Further study can be a popular choice for graduates; a 2020/21 analysis found one in eight (12.4%) of those who graduated in 2017/18 were in further study, around half studying a masters.
Although further study can be an attractive option for many undergraduates, there are a number of factors to consider and doing your homework is key to ensuring you make the right decision for you.
It's worth taking some time to think about what is motivating your interest in further study before pursuing a masters, PhD or other postgraduate qualification. Further study can involve a serious commitment in terms of time and finance so understanding your motivations and undertaking research is essential.
There are many positive reasons behind a decision to pursue further study, these could be:
If you are considering further study for any of the following reasons, you might want to discuss your decisions with a careers adviser in more detail:
There are four different types of postgraduate courses: taught courses, research degrees, conversion courses and professional qualifications
Taught courses
Postgraduate taught courses are most comparable to your undergraduate degree in terms of teaching style. The majority of your learning will be delivered through lectures, practical sessions and seminars.
Research courses
Research degrees, or doctorates, can be taken after a master’s degree and sometimes after a bachelor’s degree, where the master’s is earned at the same time as the bachelor’s. They will have a heavy focus on research to explore a topic in depth.
Professional qualifications
Some postgraduate courses lead directly to a professional qualification required for entry into a particular career. For example the PGCE for teaching.
Find out more about study routes into specific career areas - what can I do with my degree.
Conversion courses
Conversion courses give you an opportunity to enter a profession that you have not studied at undergraduate level or let you transfer to a different subject area. They are usually one-year taught courses and cover subjects like teaching, law, medicine, dentistry and property. If you are thinking of changing career then a conversion course could be the perfect way to transfer your skills to a new field.Experience as many universities as possible before deciding, and if possible, go and see the city. The reality is you are spending a good chunk of time living and working in that place, if you don’t like the place you live, there is a good chance you won’t enjoy the whole experience.
Toby Clayton, MSc Planning graduate
Once you have completed your research and decided on studying further you will need to consider how you will fund your studies. There are a range of possible options including student loans, bursaries, competitive scholarships from research councils and other research organisations, universities, charities and trusts.
For information on postgraduate funding including student loans, there is a range of sources:
Many universities offer a discount to its graduates who study further at the same institution. As a University of Plymouth student, you may be eligible for up to 20% discount in tuition fees. More information can be found on the University Funding webpages.
Studying a postgraduate qualification in the UK is a popular choice for many students from across the globe. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) offers advice and information on what is involved. Another useful source of information is Prospects: study in the UK guide, which includes an overview of the UK education system, funding and Visa advice
If you have decided that undertaking further study is for you and you would like to stay at the University of Plymouth, which has a large choice of courses, then the next stage is to explore what programmes are available and your funding options.
Monday to Thursday from 8:30–17:00 Friday 09:30–16:30
