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Postgraduate study at Reading
As an internationally renowned institution and one of the UK’s leading research-based universities, the University of Reading offers you an excellent environment for your postgraduate studies.
Whether you're looking for a short course to enhance your professional development, a taught master’s degree, or the chance to study for a PhD, you will find an opportunity here that meets your needs and fires your imagination.
Excellent benefits
Our diverse community of postgraduate students benefit from excellent career prospects, a thriving graduate community and a dedicated Graduate School.
- Home to over 5,950 taught postgraduate students (29% of our student body), from 123 countries
- 94% of our taught postgraduates are in work or study within six months of graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education, DLHE 2015/16)
- Of our taught postgraduates in work, 96% are in professional or managerial positions within six months of graduating (DLHE 2015/16)
- 86% student satisfaction rate, which is above the sector average (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2017)
- 98% of the University's research is of international standing (according to the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, 2014)
- Only 30 minutes from London by train and 40 minutes from Heathrow airport
Fees and funding for postgraduate study
Funding your postgraduate study is simpler than you think, and there are plenty of options available. These include government loans and grants, as well as a range of scholarships and bursaries.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees vary depending on your programme and whether you are a UK/EU or International student. Please check the relevant course webpage for this information.
Fees are payable in two instalments: 50% on enrolment and 50% at the start of the second term of your studies. However, if you are receiving the Master’s Loan, you can also pay your fees in three instalments during the year to match when you receive instalments of the loan.
Living costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you will also need to budget for living costs. Costs will vary from student to student, depending on your interests and lifestyle; for more information visit our rough guide to living costs.
Part-time work
The University of Reading’s MyJobsOnline and Campus Jobs services advertise a wide range of part-time work, from opportunities on campus to jobs in town, which can help with living costs.
Master's loans schemes 2019/20
Government-backed loans are available for 2019 entry. The maximum value of the postgraduate loan is £10,906.
Application information can be found on the government website and a comprehensive guide can be found on the Find A Master’s website.
Future Finance Private Student Loans
- Future Finance is the UK's largest private student lender.
- You may consider Future Finance as an additional option if the UK government loans do not cover all of your expenses.
- Loans are offered from £2,000 - £40,000 to cover both tuition fees and living costs
- Loans are offered to UK, EU and international students with a UK domiciled address
- Students can submit an application online up to six months prior to course start. For further information please visit www.futurefinance.com.
- The University of Reading may be required to verify attendance on the course before any funding is released; this will be completed after you have attended registration at the University of Reading.
- Any loan funds requested for tuition will be released directly to the University of Reading to be applied towards your tuition and loans for living costs will be paid directly to you.
Students studying a PGCE course
UK students studying a PGCE course can apply to their Student Finance Authority (for example, Student Finance England) for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan. The application process for PGCE students is similar to the process for undergraduate students.
Postgraduate scholarships
There is a range of scholarships available from some of the University’s academic departments. Please visit our scholarships webpage for more information.
Alumni discounts
If you studied your undergraduate degree at the University of Reading you will be eligible for an alumni discount of 10% off your master’s course fees (up to a maximum of £1,000). You will automatically be considered for this discount when you apply.
Take the next step
Should I take a master's degree?
A guide to asking the right questions about taught postgraduate study.
Apply now
There is no specific deadline date for most postgraduate courses and applications will be considered until the course is full. However, to allow time for us to process your application we recommend that you apply by the following dates for admission in September.
UK applicants by 1 August
International applicants by 1 June
Please note: the MSc Speech and Language Therapy has an earlier application deadline of 1 December and our Physician Associate programmes have a May deadline. Applications for PGCE courses are made through UCAS and the deadline is 15 September of the year of entry though early applications are recommended.
Postgraduate Research
Study on a postgraduate research programme at Reading and join a talented research community, working alongside world-leading academics.