POSTGRADUATE STUDY
A guide to postgraduate study Introduction This factsheet contains information to assist you to consider further and postgraduate study options. If you need to discuss your options you can see a Careers Advisor for a one to one guidance appointment.
Why Study? You should think about the following points when considering further study: Why do I want to continue onto further study? n I have a passion for an academic subject n I enjoy a certain aspect of my course which I wish to pursue n I want to study something completely different n I need a professional qualification for my chosen career n I need a qualification to be able to get onto a professional training course
Researching courses Questions to ask n Does this course fulfil the requirements of why I am taking the course? n What additional skills, experience and knowledge will I gain? n How will this help me gain entry into my chosen field? n Is the course professionally recognised or accredited? n What are the entry requirements? n What does the course involve? n Is the course cost effective Finding answers n Read course prospectuses and websites n Ring Admissions departments for further information n View professional organisations website to see if there are industry accredited courses available
When to apply Deadlines vary depending on each individual course and institution and applications are usually made directly to the institution. You would normally apply for a postgraduate course at the beginning of your final year; however some courses may have places left in September. Most taught courses operate a first come first serve basis so if you want to study a particular course you should apply as soon as possible. If you miss the autumn intake for a course it can be worth checking to see if they have a January intake. If you are concerned about how you are going to pay for the course, you can still apply, as even if you are accepted onto a course you are often able to defer your place due to financial reasons.
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Financial Considerations You will need to consider carefully what you hope to gain from further study and look into the financial implications. You are expected to fund postgraduate study yourself. You may be able to gain some funding from the institution or course you are applying for or from charitable organisations. It is important that you explore your funding options at least a year in advance of the start of your course, as gaining this funding is highly competitive. It may be possible to study Part time or enrol on a distance learning course to allow you to fund the study needed to attain your longer career aims. If you take this option you will need to be prepared to study in the evenings and at the weekends. Search for funding See the factsheet ‘A guide to postgraduate study funding’. Collect a copy from the Resource Centre or see an online version - http://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/a_guide_to_postgraduate_funding_48f2bf3ff32399
Where to find Course Information Web sites n n
www.hotcourses.com/pg www.ucas.co.uk
www.ukpass.ac.uk Graduate Prospects n www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pgdbase n
Search for courses by subject or location. Search for vocational courses, some with have accelerated routes for graduates. Search and apply for postgraduate courses
Find a postgraduate course or area of research to match your study interest. n www.prospects.ac.uk/links/latestcourses View the latest advertised courses and research positions offered by higher Education institutes. n www.postgrad.com Comprehensive course search of all UK postgraduate courses (data supplied by UCAS )and advice. TARGETcourses n www.targetcourses.co.uk A-Z list of institutions and course search. Teacher Training n www.ucas.uk Find a teaching course n www.education.gov.uk Find out how to apply for a variety of teacher training routes Job sector courses n See the BG Futures Job Sector leaflets for links to training and courses Local Courses and apprenticeships n www.yourfuture-eastmidlands.co.uk Search for local courses, and apprenticeships Study abroad n www.studyoverseas.com
Search for courses and institutions
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www.studyoverseas.com www.StudyOverseasGlobal.com
Search for courses and institutions Search via country
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www.mastersportal.eu
Search for MA courses in Europe
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www.prospects.ac.uk/search_courses.htm Search for courses including those overseas
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www.studyoptions.com
Study in Australia or New Zealand
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www.studyinholland.co.uk
Study in Holland
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Page |3 Completing the application and personal statement Maters course www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/masters-degrees PG diplomas/certificates www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-diplomas-and-certificates BG Futures Section on the BGU Website The Further Study page includes a Postgraduate Study Bulletin with up to date News and Events. It also includes links to further guides, information and factsheets.
Resource Centre Hardy Building (Open Monday - Friday) There is a selection of postgraduate information available in the Resource Centre Factsheets n A guide to completing the teacher training personal statement n A guide to teaching n Completing a UCAS application n Postgraduate study funding n Preparing for a teacher training interview Magazines and publications n Limited number to take away n Prospects Postgraduate (Magazine) Includes various article, guides and advice n Prospects Postgraduate UK (Magazine) Aimed at international students, includes institutional profiles and funding Postgraduate Study Section n Directories of postgraduate courses n Postgraduate course Prospectuses
BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Services Website The Further Study section includes a bulletin with open days, PG study fairs, funding and course news and information. Also access online versions of the BG Futures factsheets. Resource Centre Hardy Building The Resource Centre holds PG study information and all BG Futures factsheets. View a full list of resources available in the Resource Centre: List of books and publications - http://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/resources http://www.librarything.com/catalog/BGcareers (list of books available in the Resource Centre) Application help We can give you advice on completing the ‘Personal Statement’ part of your PG Study application, email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk. Careers Guidance You can make an appointment with the Careers Adviser to discuss your options.
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Postgraduate Study Options Taught Programmes in the UK
Masters
Postgraduate diploma / certificate
Professional Qualification
Go to http://www.prospects.ac.uk/taught_courses.htm to find out more
Research Programmes Research involves the in-depth study of a specific field, usually related to your first degree, there are a number of research programmes open to graduates: Doctoral Degrees (PhD, DPhil)
Masters degrees by research (MA, MSC, MPhil, MRes)
Research within Business or KTP
Go to www.prospects.ac.uk to find out more about the different research programmes. www.vitae.ac.uk Vitae is a national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes. Considerations when choosing a research programme: n To undertake research you need to be motivated, consider what is involved, will enjoy the process of research? n Make sure you meet & feel comfortable with your supervisor; find out if they work in a way which will suit you. n Will you be working alone or as part of a research group? n Is funding available from Research Councils or from the institution? n Will you be able to earn extra money by teaching undergraduates? n What is the department’s submission rate for research degrees?
Vocational Course or Professional Qualification There are a variety of postgraduate vocational courses and professional qualifications such as Journalism, Heritage Management and TEFL. n See www.prospects.ac.uk/professional_qualifications.htm for more information. n See the Job Sector factsheets for links to professional bodies/organisations
Teacher Training To pursue a teaching career you will need to undertake a teacher training programme to qualify as a teacher. n See www.education.gov.uk for a list of training options including PGCE, SCITT and others. n Teaching factsheet with a table of teacher training routes Take care if applying to online courses or courses offered by private companies If you are contacted by telephone or email by anyone selling a course: • Do not sign up immediately •
Ask for their web address
• Also ask for their full company name, address, contact details and company number This information should help you research the company and the course on offer • Go to Companies House web checker. Here you can check that the company is legally registered (Remember, even if the company is registered, this does not mean that the course on offer will be suitable for you) Go to the website and check out the course, find out: • Does the course give you a recognised qualification; these are normally accreted by a recognised industry body •
If it does not have a recognised qualification, what value will it have for your future career. Can the company deliver on promises.
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How much do you need to pay – is it worth it? BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Operates in accordance with the University Diversity and
Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk