Postgraduate Study
Postgraduate study is a popular option for graduates. In 2009 over 19% of Loughborough graduates went straight on to further study. Whether you are thinking of studying in the UK or abroad you will need to plan well in advance, which will involve assessing the suitability of each course and finding out about application procedures and deadlines.
Funding is a major issue for most people and you will therefore need to allow time to investigate scholarships, awards, loans and other sources of finance, many of which will have specific eligibility criteria and early deadlines. This section of the website provides some starting points and links to other useful websites and resources to help you with choosing to study, finding courses and sources of funding, and applying for further study.
Types of postgraduate course
Firstly it will be helpful to consider your motivations carefully and research the different types of course available.
Taught Programmes
- Masters programmes (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA): 12 months full-time or 2 years part-time.
- Postgraduate diplomas and certificates: 9 months full-time, 2 years part-time.
Research Programmes
- Masters programmes (e.g. MPhil, MRes): 2-3 years full-time or 4-5 years part-time.
- Doctorates (e.g. PhD, DPhil): 3-4 years full-time or 5-6 years part-time.
- Engineering Doctorate (EngD): Industry based PhD, 4 years part time. See www.epsrc.gov.uk for details.
The titles and components of postgraduate courses outside the UK may vary, so make sure you research them carefully. Wherever you choose to study, the type of course you choose will depend on your reasons for choosing postgraduate study and/or the specific requirements of the career path you have chosen.
Reasons for choosing postgraduate study
Further study will help you to do one or more of the following:
- Continue with your first degree subject in more depth or in a specialised area.
- ‘Convert' your first degree to something completely different.
- Achieve a professional qualification needed to pursue your chosen career (e.g. law, teaching, social work, librarianship or clinical psychology).
- Develop your research skills.
- Experience life at another university, either in the UK or abroad.
Advantages of postgraduate study
The benefits of postgraduate study include:
- Providing you with specific vocational or technical skills and expert knowledge.
- Opportunities to work on projects with experts outside the university environment.
- Impressing employers in industry sectors where postgraduate study is recognised.
- Providing you with a wide range of contacts that could be helpful in the future.
- Complementing relevant work experience.
- Occasionally attracting a higher starting salary.
Disadvantages of postgraduate study
- It won't necessarily help you decide on a career.
- Not all employers regard it as a bonus.
- You could become ‘over-qualified' for some jobs.
- It does not necessarily compensate for a poor first degree.
- Relevant work experience might still be necessary.
- High course fees and living expenses can add to debts you may already have.
Choosing the right course
To help you choose the right course for you, it might be helpful to think about the following:
- the type of course you would like to study.
- what you hope the course might lead to and how it fits in with your career plans – check out what others have done after the course.
- entry requirements and other relevant criteria.
- availability of funding and your own financial circumstances.
- reputation of the institution or department.
- course structure and teaching and assessment methods.
- academic facilities and support services available.
- location and travel considerations.
- which courses other graduates from your course have chosen – search the Loughborough University destinations database via What Loughborough Graduates Do
Other routes to further qualifications
- As an alternative to full-time postgraduate study at university, there is wide range of short and part-time professional and vocational qualifications to choose from. These are available at further education colleges, private colleges, online and by distance learning. For more information about courses across the UK visit Learn Direct. To find out about opportunities to study in your local area visit the online prospectus for the relevant institution or centre.
- Many graduates undertake further qualifications whilst working. This can happen either as part of a graduate training programme (e.g. accountancy qualifications) or as part of an individual agreement where your employer releases you to undertake a job-related course (e.g. certificate or diploma in human resources accredited by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.) Some graduates also enrol for part-time courses, at their own expense, to enhance their career prospects.
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a scheme which involves graduates working in companies on strategic business and product development projects. These projects are jointly supervised by the business and university and you get the opportunity to register for a degree while working.
- prospects.ac.uk - www.prospects.ac.uk - Information about postgraduate study
- targetcourses.co.uk – www.targetcourses.co.uk