Online Masters courses
Whether you’re looking to enhance your career or change direction entirely, our growing suite of online Masters courses offers a unique combination of the latest academic approaches and insight, direct access to world-renowned experts in the field, and the flexibility of studying at your own pace. We offer a range of postgraduate courses for online study including PGCert, PGDip, MSc, and MA courses.
Explore our available online postgraduate courses
Marley, an MA Education Online student
"A friend recommended that I do a Masters and after a thorough search, the online Masters programme at Exeter University offered the best programme of study by a Russell Group University.
As a busy working professional and parent, the online option has made it possible for me to continue my studies whilst working and being miles away."
How to apply for an online postgraduate course at the University of Exeter
The steps below will walk you through the application process for online study. If you get stuck, our Online Student team will be happy to help.
1. Choose a course
View our selection of degrees and courses above to find a programme best suited to your interests and future ambitions.
You should check the entry requirements for your chosen course; our typical offer and entry requirements are clearly stated on the course information, including any English language requirements.
2. Make an application
Use the “Apply now” prompt on the course page to open our applicant portal (Your Gateway). Once you’ve registered, login and fill in the form for your chosen course of study. Work your way through the sections, ensuring any evidence or documents are uploaded where required. You can save your application and come back to it later if you wish.
Familiarise yourself with our general taught postgraduate terms, conditions, and policies.
3. After you apply
Once you submit a complete application, you should expect to receive notification of our decision by email within 5 working days of the date of our acknowledgement of receipt of your application.
If an application is incomplete, the decision-making process may take longer. We will contact you for any missing information or to rectify any omissions or mistakes. Please follow the instructions on your Offer Letter for next steps.
Frequently asked questions when applying for an online Masters course
How do I apply to an online course or individual module?
You can find out how to apply to our online courses or individual modules in our ‘how to apply’ section above. Different courses or modules may have different application requirements so it’s important to review and complete the online application with as much information as possible so that our admissions team can review your application fully.
How long will it take to apply?
There is a range of things that we ask for in the application, such as personal details, previous study information, and a personal statement. You can start your application via the online portal and save your progress as you go through the application, meaning that you can come back to it as you need to.
It’s good to prepare before working on your application such as by gathering documents (like previous degree certificates and transcripts) as well as drafting your personal statement.
Is there a fee to apply for our online courses?
No, there is no fee to submit an application via our applicant portal, The Gateway.
Is there a way I can view the status of my application?
Yes, you can view the status of your application on The Gateway. Details of how to access this are included in your application acknowledgement email.
Can I apply for an online MSc or online MA if I haven’t yet graduated from my undergraduate degree?
Yes. However, we may make you a conditional offer to join the course based on the outcome of your undergraduate degree. In this case, we would need to see your final transcript with degree outcome at least two weeks before the start of the course.
What will happen after I receive my offer?
Once we have shared our offer with you, you need to accept your place on the course. This can be done via our applicant portal, The Gateway. It is really important that you do this as, without officially accepting your place, you won’t be able to register. You may also need to pay a tuition fee deposit to secure your offer. This will be stated in your offer letter, along with an associated deadline.
If you receive a conditional offer, you must share evidence that you have met these conditions as soon as possible. Without this being demonstrated you will not be able to register. You can share supporting documentation with us via The Gateway.
My offer includes a condition for English language proficiency, how do I prove this?
You will need to send us an English language test certificate of results which meet the requirements specified in your offer. You can upload a scanned copy of your results on The Gateway. A full list of our accepted English Language tests can be found here.
How do I obtain the necessary documents to apply for a student Visa?
Your course is taught fully online. The university only provides student visa documentation for international students who need to attend campus for their course. You are welcome to visit the campus but please remember to make your own immigration arrangements.
Can I accept my place for more than one online Masters or postgraduate programme?
No. When you accept your place on a programme you are committing to that specific programme. Any other offers you may be holding will be released.
How can I get a pdf version of my offer email?
This is available on The Gateway and can be viewed and printed on the 'Progress on your application' screen.
How do I defer my place for my online study?
If you are requesting a deferral before you have enrolled on to your programme you can either do this through The Gateway, or by emailing the Postgraduate Admissions Team on pg-ad@exeter.ac.uk.
If you are requesting a deferral after you have enrolled onto your programme, this is referred to as an ‘interruption’ and you are strongly advised to discuss the matter in full with the Online Hub.
If you wish to proceed with an interruption you will need to submit an Interruption form via SID. Further information about submitting this can be found here.
