How to fund your postgraduate studies

Unsure how to fund your postgraduate studies? The financial support you can apply for varies depending on the type of course you’re doing, and it can get a little complicated. We’ve put together an overview of what you might be eligible for.

Progress to Postgraduate Award

If you are an Edge Hill graduate, you may be eligible for a 20% fee reduction if you start an eligible full-time or part-time postgraduate programme in the 2026/2027 academic year.

In both cases, you must have recently completed your undergraduate award, PGCE, PGDE or Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching, as outlined in the table below.

Academic year when starting eligible postgraduate programme	Year of completion of undergraduate degree in order to be eligible for discount
2026/2027	2024/2025

This offer is available to eligible UK students, EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status, and Irish nationals.

See the full details and eligibility criteria for your chosen year of entry

What happens after you finish your course?

How do I repay my postgraduate loan after a Masters, PhD or Professional Doctorate?

Repayments will only start once you’re earning over £21,000 per year. And you’ll only repay 6% of your earnings over this threshold. You’ll pay this in addition to any loans you may have from your undergraduate degree.

Example repayments:

• Salary £21,000 – Monthly repayment £0
• Salary £30,000 – Monthly repayment £45 (£11.25 per week)

To put that in perspective, how much do you spend on takeaways, coffees or going out each week or month? Your weekly loan repayment may cost the same as a takeaway.

How do I repay my PGCE loans?

PGCE loans are added to any loans you have from your undergraduate degree. And the total monthly amount that you repay won’t increase. You’ll just pay the collective loans over a longer period. Therefore, your PGCE loan is repaid at the same rate as your undergraduate loans – 9% of any earnings over £25,000.

Example repayments:

• Salary £25,000 – Monthly repayment £0
• Salary £27,000 – Monthly repayment £15 (£4 per week)

To put that in perspective, your weekly loan repayment may cost the same as a cup of coffee.

Important details about your postgraduate funding

You should read all the detail about these loans and complete your own research before applying. Interest charges apply, and any repayments owed after 30 years on your Masters or Doctoral loan will be written off. And repayments owed after 40 years on your postgraduate teacher training loan will be written off. For full details about government funding, visit Student Finance England.

Need more information and advice?

Fees and funding information

Find out more about the funding available and how to apply. We have different guides depending on your course and mode of study.

Money Advice Team

For questions about your eligibility for financial support, or for advice and guidance on applying for funding, you can get in touch with the Money Advice Team.

Postgraduate events

As well as Open Days, we have dedicated Postgraduate events that you can come to. They’re a great way to visit our campus, receive information and ask questions.

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Managing your money as a postgraduate student

Studying a postgraduate course is a big commitment, requiring both time and money, but offers fantastic opportunities to study what you love at a higher academic level. And gaining a postgraduate degree can open doors to lots of career options, too.

We know that finances are a big consideration for many students, so we’ve put together some information and tips on how you can manage your money.

Research your tuition fees

Postgraduate courses can vary in cost depending on where you study and what course you study. At Edge Hill University, full-time postgraduate taught courses usually cost £9,550 per year (with a few exceptions, such as MBAs), full-time MRes courses cost £6,150 per year, and full-time PhD courses cost £6,550 per year (prices for academic year 2026/27). Be sure to look at the specific course you’re interested in to confirm the tuition fee amount.

Find out what help you can get

In England, the government offer Master’s loans of up to £13,206, and you can apply for one of these if you’re studying a taught Master’s course or an MRes. If your course lasts for more than one year, your loan will be divided equally across each year of the course, so it’s important to bear that in mind. If you’re looking to study a PhD, you can apply for a government doctoral loan of up to £31,122. Take a look at the eligibility criteria for government loans for full information and details.

If you’re studying a postgraduate research course, you could apply for a research council grant for further funding, too.

PGCE’s work a little differently, and for these courses you can apply to Student Finance England in the same way as an undergraduate degree. Subject to eligibility, you can apply for a loan for your tuition fees, and a separate maintenance loan which is means tested based on household income.

Set yourself a budget

Although there is help available through government loans, it’s unlikely that this will cover everything you need. So, it’s important to set yourself a budget and work out how much you’ll need on a weekly basis. Things to consider in your budget include living costs (if you plan to live away from home), travel costs, food and toiletries, course materials, and monthly outgoings like your phone bill, Spotify or Netflix. Many students work part-time alongside their studies, as even full-time courses are often only timetabled for 2-3 days per week. This can be a great way to build experience and earn extra cash alongside your course.

I decided to work through the summer to save money to help support me whilst studying and I worked on Saturdays in the shop on campus to earn some extra money too. If you struggle with budgeting, the University have a great Money Advice Team who can help you.

Laura, PGCE Primary Education with QTS

Keeping your costs down

Being thrifty isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also great for your wallet. Shopping second-hand on Vinted is an easy way to save money, and you can list things you no longer need to make some cash back too.

Ask about student discounts wherever you go. Here in Ormskirk, most bars, restaurants and cafes offer student discounts, and signing up Student Beans or TOTUM will get you discounts at retailers across the country. And if you’re planning to use public transport, you’ll be able to apply for a student bus or railcard.

When it comes to the food shop, planning out your meals in advance and creating a list, or even pitching in with your roommates and taking turns to cook, can keep costs down a lot. Shopping late at night is usually the best time to get discounted groceries, and Aldi in Ormskirk is great for this.

When it comes to socialising and down-time, most Universities put on plenty of free-to-attend events. At Edge Hill, our Students’ Union and our Student Life Team organise events specifically for postgraduate students, as well as free breakfasts for students who commute onto campus, all of which are free or heavily discounted.

As a postgraduate student, I lived close to campus, so I chose to stay at home and commute by car, allowing me to save on rent and bills. I took advantage of student discounts when buying new clothes and avoided unnecessary expenses like pricey coffees. I also purchased an annual student membership for the Sports Centre and made use of the facilities before or after class, which was much cheaper than other gyms.

Anais, MA Marketing Communications & Branding

Ask our students

You can chat to our current postgraduate students and ask about their experience by using our online chat feature. We’re confident that they will have some great advice and top tips on managing money, as well as what it’s like to study at postgraduate level.

To find out more about fees and funding for postgraduate courses at Edge Hill, visit our 2026/27 Fees and Funding pages.

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A Guide to Postgraduate Taught Courses

Considering a postgraduate taught course? We’ll take you through the whole process, from the benefits of postgraduate study to being a student at Edge Hill. And if you want to know more about any aspect of the postgraduate journey, you’ll find links to information and resources.

If you’re an Edge Hill undergraduate student thinking about postgraduate study you can read our dedicated guide: Thinking about progressing to postgraduate study?

Why postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study gives you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in a subject area you love. Or, if you’ve decided on a career change, you could study a ’conversion’ course where you can study a completely new subject. A Masters degree can help you stand out in the jobs market and with a postgraduate qualification you may be able to move into more senior or specialist roles. You’re likely to be developing practical skills on your postgraduate course too. Where you will work with industry experts and apply the theory to real-world scenarios. And having a Masters degree is likely to increase your earning potential with graduates making more money and experiencing less unemployment than those with an undergraduate degree (Graduate labour market statistics, GOV.UK)

Choosing the right postgraduate course for you

The first step to finding the best postgraduate study option for you is to think about what you’re looking to achieve. Do you need a specific qualification for a new or more advanced job? Do you want to change career? Are you looking to gain more skills and experience to be a stronger competitor in the jobs market?

The next step is to explore our postgraduate subject page. Here you can choose subjects of interest and discover the course options for each of those subjects. On course pages you’ll find all the course details from what you’ll study to entry requirements and future career choices. It’s a good idea to explore all your options, so you could consider postgraduate teacher training and research too. If you’re not sure which postgraduate route is the best for you, you can explore all your options by watching our ‘Exploring your postgraduate options’ video.

And if you have questions?

You can talk to current postgraduate students who will be happy to answer any questions you have about studying at Edge Hill. You also have the option to attend one of our postgraduate events. Our postgraduate events page will give you information about upcoming open evenings and other activities both online and in-person at the Edge Hill campus.

Funding your postgraduate studies

The financial support you can get for your postgraduate studies depends on the course you’re doing and whether you’re studying full-time or part-time. We’ve put together resources to help you understand how you can fund your postgraduate course, manage your money and information about finding a part time job, so you can work alongside your studies.

You can also find detailed information in our postgraduate students fees and funding guide.

Balancing your postgraduate studies

Think you can’t do postgraduate study because of work or family commitments? There are ways to make it happen. We don’t want you to miss out on the opportunity to enhance your employability, take your current career to the next level or start something new. That’s why we offer part-time study options. As you choose your course, you should also consider how studying will fit in with the rest of your life. Look for the study option that fits best with your personal circumstances. Some of our postgraduate courses offer an evening timetable, so you can work full-time alongside the course. Part-time study options are available for the majority of our taught Masters courses. And if you’ve already started your career you could consider a shorter, less intensive course like a PGCert.

“Edge Hill are very understanding and supportive of students working alongside their degree, and I was given two possible timetable options. This allowed me to tailor the degree to suit my own personal work circumstances. I have found working alongside studying a degree to be extremely rewarding. I have learned a lot of valuable time-management and self-discipline skills through balancing my work and study commitments.”

Lauren Taylor, MA Marketing Communications & Branding

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course

For most postgraduate taught courses, you’ll apply directly to Edge Hill using our online application form with a supporting statement. You can apply for more than one course at the same time and if you’re currently studying an undergraduate degree you don’t need to wait until you’ve completed your course to apply for postgraduate study. Some courses, including PGCEs and research degrees use a different application process and we recommend you check how you need to apply before submitting an application.

Postgraduate accommodation options and commuting

Postgraduate students usually live off-campus in Ormskirk or nearby and we’ve put together some helpful information about finding suitable private accommodation. Many of our postgraduate students commute to Edge Hill, you can find information about getting here, making connections at our commuter breakfasts and applying for your car share scheme on our dedicated commuter page.

Getting involved in postgraduate student life

You’ll have the chance to get involved in student life right from the start. Before you begin your postgraduate course you’ll receive an induction timetable which will include activities for you to get to know your course mates. We’ll also send you information about our Student Life Portal, where you can explore events and find ways to connect with other students and find new friends. And you can find out more about Edge Hill and meet other students at our free events and postgraduate specific activities.

Support for postgraduate students

We pride ourselves on our student support and have a range of services and specialist teams available to all students. From careers and money advice to wellbeing, we’ll make sure you have the best possible postgraduate university experience. Here a few of the teams you may have contact with during your time with us.

• Once you’re a student at Edge Hill, you’ll be allocated a Personal Tutor, who will provide you with support and advice throughout your course. They’ll be your ‘go to’ person for academic and personal support.
• From our UniSkills Team you can access resources on developing academic skills and managing your time to help you make the most of your studies, as you balance them with the rest of your life.
• If you’re looking for advice on topics such as banking, budgeting and student finance our Money Advice Team can offer tips, provide financial health checks and help if you’ve got money worries.
• And our Careers Team are available to support you with CVs, job applications and interviews. You’ll still have access to our Careers Portal as a graduate, so you can receive help and advice up to three years after your graduation.

What’s next?

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Guide to postgraduate teacher training

If you’re looking to train as a teacher after getting your undergraduate degree, the first thing to decide is what age range you’d like to teach. You can choose from early years, primary, secondary, or Further Education and Skills (FES). Primary and secondary teachers will work mainly in schools, while FES teachers work in colleges, sixth form colleges, or a range of adult education centres and training providers.

To teach at secondary or FES level, you’ll also need to choose a specific subject. And for primary teacher training, you may be able to narrow down your age specialism, depending on where you study.

Once you’ve chosen an age range and a subject (if applicable), you’ll be able to apply for a recognised teacher training programme. These allow you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on completion, which is required to work as a teacher in the majority of schools in England and Wales.

PGCE

The most common postgraduate qualification for primary and secondary teaching is a PGCE, which is a Level 7 qualification awarded by universities. It’s possible to obtain QTS without a PGCE if you’ve done an undergraduate teacher training degree, but for postgraduate qualifications, the PGCE is the most well-recognised. Edge Hill University offers a range of PGCE courses, and we’ve been a recognised teacher training provider for over 140 years.

You can choose between a university-led and school-led PGCE course. Both options will give you practical experience in schools, but the support you receive, the way you apply, the funding you receive, and the time spent in schools will differ depending on the route you choose.

Completing a PGCE with a university will allow you to access a range of support, from personal tutors to placement mentors, and you’ll spend time in lectures, seminars and group sessions with other trainee teachers when you’re not out on school placements.

To find out more about school-based teacher training programmes, we’d recommend looking at the government’s website on training to be a teacher.

PGDiT or PGDE

If you’re training to teach in FES, you’ll usually need to complete a teacher training course in post-14 education, which will prepare you to pursue Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills Status (QTLS) when you begin your career. At Edge Hill University, we offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Further Education and Skills, which is an ideal first step towards training to teach in further education.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

At Edge Hill University, our PGCE and PGDiT courses cost £9,790 per year for home students and £18,000 for international students (2026/27), and this tends to be standard at most UK universities. If you’re domiciled in England, you can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England in the same way as an undergraduate degree. Tuition fees and the way you pay for them can vary if you choose a school-based training route, so it’s best to look at these in detail on the government website to find out more.

Financial support

Each year, the government offers non-repayable bursaries for people training to teach in certain subject areas. The amounts vary depending on the subject, and usually they are offered at secondary and further education level. For 2026/27, government bursaries range from £5,000 to £29,000, and all are subject to eligibility criteria, which you can explore in more detail on the government website.

You can also apply for a maintenance loan with Student Finance England, which you’ll repay once you start earning over a certain amount each year – just like an undergraduate degree. This can seem a little confusing, but you do in fact apply for undergraduate student finance despite studying at postgraduate level. Maintenance loans are means tested based on household income, so the amount you can apply for will vary.

You might also be eligible for some extra financial support if you have children, caring responsibilities, or have a disability. Explore more about the government funding options for teacher training on their website.

How to apply

You’ll apply for your postgraduate teacher training course on the GOV.UK website, and applications usually open in October for courses starting the following September. It’s free to apply, and you can apply for up to four courses. Interviews are also a common part of the application process for teacher training courses, and you’ll need to pass a DBS check too – many universities, including Edge Hill, will help you with your application for this.

Personal statement

As part of your application, you’ll be asked to submit a personal statement, and this is your chance to explain the reasons you’ve chosen to become a teacher. What skills, qualities and experiences do you have that make you suitable to teach? Give thought to all of this, and try to gain some classroom experience too if possible. We’ve put together some great tips and advice on writing a personal statement for teacher training courses.

Getting involved in postgraduate student life

At Edge Hill, you’ll have the chance to get involved in student life right from the start. As a postgraduate teacher training student, you’ll be invited to exclusive pre-course events. These are on-campus and give you the opportunity to meet your peers and begin to build relationships before your course begins. And you’ll receive an induction timetable which will include activities for you to get to know your course mates. We’ll also send you information about our Student Life Portal, where you can explore events and find ways to connect with other students and find new friends. And you can find out more about Edge Hill and meet other students at our free welcome events including postgraduate specific activities.

Postgraduate accommodation options and commuting

Postgraduate students usually live off-campus in Ormskirk or nearby and we’ve put together some helpful information about finding suitable private accommodation. Many of our postgraduate students commute to Edge Hill, you can find information about getting here, making connections at our commuter breakfasts and applying for your car share scheme on our dedicated commuter page.

Support for postgraduate students

We pride ourselves on our student support and have a range of services and specialist teams available to all students. From careers and money advice to wellbeing, we’ll make sure you have the best possible postgraduate university experience. Here a few of the teams you may have contact with during your time with us.

• Once you’re a student at Edge Hill, you’ll be allocated a Personal Tutor, who will provide you with support and advice throughout your course. They’ll be your ‘go to’ person for academic and personal support.
• From our UniSkills Team you can access resources on developing academic skills and managing your time to help you make the most of your studies, as you balance them with the rest of your life.
• If you’re looking for advice on topics such as banking, budgeting and student finance our Money Advice Team can offer tips, provide financial health checks and help if you’ve got money worries.
• And our Careers Team are available to support you with CVs, job applications and interviews. You’ll still have access to our Careers Portal as a graduate, so you can receive help and advice up to three years after your graduation.

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Welcome to all our new postgraduate students

As you start your postgraduate journey at Edge Hill, we wanted to share some helpful information about your first few weeks and the support available across campus.

Have you fully enrolled onto your course?

You should have completed Stage One of enrolment online before you arrived. You also need to complete Stage Two so you can access your online sessions and receive your student loan on time.

If you’re not sure how to complete enrolment, visit the enrolment FAQs page.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

As part of your Induction Week you need to register for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to help enhance the security and protection of your Edge Hill IT account. Once registered, you’ll receive instructions to guide you through installing and configuring the Microsoft Authenticator app.

If you have any accessibility needs or technical requirements, please contact the Catalyst Helpdesk for support or to explore further options.

Want to make new friends and get involved in Student Life?

State-of-the-art sport and fitness facilities

There’s something for everyone at the Sports Centre. Check out the brand-new fully-refurbished fitness suite, 25m swimming pool, 45+ exercise classes (per week), packed Campus Sport programme and racket sports. All included with our student membership.

Annual memberships are only £120 if bought before Monday 13 October. Unsure? You can always take out the FREE trial membership and enjoy all these benefits until Sunday 12 October.

Don’t miss out on this great offer. For further details and to join, pop into the Sports Centre or visit the Edge Hill Sport webpage.

Edge Hill Sport now offers 1-2-1 personal training. This means whatever your goals, fitness level or experience our Personal Trainers are here to help you reach them.

The Campus Sport programme provides the opportunity to enjoy sport in a social non-competitive environment. Why not get involved and try out a range of activities regardless of your ability? We aim to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere that is inclusive for all. Head to the Edge Hill Sport page for more information

Looking for some quality entertainment?

The Arts Centre runs an exciting programme of events including film screenings, talks and comedy performances. Keep up to date with what’s on in The Arts Centre by viewing their webpage. There are new events added regularly.

• Frankenstein | Saturday 9 August | 2pm and 7.30pm
• The Void | Wednesday 8 October | Thursday 9 October | 7.30pm
• Film screening and Q&A: Dead On The Vine | Thursday 16 October | 7.30pm
• Book launch: Maybe the Birds, A. J. Ashworth | Tuesday 21 October | 7pm
• Grace Petrie – This Is No Time To Panic! | Thursday 23 October | 7.30pm
• James Acaster: Work-in-Progress | Friday 24 October | 7.30pm
• No Woman’s Land | Thursday 30 October | 7pm
• Rich Hall: Chin Music | Friday 31 October | 7.30pm

Get to know your Catalyst specialist support

Learn all about who and what Catalyst is, how Catalyst specialist support can help you thrive on your student journey and how to access everything you need in your brand-new Introduction to Catalyst Specialist Support Toolkit.

Need a breather?

The Faith and Reflection Room (based in the Magnolia building at Forest Court) is available to all as a space for prayer, meditation, or just to relax. You can access the Room 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Between 6am and 9pm, Monday to Friday, entry is available by swiping your Unicard. Outside of these times the door is manually locked.  If the door is locked please go to the Security and Customer Information Centre, at the University Main Entrance.

Got a question, need help, or not sure where to go?

There’s a range of ways we can help.

Catalyst Helpdesk Team

The Catalyst Helpdesk Team are there to answer questions about most aspects of university life. So it’s a great place to go if you’re unsure about who to speak to. Even if it feels like you have a silly question, it will probably have been asked before. Don’t be afraid to pop in and ask. The Helpdesk is located on the ground floor of Catalyst.

The team can also help you by phone or email so wherever you are, you can easily get in touch. The helpdesk is available between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm at weekends.

Campus Support Team

If you need any help out of hours, our Campus Support Team are available 24/7. You can speak to them by:

Visiting the Security and Customer Information Centre on campus. See F6 of the Ormskirk campus map

All that’s left to say right now is, welcome to EHU. We are here for you every step of the way.

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The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey is here

The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is open from Monday 19 May to Monday 9 June 2025. PTES is a chance for eligible postgraduate students to have your say about your experience here at Edge Hill University.

By completing the survey, we can find out what we are doing well and how we can improve. The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete, and in that time you will be helping to shape the future of Edge Hill University.

What is PTES?

The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is brought to you in partnership with AdvanceHE. AdvanceHE works across the globe to improve higher education for staff, students and society. It’s the only national survey for postgraduate students, like you, so it’s the best way to help us make a difference.

PTES allows students on a Masters, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma to share their thoughts on their postgraduate degree. We are committed to providing the best possible experience for our postgraduate students. So we want to hear your honest feedback to allow Edge Hill to continually grow and improve.

Completing the survey

Once PTES is live, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the survey. Within the survey you will be asked questions which cover different aspects of your postgraduate experience. From teaching and learning to the resources, support, development and more. Your feedback is confidential and the results will be anonymous.

Once you have completed the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey you can opt into a prize draw to win the ultimate graduation pack. Included in the graduation pack is:

• Free gown hire
• Free photography package
• An Edge Hill graduation teddy bear

The winner will be notified after the survey is closed. And don’t worry if you have already booked your robe hire and photography. If you win the graduation package, you will be able to receive a refund.

If you have any questions about the PTES, please contact the team at studentvoice@edgehill.ac.uk.

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Thinking about progressing to postgraduate study?

The transition from undergraduate to postgraduate may seem daunting. You might not know where to start, or how different it will be to your undergraduate course. But we are here to help you on your journey to understand the differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study, with tips on how to prepare and how you can study alongside other commitments.

What is the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate study?

There are three key areas where you will notice differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study:

The right postgraduate degree for you

Study routes

At Edge Hill University we offer three postgraduate study routes: taught Masters, research degrees and PGCEs. Starting here and understanding your options will help you find which route is best suited to you.

Finding the right course

While studying your undergraduate degree, you may have found an area which you want to delve into on a deeper level. Or you could be the complete opposite and find yourself drawn to an area which isn’t considered a general progression. But the good news is that either option is great when considering your options. Studying a postgraduate degree will allow you to focus on a more specific area of a subject. As long as you have the passion for that area, you can thrive at postgraduate level.

Many of our courses have entry requirements based on your undergraduate result rather than the course itself. We recommend visiting our postgraduate course pages, so you can find the exact entry requirements.

I found the style of teaching and coursework very similar to my undergraduate studies. But it was great being able to delve deeper into topics that were only broadly discussed at undergraduate level. Already knowing the basics of referencing made assignments so much easier too. I found more opportunities to work independently which really suited my style of learning and my tutors were always around to help if I needed it.

Anais Brady

I chose to study a different subject than I had previously studied at undergraduate level, however I didn’t feel that this held me back. The tutors are all supportive and are happy to answer any questions. The lectures and available learning resources always provide detailed information on the specific topic, meaning I have access to all the information I need to succeed in my degree.

Lauren Taylor

Not sure what’s right for you?

You don’t have to figure things out alone. Speak to your Personal Tutor. Your tutor is a great starting point to help explore your options, answer your questions, and help guide you on the right path. 

The Careers Team is also available to chat about your goals and how postgraduate study could help you get there. Whether you’re just curious or ready to take the next step. Book an appointment or drop by the Careers Corner in Catalyst (11am – 3pm on weekdays). 

If you want to find out more about Edge Hill’s postgraduate courses, you can book a 30-minute one-to-one information session with our postgraduate experts to find the best course or study route for you. 

Fitting postgraduate study around your life

Your timetable will vary depending on your course, but they generally have fewer contact hours than your undergraduate degree. 

You can also opt to complete your postgraduate degree part-time. This is a great option if you want more flexibility around other commitments. This means you can kickstart your career, earn extra money and be working on a Masters, all at the same time.

And don’t forget, here at Edge Hill we have lots of opportunities to work on campus. Head to the Careers Portal to explore your options.

Finding accommodation

Browse properties. Liaise with landlords. And get support along the way. All in one place.

How can you prepare for postgraduate study?

Find out more

If you want to find out more, you can:

Apply now for 2025

You can apply for a postgraduate course before you’ve completed your undergraduate degree. Any offers you receive will be subject to you achieving the required undergraduate degree classification. Once you have your results, you’ll need to provide a copy of your degree certificate before starting the course.

You can apply for a taught Masters or research degree online through the Edge Hill website. We recommend referring to your individual course page to access the relevant application form and entry requirements. As an Edge Hill graduate, you may also be eligible for a 20% discount on tuition fees.

For PGCEs, you will need to apply through GOV.UK. Department for Education bursaries up to £29,000 are also available for selected Secondary PGCE programmes.

The post Thinking about progressing to postgraduate study? appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Continue your studies with Edge Hill University

Why should I do a postgraduate degree?

Increase your earning potential

Average salaries for Masters graduates tend to be higher, and the starting salary for qualified teachers is above the graduate national average. The starting salary for qualified teachers is competitive, at around £32,916, rising to over £46,000 for more experienced teachers. There are few qualifications where you can earn above the graduate national average straight after leaving university.

Advance your career prospects

A Masters sets you apart from the competition and focuses your skillset towards leadership positions. Teaching is also a highly transferable skill with great progression pathways. You could start as a teacher and become a Head of Department or Headteacher. Over 94.4% of taught Masters graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation. (Graduate Outcomes data released 2024 from 2021/22 graduates)

Change direction

Most of our courses only require a specific level of undergraduate degree rather than a specific subject. Had a change of career goal? Want to study a new subject? A postgraduate degree can help you do it. Select your desired course then click entry criteria to see if you are eligible to apply.

Why should you continue your studies at Edge Hill?

Guaranteed PGCE interview

Thinking about teacher training after your degree? If you’re a final year EHU student and planning to apply for a PGCE to start in 2026, you’re eligible for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This means that as long as you are studying a relevant undergraduate degree subject (where a specific undergraduate degree subject is specified in the entry criteria for your PGCE of interest), you’ll be guaranteed an interview at EHU*. Taking some of the stress out of your application. You’ll still need to apply through ‘GOV.UK Apply for Teacher Training’ and include a personal statement, but you won’t need to worry about making it perfect.

*If you receive an offer after interview, all PGCE entry criteria will need to be met prior to the start of your PGCE.

You already have a strong bond

By staying at Edge Hill University to complete your postgraduate degree, you are building on existing bonds. Tutors know and understand you. And you already have confidence in them too.

Feel comfortable in your surroundings

After three years at Edge Hill, you know your environment. From faculty buildings to the wider campus and town. There’s no adjustment time needed. Jump straight into your postgraduate and focus on your studies, rather than finding your lecture hall.

I’ve been given plenty of opportunities for continued professional development, and all my theory work is put into context either with real-life examples from my tutors, or when I see it first hand out on professional practice.

Sophie Dottie

PGCE Primary Education with QTS

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“The MA Creative Writing has really allowed me to mature, become more confident in my writing and make so many connections with so many different, influential people.”

Victoria Loftus

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Edge Hill has such a strong history and reputation for teacher training, not to mention the campus has everything you need in one place.

Katie Hazel

PGCE Secondary Computer Science and Information Technology with QTS (11-16)

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I particularly enjoyed the curriculum design module, as I was really able to get creative with the assessments for the learners.

Kir Turner

PGDE Post-14 Education

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“I’m using every single one of the techniques they taught me. I’m using structured learning, incorporating activities at certain points and I’m knowledgeable about what to look for when my learners are disengaged. Everything they’ve taught me is all there at my fingertips.

“When we started the course in September 2023, they said we’d be teaching classes on our placements by ourselves by Christmas. We didn’t believe them. We were apprehensive because we didn’t think we’d be ready, but we did it! My mentor was fantastic. She was no-nonsense and had such faith in me. She knew I’d learn best by getting in the deep end.”

Shauntelle is not daunted by a career change; her years of experience have prepared her to face any challenge. She’s worked as an auxiliary nurse in care homes and in a hospital’s acute mental health unit, as a civil servant for DWP processing benefits, and completed a law degree while working in a law-based role, commuting daily between Stockport and Stoke-on-Trent. Shauntelle’s also supported homeless people working for a housing company and volunteered as a magistrate and school governor. 

Through this period, Shauntelle’s raised her three children, Shian (18), Alexander (16) and Raphael (12), as a single parent and spent time in Zimbabwe helping look after her sick father. She still works weekends for the Red Cross, deploying volunteers to support those who’ve lost everything in house fires.

It was a conversation with her sister that prompted her to take her career in a new direction.

“She said I was just sitting on my law degree and not doing anything with it – something I was well aware of! But she planted the seed about teaching.

“I started researching, not knowing whether I fancied teaching primary or older kids. As my children were growing up, I decided on teenagers, thinking it would be more fun and relatable.

“The next thing I knew, I had pressed the application button and was invited for an interview.” 

Shauntelle’s experience of working in jobs at the sharp end of life, coupled with her law degree, made her an enticing prospect for Novus. However, she hasn’t given up on her desire to teach law – her real passion.

“Teaching law is my ultimate goal, but I’m happy for now.  I need experience under my belt and to be confident and comfortable. Prisons are a challenging and rewarding environment in which to build and hone your skills.”

Shauntelle has thrived at Edge Hill, thanks to the inclusive welcome she received and the high-quality teacher training.

“I felt like I was on the outside looking in during my other university experience, so Edge Hill was such a contrast. Everyone is welcoming and willing to help and guide you, and there is a wealth of resources. It was like being back in high school with the one-on-one support.

“I’m so impressed with Edge Hill and would definitely recommend coming here. My daughter wants to become a primary school teacher and I’ve encouraged her to apply. They may have another recruit.”

Find out more about Edge Hill University’s postgraduate courses.

The post Single mum of three adds teaching diploma to her impressive CV, proving it’s never too late to change careers  appeared first on Edge Hill University.

How Edge Hill University prepares future lawyers for the modern world

Dr Jennifer Giblin, Associate Head of the School of Law and Criminal Justice at Edge Hill University chatted to Chris Howard, BARBRI’s Director of University Partnerships, about our LLM SQE/Legal Practice postgraduate programme and what a law student can do to stand out in the competitive job market.

What is your role at Edge Hill University and your professional background?

I’m the Associate Head of the School of Law and Criminal Justice and I’m responsible for employability initiatives within the School, both within the curriculum and extracurricular. 

I completed all my degrees at the University of Nottingham: a law undergraduate degree, then a masters and PhD in public international law, focusing on the UN and UN peacekeeping. During my PhD, I was also teaching at Nottingham, and I then joined Edge Hill University in September 2021.

What was it about Edge Hill that attracted you and why do you think it’s such a great place for students to study?

Edge Hill was voted Modern University of the Year (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide) in 2022 and it’s got fantastic facilities. But it’s also got that heritage of Edge Hill College being established in 1885 as the first non-denominational teacher training college for women. It has since grown into the institution it is today. 

It’s also an incredibly friendly and welcoming environment, something I’ve always been drawn to as a staff member. It’s very supportive of students and their academic studies too. In fact, Edge Hill has just received gold for Student Experience in the OfS Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), and we’re 35th in the Guardian League table as well.

What was the thinking behind the structure and the content of the new LLM SQE/Legal Practice programme?

It was our Head of School, Professor Jay Cullen, that led on the design and creation of this LLM programme, with support from staff like Adam Pendlebury, a Senior Lecturer in Law. We wanted to create a masters programme that would give students practical skills, but also theoretical knowledge. So you will gain, not only preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE), but also a masters degree in legal practice. Our programme mirrors the SQE examinations and therefore focuses on developing your legal knowledge (SQE 1) and your practical skills (SQE 2). Students will be will be equipped with the foundational legal knowledge needed as a newly qualified solicitor and will develop advanced legal skills. 

Part of our strategy as a School has been to focus on legal practice, so we have modules at undergraduate level designed to give students that theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. For instance, we have practice-focused modules like Criminal Law in Practice where students learn the role of a criminal defence duty solicitor and practise how to complete a bail application. They’re taught by our lecturers, who are practising solicitors as well. We then wanted to continue this practice-focused undergraduate programme into masters level. This really was the next step for us as a School. 

Have you had any feedback from students on their experience with BARBRI SQE Prep training?

One of the attractions for us in creating the LLM was working in partnership with BARBRI. It was the flexibility that the programme could offer our students: online flexible learning paired with our in-person learning as well.

And our students share positive feedback about this flexibility that the programme offers and, in particular, how the AI-empowered online platform (Personal Study Plan) supports them with the learning. They find that in particular very useful.

Another reason why Edge Hill chose BARBRI is obviously BARBRI’s reputation! And the above-industry-average pass rates on the SQE exams were very attractive to us. And then our head of School, Jay Cullen, worked quite closely with Chris Jorgensen at BARBRI in the beginning to discuss the partnership and the development of the programme. Jay in particular enjoyed working with Chris on that.

How do you think the SQE/Legal Practice programme might develop in the future?

We’re continually keeping one eye on what is happening in the legal sector and we have a professional advisory panel that meets each year. We ask employers about any changes or updates within the legal sector, we discuss our programmes and ask how they think we can better prepare students, both on our under- and postgraduate programmes, for entering the legal sector.

We are constantly reviewing – on top of the wide range of extracurricular activities that students on the LLM can already take part in – which would support not only the learning but also the development of their CV, their employability, ready for entering the legal sector.

Can you tell us a little bit more about those extracurricular opportunities for students.

The university hosts an annual careers fair in October, and then the School of Law and Criminal Justice holds its own bespoke careers fair in February each year that is much more tailored to students within our School, with employers from the legal and the criminal justice sectors. 

We have a dedicated law school careers advisor who offers advice and guidance on everything from CVs to applying for part-time jobs, work placements and graduate-level jobs. We also have a commercial awareness programme, usually in October/ November. We liaise with law firms to hold insight days and evenings. And we have a dedicated work placements officer to support students in obtaining work placements. 

We have a strong law alumni community – Adam Pendlebury, one of our Senior Lecturers in Law, has been central in developing that over the last few years. We have an annual alumni panel, and it’s really great to see how students who were in our law programmes progress throughout their careers. They’re very generous with their time, with their networks, their advice and guidance, and quite often our students then obtain work experience, further connections, sometimes even jobs from these events.

We also welcome employers to come in and give guest lectures and workshops – whether that’s in teaching time to support the content or outside of teaching time. Alongside that, we hold academic and skills workshops. And field trips as well, both nationally and internationally, to visits inns, chambers and courts. 

And then we have a very active Student Law Society, and while they are predominantly undergraduate students, all of their activities are open to students across the school and they hold internal competitions: negotiation, mooting, criminal, mock trials.

All students take part, if they wish, in external competitions, like the Oriel Chambers Undergraduate Mooting Competition or the CEDR National Student Negotiation Competition. There’s a whole host of activities students can get involved with.

Something else that’s very good is that Edge Hill offers a Student Opportunity Fund. If you are an undergraduate, postgraduate taught, PGCE or MRes student at Edge Hill University, you can apply for up to £2,000 to support a career-enhancing project, initiative or opportunity that will enrich your student experience and enable you to stand out in a competitive environment. so no student is at a disadvantage when it comes to taking part.

What are your top tips for students on how they can best prepare themselves for the competitive employment market?

For students to enhance their commercial awareness, it’s about utilising the opportunities that are on offer, like programmes or workshops, that can give you a bit more of an explainer as to what it means, and also give you a chance to practise – whether within your university or institution or online. 

And also relying on your network. Speaking to people in the industry and asking them, well, what does commercial awareness mean to you and to your firm? I should say it’s notoriously difficult to define, and it means something different to each person you ask. 

It’s also important for students to engage in those materials that are already there: All About Law, Legal Cheek, Law Gazette etc to enhance your commercial awareness. 

I think it’s key that before you go into any interview, you have a ready-made answer for that firm. That means researching that firm, or perhaps someone who will be on the interview panel, if you know, and having an awareness of the types of activities they may be involved with. Look at their profiles on the website, seeing what areas they’re interested in, what they highlight. See if they use any key buzzwords, and perhaps feed that into your application and into your interview.

That can help as a prompt for those who are interviewing you to ask you questions about this – be prepared to answer questions on that. Don’t just slot that information into your application or your interview. Make sure you know what it is you’re talking about, that you have done your research.

Is there anything else you think students should be particularly aware of at the moment?

I think the growth of AI and legal tech is something that students certainly need to be aware of and to get to grips with as early as possible. Firms now use a variety of tools and if you have the opportunity to get used to those beforehand, whether that’s via your programme or through some sort of work experience, that would be incredibly beneficial.

And the final thing I’d want to say: We all know law is an incredibly competitive area, and it’s difficult to make yourself stand out. But really, it’s important for students to think about your unique selling points. So throughout your studies, develop yourself as a rounded person. Yes, you need to have a good qualification, but that isn’t enough. You need to have the extracurricular activities – and that doesn’t mean you always have to have the legal work experience. If you perhaps have retail experience, that still provides you with transferable skills. It’s important that you recognise what skills you have developed and make sure you’re selling that. 

Again, you don’t always have to have done a vacation scheme every summer or a mini pupillage if you have a really interesting hobby, say you’re an ice skater or on the rugby team. That gives you something interesting to talk about, it’s a unique selling point on your CV and when it comes to an interview, employers will be interested to hear about that.

Think about the skills you have gained from that experience and use that to show the employer that you’re a human being. Ultimately, you can have all the skills and experience, but they also want someone that they can work with and that will be a part of the firm. 

At Edge Hill we have what we call graduate attributes. We’ve identified these skills attributes that we expect students to have upon completing the studies with us. Each student has a PebblePad workbook where they can keep track of their skills and attributes that they’re developing. We really do place a lot of emphasis on providing students with that language and talking to them about these skills and how to essentially market themselves when it comes to employment.

“I think that human element is more important than ever, actually, given that technology is taking more and more of a role in practice. What marks out a great lawyer to the client is, I think, having that human connection – that ability to be a real person with real insights and real empathy is definitely more important than ever. 

I’ve encouraged students to keep a skills log or record, because sometimes you don’t recognise something as a transferable skill, but actually it may well be just the thing that marks you out, gives you some point of difference.” 

Chris Howard,
Director of University Partnerships
BARBRI’s

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam with BARBRI

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