Postgraduate qualifications : Professional and vocational qualifications

A professional or vocational qualification is usually taken to improve skills or gain attributes required by specific jobs. Most awards will involve practical training, giving you the opportunity to experience a job role first hand.

In order to enter many careers it is compulsory to have a professional or vocational qualification. For example, it is impossible to become a qualified solicitor without taking a Legal Practice Course. Professional qualifications can also help you to gain recognition and achieve a higher level of competence in your chosen field.

Most sectors have some sort of industry-specific award, so whether you want to work in accountancy and finance or leisure and sport, you will be able to improve your employability by gaining a professional qualification.

The application process and examination route will depend on the type of qualification and the body you are applying to.

How long do professional courses take to complete?

The duration of such a qualification depends on the sector and type of award. As such, you can find yourself studying anything from a short course lasting a couple of weeks to chartered certification, which can take several years to complete.

Professional qualifications are often offered as part-time courses and can also be completed through distance learning and e-learning, as many study for them while working full time.

Who awards the qualifications?

Depending on the sector and type of qualification you are aiming for, accreditation is provided by numerous professional bodies. Some examples of institutions include:

• National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)  
• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)  
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)  
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)  
• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)  

Why study for a professional qualification?

The main outcome of a professional or vocational qualification is an increase in potential earnings or salary. These industry-specific awards help you to gain new skills, recognition from your peers and better contacts in your sector.

Some courses allow you to progress in your career, helping you to achieve Continuous Professional Development (CPD). As industries evolve, it is vitally important that workers keep their skills and abilities up to date, keeping ahead of the curve. At the highest level, some courses accredited by professional bodies can lead to you becoming chartered - registered as a member of the body with a certain level of knowledge and skill.

When researching potential vocational qualifications, it is important to consider whether it will be worth your time, effort and money to do so. Are you really able to study in the evenings after a hard day at work? Will the award bring you extra recognition or help to improve your salary?

Is funding available?

If the award you are applying for is required for you to progress in your career, your employer may be willing to fund or part-fund your studies. If you do go down the sponsorship route, it is important to make clear what your employers expect from you, as often you will be contractually obliged to continue working for your employer for a set amount of time after completing the course.