Your degree...what next? : Further study

There are numerous study options available to those who are considering further study. In 2008, 24% of graduates used their degree as an entry qualification for a further course of study or training (Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2009). For many, further study involves working towards a particular career goal.

Why choose further study?

Further study can help:

• further knowledge relating to your current degree;
• enhance or learn new skills/knowledge;
• gain professional recognition that is required for the sector or gain professional qualifications;
• improve your long term career development potential.

Options for further study

There are a variety of study options available to graduates:

• second degree - studying for another degree is possible if you are looking to retrain or update your qualification. It is also possible to study another subject entirely. Before you decide to pursue this route, it is important to check your funding options;
• professional training - some professions, such as medicine, teaching and law, involve meeting precise training requirements before you can begin to practise. For others, such as engineering or accounting, you can begin work at graduate level while studying to acquire professional status;
• academic postgraduate study - there are two options for postgraduate study: to further your knowledge in your chosen subject or to pursue a subject that is unrelated to your first degree.

Broadly speaking, there are two forms of academic postgraduate study. There are taught programmes where the subject is taught with lectures and tutorials, and there are research programmes such as an MSc or PhD.

See about postgraduate study for further information.

What study options are available?

Full-time option:

• Courses run Monday to Friday for the whole of an academic year. Benefits of a full-time option include the speed with which a qualification can be obtained and the chance to study the subject in condensed timeframe. However, if the course is not funded, paying fees could be a big consideration.

Part-time/flexible option:

• Some full-time courses may be offered on a part-time basis (possibly one day a week). These may be suitable for those who are coming to study at their employer’s request. Studies are spread over multiple years instead of one.
• Some part-time courses involve classes that are delivered during the week, in the evenings or at weekends. Other courses may be self directed or tied to distance learning study. Participants may be required to attend selected lectures in the evenings and at weekends. There are also flexible programmes which combine distance learning and web-based study.
• Another part-time option involves studying individual modules, which may or may not lead to a recognised qualification. Many universities now have Centres for Lifelong Learning (or similar) which offer a range of short courses and modules that can be taken to suit an individual’s needs and requirements.

The part-time options available are beneficial in the following ways:

• allows graduates to study at a pace that is suitable for them;
• allows study to fit around family, life and working commitments;
• allows people to work and study at the same time, which may ease worry regarding cost of fees;
• employers may help cover financial costs or offer a study package.

Part-time study is flexible and permits you to improve your career prospects, but it may take longer to complete. Part-time study also lacks the intensity of full-time courses, so you should consider which mode of study suits your own needs.