You should apply directly to us via our online application portal, accessed from the relevant website course page. Normal entry requirements for a postgraduate taught degree are at least a 2:2 Honours degree in an appropriate subject from a recognised university. We may also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and those with substantial, related work experience (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning).

Applicants who do not have English as a first language must demonstrate they have the correct level of English for their course: an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or more, with a score of no less than 5.5 in each of the individual IELTS tests.

Most postgraduate courses do not have specific application deadlines but we advise you to apply at least 30 days before the course starts to allow us time to process your application. For start times, see the website course page. You can submit your application before you receive your final results.

Step-by-step checklist for a direct taught-degree application

1. Make sure you’ve done your basic research by visiting the relevant course page to check such areas as units; study options (ie, is there a part-time option or what campus will you be on) and fees.
2. Gather all the documentation you need to complete your application, including a copy of your passport, qualification certificates and references (more on that below).
3. Sort out who you will ask for references. You must provide two written references with your direct application. Find out more about supplying a reference
4. When you are ready to apply, go to the relevant website course page, select the course options you would like (ie start date or full/part time, if offered) then access our application portal via the Apply Now button.
5. On the online application form, make sure the email address you give is one you regularly use and check. This is important as, after Admissions receives your application, we communicate with you largely by email, starting with confirmation that we’ve got your application.
6. Help us out and submit your application at least 30 days before your course starts, to allow time for us to process it.
7. If you have any queries, contact our Admissions team via email on admission@beds.ac.uk or phone on 01582 743500.

Research degree applications are managed by our Research Graduate School

Here is a checklist of documents and information you will need to submit through the application portal so please ensure you have these ready for uploading.

• Proposal (2,000 words max)
• Curriculum vitae (or resume)
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your certificate or transcript of highest qualification

Entry requirements for a Master’s by Research are generally an Honours degree of 2:2 or above; applicants for other research-degree awards should have a good Honours degree (2:1 or above), or Master’s degree or equivalent, in a relevant subject area. But check the entry requirements on the individual course description as there may be some flexibility on this.

We may also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and those with substantial, related work experience (known as recognition of prior learning).

Applicants who do not have English as a first language must demonstrate they have the correct level of English for their course: an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or more, with a score of no less than 5.5 in each of the individual IELTS tests.

There are two registration points in the course of an academic year – October and March.

Step-by-step checklist for a research-degree application

1. Do your basic research by visiting our research topic and relevant institute pages, to confirm we can cover your preferred subject field. While you’re there, check if your course area is offered full time, part time or both.
2. If you are currently following an undergraduate course at the University of Bedfordshire, ask a member of your academic team if they would support your research application.
3. Gather together all the documentation you need to complete your application, including copies of your passport data page, qualification certificates and your CV.
4. Write your research proposal: a two-page synopsis of your proposed area of work (no more than 2,000 words), which you must include with your application.
5. When you are ready to apply, go to How to apply for a research degree and find the button for your chosen award (MA, MSc and so on) and research institute (CRELLA, IBEST and so on). This will take you to the relevant course page.
6. From here, select your preferred start time as well as whether you would like full time or part time (where available). Then click the ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application.
7. Make sure the email address you give is one you regularly use and check. This is important as, after the Research Graduate School receives your application, we communicate with you largely by email, starting with confirmation that we’ve got your application.
8. Help us out and submit your application at least 30 days before the deadline, to allow time for us to process it.
9. If you have any queries, contact the Research Graduate School via email on research@beds.ac.uk or phone on 01582 743727.

All applications for a PGCE course should be made online through the Department for Education Teacher Training portal. You can make four course choices from October, to start the following September. It’s a good idea to apply early as places fill up quickly and you may have to meet certain conditions of offer before you can start your training; for example, you may be required to complete a subject-knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

Your application includes a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words, and two references from people who know you well and will be able to give a detailed 500-word response.

Our Admissions team (admission@beds.ac.uk) will assess your application within 30 days, after which your DfE record will be updated and you will also receive an email detailing our decision. Make sure the email address you give is one you regularly use and check as you don’t want to miss any important communications regarding your application.

If your application is successful, we will invite you for an interview. If it is unsuccessful, we will provide you with feedback and you can apply for a different PGCE course.

Find more information at Get into Teaching

Unlike other postgraduate courses, you apply for a Master’s Nursing or Midwifery course via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS); you can apply for up to five courses.

Every course has its own UCAS course code, which you can find on the relevant course page; if your chosen course doesn’t have one yet, it is likely to be because it is a new course still awaiting its code. In these cases, please contact our Admissions team via email on admission@beds.ac.uk or phone on 01582 743500. You also need the codes for the universities offering your five chosen courses. The University of Bedfordshire’s UCAS codes are:

UCAS institution code name: BED
UCAS institution code: B22
Learning provider registration number: 8229
TOEFL institution code number: 0500

UCAS campus codes:
D Luton campus
H Bedford campus
X Aylesbury campus

Step-by-step checklist to applying through UCAS

1. Gather together all the information you’ll need in advance including personal details; education and employment histories; and your personal statement. UCAS offers advice on completing your application; our tips on writing your personal statement and jargon buster [PDF] will also build your confidence.
2. Find someone to provide a reference.
   • If you are in full-time higher education at time of applying, your HE institution can supply your reference.
   • If you are returning to learning after a break but are still in contact with your old university or HE institution, it’s worth asking them if they will be your referee.
   • If you need to find your own referee, approach your employer for a reference, particularly if your role is relevant to your chosen subject area. Find more information about getting a reference on the UCAS site
   • If you are finding it difficult to find a referee, contact our Admissions team on admission@beds.ac.uk
3. Pay the application fee online using a credit or debit card. For 2025 entry, the fee is £28.50 for up to five choices.
4. Once your application is completed, send it electronically to UCAS, who process it and send a copy to your chosen universities and colleges. We expect to receive most UCAS applications from early/mid September to mid/late January for courses starting in the following academic year.
5. If you wish to apply after the January deadline*, contact Admissions on admission@beds.ac.uk to see if we still have places available for your preferred course.

*Deadlines change slightly every year. Please check out the application timetable for your year of entry with UCAS

If you have problems applying online to UCAS, please contact the UCAS Customer Service team on 0371 468 0468 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-6pm). You can also reach them via a direct message on Facebook (ucasonline) or X (@ucas_online).

For registered healthcare practitioners

If you are a registered healthcare practitioner in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions, you can apply for one of our health professionals’ CPD courses. Visit our Healthcare short courses page to find links to individual courses where you can find out more about the course and apply.

If you have a question about a short course, please contact our NHS Business Unit on nhs-business-unit@beds.ac.uk or via the switchboard on (0)1234 400400.

For business-oriented courses

The University offers accredited courses for UK professionals, providing you with opportunities to undertake continuing professional development, progress your career and enhance your skills. Our business-oriented short courses include project management and Lean Six Sigma training.

Find out more about all the short courses we run

You can also download our Developing Professionals booklet [PDF]

If you would like to apply for a course, contact cpd@beds.ac.uk or call 0800 328 5334.

For both healthcare and business short courses, if you are in employment, you may be able to apply for funding through your employer’s education or training lead. Find out more about employer sponsorship