Postgraduate Studies

ALL ABOUT our POSTRADUATES

As well as a specialization into your chosen field, a POST GRADUATE degree also give you the edge in a competitive job market

 

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Have you just graduated and want to delve further into your field of study or divert on a different subject? Are you a professional wanting to improve your prospects and enhance your career path by gaining a new set of skills and training?

Find out about diverse postgraduate course types and subject areas, then search for a course using one of our expert academic consultants

We offer you in-depth information analysis on a wide range of subject areas and we together examine the various options suitable for your needs.

What is a Masters degree?

A postgraduate or masters course follows the successful completion of an undergraduate degree, generally lasting from one to 2 years according to the education system of the country of your interest.

Why study a Master’s degree?

A postgraduate degree is held in high esteem by employers but at the same time it offers specialization to your studies or enhances your personal and employment needs.

  • Improve your career prospects
  • Gain an internationally recognised qualification
  • Earn more over the course of your career because of the weight a Masters carries
  • Be able to shape study around your schedule

A study carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency showed that 86 per cent of students who completed a Postgraduate Masters were in full-time employment following graduation, compared to just 75 per cent of undergraduate leavers.

Types of Master’s degree

Taught Masters

There are four main types of taught programme, Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Engineering (MEng), with each lasting 1-2 years full-time.

On a taught programme, students are expected to attend weekly seminars, tutorials and lectures, much like an undergraduate degree, and assessment can be via exam, dissertation or project.

Research Masters

A Research degree will see students take more responsibility for their work and schedule, basing their study around a thesis while being supervised by an academic. The most popular research degree is a PhD, which can take 3-4 years to complete, and consists of writing a thesis between 60,000 – 100,000 words which is then presented in an oral examination.

Other types of Research degree include the Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Master of Research (MRes). These degrees are similar to a PhD, but not as academically demanding with papers being much shorter.

How much does a Masters cost?

Tuition fees at postgraduate level vary on the type of Masters you wish to study, the country, and the university you attend.

  • Change career direction – postgraduate courses can lead you in a different career sector.
  • Enter a profession that needs a specific qualification- some vocations demand a postgraduate qualification as an entry requirement.
  • Further your career – the majority of postgraduates earn more than undergraduates over their careers.
  • Gain a clear insight into industry and create invaluable contacts- postgraduate degrees will come across with industry contacts and work experience opportunities.
  • Pursue a passion for a particular subject – you can explore your personal interests, as most taught courses will let you select modules. Research courses will allow you to pursue interests in greater depth.
  • Study flexibly – many courses are designed to fit around careers or parenting.

Is it worth the cost?

Masters degrees can be expensive, time-consuming and very demanding, therefore you need to weigh up your reasons for studying a course carefully.

Is a fact worldwide that postgraduates in work do earn considerably more than their undergraduate counterparts.

However, you must consider your option carefully committing as many students are wit the impression that a Masters degree will automatically offer then higher salaries. This is only partially true and in order to be certain that Masters study will meet your expectations, and be worth the high costs, you should:

  • consider your career plan, ensuring the qualification will allow you to achieve your goals.
  • be engaged with your subject
  • find out what employers value the most and combine with your studies
  • consider whether Masters study will boost your credentials significantly above your existing undergraduate education

Avoid Masters study if you can’t convince yourself it’s the right move and if you’re looking to study immediately after completing your undergraduate degree, you may want to reconsider. Don’t pursue a Masters in the naïve hope that it’ll automatically add to your CV or because you need more time to think about your career. Unless your goals are crystal clear, it might be a better idea to spend some time in the workplace, research your options, or take a gap year.