September
Admissions and application requirements
Lancaster University seeks students who are inspired to go forward with a bold spirit, a clear vision and subject-matter mastery to positively disrupt industries and organisations. We seamlessly integrate academic theory with real-world applications throughout our curriculum, equipping graduates with the in-demand skills today’s employers seek.
We are committed to eliminating barriers to quality education, ensuring graduate students can pursue a flexible and affordable university programme that equips them with the in-demand skills today’s employers seek.
Our online graduate programmes are open to applicants around the world. No application fees are required to apply.
See below for more information on the application process and requirements.
Start dates
The online graduate programmes offer three start dates per year.
January
May
Application deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can receive an admissions decision and begin planning your future.
| Start date | Early priority deadline | Priority deadline | Final deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
September 2025 | 16 June 2025 | 14 July 2025 | 11 August 2025 |
January 2026 | 13 October 2025 | 10 November 2025 | 8 December 2025 |
May 2026 | 2 March 2026 | 23 March 2026 | 20 April 2026 |
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission into our online programmes, you must have a UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent international qualification. International applicants can review qualifying entry requirements.
See below for specific entry requirements for your desired programme.
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The MSc Data Science online programme seeks applicants who are looking to build a career in data science. To meet the entry requirements, you must have a 2:2 Honours degree (UK or equivalent) in any discipline, provided that you have had exposure to quantitative methods such as statistics or mathematical modelling.
Application requirements
Lancaster University reviews applications holistically. You will need to submit the following materials to be considered for admission:
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Complete the online application.
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You will need to submit transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended. You may upload unofficial transcripts to the online application for the purposes of application review, but official transcripts are required upon admission.
To submit unofficial transcripts, request them directly from the school(s), and then upload them to your application.
If admitted to the programme, you will need to provide official transcripts before you can register for your second term of the programme. These can be emailed to sccappsvcs@lancaster-online-education.ac.uk.
To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.
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Submit your current résumé or CV, and be sure to list any relevant professional and academic experience, including volunteer work.
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Submit an essay of approximately 1-2 pages that explains why you are interested in applying to the programme.
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One letter of recommendation is required. Choose a referee who can explain how your experience and qualifications have prepared you for academic and professional success. If you do not have a copy, provide contact details for one referee and we will automatically email them upon application submission.
If you are still completing or recently completed a degree-level programme, an academic reference is preferred from a referee who has taught or supervised you directly. If you have been working for a few years, a professional referee is acceptable.
Please note that the contact email address of the referee should be a professional email address and not a personal one.
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We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification depending on your nationality and where you have studied previously.
Transcript evaluations
International applicants with degrees from institutions outside the United Kingdom are required to submit a copy of their transcripts. If the transcripts are not in English, they must be translated by a third-party agency. A course by course evaluation is not required. Transcripts from the country of origin are not required, however, admitted students may be asked to provide the country of origin transcript as a condition to their offer.
English Language Proficiency
If English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. English language qualifications may be considered. You can learn more about the tests we accept here.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re looking to join a network of like-minded students and academics committed to creating lasting positive economic, cultural, societal and environmental change across the globe, Lancaster is the place for you.
Request more information about one of our online programmes – or start your application today.