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Further Study FAQ & Postgraduate Courses

1. Why should I take a postgraduate course?
There are many reasons, and it may depend on whether you are doing a taught course or a research programme. Demand is ever growing from employers for skilled professionals in specialised areas. It is often the case that many graduates in employment are taking on a postgraduate course part time to enhance their knowledge base in their given career. Also it may be an essential gateway to undertaking postgraduate research, which will take your skills and ability even further. Completing a research degree can show your authority over a piece of work, which will give you potential to go towards a higher degree.

2. What courses are available?
There are many courses available from postgraduate certificates through to doctoral research degrees. There are many subjects in many different specialist areas, which can be found via search engines etc.

3. What course should I choose?
Consider what strengths you have and you would see worth taking further. There may be direct employment opportunities afterwards although even if there are not you will still have achieved something that will enhance your lifelong learning.

4. What are the typical entry requirements?
It all depends on the course, there may be none, there may be some or it may depend on what work experience you have. Normally to undertake a postgraduate course, you should hold an undergraduate degree although there are exceptions. Any requirements are normally clearly outlined on your application.

5. How much does it cost?
It depends whether you are overseas or a home/EU student. Also it can depend on the course discipline, engineering and science subjects can tend to cost more. The cost of tuition will range anything from £1,500 to £25,000.

6. How long does it take?
This can range anything from one year (most taught courses are this long) through to 4 years roughly for research degree programmes.

7. What is the average teacher/student ratio?
This again depends on the discipline, the staff available and the popularity of the course. A postgraduate student may find themselves in classes from as few as ten students through to as many as 200 students, which create a lower teacher to student ratio as they still only need one lecturer to lecture a class no matter how large.

8. What is the average drop out rate?
This may depend on the quality of teaching, the support available. Consider what rating they have in a teaching quality assessment. Also is the course accredited by an appropriate body and are any other awards or approvals advertised in the prospectus? This way you may begin to find whether there are more students dropping out than there should be.

9. How can I increase my chances of finding employment?
Get involved in skills development courses and voluntary activities in your institution, review the progress you are making as you are undertaking your postgraduate programme. This will help you to identify where your strengths are and present them on your CV. An employer is not only interested in your qualifications but what you have to offer and how you can apply your skills.

10. What should I be looking for in deciding which institution to choose?
Again consider the teaching quality assessment, the research quality in the department if it is relevant and the international recognition and approval from appropriate bodies. It should not only be the course to consider, the life around the institution is also a factor in terms of whether it provides social help, learning support and an atmosphere where you can feel at home.

11. What do employers think?
This is always a good question. Many employers will have mixed feelings about postgraduate qualifications. It is always important therefore to stress again and again that a CV should be selling the qualities they are looking for and be tailored to the job description. This will allow an employer to realise the merits of postgraduate study or research.

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