Skip to main content

Qualifications Explained

To help you find the right study option we explain the different postgraduate degrees available.

Taught master's courses
Research master's courses
Doctoral awards

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.

INTO international students at Newcastle University
INTO Newcastle University

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.

Find out more about our flexible and part time courses

Postgraduate student at Newcastle University
Steps to taught postgraduate study

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.

Find out more on the Steps to Postgraduate Study website

Choosing a taught master's

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 guide to taught master's awards

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.

Find out more about flexible and part time options here

Microscope used in postgraduate research
Choosing a research master's

Our research Masters' 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.
A guide to research master's awards

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.

Doctoral awards

Our doctoral awards include:

PhDs

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:

PhDs in Faculty of Medical Sciences:

PhDs in Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering:

Intergrated PhDs

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

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:

Why choose Newcastle?

Find out more about Newcastle University's campus, accommodation and more.

Your study options

Find out more about our flexible study options.