Requirements for Postgraduate Research Degrees

Admissions Requirements for Postgraduate Research Degree Programmes - 2022/23

1. PGR Admissions Regulation 1: Admission of Students  

In order to be considered for entry to a postgraduate research degree course of the University candidates must comply with the specific requirements for entry for that degree course as laid out in the Award Regulations for that degree, and also: 

(A) General requirements for admissions and School requirements 

Candidates must have satisfied the general requirements for admission (Regulations 2 and 3) and the course requirements (Regulation 5).  

(B) Candidates Aged Under 18 at Registration   

Whilst the University has no minimum or upper age limits on admission to the University, those applying for schemes of study who will be under 18 years of age at the point of intended registration will be required to comply with University procedures designed to satisfy existing child protection legislation.  

(C) Candidates with Criminal Convictions   

Any candidate with an unspent criminal conviction (as defined under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act) will be required to make a relevant declaration and comply with University procedures in relation to this area. Note that certain professional doctorate courses are exempt from the Act and all convictions must therefore be declared when making an application to these courses.   

Candidates who cannot satisfy the requirements in (A) above may in some cases be admitted to the University in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 4 below. Those applicants who fail to comply with stated University procedure in respect of (B) and (C) are refused entry to the University.  

(D) Candidates requiring a Student visa  

Such candidates must have obtained leave to remain or leave to enter, under the University of East Anglia’s visa licence. They must also undertake to comply with all UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and University requirements regarding their duties and any associated immigration conditions as a Student 4 visa holder.   

(E) Candidates to provide full and accurate information 

In providing information to the University prospective students are required to make submissions which are full, unambiguous and honest, and any offer made by the University is made in good faith. Where inaccurate information has been dishonestly provided to the University or where wilful misrepresentation or omission has occurred, a student may be precluded from admission to the University. 

2. PGR Admissions Regulation 2: General Academic Requirements for Admission  

In order to satisfy the general requirements for admission candidates should have one of the qualifications shown below.  

UK Qualifications  

A bachelor's degree or a Master's degree from a UK Higher Education Institution approved by the Privy Council or Office for Students to hold degree awarding powers. For all doctoral courses candidates must have at least an upper second class degree or a Master's degree. For all postgraduate research Master's level courses candidates must have at least a lower second class degree or a Master's degree. 

International Qualifications 

Successful completion of any non-UK degree which is regarded by the University as being equivalent to an approved UK degree, at the level required for the target doctoral or postgraduate research Master’s course (please consult the Postgraduate Research Service).   

3. PGR Admissions Regulation 3: English Language Requirements  

All International students entering study on a Student visa must satisfy the minimum requirement for English language, as laid out by the UK Visas and Immigration (see Home Office website for current details). Please consult with the Postgraduate Research Service for exact acceptable criteria.    

All International students must also meet a minimum English language requirement set by the University. As the requirement differs from course to course, please consult with the Postgraduate Research Service for exact acceptable criteria.   

4. Special Cases  

The Head of the School concerned (or nominee, or Chair of NBI or Suffolk Graduate School) may make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research for the relevant Faculty to consider admission of a student in any of the following categories, and for the Associate Dean to deem that they have satisfied the general and course requirements for admission:  

1. Candidates who do not satisfy any of the academic requirements listed in Regulations 2 and 5, but who submit satisfactory evidence of having passed examinations which are deemed equivalent to any of those listed.  

2. Candidates who hold a full practising professional qualification obtained by examination.  

3. Candidates who do not satisfy any of the academic requirements listed in  
   Regulations 2 and 5, but who submit satisfactory evidence of the capacity and attainments requisite to enable them to pursue the course proposed. 

The Head of School (or nominee) may similarly recommend these exceptions for Regulation 3 – English Language Requirements where they relate to a non visa sponsored student.  For all visa sponsored students the UKVI regulations are absolute and no exceptions can be applied.  

5. Course Requirements