Postgraduate study can help you deepen your knowledge, prepare for a particular career or change direction after your undergraduate degree. It can also involve a significant investment of time and money. That means the first question should not be “Which postgraduate course should I do?”. It should be “Why do I want to do one?”.
A postgraduate qualification can be valuable when it supports a clear academic, professional or career goal. It is less useful when it is mainly being used to delay making a career decision. Before applying, consider what the qualification could help you achieve, whether you genuinely need it and what your alternatives are.
Postgraduate study is one option to weigh alongside your longer-term career plans. Explore our University Career Planning guide.
Postgraduate study is one option to weigh alongside your longer-term career plans. Explore our University Career Planning guide.
What is a postgraduate degree?
A postgraduate degree is a qualification studied after completing an undergraduate degree. Postgraduate study can take different forms. Some courses are taught and follow a structure similar to an undergraduate degree, with modules, seminars and assessments. Others focus much more heavily on independent research.
Common postgraduate qualifications include master's degrees such as an MA or MSc, as well as research degrees such as an MPhil or PhD. There are also postgraduate certificates, diplomas and conversion courses designed for graduates who want to develop specialist knowledge or move into a different field. Postgraduate courses can be studied full-time or part-time, depending on the programme. They also vary considerably in length, content and purpose.
The important point is that “postgraduate” describes the level of study, not one particular type of course. Before applying, look closely at what the qualification involves and what it is designed to help you achieve.
When should you do a postgraduate course
Start with looking at the outcome you want. There are many good reasons to continue studying. You may want to specialise in a subject that interested you during your undergraduate degree, gain knowledge needed for a particular profession, move into a different field or prepare for research and further academic study.
You might also simply enjoy your subject and want to explore it in greater depth. That can be a valid reason, provided you understand the financial and career implications. However, postgraduate study should not automatically be treated as the next stage after a bachelor's degree.
Ask yourself: What would this course allow me to do that I cannot do now?
If you can answer that clearly, you have a useful starting point. If your main reason is that you are unsure what else to do after university, spend some time exploring careers before committing to another qualification.
When might a postgraduate study help your career?
The value of postgraduate study depends heavily on the career you want. For some career paths, a particular postgraduate or professional qualification may be required or strongly preferred. In others, a master's degree can provide specialist knowledge that helps you move towards more technical or specialised work.
Postgraduate study can also help with a career change. A conversion course, for example, may allow someone with an undergraduate degree in one subject to build knowledge in a different area. There are also careers where postgraduate study is useful but not essential. In those cases, you need to compare it with other ways of becoming a stronger candidate.
A year spent gaining relevant work experience might sometimes do more for your career than another academic qualification. Before applying, research the roles you eventually want and look at what employers actually ask for. Do not assume that a higher qualification will always make you more employable.
When might postgraduate study not be the best option?
Further study may not be the right choice if you are mainly using it to avoid entering the job market. A postgraduate qualification will take time and may involve tuition fees, living costs and income you could otherwise have earned through employment.
It is also worth reconsidering if the jobs that interest you do not require postgraduate study and employers place greater value on relevant experience. You do not have to know exactly where your career will lead. However, there should be a reasonable connection between the course and something you want to learn, explore or achieve. If you are unsure, research graduate jobs before applying for a course. You may discover that you already meet the academic requirements for roles that interest you.
What type of postgraduate course should you choose?
Postgraduate study covers several different types of qualification.
Taught master's degrees
Taught master's courses include qualifications such as an MA or MSc. They normally combine taught modules with independent study and may include a dissertation, research project or other substantial piece of work. These can suit students who want to develop deeper knowledge of a subject while retaining a structured style of study.
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are usually shorter than a full master's degree and often contain fewer credits. Some are designed around professional or vocational development, while others provide a route into further postgraduate study. The structure varies, so look closely at what the qualification actually contains rather than judging it from its title alone.
Conversion and professional courses
Some postgraduate courses are designed for graduates who want to enter a different field or gain a qualification linked to a profession. If you are considering one, check the requirements of the career itself. Find out whether the course is necessary, whether particular qualifications are recognised and what graduates typically do afterwards.
Research degrees
Research degrees include qualifications such as an MPhil and PhD. Rather than following mainly taught modules, you will usually spend much more of your time carrying out independent research.
These courses require a different type of commitment from a taught master's degree. The research topic, supervisor, department and available support can all have a major effect on your experience. If you are considering research because you may want an academic career, also look realistically at what the next stages would involve.
How to choose the right postgraduate course
Do not choose a course from its title alone. Two programmes with similar names can contain very different modules, teaching styles and assessment methods. Read the course structure and ask what you will actually study.
Consider whether the modules interest you and whether they connect with the knowledge or career direction you want to develop. Also look at how the course is taught. You may prefer seminars and structured classes more similar to how an undergraduate degree is delivered, or you may be looking for greater independence and research. Then investigate what previous students have gone on to do. Graduate destinations cannot guarantee your own outcome, but they can help you judge whether the course commonly leads towards the type of work or further study you are considering.
Should you stay at the same university?
You may already know the department, staff and city where you completed your first degree. Staying can therefore make the transition into postgraduate study easier. There may also be practical advantages. You might already have accommodation, professional contacts or knowledge of the university's support services. Some universities even offer reduced postgraduate tuition fees to their own graduates.
However, familiarity should not be the main reason for staying. Another university may offer a course that fits your interests more closely, stronger expertise in your chosen area or facilities that better support your work. Compare the courses first. Then think about location, cost, support and whether you would prefer a new environment. The strongest choice is the university that works best for the postgraduate study you want to undertake, not automatically the one you already know.
How important is the department and supervisor?
The department matters because it will shape much of your academic experience. Look at the expertise available, how the department is organised and what support postgraduate students receive. It can also be useful to understand the size of the postgraduate community and whether there are opportunities to meet other students working in similar areas. For a taught course, individual supervisors may play a smaller role until you begin a dissertation or research project. For a research degree, the relationship can be much more important.
Look at the research interests of potential supervisors and ask whether their expertise fits what you want to study. You should also try to understand how supervision works and what support you can expect. A well-known university is not enough on its own. The department, course and people you will work with can matter more to your day-to-day experience.
How will you fund postgraduate study?
Think about funding before you commit to a course. You may need to cover tuition fees as well as accommodation, food, travel, course materials and other living costs. Funding can come from several sources. Depending on the course and your circumstances, these may include postgraduate student finance, scholarships, bursaries, grants, studentships or support from an employer.
Universities may also provide their own funding, so check with both the institution and department you are considering. Postgraduate student finance differs across the UK and can change between academic years. In England, eligible master's and doctoral students can currently apply for postgraduate loans towards fees and living costs. For current amounts, eligibility and application details, check the official GOV.UK postgraduate funding guidance.
Do not assume that a postgraduate loan will cover the complete cost of your course. Work out the likely total before accepting a place. Consider what you can afford and whether part-time study, living at home or another funding route would make the course more manageable.
Will a postgraduate degree improve your job prospects?
It can, but there is no simple rule that a postgraduate degree leads to a better job. The benefit depends on the qualification, industry, role and experience you have alongside it. The current GRB article makes the same important distinction: postgraduate study may improve employment opportunities, but its value varies according to the career and candidate.
For some jobs, specialist postgraduate knowledge can be directly relevant. For others, employers may be satisfied with an undergraduate degree and place more weight on skills and experience. A postgraduate qualification also does not automatically mean you should only apply for jobs that specifically ask for a master's degree. Look at the role rather than the qualification level alone.
When applying, explain what postgraduate study has given you. This could include specialist knowledge, research ability, data analysis, independent working, communication or experience completing a substantial project. The qualification becomes more useful to an employer when you can show how it relates to the job.
Do you still need work experience?
Postgraduate study does not replace useful work experience. Academic knowledge and workplace evidence demonstrate different things. If you have limited experience when you begin postgraduate study, think about whether you can develop it alongside your course.
That does not necessarily mean completing another major internship. Depending on your workload, part-time work, volunteering, university projects or relevant responsibilities can all help you build evidence of working with other people and applying your skills. Be realistic about your time, particularly on an intensive course. The objective is not to fill every spare hour. It is to make sure another year of academic study does not leave you in exactly the same position when you next apply for jobs.
Plan what comes after your postgraduate course
Do not wait until the course finishes before thinking about what comes next. Many postgraduate courses are intensive and can pass quickly. If you intend to apply for graduate jobs, research likely employers and recruitment periods early enough that you do not miss opportunities.
Some structured graduate programmes recruit well in advance, while many other graduate jobs are advertised throughout the year. You do not need to spend the whole postgraduate course applying for jobs. Simply know roughly when you need to act. Towards the end of the course, update your CV with your new qualification, projects and skills, and prepare examples you can use in applications and interviews.
What if you are considering further academic study?
A master's degree can sometimes lead to further research, including doctoral study. If that interests you, begin exploring potential programmes before your current course ends. Think about more than whether you enjoy studying. Consider the research topic, potential supervisors, funding and what you want the qualification to lead to.
Speak to academics and current research students where possible. They can help you understand what doctoral study actually involves. You should also consider what you would do afterwards. A PhD can develop substantial research expertise, but it is a major commitment. The decision should be based on your academic and career goals rather than simply wanting to continue being a student.
Common mistakes when choosing postgraduate study
Doing a postgraduate degree because you do not know what else to do
Uncertainty about your career is normal, but another qualification is an expensive way to postpone the decision. Explore careers alongside postgraduate options before committing.
Assuming a master's degree guarantees better job prospects
It may strengthen your position for some careers, but it is not automatically more valuable than relevant experience. Research what employers in your target field actually require.
Underestimating the cost
Consider living costs as well as tuition fees and check what your funding will realistically cover. If you take out a postgraduate loan, also think about the repayment implications. Postgraduate loans can have a lower repayment threshold than undergraduate student loans, which may mean repayments begin sooner once you start earning. Check the current rules that apply to your loan before committing to further study.
Assuming more academic study makes work experience unnecessary
Postgraduate study can deepen your knowledge, but employers may still want evidence that you can apply your skills outside academic work.
Key takeaways
A postgraduate course can be worthwhile when it supports a clear academic, professional or career goal. Before applying, understand what the qualification would allow you to do and whether you genuinely need it for the career you want. Compare the course content, university, department, support and likely outcomes rather than choosing on reputation alone. Work out the full financial commitment and research funding before accepting a place.
Do not assume postgraduate study automatically improves your employment prospects. Its value depends on your career and how well you can use the knowledge and skills you gain. Continue thinking about experience and your next career step while you study so that you are ready when the course ends. Most importantly, choose postgraduate study because it moves you towards something you want, not simply because you are unsure what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether a postgraduate course will actually help my career?
Start with the jobs or career areas you are considering and check what employers usually ask for. A postgraduate course is more useful when it gives you knowledge, skills or a qualification that directly supports that direction. Compare the course with other ways of becoming a stronger candidate, such as gaining relevant work experience. If you cannot clearly explain what the qualification would add to your current position, it may be worth researching your career options further before committing to another period of study.
What should I compare when choosing between similar postgraduate courses?
Look beyond the course title and compare the modules, teaching style, assessment methods and level of independent study. Check whether the content matches the knowledge or career direction you want to develop. You should also consider the department, available support, location, cost and what previous students have gone on to do. For research degrees, the expertise and approach of a potential supervisor can be especially important. Two courses with similar names may provide very different academic experiences, so compare what you would actually study and how.
Should I gain work experience before starting a postgraduate course?
That depends on your goals and existing experience. Working first can help you understand which postgraduate course would be most useful and whether further study is necessary at all. However, going directly into postgraduate study may make sense if you already have a clear reason for doing the course. If you have limited workplace experience, think about how you could build some alongside your studies through part-time work, volunteering, projects or other responsibilities. Academic knowledge and practical experience can strengthen your applications in different ways.
How should I work out whether I can afford postgraduate study?
Calculate the full cost rather than looking only at tuition fees. Include accommodation, food, travel, course materials and other regular expenses, then compare this with the funding you may receive. Scholarships, bursaries, student finance or other support may help, depending on the course and your circumstances. Do not assume one source of funding will cover everything. Consider whether studying part-time, living at home or choosing another course would make the finances more manageable. Check current official funding information before making a final commitment.
When should I start looking for jobs during a postgraduate course?
Start researching before the course ends, especially if you are interested in employers that recruit well in advance. You do not need to spend the whole year applying for jobs, but it helps to understand when opportunities in your target field normally open. Keep track of likely recruitment periods and update your CV with relevant modules, projects and skills as you progress. Planning early can prevent you from missing suitable vacancies during a busy final part of the course and gives you more time to prepare strong applications.
What should I do if I am considering a PhD after my master's degree?
Explore the decision before your current course finishes. Think about the research topic, potential supervisors, department, available funding and what you want the qualification to lead to. Speak to academics and current research students where possible so you understand what doctoral study involves in practice. Enjoying your master's course can be a good reason to explore further study, but it should not be the only one. A PhD is a major commitment, so consider both the research itself and the career or academic options you hope to pursue afterwards.
