Postgraduate study options

Whether you want to accelerate your career, pursue a specialist interest or shape the future of your field, there's a postgraduate route built for your ambition. Our qualifications are designed to help you at every stage of your professional journey.

 

Postgraduate study routes

Postgraduate taught (Master's)

Specialise in your subject through a structured learning experience
Postgraduate research

Focus on independent study and original research

  

  

Postgraduate taught or postgraduate research - what's the difference

Postgraduate study offers two powerful pathways, each designed to take you further in your field.

Postgraduate taught degrees – commonly referred to Masters degrees or MScs, Mas and MBAs – are structured, career-focused and taught by academic experts. You'll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and assignments, and will also complete a dissertation or project. The typical length of a Masters course is one year for full-time and two years for part-time study.

Postgraduate research degrees – such MRes degrees, MPhils, PhDs and doctorates – are for students who want the freedom to pursue original research and contribute to knowledge in a specialised field. You'll work closely with academics and will be supervised by leading experts in your discipline. The length of a research degree depends on the level of study and whether you choose full-time or part-time. Both our Masters and research degrees have flexible study options.


Study your way

With our flexible study options, you can advance your postgraduate journey in a way which suits you. Check your Masters taught or research course page of interest for the study options available.

Full-time on campus

Full-time study is the traditional route where you'll be part of our lively campus experience. As well as attending lectures, you can make full use of a range of facilities and study spaces. You’ll have a set number of contact hours per week and independent study time.

Part-time study

Part-time study is a great option if you want to fit study around other commitments. You’ll have access to our experts and on campus facilities at the times that you attend. Your time commitment and duration of course will depend on the course intensity.

Blended learning

Blended learning is a flexible option where you’ll study through a mix of both on-campus and virtual learning, supported by independent study.

Distance learning

Distance learning allows you to study entirely online so you can fit it around your personal and work life. You'll learn through online lectures, course materials and have access to a virtual learning platform and lots of resources. You'll collaborate with other students online in discussion boards and class chats where you can share ideas and experience.

Postgraduate taught (Masters courses)

Gain a broad skillset, boost job prospects or switch direction with a postgraduate taught course.

Our Masters courses follows a similar structure to an undergraduate degree, but at an advanced level. You'll typically study subject-specific modules and submit a dissertation towards the end of your course.

We have a wide range of career-focused Masters courses which don't require a particular undergraduate subject (although you may need relevant experience).

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Browse taught Masters courses
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How to apply to a Masters course

Research degrees 

If you have a passion for in-depth research and want to shape the subject you love through original research, then a research-based degree is for you.

We offer traditional PhDs, professional doctorates, or PhDs by Published Work.

On a professional doctorate, more than half of your degree will be an independent research project, directly related to current issues in your career. On an MPhil or PhD, the entire degree is your independent, supervised research. These will help you to get your work published and advance your research career.

Explore postgraduate research courses

 

Professional Doctorates

Develop your research and skills related to your professional practice.

Blend rigorous doctoral research with real-world application. You can take on complex challenges within your workplace, while earning a prestigious doctorate.

Doctorate courses
Business, Enterprise and Management
Crime, Justice and Society
Health, Wellbeing and Education

PhDs

Are you driven by curiosity, discovery and impact?

Studying a PhD at University of Staffordshire allows you to explore a subject in exceptional depth. You’ll be working alongside leading academics to produce research that advances knowledge and influences local, national or global issues.

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How to apply to a postgraduate research course
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Discover research at University of Staffordshire

Postgraduate enquiries

For more information on any our postgraduate degrees or the application process, please contact our enquiries team

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