FAQs

• Application Process
• Entry Requirements
• Application Documentation
• Registration
• Study Options
• Fees and Costs
• International Students
• Visiting the School
• Accommodation
• Disability
• MPhil/PhD Study
• University rankings

Application Process

 How do I apply for a degree at SAS?
Applications should be made to the School of Advanced Study Registry, using the application form

Where do I send my application form to?
Completed application forms should be sent to the School of Advanced Study Registry.

When is the application deadline?
The deadline is currently 30 August   (Admissions Policy).  Applications received close to the deadline must be complete. 

Can I apply for more than one programme?
Yes, although you can only be accepted on one programme.

Do I have to pay a deposit?
Some Institutes require a deposit.  You will be advised in your offer letter of the amount and the date by which it should be received.

Will I receive an acknowledgement for my application form?
Yes by email.

When will a decision on my application be reached?
Usually within 4 weeks of receipt, however this cannot be guaranteed. You will be asked to complete a formal letter of acceptance and return to the Registry.

Can I nominate a third party to liaise with SAS on my behalf?
The University is bound by the Data Protection Act 1988, which means that we cannot discuss your application with anyone but yourself.  If you need another person to talk to us on your behalf, or to collect documents on your behalf you must send us written confirmation that this named person is authorised to receive information or collect documents.  It would be helpful if the person you nominate has a copy of your letter to us.

Entry Requirements

What are the minimum entrance requirements?
Normal minimum entrance requirements are a First or Upper Second Class honours degree from the United Kingdom or overseas qualification of an equivalent standard (i.e. 3.0 Grade Point Average).

The qualifications I have are slightly lower than the entry requirements for my chosen programme, can I still apply?
Yes.  We welcome applications from those who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.  Non-satisfaction of these does not automatically mean your application would be unsuccessful.  Work experience and personal circumstances are considered, and each application is assessed on an individual basis.

If I meet the academic/language requirements as stated in the prospectus, will I definitely be offered a place?
No.  There are only a limited number of places available on each programme per academic year.

Do I have to take an English language test?
If English is not your first language, or your degree was not taught in English, you will have to demonstrate proficiency – usually in the form of an English language test.

What are the current English language minimum requirements?
All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence (gained in the last 2 years) that their written and spoken English language is adequate for postgraduate study.  This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially while studying and living in the UK. View the School's English Competency Requirements.

My previous degree was taught in English, do I still need to have a Certificate of English Proficiency?
You will still need to prove your English proficiency unless your degree was taken in the past 2 years.  *Please note that the University is bound to comply with UKBA English Proficiency requirements and that these may change from time to time.

My English test score is slightly lower than the minimum required, can I still apply?
Yes, you may still apply but the School may require you to either meet the English Language proficiency levels before you commence your programme, or to take English Language classes alongside your degree programme.

If I am made an offer, does that mean I definitely have a place on the programme?
If you are made an unconditional offer you will definitely have a place on the programme.  If you are made a conditional offer, you will only have a place if you meet the conditions set out in your offer letter.

Application Documentation

What documentation is required to apply for a postgraduate programme at SAS?
2 references (preferably academic), original or certified copy of transcript. Your transcript should contain dates of university study and marks/grades obtained and any qualification awarded.

What is a transcript?
A transcript is an academic record of the results you achieved in your previous study. This should list the marks you received in the different assessed pieces of work you undertook that formed part of your degree and your overall final mark.  You would have, in most cases, received this when you graduated.  Copies can be obtained by contacting the Registry office at your previous institution.

What happens if I graduated a long time ago and transcripts were not issued then?
Universities usually keep hold of record cards which detail the marks of previous students. These can be transposed into an academic transcript.  Contact your previous institution's Registry for further information.  We will also accept the degree certificate as not all Universities keep records.

What is a certified copy?
Copies of transcripts can be certified by the issuing University or by a public notary or embassy.

My degree certificate/transcript is in a language other than English.   Do I need to send in an officially translated copy, and if so, who should I get to translate my transcript?
If your transcript is not in English we will need an original certified or notarised translation of your transcript as well as the original transcript. There may be a charge for these services. [Original documents can be returned upon request.]

I am a former SAS student; do I need to provide references and/or transcripts?
Yes.

Will my application still be considered if it is not complete?
Applications will usually not be considered until they are complete. Please contact Registry to discuss your options.

I’m a final year student and do not have a complete transcript.  What do I do?
If you are offered a place at the University, and are still studying, it would be on condition of meeting requirements set by the admissions tutor, and on receipt of your completed transcript prior to the start of term./ If you are made an offer it will be conditional on sending your final transcript after you receive it. If you have not yet completed your study please send an interim transcript with your application.

What needs to be covered in my reference?
Referees must be familiar with the applicant’s academic work, preferably from the institution at which they have recently studied/currently study. Further information is available here.

Registration

When will I receive information about Registration?
Information about registration will be sent to you at the beginning of September.

Study Options

Can I change my mode of study?  How?
Yes.  In the first instance contact your Institute’s student administrator who will liaise with the admissions tutor.  Providing they agree, they will then contact the Registry to notify us of the change.

Can I defer my place?
Yes – with the agreement of the admissions tutor.  Contact your Institute student administrator who will liaise with the admissions tutor.  Providing they agree, the Registry will be notified of the charge, and we will contact you again nearer to your new start date, to confirm that you wish to take up your deferred place.  Students are only permitted to defer their entry onto a course for 1 year.  If you are unable to take up your place the following year you will need to reapply when you are in a position to start your study.

Fees and Costs

What are the tuition fees?
Our tuition fees are set each year and are subject to annual increase. For any queries relating to payment of tuition fees and assessment of fee category amongst others, please see our tuition fees policy.

Will I pay home or overseas fees?
The education department of the UK Government decides which categories of student must be charged the lower, 'home' fee. There are many different categories of 'home' fee payer, and the regulations can be quite complicated. UKCISA have produced summaries of these regulations for you.

Do I have to pay a deposit?
Some Institutes require a deposit.  You will be advised in your offer letter of the amount and the date by which it should be received.

International Students

Will I require a visa to study at SAS?
Overseas (non-EU) students requiring a visa for more than six months must apply for a student visa under Tier 4 of the UK Border Agency’s Points Based System. In order to make an application, students will need to be sponsored by the School of Advanced Study and issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). CAS’ are issued by the School’s Registry Office.   Please note that a CAS will not be issued unless Registry has all the necessary documentation in place. For further information please visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website.

Do I need to register with the Police?
When required, registration is indicated by the immigration stamp in your passport. You must report to the police station nearest to where you’re staying within seven days. If you are staying in London, within the Metropolitan Police area, you should register in person at the Overseas Visitors Records Office on Borough High Street. Recorded information line: 020 7230 1208; Telephone: 020 7230 1286.

Visiting the School

Can I arrange to visit the School/Institute?
Yes.  Call the administrator at the Institute of the course where you wish to study, and they will be happy to arrange for you to visit the School/Institute outside of the annual Open Day the School hosts.

Is there an Open Day?
Yes. The School has an annual open day in February each year, for Master's and research degrees. The School also has a stand at the University of London postgraduate open day held annually in November. Some of the institutes arrange seperate open days. Our open day webpage lists details of all of these open days.

Accommodation

How do I apply for Halls of Residence?
The School does not have its own Halls of Residence, but has access to University of London accommodation, although space is limited.

Disability

I have a disability; do I have to declare it?
No.  It is up to you whether you wish to declare your disability.  We encourage students to do so, so that the School can provide relevant support to students.  All personal information relating to this is confidential.  Further information can be found here.

What happens if I don’t declare my disability?
Nothing.  It is in your interest to declare your disability, but if you do not, this will not affect your studies should it be subsequently declared.

MPhil/PhD Study

Do I have to find a supervisor before I apply?
No.  Students should have a specific topic in mind which they wish to study, and it is expected that you have chosen an institute at which to pursue your research.  You should send your research proposal and CV to the Institute who will try to find an academic who is willing and able to supervise your research.

What does my research proposal have to cover?
Applications to undertake doctoral research at the School will need to include a research proposal. There is no strict format, but the research proposal guidelines are designed to help you frame your research proposal.

Can my prospective supervisor also be my referee?
No.

University rankings

Why is the School omitted from university ranking tables?
The School is not included in most university rankings tables, for example The Times Good University Guide, The Complete University Guide, Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings. There are two main reasons for this:

• Many of the ranking tables do not include postgraduate-only institutions. So the School is not included because it is a specialist postgraduate-only institution and does not teach at undergraduate level.
• The School is a unique institution. It receives special funding directly from HEFCE for its national mission to support and promote research in the humanities and social sciences; the only institution in the UK to receive national funding for this purpose. Its central role then is to support the research of others and this is reflected in the excellence of its research support and promotion activities. It is, therefore, difficult to compare the School with other higher education institutions. For this reason, the School does not enter the REF, the UK’s Research Assessment Framework (formerly the Research Assessment Exercise), which is used to measure the research excellence of universities in the UK. Instead it undergoes separate periodic reviews to ensure its work and activities continue to justify its special funding.

Please refer to our student satisfaction survey reports for information on the student experience at the School.

GRADUATE STUDY