Each year, as we head into spring, thousands of students are usually completing their final assignments, preparing for exams, and thinking about their next steps. If you are a final-year student, the current uncertainty around the global impact of Coronavirus and its effect on the UK labour market is likely to put an even greater focus on making the right choice in what you do next. Postgraduate study has become an increasingly popular option over the past few years and, at a time when employers may be unsure of their future recruitment needs, you might find yourself considering this as a possible ‘career plan B’.

To help you assess if PG study is right for you and make sense of the wide range of courses out there, we have summarised some of the common themes students regularly discuss with us when contacting the Careers Team for support. If you would like further advice around PG study and applications, you can arrange a remote appointment with an Adviser in the Careers Team.

Initial considerations:

• Reasons for first degree choice – did I have any initial career ideas? Has this changed?
• Am I hoping a PG course will lead on to something?
  • What? A particular role/career?
  • Why? Higher future earnings? Improved employment prospects? Registration with a relevant professional body?

Example reasons for PG Study:

• Enjoyment of subject
• Specialise in a particular area of previous study
• To pursue a particular career path or convert to a new career eg Property, Law, Business, Surveying, Teaching etc
• Stand out from the crowd i.e. hopefully improve employability
• Recommendation from friend/tutor/family etc
• “Ride out” any economic downturn
• Not sure what else to do!

Whatever your reason, it is important to consider and reflect upon what is underpinning your interest in PG Study and what you would like the course to lead onto or how you would hope to benefit from the course. PG Study can involve financial and/or time commitments so ensure you carefully consider the pros and cons for each course option before making any decisions.

Qualification options

These generally fall into two areas: Taught Masters or Research. Taught Masters programmes (for example MA, MSc, MBA, LLM) have a similar structure to undergraduate courses with modules and then an extended research project. They typically take between 1 and 2 years to complete. Options for Research include a 1 year MPhil or MRes up to a 3-year PhD (longer if studying on a part-time basis).

Entry criteria, fees and funding

• Entry criteria and fees are set by each university and can differ widely for individual courses. It is important to do your research on the options available.
• Scholarships and bursaries may be available relating to previous academic excellence, sporting achievement or to encourage widening participation so research information on individual university schlarships to find out if you are eligible to apply. At LJMU, previous graduates receive a 20% discount on Masters fees at the institution.
• A Postgraduate Student Loan is available in all parts of the UK although the amount available and process differs within each region.
• PhDs can be fully funded, where fees are paid and a stipend/studentship (bursary) is available – these opportunities are advertised on individual universities’ websites and on jobs.ac.uk. There are also more options to self-fund now. A new Postgraduate Doctoral Loan was introduced for the 2019/20 academic year.
• The FindaMasters website also provides a handy guide to PG funding which provides further information and details on eligibility.

Applications

• Applications are normally direct to each university and will include a supporting statement providing evidence of your interest in that subject and university, any relevant skills, experience or knowledge you can offer, and how the course fits in with your future career ambitions. Download our handy factsheet on Masters applications for useful additional tips.

Further advice and information

The Careers Team is offering remote appointments by telephone, video or email; these are particularly useful when considering the suitability of further study for you and your personal career ambitions. Call 0151 231 8740, email careers@ljmu.ac.uk or visit the Careers Team website.  Also, check out our programme of webinars (online classes) which can help you negotiate the current employment landscape, and help you search for and apply for jobs.

The Prospects website and Find a Masters/Find a PhD websites also provide further information relating to PG Study and fees and funding.

Best Wishes!
The LJMU Careers Team