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Choosing a Postgraduate Course

Where to continue your studies

For a list of postgraduate courses in the UK, please visit our postgraduate courses page.

When considering where to study a postgraduate course, do not simply consider the "league tables" that exist, informally and formally for courses. This is less likely to apply for postgraduate study, particularly for vocational courses.

Issues to consider

• Do you want to stay at the same university where you studied your first degree, where you know the environment, the department and the people, or are you looking for a change of scenery?
• Is funding an issue? Would it be cheaper to find a course nearer home? - or a part-time course you could combine with working?
• How is the department structured? What is its reputation? Is there a sufficient number of other postgraduates around to provide a good community?
• What support is given to postgraduate students by the department and the university?
• Think about the supervisor and other members of staff. Are they people you want to work with?
• Are there enough postgraduates in the department to give you support and provide a sociable atmosphere?
• What are the destinations of previous students on the course? What jobs have they gone on to do?

When to apply
You may want to go straight on to the course immediately after graduation, or you may want to take a break, particularly if you want to earn money to study. If that is the case, speak to your department and make sure that someone who knows you will still be able to give you a full reference after you have left.

Issues to consider

• Some vocational courses need you to have done some relevant work experience before you start the course, so if that is your plan, you may have no choice
• Some work experience can help, either because it is relevant or because it will give you the chance to develop another set of skills
  Sometimes it is helpful to have a break before you start something else
• You may need to work to fund your studies
• You may feel it is better to continue with studying while you are in the right frame of mind - a break might not help or you could get too used to earning money
• You may want to continue with your studying if you are staying here, because you will still have accommodation, a network of friends etc
• You normally apply for a course in the previous academic year. Some courses are more competitive and sought after than others and for those you may need to apply early. There is no limit to the number of courses you can apply to.

How to apply
Many courses will have their own application form with a personal statement that asks why you want to do the course at that institution. Show that you know what is involved, that you have thought about it and you know how it fits into your career plans. Talk about the benefits that you hope to gain from the course and why that institution meets your needs. If the course is vocational, talk about what you have done to research the career and why you think you will be good at it.

Some courses ask you to apply with a CV and covering letter. Use the letter as a personal statement, explaining why you want to do the course. The CV should be structured slightly differently for a course than for a job; you may want to say more about your academic study and how the course fits in with your previous work. If the course is vocational, describe relevant work experience and other ways in which you have researched the job.

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