POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION A
s we approach the end of the academic year, for many of us graduation is becoming a real fear instead of a distant point somewhere over the horizon. It’s hard to know what options are out there, especially for those of us considering staying on at uni. Postgraduate Education is the catch-all term for educational qualifications offered by universities after attaining a Bachelor’s degree. A postgraduate degree or diploma offers students a progressive level of education in their chosen area of study, and usually requires obtaining a Bachelor’s degree first. Some people progress straight into postgraduate after their undergraduate degree and others pursue higher qualifications after they’re already established in their careers.
What are they? Postgraduate courses are for people who want to continue their studies in higher education after they’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. They are normally studied as postgraduate certificates and diplomas or Master’s degrees. A postgraduate course takes 1 year full-time and 2 years part-time. Postgraduate courses are designed to advance the knowledge attained at an undergraduate level. The benefits of earning a postgraduate qualification are: Gaining specialised knowledge Building on your current abilities Developing new skills [All of which give you an edge in the workforce.]
Where to start? When choosing a postgraduate course, make sure you know what you want to do. It is important to choose a course which suits your learning style. Ask yourself what kind of course you want and what you expect to achieve at the end of it. Many Masters and diploma courses are linked to specific careers. Be sure to get as much information as possible. Course descriptions are useful, but your research should go beyond this. You can always return to uni to do one of these courses if it isn’t the best option for you right now, so there’s no need to rush into this commitment.
What courses are there? Master’s degree Diploma & Certificates PhDs Integrated PhDs Professional Doctorates
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