Your HND...what next? : Postgrad study

As an HND Diplomate you should be aware that there are opportunities for postgraduate study available to you. Many people believe that you need a higher qualification, like an honours degree, to join a postgraduate course. However, there are certain courses where your practical experience is highly valued, especially in areas like teaching and social work.

Types of postgraduate study

• Postgraduate diploma (PgDip)
• Postgraduate certificate (PgCert)
• Masters
• Doctorate

The PgCert and PgDip might be offered as specific, stand-alone certificates and diplomas, e.g. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). More often, however, they are linked to a Masters degree and awarded to students who have completed either one third or two thirds of a full-time postgraduate programme.

At postgraduate level the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) offers Masters and Doctorate degrees. The Masters degree is at least one year of postgraduate study which could lead to a Doctorate degree or career progression. A Doctorate degree is achieved after completing a thesis that requires the equivalent of three years of full-time higher education and research

Masters

A direct entry to a Masters degree course may be available when the subject of your HND is closely related to the subject of that particular postgraduate course and you have significant work experience. Refer to individual universities. Some Masters courses are research-based and closer in structure to doctoral programmes.

Doctorates

Doctorate courses are intensely academic, requiring a high level of achievement in your intermediate study. Usually you need a good honours degree and thorough knowledge of the subject to be offered a place on a PhD course. In many cases these are students who have already undertaken considerable research and their work has developed to a doctoral level.

Applying for postgraduate study

There is no central clearing system, like UCAS, for postgraduate applications. In the majority of cases, you make your applications directly to the institution. This means that there is no limit to the number of applications you can make. Many postgraduate courses have no formal closing date but, nevertheless, fill up very quickly.

There are exceptions when applying for postgraduate study:

• applications for teacher training in England, Scotland and Wales are made through a central system called the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR);
• applications for postgraduate courses in social work are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Both have closing dates well in advance of course start dates. This emphasises the importance of planning ahead and checking application procedures.

Search courses and research to find available postgraduate courses and the institutions that offer them.

Funding

Postgraduate study can be expensive, therefore, other than loans, qualifiers are encouraged to research the following options:

• working while studying can be an option for students who are organised;
• employer-funded study or sponsorship may be available to those in employment or with relevant industrial experience. Refer to The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils for further information;
• institutional funding can include bursaries and scholarships. Refer to individual universities for availability;
• studentships are financial awards offered in research fields. Refer to individual universities;
• public funding bodies.

For further information refer to funding my further study.