About postgrad study : Why do postgrad study?

Postgraduate study is an opportunity to research your chosen subject in more depth and enhance your career. This section outlines the factors you need to consider when choosing a course and deciding when to go back into higher education (HE).

What to consider

• Why you want to take up further study. Before you make a decision about postgraduate study you need to clarify your motives and what it is you want to achieve. People sign up for further study for a number of reasons including an interest in the subject, to gain a career advantage, or because it is necessary in a particular occupation.
• Will you enjoy it? Before you sign up for a course, research all your options to find the right one for you. Look at the prospectus, visit the institution and talk to the tutors to see if the subject matter, teaching styles and research methods are what you are looking for. If you are considering a research post such as a PhD, talk to current Doctoral students about their experiences, and make sure you get on with your proposed supervisor before you agree to the post.
• Can you afford it? Further study can be very expensive and far less funding is available than for undergraduate courses. Some postgraduate students are sponsored but most have to save up the fees or get a loan. The institutions you are considering will be able to tell you if sponsorship is available. Before getting a loan on top of your other student debts, assess whether you will be able to pay it back after you graduate.
• Will it improve your career prospects? Further study may be necessary to enter your chosen career, or it could be used to demonstrate enhanced technical and transferable skills and a commitment to your subject. Do not assume that a higher qualification will automatically help you get into your chosen career, however. Many graduate employers look more favourably on experience than additional qualifications. Show employers that you have other valuable skills, such as time management, presentation skills, critical thinking and teamwork. Emphasise any relevant work experience you have gained on your CV alongside your postgraduate qualification. Postgraduate qualifications may increase long-term earnings, but they do not usually merit higher starting salaries.
• Is it necessary to get into your chosen occupation? The usual path into many careers, such as teaching, law, social work and librarianship, involves a professional postgraduate qualification. However, in recent years, career routes have diversified so you may be able to enter these roles with a range of alternative qualifications. For example, if you have a non-law degree, the normal route to becoming a solicitor is to complete a Graduate Diploma in Law, a Legal Practice Certificate and a training contract, but you can also become a legal executive and transfer. Therefore, if you are considering further study in order to join a particular profession, make sure you research all the routes into your chosen role before choosing the most appropriate path.
• Will it help you avoid the ‘big bad world’? Whether they admit it or not, this is one of the major reasons why some people consider further study. This is an understandable motive after spending so many years in education but be aware that, after you have completed your postgraduate study, you will still have to face up to life after university, possibly with even more debt.
• Can you build useful networks? Networking is a crucial element of career development. Make sure you choose a postgraduate course that gives you wide access to professionals in your chosen field.
• Will it help you sit out the economic slowdown? You may consider taking up postgraduate study as a way to avoid the current competitive job market and wait for the economy to turn around. This may be a sensible option but you should be confident that there will be more opportunities in your chosen field when you finish your course. You should also take the opportunity to get work experience and make good contacts.
• Will it help you change your career? Further study might be advisable if you want to get into a career that is not linked to your degree, or if you have started work and want to move into a new field. You could undertake a wide range of courses, such as a Masters, a conversion course or a PhD. However, you should be aware that the majority of graduate employers do not require a specific degree or further qualifications. So before you take such a major step, make sure that your new qualification will enhance your opportunities. You may be able to make a career move just through your original qualification and your employment experience. Conversion courses can be very useful for graduates with general degrees who wish to take a vocational direction such as law or psychology.

When should I study?

• Straight after your degree - if a course requires up-to-date knowledge and skills there is a clear advantage to signing up immediately after your undergraduate degree. This will also ensure that you don’t get out of the habit of studying. Immediate postgraduate study could help you in your career by giving you a unique selling point in your job applications, refocusing your skills or providing you with a professional qualification. On a more personal note, it will probably involve less turmoil at this stage if you just carry on with your studies rather than uprooting yourself mid-career.
• After a break - the main reason for taking a break before postgraduate study is that you will gain important skills and experience that will help to maximise the impact of your new qualification. This is because employers greatly value transferable skills such as teamwork and technical skills. Whether you take time out from your studies to work or travel, it will give you a chance to improve your CV and make yourself more attractive to employers. This is especially true in relation to professional qualifications, such as those in social work, which often require a period of employment experience before you can even start the course. The personal advantages to taking a break are that you will be refreshed and you can save up some money to fund your studies.
• While you are working - many graduates continue in some sort of training even when they have found work. You could study during the evenings and weekends or your employer may allow you to take study leave. Studying and working simultaneously will enable you to put theory into practice and will help you to develop your career. However, it can be very tiring, especially if you have other commitments, so you will need to be motivated and enthusiastic if you are going to succeed.
• Mid-career break - this is an option for graduates who feel they need a further qualification to progress in their chosen career or enter a new field. Either way you should make sure that the qualification you are considering will be beneficial before you hand in your notice at work. The advantage of this option is that you will probably be able to save up the money you need and will have a wide range of skills to bring to the course and your future career. On the other hand, you have to ask yourself if you can afford to live without your salary and if you will have the energy and opportunity to reinvigorate your career once you have finished your study.