Find out how to apply for Postgraduate Programmes and view Frequently Asked Questions.
Applying for Postgraduate Programmes
- How do I apply to study at the University of Aberdeen?
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You apply for Postgraduate Taught Programmes via our Direct Applicant portal.
- Key Dates
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Applicants requiring a Student Visa and Applicants not requiring a Student Visa - application deadlines
For our September and January intakes, we have key dates to ensure your application is submitted on time and all key deadlines are met. Please view our key dates page for all of the information regarding deadlines.
Please note that in some cases where students can clear their conditions and have access to fast track visa services some flexibility can be provided.
Research degrees
Unless you are applying for an advertised studentship or research project, most Research degrees can start at any time. You are welcome to apply up to 18 months before your preferred start date. Actual start dates will be confirmed in the admissions documentation.
- How Is My Application Processed?
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For applications submitted for entry in 2026:
After submitting your application, you will receive an email acknowledgement from the University. Your application will be reviewed by an Admissions Officer.
We will contact you if additional information or documentation is required before a decision can be reached. Additional documents should be uploaded onto the Applicant Portal.
We will let you know the outcome of your application by e-mail.
We will always communicate with you using the e-mail address which is linked to your application, if you change e-mail address please ensure you update your e-mail address in the Applicant Portal.
For applications submitted for entry from January 2027:
After submitting your application, you will receive an email acknowledgement from the University. Your application will be reviewed by an Admissions Officer.
We will contact you if additional information or documentation is required before a decision can be reached. Additional documents should to be uploaded onto the Direct Applicant Portal.
We will let you know the outcome of your application by e-mail however you can check the status of your application at any time in the Direct Applicant Portal.
We will always communicate with you using the e-mail address which is linked to your application, if you change e-mail address please ensure you update your e-mail address in the Direct Applicant Portal.
- Accepting the Offer
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Information about what to do next can found in the Offer Holder Information section of our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I started an application to study with you but I can no longer access it online, are you able to re-instate it for me?
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Possibly depending on how long it is since you started the application. Please email pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk with your personal number and application number (if known) and the postgraduate degree programme you were applying for.
- I have applied for two postgraduate degree programmes starting at the same time, can I accept them both?
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No, you can only accept one offer of admission.
This does not prevent you from applying for several programmes, waiting for the decisions, and then accepting your preferred offer. When your acceptance is processed, your remaining applications with decisions are withdrawn and any without a decision are removed.It may be possible to change your programme after your acceptance has been processed by emailing pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk.
- Do I have to pay a deposit?
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You may have to pay a non-refundable deposit if you meet specific criteria.
- Do I have to pay a fee to obtain my joining papers and CAS?
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No, once you have accepted your offer, provided evidence to meet any outstanding conditions, confirmed how you will finance your studies and provided us with a copy of your passport, your file will be reviewed by an Admissions Officer who will authorise the issuing of your joining papers and CAS.
If you need to update your financial information following acceptance of your offer you can do so at any time through our online Financial Guarantee Form and upload supporting documents to the Applicant Portal.
- Is there a date for accepting a place on my postgraduate degree programme?
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Applicants requiring a Student Visa and Applicants not requiring a Student Visa - application deadlines
For our September and January intakes, we have key dates to ensure your application is submitted on time and all key deadlines are met. Please view our key dates page for all of the information regarding deadlines.
Please note that in some cases where students can clear their conditions and have access to fast track visa services some flexibility can be provided.
Research degrees
Unless you are applying for an advertised studentship or research project, most Research degrees can start at any time. You are welcome to apply up to 18 months before your preferred start date. Actual start dates will be confirmed in the admissions documentation.
- I have accepted an offer, but my circumstances have changed, can I request to defer my place?
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Applications cannot be deferred from the current Applicant portal to the new Direct Applicant Portal. To apply for programmes from January 2027 onwards, you will need to submit a new application here.
For deferrals of applications up to September 2026, you can request a defer using our Deferral Form.
You may make a maximum of two deferral requests only, no more than two years from the original application entry date. You are only allowed to defer one offer. The final date for deferring is the “application deadline date” for the cycle you are deferring to. View the Deadline Dates.
It is important if you decide to request a defer that you check your record in the Applicant Portal and ensure all your information is up to date, including your email address.
Please note that academic entry requirements and English requirements for our programmes are subject to change. Some English Language Tests are only valid for a limited time so your application will need to be reassessed, and a new offer issued.
Your new offer may have new conditions attached so please check this over thoroughly before completing the acceptance form.
For deferrals for applications submitted for entry from January 2027 onwards, you can request a deferral in the Direct Applicant Portal.
It is important if you decide to request a defer that you check your record in the Direct Applicant Portal and ensure all your information is up to date, including your email address.
You may make a maximum of two deferral requests only, no more than two years from the original application entry date. You are only allowed to defer one offer. The final date for deferring is the “application deadline date” for the cycle you are deferring to. View the Deadline Dates.
Please note that academic entry requirements and English requirements for our programmes are subject to change. Some English Language Tests are only valid for a limited time so your application will need to be reassessed, and a new offer issued.
Your new offer may have new conditions attached so please check this over thoroughly before accepting.
- How do I find out the cost of my tuition fees?
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Tuition fees are detailed on the individual programmes prospectus pages.
More information is available here: Tuition Fees or email tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk if you have any additional questions.
- Do I have to pay my tuition fees before I start my studies?
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You usually pay 50% of your tuition fees when you complete your online registration at the start of term.
More information is available here: Tuition Fees or email tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk if you have any additional questions.
- I have made a payment towards my tuition fees who do I contact for confirmation that this has been received?
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Please email pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk for confirmation, please note we have to contact another team for this information so it might take longer than usual to receive a response.
- Where do I find information about scholarships and any funding opportunities?
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You can find information on tuition fees here: Scholarships and Funding
Check your Scholarship eligibility criteria:
- I have uploaded documents to the Online Portal, do I need to let you know?
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No, we receive a daily report detailing what has been uploaded to the Online Portal.
- I am having issues uploading my documents to the Online Portal, who do I contact?
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For applications submitted for entry in 2026:
If you are having issues uploading documents, please email servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk. If you add 'Issues with PGAP' into the subject line this will ensure that it gets passed to the correct team.
For applications submitted for entry from January 2027:
If you are having issues uploading documents, please use the "Contact Us" feature within the Direct Applicant Portal to log an issue.
- Do I need to obtain an ATAS certificate?
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If you are required to obtain an ATAS certificate this will be detailed in your Offer letter.
- I have met the conditions of my Offer and uploaded my documents, will I get a new unconditional Offer?
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For applications submitted for entry in 2026:
We do not automatically issue an unconditional Offer once your conditions have been met, however if you require a letter for funding purposes, we can arrange for a new Offer to be sent out. Please email pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk and provide your personal and application numbers to request this.
For applications submitted for entry from January 2027:
Your offer letter in the Direct Applicant Portal will update to an unconditional offer.
- When do postgraduate degree programmes start?
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Most postgraduate degree programmes start in September; however, several programmes now also have a January start date. Please make sure you select your preferred start date when making an application.