Postgraduate qualifications

During times of economic uncertainty it's tempting to keep studying, but with living expenses estimated at around £15,000 it's essential you choose the right course.

"It's worth looking first at the courses available at your own university as it may have funding available for its graduates"

Studying for a postgraduate qualification after your degree can help you develop your skills and improve your job prospects. But how can you be sure you're choosing the right option?

Types of course on offer

Masters degrees, such as an MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science), are taught courses usually lasting one year full-time, or two years part-time. You will need at least a 2:2 degree.

For research degrees, such as an M.Phil (Master of Philosophy), you carry out independent research under supervision. An M.Phil is often a stepping stone to a doctorate (PhD), which takes at least three years. You will usually need a 2:1 degree.

Professional or vocational qualifications, usually leading to a diploma or certificate, give you job-related skills and are a requirement for some careers, such as teaching and law.

How do I find a course?

Prospects lists postgraduate courses and offers careers advice based on your chosen subject. Another searchable site is Masters Compare, which allows you to compare courses that you're interested in.

"It's worth looking first at the courses available at your own university as it may have funding available for its graduates," advises Sibel Roller, head of the graduate school at Thames Valley University in London. "If it doesn't provide the course you want, talk to your tutors about which other institutions are good for that subject."

Also, check out professional bodies in your chosen field – their websites often have lists of courses. If you want to do psychology, for example, you could try the British Psychological Association. It's a good way of gauging which ones are well-established and respected also excellent for making contacts.

Is postgraduate study right for me?

Think long and hard before taking on more studying – will it really help with your career? "A masters is tough and requires a lot of commitment," says Sibel. "I wouldn't recommend doing one just because you want to put off looking for a job until the economic climate improves."

Think about your reasons for doing the course. A postgraduate qualification can allow you to prove yourself if your first degree result wasn't what you'd hoped for, but it won't wipe out a poor result. Also, if you struggled academically, you're not going to find a masters easy and may be better off considering vocational options. It's worth bearing in mind that a recent survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters found that many employers were more interested in candidates' work experience than in postgraduate qualifications.

Of course, education isn't just about getting a job. If you're passionate about your subject and keen to take it further, it's likely to be worthwhile.

Funding options

Non-repayable funding
There's a lot of funding available, but it can be hard to track down. A good place to start is PostgraduateStudentships.co.uk, a website that brings all the funding sources together.

It's worth checking out the government-funded Research Councils, which provide funding via university departments. Most universities run various scholarships and bursaries of their own, so it's worth enquiring with your careers advisor. And some courses, NHS and social work courses and postgraduate teacher training courses, for example, may already come with funding attached.

If there's no funding attached to your course, there are countless other sources, such as trusts, charities and professional organisations. Directgov offers a good overview of what is available; it also includes a section on help for disabled students.

For residents of Scotland, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) runs the Postgraduate Students' Allowance Scheme for professional or vocational courses.

In Northern Ireland, the Department for Employment and Learning (DELNI) administers financial help for postgraduates.

Loans
You can take out a Professional and Career Development Loan of between £300 and £10,000 to help with course fees and living expenses. You won't need to start paying it back until you have finished your course. Many banks also have professional loan schemes.

Work
There are lots of part-time postgraduate courses that allow you to structure your time to fit in a part-time job. It may even be possible to find part-time work on campus. Your Student Union is a good place to start.

Written by Caroline Roberts

Photo by volunteer photographer Nan Wang

Updated:17/03/2011

Jargon Buster

Bursary:: Funding that you don't have to pay back. Often targeted at disadvantaged students.
Scholarship or studentship:: Non-repayable funding usually awarded on academic merit.
Stipend:: usually refers to funding paid at regular intervals to help with living expenses.

Become a Lifetracker and create a personal to-do list by selecting tasks at the end of our articles. Sign up here and start your to-do list today!

Start thinking a year ahead. Do as much research as possible; look at study options, speak to employers and contact professional bodies for advice and information.
Around October, talk about your plans with your tutors and get advice from your careers service.
Get your application in early. Popular courses may be full by the spring, or even earlier.
Start looking into funding as soon as you're offered a place. It's not uncommon for funding to go unclaimed, so don't miss out.
Graduate Prospects has a national postgraduate funding database, a great place to start looking for financial support.
Check out Your Future to receive government advice about tuition fees.

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