Health studies: Further study

A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after finishing their course almost 19% of health studies graduates had gone on to further study or a combination of work and further study.

As a health studies degree explores health in its broad context, it may be necessary to undertake further professional study in order to take up a relevant health, medical or social work career. For example, getting higher qualifications is essential for many professional medical occupations, such as speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. It may be necessary to complete a full vocational course from the beginning or there may be a shortened postgraduate option for health studies graduates. You will need to check for specific entry requirements and availability of funding.

To enhance your chances within a particular career area and to demonstrate your motivation, you may opt to undertake postgraduate study in areas such as health promotion, health education and health therapies.

These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.

For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.