What is postgraduate study?

Put simply, it's studying at a higher level than an undergraduate degree. This could be a taught subject, such as a postgraduate diploma, an MA or MSc, or a research degree like a PhD.

Is it for you?

This is a question most undergraduates will ask themselves at some point; usually when reality sets in that they're not going to be a student forever. Scary as that thought may be, it's not a good enough reason to plunge yourself into postgrad study on its own.

"A few of my friends are going on to postgraduate courses, but it seems like they're only doing it because they don't know what else to do with themselves," says Olivia. "I think if you've got a proper career plan lined up and a postgrad course will help you get there, fair enough. But I don't understand the number of people who want to do it just for the sake of it and to put off the inevitable of starting work."

Saiyada Smith, a Careers Advisor at the Careers Group, agrees. "The individual needs to think about whether this is a viable option for them. Will doing postgraduate study improve your career prospects and help you stand out from the crowd?"

If you're finding it hard to answer these questions, your first stop should be the careers library at university. Certain careers undoubtedly benefit from a CV crammed with qualifications, and you can identify these by looking at data that tracks the destinations of higher education leavers. This will show you where candidates in different sectors are ending up, and whether postgraduate study is a popular choice in your chosen industry.

"A common misconception is that having postgraduate qualifications is like a golden ticket through to an industry or career, which isn't necessarily the case," adds Saiyada. "The best way to decide is to do as much research as possible and talk to employers who recruit in your industry to see if they have a preference for postgraduate study."

Undergraduate versus postgraduate

"Some people will have become so accustomed to eating tinned beans, living in the student union and staying up till four in the morning that the revelation of jobsville is just too much to handle when they get to the end of their degree," says Stuart.

True, but again, it's not a top reason to head back through the university gates come Autumn. The first thing to get straight in your head is that postgraduate study differs enormously from undergraduate - in terms of how you study and yes, how you socialise. Most of your mates will have disappeared and started travelling or earning money, and there will be a gaggle of freshers reminding you of the fun you had three years ago, but are now too busy (and dare we say it, too old) to appreciate.

"It is very different," agrees Saiyada. "The first big difference is that it's very much study based. Students often find that, unlike undergraduate study, where they had lectures, timetables and a lot of structure, postgraduate study often boils down to independent research and managing your own time. Many students do find this very rewarding and enjoy honing in on a specific area of interest, whereas others find it stifling. Talk to the programme provider to find out as much as possible about what is actually covered to see if it's the right fit and match for you."

Getting funding

If you've got this far and you're still interested, the next big stumbling block is funding. Your degree has probably racked up a fair bit of debt already, so are you prepared to take on anymore? Luckily, there are lots of funding options available, and you can structure your time to fit in part-time work too.

If you know your path includes postgraduate study, you can even get organised in advance. "I worked for a year before I started my postgraduate course and also worked one day a week during term time to support myself," says Wendy. "But I also saved most of my undergraduate student loan in order to be able to pay my fees."

Approach the programme providing your course to find out what funding they have in place, and research the different funding bodies in your chosen area. Some of the most useful bodies to approach are: the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; the Economics and Social Research Council; the Medical Research Council; the Engineering and Physical Research Council; the Natural Environment Research Council; and the Arts & Humanities Research Council.

Written by Hannah Jolliffe

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