Your foundation degree, what next? : Postgrad study

Postgraduate study is still popular in the UK and there is a significant trend towards honours degree graduates progressing directly onto postgraduate study, although some do return to it at a later date.

Highly popular and competitive courses usually require candidates who have an honours degree (this will sometimes be a necessity if the course provides professional accreditation). However some postgraduate courses are more flexible and may count relevant industrial experience as equivalent to degree-level study.  

Types of postgraduate courses

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)  lists two levels of postgraduate qualifications: Masters (level 7) and Doctorate (level 8).

There are also Postgraduate Diplomas (PgDip) and Certificates (PgCert) at level 7, which usually provide part-qualification toward the Masters level.

Direct entry at Masters level is most likely where the course is closely related to the subject you have already studied and/or the field of work you are already in. A good level of achievement on your current programme is usually required, as are sound reasons for wanting to take the course. 

A Postgraduate Certificate for Education (PGCE) is a special form of postgraduate degree which acts as a conversion course to award students the same professional status as the undergraduate Bachelor of Education. Once completed, students are awarded Qualifying Teacher Status (QTS). The Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)  is the online admissions service which covers most higher education institutions and courses in England, Wales and Scotland.

Doctoral degrees normally require a very high level of achievement at honours level and often a Masters and relevant industrial experience.

There is a New Route PhD  which has the same core elements as the traditional UK PhD but which provides an additional structured programme of advanced training in transferable skills. This is of significant use in the work place.

The key questions you need to ask yourself before taking on any postgraduate study are:

• What is my career plan?
• How will postgraduate study enhance my career?
• What are my sources of funding?
• Are my reasons for study realistic and achievable?

For further information on specific postgraduate courses, search courses and research. You should also consult your masters...what next? , your PhD...what next? and about postgrad study.

AGCAS

Written by Emma Bumpus, AGCAS

Date: 

May 2011

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer