Postgraduate
Want to advance or change your career, or dive deeper into a subject you love? Here’s everything you need to know about postgraduate study at Kingston University.

Explore postgraduate study options
Is your ambition to advance, evolve or even change your career?
Or maybe you are passionate to learn more about a subject you love? Whatever your reason for wanting to study further, at Kingston University we will help make it work.
We offer a wide range of taught and research masters courses. These include doctoral courses and diplomas with flexible study options to help meet your learning needs and enable you to balance studying with work or family commitments.
Search all postgraduate courses
Search all postgraduate coursesFlexible study options
There are a range of full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes available at Kingston University. Many postgraduate courses offer the flexibility of starting in January or March. This allows you to tailor your studies to suit your personal schedule or commitments.
To find out if your preferred course offers these alternative start dates, visit the specific course page for information and availability.
Postgraduate work placement
A professional placement option is available for both home and international full-time students. The placement year is an excellent way to gain valuable work experience and is an opportunity to develop the skills employers are looking for. You must find and secure your own placement, but you can make use of the University's career support services to help you. The placement will be undertaken after the taught portion of your course.
Types of postgraduate qualifications
Take a look at the list below to find out more about the qualifications you can study towards.
Masters degree
Our taught masters courses are usually studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years. You will gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of your subject through tailored modules. During your studies you will produce a dissertation or project. Types of masters available include:
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Law (LLM)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Music (MMus)
- Masters of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Postgraduate diploma (PgDip)
Similar to a taught masters degree, you will study taught modules for a postgraduate diploma. However, usually a dissertation or project will not be required as part of your studies. You can usually progress to a masters degree from a PgDip by accruing credits.
Postgraduate certificate (PgCert)
A postgraduate certificate is similar to a postgraduate diploma but takes half the time to complete. A typical postgraduate certificate comprises three modules and can be completed in just 15 weeks of full-time study. A dissertation or project will not be required as part of your studies. Furthermore you can usually progress to a masters degree from a PgCert by accruing credits.
Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
A postgraduate certificate in education provides a route into teaching. The one-year course blends academic and practical learning through a combination of school placements and university-based learning. These courses will enable you to become qualified as either:
- Primary school teacher - Key stage 1 and 2
- Secondary school teacher - Key stage 3 and 4, including sixth form
Short courses
Short courses can be studied for personal interest, continued professional development or as a pathway to postgraduate study.
This postgraduate course is a one-year full-time or two-years part-time programme. The supervised thesis is the subject of an oral examination. You will normally need an honours degree or relevant professional qualification. There are also opportunities to link your project to your career interests.
This innovative programme is structured around learning in your workplace. You will define with your employer and Kingston University a strategic problem and a personal development plan. Work-based tasks are completed and assessed under full university supervision.
Typically a two years full-time or three/four years part-time programme. The thesis (20,000 to 40,000 words) is the subject of an oral examination. You will normally need a first class or second class honours degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to your research programme.
A part-time programme for professionals, the Professional Doctorate is an exciting and challenging alternative to a traditional PhD. This work-oriented qualification typically runs over four years and provides excellent opportunities for advanced professional development.
This is typically a three/four years full-time or four/six years part-time programme. A PhD thesis (40 to 80,000 words), is the subject of an oral examination. In this examination, you will show both how you have critically investigated your area of research and how you have made an independent, original contribution to knowledge.
The Pre-Masters Programme is a masters preparation course for international students (non EU/UK) wishing to obtain a masters degree at Kingston University. The Pre-Masters Programme provides academic and English language preparation for international students. It is designed for those whose current qualifications do not meet Kingston University's masters entry requirements.
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Questions about studying with us? Get in touch
Home students (from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or any of the British Isles)
- Telephone: +44 (0)203 510 0106* (Monday – Friday, 08.30-17.00)
- Email UKenquiries@kingston.ac.uk – we aim to respond within 24 hours
- WhatsApp: +44 (0)7785 200159 (Monday – Friday, 08.30-17.00)
*Calls are free from a UK landline or mobile.
International students (international student or a student from the European Union)
- Telephone: +44 (0)203 510 0746 (Monday – Friday, 08.30-17.00 UK time)
- Email: internationalenquiries@kingston.ac.uk – we aim to respond within 24 hours
- WhatsApp: +44 (0)7423 316 478 (Monday – Friday, 08.30-17.00 UK time)