1. Postgraduate Study Options
Careers Service 2013

2. 1. Today’s Situation
2. What is Post Grad?
3. Why Post Grad?
4. Funding
5. Sources of help

3. • >12,000 taught postgraduate courses are
available in the UK alone
• In 2011, around 22% of UK graduates
entered some form of further study
or training

4. What does it all mean?
• Certificates
• Diplomas
• Master’s Degrees
• Doctorates

5. Certificates and Diplomas
• Example: PGCE, Diploma in Law, Diploma in Psychology
• PGCE
• Usually one year full time
• May be vocational leading to a professional
qualification/exemptions
• May be a conversion course
• May be initial stage of Masters

6. Masters
• MA, MSc, MEd, MRes, MPhil ( 1+3? )….
• One year FT/ Two years PT
• Detailed study of academic discipline
• Conversion courses
• Taught or research?
• May also be essential part of professional qualification
(e.g. Psychology)

7. Doctorates
• PhD, DPhil, DProf, DBA…
• 3 years FT, ? PT
• Often transfer after an initial year of research
• Vocational doctorates exist (e.g. DClinPsy)

8. So why choose PG study?
• Impress employers?
• Profession demands it?
• Fancy a change?
• I love my subject?
• I’ve just won the lottery?
• An extra year to sort myself out

9. Pros and Cons: I love my subject?
 Highly motivated
 Opportunity to specialise
 Enjoyment
 Challenge
 Self-fulfilment
? Part of a greater plan?
? Expense?

10. Pros and Cons: An extra year

11. Pros and Cons: Better qualified
 Research your career
 Choose the right course
 Check professional
requirements
? Poor choice

12. Pros and Cons: Fancy a change?
• Conversion courses
IT
Law
Psychology
(Teaching)
• Access guidance
• Choose the right course
• Ask the right questions
• DLHE

13. Benefits of PG
• Self management
• Communication skills
• Research Skills
• Team Working
• Initiative

14. How to Fund? 1
• Research councils
• University Scholarships and Bursaries – on the increase
• Funded Masters ( e.g. ESF, NHS )
• Knowledge Transfer Partnership
• Professional Bodies
• Local, National, International Government
• Charities and Trusts

15. How to Fund? Commercial Loans
• CDL (up to £10,000, Vocational, returnable
after course)

16. Funding: The reality
• Most postgraduates self-fund
• Funding is uncertain until Universities declare
PG funding rates
• Students from outside the EEA may pay more
than double
• Partial funding can help

17. A timetable
• Research opportunities early
(Year 2 for early deadlines and study abroad)
• Check deadlines
• Check entry criteria
• Check fees and funding

18. How do I find out? People
• Tutors in “Home” and “Away” establishments
• Careers advisers
• Serving professionals
• Students on the target course

19. How do I find out? Publicity
• Academic Journals
• Departmental Notice Boards
• Directories
• PG Prospectuses
• PG Fairs
• University Websites

20. How do I find out? Information
• Postgraduate Study and Research AGCAS
• THES
• Guardian
• Prospects Postgrad
• www.tees.ac.uk/careers
• www.prospects.ac.uk

21. Yes or No?
“A taught programme of study, well chosen, will
enhance future career prospects and may be a
vital part of the plan.”
www.prospects.ac.uk – Why do postgraduate
study?