Why choose postgraduate study?
Looking to improve your professional prospects and push ahead in your career? Whatever your motivation, a postgraduate degree speaks volumes – it’s proof of knowledge, experience, and strong self-management skills.
Postgraduate study - making the right decision for you
Postgraduate degrees are challenging, inspiring, and can make a huge difference to your professional life. They’re also a commitment — expectations of independent study and research are considerably higher, and there’s fewer funding opportunities on offer.
In this section, we’ve included the major benefits of Masters-level study, as well as things to consider.
Why study at postgraduate level?
Here's just a few reasons why you will benefit from postgraduate study:
- Gain industry accreditation — some professional sectors require a postgraduate degree as standard, including teaching, academia, medicine, and law.
- Improve your professional prospects — postgraduate study builds your experience, develops your skills, and gives you a valuable competitive edge. Stand out from the crowd with specialist knowledge and expertise.
- Change career path — postgraduate-level study opens up brand new opportunities.You'll take the skills and abilities you've developed during undergraduate study and invest them in a whole new area.
- Master your passion — our courses are based around world-class, industry-leading research. You'll learn at the very forefront of your subject, with the chance to progress onto doctoral study.
- Enjoy university life — Postgraduate study will satisfy your intellectual curiosity, in an environment that brings out the best in you.
Postgraduate study – factors to consider
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Postgraduate degrees are a challenge
They’re rigorous, fast-paced, and require plenty of self-discipline – they’re not for the faint-hearted, but they’re also incredibly rewarding. Ensure you’ve got the energy, time and motivation to commit to this academic challenge – if you’re tired from your undergraduate study, a period of work or travel may be beneficial, before taking the next step.
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How are you planning to pay for it?
Whilst limited bursaries can support your learning, tuition fee loans are generally more limited at postgraduate level. Studying may require a bank loan, or part-time work, so make sure you’ve properly assessed your own financial circumstances.
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Know your professional field
In some roles, work experience is still valued over postgraduate study. Explore and research the sector’s requirements – will a postgraduate degree give you a genuine competitive advantage?
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The rewards are proven – but patience is key
On entering industry, postgraduate wages are sometimes similar to undergraduate salaries. Statistically, there’s a strong and direct link between postgraduate degrees, opportunities, and earnings – but the perfect job or career isn’t attainable without dedication and perseverance.