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Conversion courses

Do you want to pursue a career change? A conversion course is an intensive master's degree, often in a vocational subject. They're for those who already have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated subject. Find out all you need to know about master's conversion courses.

Students sitting at desks in a classroom

What is a conversion course?

Most master’s degrees build on what you studied in your undergraduate degree. They carry on from what you already know. A conversion course is different and you don’t need any previous knowledge of the subject. All you need is an undergraduate degree in any subject to apply.

Conversion courses let you learn something completely new. They start from the basics and help you build up to a high level by the end. They’re often practical, and you might complete a work placement alongside your exams and essays.


Who should consider a master’s conversion course?

If any of the following apply to you, you might want to consider a conversion degree:

  • You want a completely new start. When you studied for your degree, you may have had a specific career in mind or chose a subject you enjoyed or excelled in. As time has passed, your priorities and interests could've changed, and you’d like a fresh start in a specialist field.
  • You have a specific career goal in mind. Some jobs require a certain professional qualification to achieve this. For example, if you decide you want to become a teacher, you’d need a PGCE.
  • You want to get ahead by broadening your knowledge and skills. Deepening your understanding of a specific area in your current role may open up more professional opportunities for you.
  • You’ve been away from education for a while and want to get back into learning. Conversion courses are ideal for building on life experiences and returning to formal education.
  • You want to pursue your passions. Some students study a subject at university but later realise their real passion comes from what they do outside their course. They then decide to change direction and follow a different career path.

Whatever your reason for choosing a master’s conversion course, the benefits are huge. These degrees often combine a higher level of learning. This shows your commitment to personal and professional development, with recognised awards from external bodies.


What qualifications do I need?

Entry requirements vary depending on your chosen conversion course. Master's degrees usually ask for at least a 2:1 at undergraduate level. You may still be able to apply with a 2:2 if you can prove you have relevant work experience.

Even though your first degree may be in a different subject, you'll have gained some transferable skills. These may include critical thinking and research analysis, which will be useful for a conversion course.


Our master's conversion courses

Most of our conversion degrees are condensed versions of our undergraduate courses. They're studied over a shorter period and at master’s level.

There are a few learning options you can choose from. As well as full-time conversion courses, some are available to study part-time. This allows more flexibility for working while studying. A few even permit you to study full-time but complete your master's project part-time.

Subjects areas where we offer conversion courses include:


Pursuing a career change with a master’s conversion course could be a great option. We recommend carrying out thorough research to make sure it's the right choice for you.

Why not join us for our next postgraduate Open Day(opens in new tab) to find out more?