Postgraduate study - is it right for you? And how to apply

1. Postgraduate study
….Is it right for you? And how to apply
Louise Bamford
Careers Consultant
Career Development Centre
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers

2. Objectives
This session will help you to:
• Consider whether PG study supports your
career goals
• Research PG study options
• Identify possible funding sources
• Develop effective PG applications

3. Ice Breaker
• Name
• Subject
• Objectives for today
Then move on…

4. Types of Postgraduate Study
• Conversion course (subject) – e.g. GDL
(law), IT, medicine, dentistry, psychology,
surveying etc
• Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma – e.g.
PGCE, LPC / BVC
• Masters – MA / MSc (taught) or MRes
• Doctoral Research – e.g. PhD (usually via
MPhil)
….………………………..full-time or part-time

5. Pros and Cons of PG study?

6. Labour Market Information

7. Career Player
Tips and advice
=> Postgraduate study

8. Factors to consider
• Why do you want to do PG study?
• Why now?
• What else could you do?

9. Where to find PG courses?
• University Websites
• Prospects website (UKPASS)
• TARGET PostGrad (UK)
• MastersDegreeOnline.org (US)
• Postgrad.com (Europe)
• Findamasters.com (Global)
• Findaphd.com / jobs.ac.uk (Mostly UK)
• Specialist sites (e.g. teaching, law etc)
• Via your network (tutors, employers etc)

10. Choosing a course
• Course content / delivery mode
• Department ranking
• Employment prospects
• Fees
• Funding
• Institution's reputation / support
• Student satisfaction
• Tutors

11. UK Government funding
• From 2016-2017, UK / EU students under 30 yrs can
apply for loans of up to £10,000 taught masters in
English Universities (NB under consultation, conditions
apply)
• 2015/16 - HEFCE Postgraduate Support Scheme, taught
masters awards of £10,000 for UK / EU
underrepresented' students (conditions apply), via
specific universities
• Existing government bursaries / student finance loans
(certain courses only – healthcare, social work, teaching)

12. Other Sources of Funding
• Studentships / bursaries – contact Uni for advice
• Charities and trusts
• Employers (e.g. GDL / LPC, Surveying)
• Full/part-time work
• Disability support
• Bank (career development) loans
• Research councils (PhDs)
……………………………………….....Bank of M&D!

13. Useful funding links
• UcasPostgraduate
• Gov.uk
• Graduate Prospects
• Targetpostgrad
• Postgraduatestudentships
• Postgraduatefunding
• Alternative guide to postgraduate funding
• Scholarship-search
• FindaPhD
• Jobs.ac.uk

14. Effective PG applications - content
• Motivation for THIS course, subject area,
Institution – be specific
• Your suitability - relevant achievements, skills
and knowledge from studies, employment and
extra-curricular activities
• Transferable skills for course - e.g. IT, analysis,
numeracy, time management, communication,
organisation and critical thinking
• Fit with your career goals

15. Effective PG applications - general
• Show commitment, enthusiasm (you have done
your homework)
• Give yourself plenty of time
• Follow any instructions
• Stick to the word count
• Structure – beginning, middle and end
• Spelling and grammar
• Address any clear weaknesses
• Ask for input / second opinion

16. Postgraduate applications – don’t
• be negative
• follow an online template
• include irrelevant course modules, personal facts or extracurricular
activities;
• lie or exaggerate
• make pleading statements
• needlessly flatter the organisation that you're applying to
• repeat information found in your application
• use clichés, gimmicks, humour or Americanisms
• include other people's quotes
• namedrop key authors without explanation
• use overly long sentences;
• use the same statement for each application
• use your undergraduate UCAS application as a template
• waffle
From prospects

17. Your action plan
• What are your career goals?
• Your personal PG pros and cons?
• What else do you need to find out?
• What will you do next?

18. Evaluation
•how was it for you?

19. In summary
• Consider pros & cons AND alternatives to PG
study
• Research possible courses and funding
options carefully
• Take time to tailor any applications
• Detailed information on CDC website,
postgraduate study
..…..and, if you need help, seek advice and
guidance

20. Career Development Centre
Services
1-to-1
Guidance
E-Advice
Vacancies
& Events
Information
Resources
Volunteering
Employer
Events
Talent
Bank
Associates
In Schools
Mentoring

21. Follow us on
facebook.com/uowcareers
twitter.com/uw_careers
blog.westminster.ac.uk/career
s

22. Slides are available
www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster

23. Contact us
Harrow
Harrow Campus
Room EG.16
Maria Hewlett Building
Nearest tube: Northwick Park
Central London
Cavendish House
1st Floor
101 New Cavendish Street
Nearest tube: Warren St/
Goodge St/Gt Portland St
Tel: 020 7911 5184
E-mail: careers@wmin.ac.uk
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers