Postgraduate Research - Frequently Asked Questions

This page covers some of the most frequently asked questions about our modules.  Please do not hesitate to contact Marisa Bostock, the Postgraduate Research Administrator,  or a member of the academic staff in your proposed research area.

Do I need an English language qualification?

English Language Requirements for International Students

A satisfactory level of competence in the English language - speaking, listening, reading and writing - is essential for international students who wish to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK.

Non-native speakers of English must provide proof of English language ability in order to be accepted on a postgraduate module.

We accept the following qualifications:

TOEFL - 220 computer-based, 83 internet-based or higher
IELTS - 6.0 or higher
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C or higher

Certificate of Proficiency in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) awarded by the University of Essex with an overall mark of 60% or higher

Please note that this is the absolute minimum requirement and students will not be permitted to register for a postgraduate degree in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering without one of these English language qualifications at or higher than the stated level.

Exceptions may be made only in a small number of cases, for example where a student from overseas has obtained a Bachelor degree in the UK.

An offer of admission may be made to an international student who does not have one of the required English qualifications, in which case the offer will be conditional on obtaining one or on successful completion of a suitable pre-sessional English course.

We cannot over-emphasise the importance of a satisfactory command of English if students are to succeed in their postgraduate studies and we therefore strongly recommend that all international students consider enrolling for a pre-sessional English course run by the University Skills Centre. We recommend the 15 or 10 week course for students who have reached the minimum requirement, and the 10 or 5 week course for those who have obtained a higher level.

How much will it cost?

You can find details of tuition fees for our courses on the University fees pages. Estimated living expenses per year for postgraduate students are between £8,500 and £9,000.

How do I apply?

The easiest way to apply is by submitting an online application form and then mailing us your supporting documents.

All of the information you require at the application stage is available on the University of Essex and School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering web pages which are regularly updated. However, should you wish to be sent a postal application pack, you may request one via email using the online enquiry form.

Please allow time for your request to be processed and your pack to reach you (up to 10 working days for UK destinations, 2 - 3 weeks for overseas).

is there any Funding available?

A range of options are available to provide either full or partial financial support for students who are keen to pursue a research degree. For applicants who qualify under EPSRC rules full Doctoral Training Account funding is available to cover fees and stipend. For those who do not qualify i.e. overseas applicants, support in the form of scholarships are offered both by the University of Essex itself, and by the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. Scholarships will vary in amount depending upon circumstances ranging from a few thousand pounds up to the full annual cost of fees and living expenses. Candidates should be aware that all these forms of funding are competitive.  See also Funding.

I am currently studying for an MSc in the school of CSⅇ how do I find out about Research opportunities?

We would be pleased to discuss research opportunities with students who are studying an MSc with us at any time during their course. In the first instance, you may wish to discuss this with your MSc project supervisor. We generally require at least 60% in both your MSc project and the taught course aggregate in order to offer you a place on our combined PhD/MPhil pathway.

Am I eligible for postgraduate study?

To be eligible for postgraduate research you need to have a good UK Honours degree (First or Upper Second) or overseas equivalent. A taught Master’s degree is highly desirable. Non-native English speakers will also need an English language qualification.

For full details please see the entry requirements for individual courses.

Please note that the Admissions Directors can only determine the eligibility of international students by seeing a full academic transcript and academic references. Regretfully, we are unable to comment on qualifications via email.

How will I know if you have received my application?

You will be sent an acknowledgement via email as soon as an online application or a postal application has been received. Please allow enough time for postal applications to arrive before contacting us as mail from outside the UK can take several weeks to reach us.

How long does it take to process an application?

Once all relevant supporting documents have been received, the papers are passed to a Research Admissions Director who will determine eligibility and, if necessary, request further information or documentation. They are then circulated amongst academic staff who may be able to supervise the student in his or her preferred research area. We aim to process research applications within two weeks, although at certain peak periods it may take a little longer.

The Research Admissions Directors make recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School. Applicant files are then forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office which sends out formal offer letters. In addition, you should allow a reasonable time for the postal service, in the UK and abroad, but if you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of sending all requested documents, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator.

What do you mean by "supporting documents"?

In order to consider making an admissions offer, the Research Admissions Directors need information about your background and previous qualifications and experience. We therefore ask you to send us a CV, copies of degree transcripts and two academic references from former tutors. You may also supply an employer’s reference if relevant.

References should be sealed in an envelope which should then be signed on the back by the referee. The referees may then pass the references to the applicant, or alternatively mail them direct to us.

As well as determining whether you are suitably qualified to undertake a research degree, the Research Admissions Director will need to "match" your research interests with those of a member (or members) of staff in order to fine a potential supervisor.

We therefore ask you to look at our Research web pages and let us know on the application form which research group or project(s) reflect your own research interests or which member or members of staff you are most interested in working with and why. A brief description of your own proposed research topic is also welcome. Applicants from outside the European Economic Area – please note that, in order to comply with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), a paragraph describing the project topic must be included in an admissions offer letter. You are therefore requested to provide a draft research proposal which the prospective supervisor will help revise and refine for this purpose.

You may also send us anything else you think may be relevant to your application (for example, professional or prize certificates), and in the case of non-native English speakers an English language test score if you have one.

I obtained my Bachelor degree a long time ago and cannot get an academic reference, what should I do?

Occasionally mature students may have difficulty in finding a former lecturer or tutor to write a reference for them. If this happens, you should ask your former academic department to send a letter to the Postgraduate Research Administrator confirming your attendance and the qualification you obtained, and you should obtain two employers' references to submit with your application.

I have a Master's Degree. Do I need to obtain an extra reference?

If you have a Master's Degree, you should normally supply one reference from someone who taught you on your Bachelor Degree Studies and one from someone who taught you on your Master's Degree Studies. Occasionally, we may ask for an additional academic or an employer's reference.

When can I start my Research Degree?

The academic year for taught postgraduate students runs from October to September; students on the Integrated PhD Programme may therefore commence their studies in October only. Students on the MSc, MPhil and PhD by Research courses may start at the beginning of any term, i.e. October (Autumn term), January (Spring term) or April (Summer term). See theTerm dates web page.

Will I be able to live on campus?

Most of our Research students live in University-owned accommodation, mostly on campus, a few close to the campus. There is also a lot of private accommodation available within a reasonable distance of the University.

Overseas students who have accepted an offer of admission and have submitted an accommodation application form together with a deposit by the deadline are guaranteed University-owned accommodation for the for the first year of study. Home and EU students are treated on a "first come, first served" basis and should make sure that they apply in good time. University-owned accommodation for students in subsequent study years is subject to availability. For more information see the Accommodation Web Pages.

I have accepted an offer of admission - what happens next?

The Graduate Admissions Office will send to all prospective students who have provisionally accepted an offer of admission a “welcome pack” containing registration papers, an accommodation application form and booklets which provide all the information that you are likely to need before you come to Essex. 

If you hold an unconditional offer, you will be asked to confirm acceptance of your place by completing and returning the "confirmation of status/financial guarantee form". Graduate Admissions will then confirm your place and send you a confirmation letter (which overseas students may need to show to the UK visa authorities).

If you hold a conditional offer, you are asked to return the form together with proof that you have fulfilled the condition, or conditions, as soon as this is available.

Do I need to do any preparatory work before commencing my Research Degree?

Students registering for PhD via the Integrated Programme are strongly encouraged to do some preparatory study before commencing the degree. Recommended reading can be found in the description of the relevant MSc degree course.

Students registering for MSc, MPhil or PhD by Research may wish to ask their prospective supervisor to suggest some suitable reading material.