UK Postgraduate Degrees: What You Need to Know Before You Apply

When you’re considering a UK postgraduate degree, a higher-level academic qualification taken after completing a bachelor’s degree, often used to specialize or advance your career. Also known as postgrad study, it’s not just about more classes—it’s a shift in how you learn, live, and plan your future. Whether you’re chasing a Master’s or diving into a PhD, the UK offers structured programs, world-class research, and clear pathways to work after graduation. But it’s not just about the course. It’s about how you pay for it, where you live, and what happens when it ends.

One big thing that trips people up is postgraduate accommodation, housing options specifically designed for students beyond their first degree, often with fewer guarantees and higher costs than undergraduate halls. Unlike undergrads, you won’t always get priority for university housing. Many end up in private rentals, sometimes sharing with strangers, and suddenly you’re juggling utility bills, water meters, and pest problems—all while trying to focus on your thesis. And then there’s the money. student loan repayment, the monthly deduction from your salary after graduation based on your income level and repayment plan. If you’re on Plan 2, you start paying only when you earn over £27,295. But if you don’t understand how it shows up on your payslip, you could overpay—or worse, miss it entirely.

And if you’re an international student, your timeline doesn’t end when your degree does. The graduate visa UK, a post-study work visa that lets international graduates stay and work in the UK for up to two years after finishing their degree. is your bridge to real experience. But you need to plan early. Job hunting while writing a dissertation is tough. You’ll need references, a strong CV, and maybe even to pass psychometric tests used by UK employers. And if you’re going for a PhD? Your research proposal needs to stand out—not just sound smart.

This collection pulls together everything you won’t get from a university brochure. No fluff. No marketing speak. Just real advice from students who’ve been through it: how to cut your phone bill by £20 a month, how to register with a GP if you’re from overseas, how to avoid being overcharged for water, and how to sleep better when deadlines pile up. You’ll find out what’s actually covered by NHS dental bands, how to apply for a repeat prescription without leaving your room, and how to find cheap city breaks between study sessions. Whether you’re stressed about funding, confused about housing, or just trying to survive your second year of a Master’s, you’ll find practical steps—not theory.