Postgraduate Guide

What is a postgraduate qualification?

Generally, a postgraduate degree is a degree which you study for once you have finished a bachelor's degree.

Some postgraduate degrees require the completion of particular bachelor's degree, but there are others that don't.

There are four main types of postgraduate degrees:

• taught Masters
• research degrees
• conversion courses and
• professional qualifications.

Is a postgraduate course worth it?

Most postgraduate courses are cheaper than undergraduate degrees, however, they will still set you back around £8,000 (on average) although some MBAs can cost upward of £50,000.

Although this is still expensive, the investment can certainly be worth it, as you will become more attractive to potential employers.

Another added bonus is that you are likely to earn more money too, once you have completed your course and found a job.

If you feel you have the passion and determination to be successful in a postgraduate course, then this could certainly be a good option for you.

Is a Masters and a Postgraduate Diploma the same thing?

A postgraduate diploma is a shorter qualification than a masters degree, although at the same academic level.

However, a Masters degree is made up of 180 credits (taken from exams, assignments, and so on), a postgraduate diploma is 120 credits.

How do you find a postgraduate job?

1. Network - reach out to your contacts and see if anyone knows of any current or upcoming roles that might be suitable.
2. Don't wait - start looking for vacancies even before you have completed your course! Also, chase up any roles you have applied for if you don't hear back within a week.
3. Do market research and see what employers are looking for - make a note of the keywords and phrases used in job descriptions and see how your skills snd experience match these.
4. Spend time volunteering - this can enhance your CV and shows potential employers you are proactive
5. Expand your search - don't just use the internet here. Take a look at job notice boards and talk to family, friends and any other acquaintances that might know of any roles. If necessary, look at roles in other towns and cities
6. Go to events - this will help you get in front of employers in person, so look for career fairs, networking events or anything else where you can meet people in your chosen industry
7. Use a computer where you can - this is the preferred method of contact for many companies these days, and you're less likely to make mistakes in an email, etc. than over the phone
8. Create a personal website - this can be used to showcase your skills and experience in a more engaging way than your CV can
9. Appear professional on social media - be careful what you post on your profiles, as this can influence an employer's opinion of you.
10. Upload your CV to job sites - this way, recruiters know you are looking for a job and check out your skills and experience straight away
11. Contact recruiters about job vacancies - recruitment agencies can be your friend here and help you find that perfect role.
12. Tailor every application for the role - don't be lazy and send off a generic application for each one. This is a sure fire way to get rejected!

What are the best jobs for graduates?

8 of the best podtgraduate jobs in terms of salary include:

• Investment banking - upwards of £50,000.
• Law - upwards of £40,000.
• Financial services - upwards of £33,000.
• IT and telecommunications - upwards of £28,500.
• Oil and energy - upwards of £38,000.
• Consulting - upwards of £31,500.
• Politics and government - upwards of £41,000.
• Retail management - upwards of £40,000.

However, this doesn't mean there aren't other roles and sectors out there that don't pay just as well.

Also, remember that you want to study a subject that you enjoy and want to learn more about, so don't worry too much about what final salary might be - you can always work your way up.

Can graduates do an internship?

You can still do an internship even though you've already graduated.

If you've graduated or are about to and are struggling to find a job, a postgraduation internship is an option to explore right now.

Don't be put off by the myth that internships are for current students only.

How do I find graduate internships?