Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes
If you wish to apply for these programmes, you should normally hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a Social Science discipline, or an equivalent professional qualification. Relevant experience will be taken into account where appropriate.
Candidates who have narrowly missed securing an upper second result may be considered on their merits. We also welcome applications for the Social and Public Policy programme from good candidates from the Humanities that are keen to enter the public or voluntary sectors, or who work in these fields already.
Postgraduate diploma routes are available for candidates that do not wish to take the full MA programme. It is also possible to consider candidates for the Diploma who are not appropriately qualified for immediate MA study. Such candidates may be considered for subsequent transfer to an MA programme, depending on performance.
Language Requirements
Successful completion of a postgraduate degree demands facility in English. It is a requirement that essays and dissertations are well-written.
Prospective and intending students whose first language is not English will need to ensure that their linguistic proficiency is adequate. They may need to undertake some language training in the University or elsewhere.
Minimum requirements
- Internet Based TOEFL: 94 with not less than 23 in speaking, 23 in reading, 24 in writing and 21 in listening
- A minimum IELTS (academic) score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components.
The School keeps its requirements under review and may request a higher level of proficiency. The University's Language Centre offers courses in English and can provide more details on your English requirements.
Important information about language tests
New British government regulations state that an ...
- IELTS
- TOEFL iBT
- or PET Academic
... test score must be less than two years old when the University of Leeds issues a Certificate of Approved Study (CAS) to an international student that has been offered a place on a postgraduate taught programme.
An international student requires a CAS in order to obtain a British student visa.
What this means for you
When you apply to one of our postgraduate courses, you must ensure that your English Language Test score will be less than two years old when we make a decision on your application.
Your degree result
If we have offered you a conditional place, based on your degree result, you should make sure you inform us of your results as soon as you receive them.
If you have missed the requirements by a small margin, let us know so that we can consider your case on an individual basis.