Admissions and Application Requirements

The University of Surrey is committed to expanding access to life-changing education. Through Surrey Online Learning, we have created flexible and affordable educational pathways that align with modern careers. 

Our online postgraduate taught courses are open to applicants from around the world. No application fees or standardised test scores are required. 

See below for more information on the application process and entry requirements. 

Start dates

The online postgraduate courses offer three start dates a year.

September

February

June

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can receive an admissions decision and begin planning your future. 

The following dates apply to all online postgraduate taught courses.

Start dateEarly priority deadlinePriority deadlineFinal deadline
September 2024
12 June 2024
10 July 2024
7 August 2024

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission into our online postgraduate courses, you must have a UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent international qualification. 

See below for the specific entry requirements you will need to meet for your course of interest.

  • For the MSc People-Centred Artificial Intelligence, applicants must have a minimum of a Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) UK undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. 

    Because there is a significant amount of programming in the course, we strongly recommend that applicants have a degree in one of the following disciplines: 

    • Computer Science
    • Engineering 
    • Mathematical Sciences
    • Physical Sciences

    We will also consider graduates with relevant work or programming experience. 

    International applicants: search for entry requirements for your country to find the grade and qualifications we will accept.

    If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language level. We accept results from the IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.

  • For the MSc International Business Management, applicants must have a minimum of a Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) UK undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. Search for entry requirements for your country to find the grade and qualifications we will accept.

    We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don’t meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role), please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.

    If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language level. We accept results from the IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each element.

  • For the MSc Psychology, applicants must have a minimum of an Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) UK undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. Search for entry requirements for your country to find the grade and qualifications we will accept.

    For UK students, GCSE maths and English (language/literature) C are also required.

    If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language level. We accept results from the IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 7.0 overall, with 6.5 in each component.

  • For the MSc Strategic Marketing, applicants must have a minimum of a Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) UK undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. Search for entry requirements for your country to find the grade and qualifications we will accept.

    Relevant work experience may also be considered. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role), please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.

    If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language level. We accept results from the IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.

  • For the MSc Sustainable Development in Practice, applicants must have a minimum of a Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) UK undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. Search for entry requirements for your country to find the grade and qualifications we will accept.

    Relevant work experience may also be considered.

    If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language level. We accept results from the IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.

Application materials

To apply to an online postgraduate course at the University of Surrey, you will need to submit the following materials:

  • Complete the online application. There is no application fee.

  • You will need to submit scanned copies of signed/stamped qualifications (academic transcripts or degree certificates) to show how you meet, or expect to meet, the entry requirements.

  • In the online application, you will submit contact details for two people who have knowledge of your academic or professional ability. These will usually be academic references from a teacher or faculty member at your current or last institution. If your academic studies were completed some time ago, it may be more appropriate to select referees from your professional area of work. 

    At this stage it is not necessary to provide written references. Should they be required, we will contact your referees directly. By providing these contact details, you are consenting that you have the permission of your referee for sharing this data with us for the purposes of obtaining a reference.

  • Submit a personal statement of 500 to 1,000 words, which should include any further information you feel is relevant to your application, including your current interests in the subject area and explain why you wish to undertake this course.

  • If you choose to upload your current résumé or curriculum vitae, please provide information about any relevant experience (paid/voluntary) that may support your application, and list your most recent position first.

  • English proficiency scores

    All our students need a good standard of English language to be eligible to study with us. If English is not your first language, you will need to submit evidence of your English language level. We accept English proficiency results from the IELTS Academic. 

    You will be exempt from submitting English proficiency scores if you meet any of the following qualifications:

    • You are a national of a majority English-speaking country, have studied for a minimum of one year, and successfully completed within the past five years, a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelors degree or higher, taught in a majority English-speaking country. 
    • You have studied for a minimum of one year, and successfully completed in the past five years, a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelors degree or higher from a Russell Group university, taught entirely, or in part, at an overseas campus. 
    • In exceptional circumstances, you may still be considered if you do not meet the above English language requirements if you have sufficient evidence demonstrating your proficiency at the appropriate standard in each skill area (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Admissions staff will assess your eligibility and request further information from you if required.

    International transcripts

    When submitting international transcripts, you will need to send us a copy of your official documents. If these aren’t in English, we may request an official English translation.

    UK student visas

    Please note that Surrey’s online postgraduate courses do not grant eligibility for a UK student visa, since work is completed virtually.

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