How to apply

Get on your way to postgraduate study at University of Staffordshire by clicking the 'apply now' button on your chosen course page.

This application guide is for prospective students looking to apply to our taught postgraduate courses. If you’re interested in applying for a research degree then please visit our postgraduate research pages for more information on this.

  1. Apply to your course

    Click the 'Apply now' button on your chosen postgraduate course page. You also have the options to enquire or book an open event to learn more about the course.

  2. Submit your application

    You will be directed to our applications portal where you will need to complete or provide the following information: your personal details, qualifications, employment history, how you'll fund your study, personal statement, references, proof of academic qualifications and your passport photo. You can make a start on your application, save it within our portal then come back to it later if necessary.

  3. Application outcome

    After you've submitted your application to us you'll be notified of your application status. Our admissions team will look at your application and send it to your course's admissions tutor for a decision. You'll then be notified of the outcome and next steps.

Personal statement guide

Make a great first impression in your personal statement. Writing a personal statement is a requirement for our taught postgraduate courses - here are some expert tips to get you started. 

Keep it unique to you and the course you are applying for. Your enthusiasm and personality should shine through from the start. Follow-up with related skills, academic ability and experience. Think in terms of what you’d bring to the course. Your word-count should be in range of 300 to 500 words.

What should be in it? 

  • Tell us your reasons for applying - what are your interests, ambitions and why you are choosing the course at University of Staffordshire? Show that you have knowledge of the course and University.  

  • Demonstrate that you're ready for postgraduate study – with relevant experience. Have you got an undergraduate degree? Have you undertaken related independent work such as a dissertation? What topics are you interested in? 

  • Show your core skills – including IT, numeracy, organisation, communication, time management and critical thinking. You can also cover grades, awards, placements, reading material or conferences you've attended. 

  • Why you deserve a place - tell us what you'd bring to the course.

Tips on writing a good personal statement 

You've got the basics. You know what to put in your statement and what to leave out. Here's how to make it work. 

  • Time  – Allow plenty of time to complete your statement and check it. 

  • Research – Research the course and University and demonstrate your knowledge. It shows you're committed. 

  • Structure – Create a clear introduction, main body and conclusion. 

  • Draft, edit, repeat  – When you're happy, ask someone to read it. 

  • Check it  – Spelling and grammar are important. You can use free online tools like Grammarly and Hemmingway Editor to check for mistakes.

What not to do: 

  • Be negative.

  • Lie or exaggerate.

  • Include anything unrelated to the course.

  • Repeat information found in your application.

  • Use overly long or complicated sentences.

  • Use an online template or another person's statement.

  • Use the same statement for each application.

  • Submit it without checking for spelling and grammar mistakes.

Visit UCAS for more advice on how to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

UCAS - Postgraduate Personal Statement

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Have a question?

If you have any questions about our postgraduate courses or the application process, please contact our Admissions team

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

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of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

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of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

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