Postgraduate Study in the UK: FAQs

This article is sponsored by the University of South Wales.

Thousands of students from all over the world choose to pursue postgraduate study in the UK each year, often with the goal of boosting their future career prospects. The staggering choice of subjects available, together with the quality of UK university education, prize-winning lecturers and outstanding student support, provide students with all they need to succeed in today’s competitive graduate jobs market.

But how exactly can postgraduate study in the UK help improve your career prospects? What funding is available, and what support will you receive from UK universities? What postgraduate qualifications are offered, and what skills can you expect to develop?

Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about postgraduate study in the UK…

How can postgraduate study in the UK improve your career prospects? 

In a challenging worldwide economic climate and an increasingly competitive global jobs market,  additional qualifications can be a good way to improve your career prospects, making you a more valued member of staff to your employer or a better interview candidate. Many employers value the advanced knowledge and skills acquired through postgraduate study, as well as the commitment postgraduates have demonstrated in achieving a further qualification.

Alternatively, you may want to strike out on your own by joining the exciting world of start-ups and entrepreneurship. In this case, postgraduate study in the UK can give you a more strategic outlook and an edge over your competition, particularly if you choose one of the country’s growing selection of courses with a focus on nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial skills.

In some graduate career sectors, such as accountancy, a professional qualification is essential or forms part of your continuing professional development. There are also many fields in which a research degree is desirable, such as work in laboratories or education.

For many postgraduate students, sufficient motivation is provided by the pleasure taken in their own subject, and the desire to specialize at an advanced level. Alternatively, postgraduate study can open a whole new world of opportunities. Studying qualifications in law or computing, for example, may allow you to change career entirely.

What funding is available for postgraduate study in the UK? 

Funding is a big factor when it comes to deciding on whether to study at postgraduate level. However, some financial support is available.

 Many UK universities offer scholarships for international students. The UK is also a popular destination for Chevening and Commonwealth scholars, as well as many government-sponsored students. At the University of South Wales, for example, all applications for a master’s degree by self-funding applicants are automatically considered for a generous scholarship of £2,000, making our fees attractive to international students.  For further information, click here. If your course is relevant to your current job, your employer may be prepared to offer support towards fees or study costs.

What support is provided by UK universities? 

Many students taking up the challenge of postgraduate study may be returning to academic learning after being out of education for some time, and most postgraduate students need some guidance and support. For instance, students may have forgotten how to reference or write an academic essay. Many courses, from nursing to engineering, contain an element of mathematics, which can be quite challenging for some.

Students thinking about returning to university after some time shouldn’t be deterred, however. Universities in the UK are very experienced at supporting postgraduate students, whether they are local or international students, and are well aware of the particular issues they face. Support can encompass online, face-to-face and self-help material. Many UK universities have dedicated student development and study skills teams, which work closely with other university departments, such as library services and student advice shops, to help with everything from assignments to theses.

If you are concerned about the time you have spent away from education, research and talk to the universities you are thinking of applying to and ask what help is available.  Students will be surprised and reassured by the support universities can offer, and the difference it can make to their academic studies.

What skills will you gain from postgraduate study in the UK? 

UK universities offer postgraduate qualifications at many different levels, from Postgraduate Certificate to PhD. Taught courses involve more traditional seminars, coursework or exams. Alternatively, you could choose a postgraduate program that is entirely research-based. Each course will allow you to develop a distinct set of valuable skills, often including advanced research, analytical and communication skills.
Academic study at any level, but especially postgraduate, will have a number of benefits. Primarily it will enhance levels of knowledge and insight into a given subject. Further study at university should also encourage critical awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses, and improve personal and professional confidence, as well as giving you a solid academic qualification. When applying this to a workplace setting, you will feel more equipped to be assertive, to challenge or be more informed to provide improved levels of service.

Postgraduate academic skill is not simply about being successful in getting good grades in assignments or passing course modules. It is about students demonstrating their levels of knowledge, ability and skill in their everyday roles.