Postgraduate study Read our guidance to help you decide whether postgraduate study is for you. Postgraduate study is a very popular option with Imperial graduates, with over a quarter of all graduates from Imperial (and over a half from some degrees) choosing to undertake a postgraduate taught course or research. A postgraduate qualification can be essential or desirable for entry into some careers but the majority of graduate programmes are open to graduates with a good first degree. Postgraduate study shouldn’t just be a way to delay career decisions and postpone work experience or employment. So think carefully about what you would gain from postgraduate study and what your reasons are for choosing this option. What types of postgraduate study options are there? The following are the types of course you could go on to do: • • • • •
taught courses leading to masters degrees (MSc, MA) research courses leading to masters degrees (MRes) research degrees leading to MPhils or PhDs vocational courses, required for entry into professions such as teaching or law studying abroad – e.g. in the USA or on courses taught in English in Europe.
Application timelines Postgraduate courses differ in their application deadlines and requirements. These are some examples: • Masters/MRes: applications go directly to the university; course deadlines may be open but popular courses can fill up quickly. • PhDs: start researching the options in November. • Vocational courses: applications for some courses eg teaching or law have to be made via a clearing house system with fixed closing dates. • Studying abroad: usually requires much more time to plan ahead (e.g. eighteen to twenty four months) to research courses, take any tests, e.g. GRE, and make applications.
Reasons to choose to do a PhD Do you enjoy pushing back the boundaries of knowledge to devise new theories and models? In some areas extensive practical work will also be required in the laboratory or the field. If you think this could be for you, then applying for a PhD or MRes leading to a PhD might be your next step. Gaining a doctorate is the recognised route to becoming a professional researcher or academic but bear in mind that you will be up against enormous competition and the PhD itself requires tremendous determination, patience and stamina – ninety five per cent perspiration and five per cent inspiration is sometimes mentioned! So you have to be really keen.
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