Qualifications Explained
To help you find the right study option we explain the different postgraduate degrees available.
About our qualifications
Postgraduate study will enable you to:
- extend your subject knowledge beyond undergraduate level
- specialise in a field of academic study
- gain a competitive edge in the job market
We understand that choosing to study for a postgraduate degree is a big undertaking and that everyone’s motivations and needs are different.
We've explained the range of postgraduate qualifications we offer and how they differ to help you make your choice.
Preparation courses for international students
Our preparation courses provide the level of academic and/or English language skills you need for further study at Newcastle University.
You can study an international preparation course at INTO Newcastle University. We have a variety of courses available.
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We have a close and distinctive relationship with INTO Newcastle. The international preparation courses integrate into our academic structure. Studying with INTO Newcastle helps you can progress to a postgraduate degree at Newcastle University. You can study your academic subject and/or improve your English language skills.
Our INTO courses include:
Taught courses
Our taught master's courses include:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project (approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words)
Most of our taught master's are full time over 12 months. Many courses also offer flexible and part-time study options. They are perfect for those who need to balance study with other commitments.

Are you interested in taught postgraduate study but would like some general guidance? The Steps to Postgraduate Study website will tell you all you need to know. It's sponsored by the four UK higher education funding bodies, so it is an official, independent guide.
Our courses give you opportunities to:
- continue studying your undergraduate subject
- explore other subject areas, not related to your undergraduate degree
- prepare for a postgraduate research degree
- develop the professional skills required for your chosen career
A Master’s is awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit dissertation or research project.
The titles of taught Masters' awards vary to reflect the subject area studied. Awards available include:
- MA – Master of Arts
- MBA – Master of Business Administration
- MClinRes – Master of Clinical Research
- MEd – Master of Education
- MFA – Master of Fine Art
- MMedEd - Master of Medical Education
- LLM – Master of Laws
- MSc – Master of Science
Other postgraduate awards we offer include:
- a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is awarded if you successfully complete half of the taught modules (60 credits)
- a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) is awarded if you successfully complete all of the taught modules (120 credits)
Research courses
Research master's courses are designed to further your knowledge of a specific subject. They culminate in a focused research project, dissertation or thesis. Centred around your own interests, they offer the scope to study topics that may not be available as a taught Master’s course.
Many research master's include some taught modules. They introduce specific subjects or relevant professional and research skills.
They are usually studied full time over 12 months. Many courses also offer flexible and part-time study options.
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Our research master's courses give you opportunities to:
- complete a focused and original piece of research. You'll do this without the time commitment required for a Doctoral award
- extend your knowledge and skills in a specific subject beyond the undergraduate level
- prepare for a Doctoral award
- develop the skills required for careers in academic or industrial research, or professions. This includes where an understanding of research methods is essential.
The titles of research Masters' awards vary to reflect the subject area studied. Awards available include:
- LLM (by research) – Master of Law
The LLM (by research) provides an excellent foundation for a PhD or for a career in the legal profession. You'll receive research training and undertake original research. This leads to the completion of a 50,000 word dissertation.
- MLitt – Master of Letters
Available only for arts-based programmes. This award combines taught modules with research training and assignments. You'll write either a supervised dissertation of 16,000-24,000 words or a series of research assignments.
- MMus – Master of Music
The Master of Music combines portfolio work (eg composition or examples of academic writing), essays, commentary on creative practice work, oral examinations, research training and a major creative project or dissertation.
- MPhil – Master of Philosophy
This award is available in all subject areas. You'll receive research training and undertake original research. This leads to the completion of a 40,000- 50,000 word thesis.
- MRes – Master of Research
Available in various subject areas. This award combines taught modules, research training and a dissertation.
A PhD involves original research. It should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. Your research will enable you to become an expert in your chosen topic. This requires a significant time commitment, usually three years full time.
You'll develop your project with help from an academic supervisor or team of supervisors. This could be theoretical or involve working with an industrial partner to develop new products. It will depend on your subject and research interests.
To complete the PhD you will produce a piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. It should show evidence of originality and be suitable for publication.
You'll carry out independent research. Advice and supervision is provided by a designated academic team. You'll also attend research training sessions.
PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy) are awarded in all subject areas. For professionally qualified doctors, an MD (Doctor of Medicine) is awarded.
PhDs in Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences:
- Accounting and Finance; PhD
- Archaeology MPhil; PhD
- Architecture, Planning and Landscape MPhil; PhD
- Business and Management PhD
- Classics and Ancient History MPhil; PhD
- Creative Writing MPhil PhD
- Digital Media PhD
- Economics PhD
- Education MPhil; PhD
- English Literature MPhil; PhD
- Film MPhil PhD
- Fine Art MPhil; PhD
- Geography PhD
- History MPhil; PhD
- Journalism and Public Relations PhD
- Linguistics; Applied Linguistics MPhil; PhD
- Marketing PhD
- Media and Cultural Studies MPhil, PhD
- Modern Languages MPhil; PhD
- Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies MPhil; PhD
- Music MPhil; PhD
- Philosophy MPhil, PhD
- Politics MPhil; PhD
- Sociology PhD
- Speech and Language Sciences MPhil; PhD
- Translating and Interpreting MPhil; PhD
PhDs in Faculty of Medical Sciences:
- Ageing MPhil; PhD; MD
- Biomedicine MPhil; PhD; MD
- Biosciences MPhil; PhD; MD
- Biotechnology MPhil; PhD
- Cancer MPhil; PhD; MD
- Dentistry and Dental Sciences MPhil; PhD
- Education (Clinical) MPhil; PhD
- Food and Human Nutrition MPhil; PhD
- Genetics MPhil; PhD; MD
- Medicine and Surgery MPhil; PhD; MD
- Microbiology MPhil; PhD; MD
- Neuroscience MPhil; PhD; MD
- Pharmacy MPhil, PhD, MD
- Psychology MPhil; PhD
- Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Services Research MPhil; PhD; MD
PhDs in Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering:
- Agriculture MPhil; PhD
- Animal Science MPhil, PhD
- Biology MPhil; PhD
- Chemical Engineering MPhil; PhD
- Chemistry MPhil; PhD
- Civil Engineering (Environmental) MPhil; PhD
- Civil Engineering (Geotechnical and Engineering Geology) MPhil; PhD
- Civil Engineering (Structural) MPhil; PhD
- Civil Engineering (Transport) MPhil; PhD
- Civil Engineering (Water Resources) MPhil; PhD
- Computer Science MPhil; PhD
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD
- Energy MPhil; PhD
- Environmental Science MPhil; PhD
- Food and Society MPhil, PhD
- Geosciences MPhil; PhD
- Geomatics MPhil; PhD
- Marine Sciences MPhil; PhD
- Marine Technology MPhil; PhD
- Materials Engineering MPhil; PhD
- Mathematics MPhil; PhD
- Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil; PhD
- Nanoscale Science and Technology MPhil; PhD
- Physics MPhil; PhD
- Rural Studies MPhil; PhD
- Statistics MPhil, PhD
Our Integrated PhDs (IPhDs) address changes in the knowledge and skills demanded of PhD graduates. They are flexible and practical programmes combining advanced training in discipline-specific and generic research skills with original research.
Each integrated PhD contains:
- a significant and tailored taught component
- annual assessment
- a research project written up as a thesis
The taught component is the main difference between the IPhD and a standard PhD programme.
Lasting from three to four years full time, some IPhDs can be taken part-time over a longer period.
Find out more about part time IPhDs here
IPhDs are intended for middle or senior level managers that may work in public or private sector organisations. A broad and advanced knowledge base is required, as well as an understanding of disciplinary enquiry.
Find out more about our integrated IPhDs:
Professional doctorates are different from other doctoral awards. They fulfil the formal training for particular professions.
They are practical programmes combining original research with taught modules and work placements. The balance between these components will vary depending on the requirements of the profession.
The main difference between a professional doctorate and a PhD is the focus on work-based practice. This is contrast to research in an academic context. Your research project will be informed by your professional practice.
Our professional doctorates are: