Postgraduate courses with January starts

Why should you start your postgraduate course in January?

Some applicants may assume that courses with January starts are reduced with fewer modules and less teaching. This isn’t true. You’ll still study a full syllabus and get a PG qualification at the end of the course. 

There are several reasons why you might want to consider a different start to your graduate course. These include: 

• Your preferred course at your preferred university starts in January
• More time to consider your study and funding options
• A more effective balance between work and study
• Personal reasons, such as family or illness, that may delay your entry to university
• Less competition when applying and when searching for jobs at the end of your course

Only certain courses are available for a later start, so make sure you do your research before you investigate January starts.

Applying for university for January

Most of the time, applications for these courses should be made directly to the university itself. You can find extra details about how to apply and individual deadlines on university websites. If you choose to apply through UCAS, there may be extra deadlines. It’s best to check with the university to determine the most suitable route. 

Securing funding for postgraduate study can be more difficult than for undergraduate. Make sure you find financial sources and apply early. You can find more information on our postgraduate funding page. UK postgraduate January starters are still normally eligible for the same study loans available to students starting in September. 

Which universities offer postgraduate degrees starting in January?

Most courses with January starts are for postgraduate students. 

We’ve listed a few examples of available subject areas and the universities that offer them. These include variations of course types and names but isn’t a comprehensive list. It does, however, include both taught and research-based postgraduate courses. 

For a full list, visit the individual university website or use our course chooser.

Anthropology

This includes courses such as Anthrozoology, Environmental Anthropology and Medical Anthropology.

Aberdeen
Cambridge
Exeter
Kent
Oxford
Sussex

Chemistry

This includes courses such as Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.

Bristol
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Nottingham Trent
Oxford
Swansea

Education

This includes courses such as Educational Leadership, Inclusive Education and Educational Studies.

Bangor
Buckingham
Derby
Edinburgh
Liverpool Hope
Leeds
Oxford
Newcastle
Sheffield Hallam

Geography & Environmental Science

This includes courses such as Sustainability, Environmental Science and Sustainable Futures.

Aberdeen
Dundee
Exeter
Newcastle
Swansea

History

This includes courses such as History, Medieval Studies and Contemporary History.

Bangor
Bristol
Buckingham
Exeter
King’s College London
Oxford
Swansea

Marketing

This includes courses such as International Marketing, Branding and Advertising and Marketing Management. 

Bournemouth
Glasgow
Gloucestershire
Kent
Loughborough
Oxford Brookes
Westminster

Maths

This includes courses such as Mathematics, Statistics and Industrial Mathematics.

Cardiff
Kent
Manchester Metropolitan
Newcastle
Oxford
Swansea

Politics

This includes courses such as International Relations, Diplomacy & Foreign Policy and Digital Politics. 

Anglia Ruskin
Exeter
Keele
Kent
King’s College London
Leeds
Loughborough
Oxford
Swansea

Sociology

This includes courses such as Criminology, Social Sciences and Jewish Studies. 

Cardiff
Kent
King’s College London
London South Bank
Stirling
Sussex
Westminster

Theology & Religious Studies

This includes courses such as Divinity, Applied Theology and Buddhist Studies. 

Birmingham
Cardiff
Chichester
Exeter
Oxford