How to apply for postgraduate study

All applicants for postgraduate degrees have to satisfy the requirements of the relevant department and also the Ordinances of the University available from the Enquiries Office.

Taught courses

If you wish to apply for a postgraduate taught course, you can complete the paper application form available here in pdf format (will open in a new window) and return it addressed to: The Postgraduate Admissions Tutor (of the relevant department), University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK or apply online through our taught course lists.

Courses start in mid-September each year, and it is helpful if you can send in your application at an early stage (say, March or April), even if you have not yet completed your previous course of study. It is quite usual for offers to be made conditional on your successful completion of a certain qualification.

All applications are considered carefully and individually. It helps us to process your application if the form is clearly written or typed, with all sections completed fully and accurately, and all relevant supporting documentation submitted.

The application form will ask you to provide the names of two people who know your academic or professional work, and who would be willing to provide a confidential statement to the University regarding your suitability for the course you are applying for. The University does not accept "testimonials"; letters of support which you the applicant have been able to read.

Course Enquiries
University of Bradford
Bradford
BD7 1DP
United Kingdom

T: 0800 073 1225 (freephone)
E: course-enquiries@bradford.ac.uk

Research

Application form for Postgraduate Research

You will need to discuss your proposed field of research in some detail with the Department. The Department must ensure that the University can provide the necessary supervision, equipment and research materials. For this to happen, the Department needs to know about your proposed research topic in some detail, and also be assured that you have done some preliminary work on it.

So, in addition to your completed application form and CV, you need to provide a research proposal. This should be an outline of approximately 1,500-2,000 words, setting out the precise nature of the problem you wish to investigate. This should include a justification for your research, why the topic requires a closer look, and how it will make an original contribution to knowledge. You should describe the groundwork you have already done, and be able to show that you are familiar with the existing literature in the field, and how your work will relate to that. Finally, you should outline your proposed methodology, and indicate what materials or data you will need access to. You should also indicate how you intend to fund your studies.

You should send this information to the contact name given for research in the appropriate Department. In due course, you will also need to provide copies of your educational qualifications, and any English Language test (if appropriate). Some Schools, including the School of Management, require a processing fee.

The majority of research students start in September, but it is possible to start with effect from January, April or July. Typical periods of registration for full-time research are fifteen months (minimum twelve) for an MPhil, and three years for a PhD.

Part-time study

Part-time study is possible for some taught courses and for all research degrees. Permission to study part-time is normally granted only to those whose employment or domestic circumstances make full-time study impracticable. Part-time taught courses generally last for two years. Typical periods of registration for part-time research degrees are three years for MPhil and five years for PhD.

Extramural study

It may be possible for students to undertake part or the whole of a programme of research away from the University, provided that suitable arrangements for supervision can be made. This must be negotiated with the appropriate Department.

Visiting students

Each year we welcome a number of occasional and visiting students who are not registered for a complete degree programme. These students attend individual courses or undertake a special programme of research as either full-time or part-time students, and pay fees at an appropriate rate.

If you are interested in undertaking a programme of study or research which does not lead to any formal Bradford qualification, you should write to the contact name in the appropriate Department setting out your requirements.

Accreditation of prior learning

The University will accept academic credit for both certificated and experiential learning. If you need to know more, please contact the APL Unit, School of Lifelong Education and Development. Telephone 01274 233210, Fax 01274 235915, Email: learning@bradford.ac.uk

Disabled students

Bradford positively encourages applications from disabled students, and many students with varying disabilities have successfully completed a range of courses. We are fully committed to providing an accessible learning environment for study. You can be sure that your application will be considered on the same academic grounds as apply to all candidates whatever the nature of your disability.

Adapted accessible accommodation is available in all the Halls of Residence, and access improvements are regularly carried out across the campus. Sign language interpretation and some permanent and portable induction loops can be provided for deaf students or students with a hearing impairment. Some lecture theatres have recently been refurbished and have infra-red systems for people who have a hearing impairment.

If you are interested in further study at Bradford, it is important for you to contact the Head of the appropriate Department as early as possible. You may also wish to contact the Co-ordinator for Disabled People, in order to discuss any support requirements, or to enquire about access around the campus. You will usually be invited to visit Bradford, to allow a full discussion of the facilities available, and to see how together we can best give you full access to your course of study.

You can contact the Co-ordinator for Disabled People at any time. She will offer advice on facilities, access and support in Bradford, and will also provide general support to you during your time here. The Disability Office has a minicom and fax: Tel: 01274 233739 Minicom: 01274 235094 Fax: 01274 235340 Email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk

Term dates and enrolment

If you are coming on a postgraduate taught course in 2007 - 2008, then you will probably have to enrol from Friday 21 September 2007, prior to the start of the first semester on 25 September. (A few courses have different starting dates, but you will be told about this in good time.)

It is best if new research students can also enrol at the beginning of the academic year in September, though there is more flexibility here. If you wish to start your research programme at any other time (such as the beginning of January), then you will need to make special arrangements with your Department.

You may want to attend the special 'Welcome Week' organised by the Students' Union, which takes place the week before registration. This will introduce you to the University in particular, and life in the City of Bradford in general. If you are coming from overseas you should also certainly attend the special 'Orientation Day', which will be held on Monday 17 September 2007.

It is also a good idea to make sure of your accommodation before the semester starts, especially if you are coming from overseas and/or making your own arrangements. Accommodation is easier to find in Bradford than in most cities in the UK, but it is still wise to get this sorted out before you begin your formal study. If you come well before the beginning of the semester, we may be able to let you have a room in a Hall of Residence for a few days while you find something.

So though the dates set out below are the periods when you are expected to be in residence in order to follow your course of study, we shall certainly expect you to come to Bradford before the first day of the first semester.

Semester dates

not all courses necessarily follow these dates exactly

22 December 2006