applicants who have not studied in the UK or in an English-speaking environment for the full duration of their higher education studies, or who cannot provide English proficiency results equivalent to our requirements, may be asked to provide confirmation that they meet our English proficiency standards (at the discretion of the Course Director). To find out more, please go to the How to Apply section.

In addition to these requirements, please note that the UKBA requires proof of English proficiency from all incoming students on a Tier Four Visa EXCEPT those who have previously studied in or are nationals of certain countries. To find out more go the How to apply section.

Is there an application deadline?

We operate on a rolling admissions basis and close the courses when they are full. Some courses close as early as the beginning of May so early application is recommended. Imminent course closures will be notified on the website.

How many contact hours will I have a week?

On most full-time courses, there are usually up to 21 contact hours per week. For each lecture you attend, we anticipate that you will have to do another three to four hours of self-study. Part-time students attend a minimum of six hours per week; this may increase if we have international academics or industry professionals visiting and depending on which electives you choose.

For the courses in Actuarial Science and Actuarial Management there are 21 50-minute lectures each week in terms one and two.

Do I need a GMAT score?

GMAT is compulsory for the MSc in Finance and the MSc in Management.

Some candidates on other MSc programmes may be required to take the GMAT - please consult your admissions officer first.

If you already have a recent GMAT score, please submit it with your application.

Is there an interview?

If the Course Director feels that an interview is required we will contact you.

Do I need work experience?

Please refer to individual course information pages on the website. In general, work experience is seen as an advantage (where relevant, national service is also taken into account).

Can I get any help with funding?

Please refer to the section entitled Funding your study.

Can I fax my documents to you?

No. You can upload scanned copies to the online application form - this is the quickest method. We can accept photocopies of interim documents by post. We cannot accept copies of documents where we require the original - i.e. when offer-holders need to prove their final degree classification.

References cannot be faxed or emailed. We must receive original references in sealed envelopes. Please address them to the relevant Admissions Officer for your course.

How long will it take to receive a decision on my application?

We endeavour to make a decision within six weeks.

Can I apply before I have my final degree results?

You can apply before you have your final degree results but we will require an interim transcript showing your grades to date. We may then make you a conditional offer. If you are made an offer, we would then need to see the original or certified copy of the final transcript in order to upgrade your offer to unconditional.

What is an interim degree transcript?

A degree transcript is the document that lays out each of your modules and the grade you have achieved for each one. If you have not yet completed your degree, an interim transcript will show the grades of all your modules taken to date. We must be in receipt of this document before we can make a decision on your application.

What is an original document and a certified copy of a document

The original document will be the document issued by your university and will have a stamp, seal or other security mark to confirm its authenticity. An original document is NOT a scanned copy or photocopy of the original.

A certified copy of a document is a photocopy that has been stamped/signed and verified as a true copy of the original by the issuing institution, a legal authority or, in the case of translated documents, the British Council. All original documents and certified copies must be received as a hard copy by post.

Who should my letters of recommendation be from?

Ideally, at least one reference should be from an academic. If you have been away from academia for more than five years we will accept two professional references. Please note that references from fellow students, family and friends are not acceptable. Please note we cannot accept faxed or emailed references.

Do I have to write a dissertation?

This depends on which course you study. Some courses have a compulsory Business Research Project whilst some give you the option of electives or a project. Check the course listings for details.

Can I apply for more than one course?

When you fill in the online application form you will be given the opportunity to indicate a second and third choice course, in order of preference. If your application is not successful for your first choice course, your application will be passed to your second choice for consideration. The same application form and supporting documents will be used for all courses. Please do not complete and submit a separate application form for each course option that interests you, as this will cause delays in processing your application.

When is the course start date?

Please see the 'Tuition Fees and Term Dates' section within the course information pages on our website for details of the course start dates. We have one intake per year, in September, for all courses. The only exception is the 'Fast-Track' option for MSc Insurance and Risk Management.

Do I need to write a personal statement when I apply?

Yes, you will be asked to submit a personal statement when you apply online. This can either be written in the allocated field on the application form or you can upload your statement as a supporting document. We recommend that the personal statement should be around 500-600 words. It should address your motivation for applying for the course and how you believe the course will assist you to reach your future career goals.

How many ECTS points is the Masters course worth?

Each MSc course is worth between 180 - 210 CAPS credits. Each CAPS credit equals 0.5. of an ECTS credit.