Study options as a postgraduate student

A postgraduate taught course is a course you study after you have completed an undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor's degree. It is designed to help you gain advanced knowledge and skills in a specific subject or field.

These courses typically involve traditional classes like lectures, seminars, and tutorials, and typically culminates in an independent dissertation or project.

Common types of postgraduate taught qualifications include the following.

• Master’s Degrees - includes Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Master of Business Administration (MBA). These generally take 1 year of full-time study and are a great path to higher level industry roles or a research degree.
• Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip) & Certificates (PGCert): Shorter alternatives that take 4 to 9 months to complete and typically are taken to develop professional skills or gain a recognised qualification without studying for a full Master's degree.

A postgraduate research (PGR) degree is an advanced qualification that focuses on independent research rather than taught classes. Instead of attending regular lectures and completing exams, you investigate a specific research topic in depth under the guidance of an academic supervisor.

Common types of postgraduate research degrees include:

• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) – the highest academic qualification and focuses on carrying out original, independent research in a specialist subject area under the guidance of academic supervisors. Typically 3-4 years (full-time) in length, following which you'll produce a substantial thesis that makes a new contribution to knowledge and usually complete a viva (oral examination) to discuss and defend your research.
• Master by Research (MSc/MA by Research): Typically a 1-2 year (full-time) degree, focused heavily on a major independent research project rather than taught seminars.
• Doctor of Education (EdD) - a research degree for experienced educational professionals and is equivalent to the PhD. It differs from the PhD in providing formally assessed research training during the first year.

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a postgraduate qualification that prepares graduates to become teachers. It combines university-based learning with practical teaching experience in schools, helping you develop the knowledge and skills needed for a career in teaching.

Postgraduate Degree Apprenticeships

Postgraduate degree apprenticeships at the University of Huddersfield provide an alternative route to a Master's level qualification, allowing you to combine work with study for a university qualification. Learners spend part of their time on-campus at the university and the rest at a supporting organisation gaining on-the-job training. 

View our list of postgraduate apprenticeships or view our apprenticeships page to find out more about funding and support options available and how to apply.

Short courses and top-ups

We offer a range of postgraduate taught short courses designed to fit around busy professional lives and support continued professional development and career progression in a flexible way.

We also have some opportunities to complete a Top-up course, deepening your expertise and boosting your professional standing with advanced critical understanding and sector-wide impact.

Credit Attribution and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

CATS offers a flexible postgraduate study option for students in paid employment, unemployment or with caring responsibilities. The scheme offers the opportunity to complete individual postgraduate taught modules and credits are awarded for each module completed.

When you're assessed for a single module, you can receive a Certificate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and use this when transferring to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master's degree. You may choose to combine subjects across disciplines and can transfer from full-time to part-time study (or vice versa) if required.

If your studies are interrupted, credits can also be retained for later use (within six years from the start of study).