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Postgraduate Information

This guide is intended for postgraduate students, particularly for those on one-year courses. It gives a broad overview of careers events and activities that normally taking place during the academic year together with an indication of deadlines and closing dates where these exist.

You will notice that more is happening in the autumn term than later in the year. This is partly because many large recruiters start recruiting at this time and their activities and publicity reflect this. It also reinforces the fact that, as a postgraduate student, time is of the essence if you are to make effective plans for after your graduation.

For example:

• The beginning of your course is the time to start investigating career ideas if these are not clear yet.
• You might have career plans but feel that you need some relevant work experience to add to your postgraduate qualification. This can take some time to organise, so start thinking about this before Christmas.
• If you want to continue your studying to PhD level, then early research into possible institutions and potential sources of funding will be required.
• Be ahead of the game by beginning your planning as soon as you start studying. 

Pre-Christmas 

1. Career Choice
If you are unsure what to do after your course you could investigate what previous graduates from your course have gone into. Ask staff in your department and read relevant surveys on postgraduate destinations available from the careers service. It is also advisable to visit the careers service to discuss your ideas with a careers adviser.  

2. Employers and vacancies

• Many large employers have early closing dates (some as early as November or December) for applications for future vacancies. Start your research early so that you do not miss these.
• Check early closing dates for Civil Service Fast Stream applications.
• Collect careers news publications for details of future vacancies or look on our website.
• Look for information on future vacancies in specific finalist magazines or online
• Read national newspapers.
• Check which employers are visiting your campus each term to conduct interviews or give presentations.
• Visit student and graduate fairs.
• Pick up copies of graduate directories; these list companies advertising future vacancies.
• Find out what careers fairs and events are taking place on campus.
• Find out about other careers fairs being held around the UK. Some focus on specific areas of work, e.g. finance and IT, whilst others are more generic.
• Check out you careers service bulletin board and our website for other important careers news and dates.  

3. Work experience

• Some employers offer vacation work placements with early closing dates.
• Visit your Students' Union or university job shop for local part-time employment opportunities.
• Visit your careers service for information on voluntary and community opportunities.  

4. Further postgraduate study

• Start investigating further study using postgraduate directory (available in hard copy or online).
• Pick up details of new courses and up-to-date information from the careers service.
• Research possible funding sources using the relevant guides and contact research councils for further information.
  Note the early closing dates for some postgraduate courses including law and primary teaching. 

Post-Christmas

• Submit applications for further postgraduate study soon as postgraduate funding applications deadlines fall from May onwards.
• Look out for summer placements with legal firms - some have early closing dates.
• Check which employers are visiting your university this term to conduct initial interviews or give presentations.
• Read finalist magazines for information on future vacancies (usually published between January and March).

Towards the end of your course 

• In the final week of the term a series of careers workshops, seminars and talks may be offered on campus; sign up for those that interest you.
• Find out about careers fairs at other institutions where different employers may be represented. 
• Read finalist magazines for information on future vacancies and other careers fairs (normally published in April or May).
• Start reading weekly vacancy bulletins for details of immediate vacancies and check out our website.

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