Since 1997, university education has expanded from 32% of school leavers to about 43% now, and with the current economic situation, that means even more graduates chasing potentially fewer jobs. One of the ways that graduates can stand out from the crowd is via postgraduate study, so we asked two experts for their views.
Dr Bruce Hajilou is a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire (UH), working as a programme tutor on the MSC Psychology conversion course. Dr Hajilou gained graduate honours and a PhD in psychology at UH before taking up his present role.
Postgraduate study – what are the benefits for graduates and what options are available?
Given the precarious nature of the current job market and the fact that greater numbers than ever obtain a first degree in the UK, I think that a postgraduate qualification is an increasingly an essential part of a CV.
Certain careers only require the completion of a first degree to progress, such as accountancy and dentistry. But for a variety of other professions, taking a postgraduate course is a prerequisite to further advancement – you cannot continue your career without it. Training to become a psychologist, for example, requires accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). The accreditation, called the Graduate Basis for Registration, can only be attained at institutions whose courses have been given a rubber stamp of approval by the BPS.
Postgraduate study enables students to acquire special skills whereas first degrees tend to provide far broader programmes of study. Students who continue psychology study past graduate level can acquire specialist knowledge in areas such clinical, occupational, forensic or health psychology.
Prospective students can go about finding a suitable course by adopting a meticulous approach to researching available options. Most professions, like the BPS for psychology, have a professional body whose websites may contain useful course information and career advice. Broadsheet newspapers and magazines or publications specific to your desired course of study could also be useful points of information.
You should also not hesitate to contact programme tutors at various institutions to acquire knowledge so that you can make informed choices. Many postgraduate courses differ in terms of content, contact hours, finances, examination criteria, as well as length of course. A typical psychology masters, for instance, can take anywhere between one and four years, while a clinical psychology masters could take a minimum of four or five years. Some courses, such as postgraduate conversion diplomas, enable individuals who have already acquired a first degree in a different discipline to obtain a full qualification in one calendar year. Such courses are ideal for non-psychologists who had already obtained a first degree but fancied a change of direction.
Tutors such as myself are perhaps best placed to not only give you information about the course but also whether particular courses are the right choice for you. In my experience, postgraduate study requires a high degree of focus, so the old adage that you get out what you put in still applies. Further study can take you a long way but of course you must be ready for the journey it entails.
Stephen Mullens, 59, has over 30 years of experience as a specialist tax lawyer in London. His present client base includes high-net-worth families from around the world. Mr Mullens gained graduate and masters honours in law at the University of London.
Postgraduate study – what are the benefits for graduates and what options are available?
Postgraduate qualifications can certainly improve job prospects. You sharpen the interest of employers by providing them with a yardstick as to your intellectual capability and determination to succeed in a chosen area. At the application and interview stages for legal jobs, I give preference to candidates with a suitable postgraduate qualification above those who have only attained graduate status. Self-evidently, candidates require a range of other qualities, such as soft skills, as well as looking good on paper, to put forward an emphatic case to be given a job.
Courses which are learning-based can be of considerable value for prospective graduates looking to further their educational horizons. In my own experience, postgraduate study enables you to achieve a far greater depth of understanding and knowledge than undergraduate courses can provide.
The option to take on interesting subjects and modules is also infinitely wider at postgraduate level. Broadening your employment option horizon is key, particularly with the reduction of opportunities as we are seeing in the current economic climate. But think carefully about the relevance of your chosen postgraduate by looking carefully for growth areas. In the legal field, for instance, gaining expertise in telecommunications and IT or the shipping industry could stand you in good stead. By carefully considering those specific areas are more relevant to the UK and global market in the 21st century, candidates can bolster the chance of realising career goals.
Invariably each profession, from law to landscaping, afford certain institutions 'gold standard' status, so you should thoroughly research your options so as to pick well-respected courses. Savvy employers will assess the qualities of an institution and some may even be aware of individual lecturer quality - so choosing wisely is crucial. I believe that the Guardian's Education section is a good place to find out more about UK institution quality.
Taking the step up to a postgraduate course naturally requires careful consideration. Genuine interest in your chosen subject material and a clear long-term plan as to career direction will assist continued studies. But in the current economic climate, some prospective postgraduates might be lured into postgraduate study more out of a desire to put off finding real employment rather than to make tangible progress. If you have recently finished a bachelor's degree and intend to take on a postgraduate course I suggest you should honestly assess whether your choice is linked to your career aspirations or not.
For an example of how postgraduate study can help you succeed in business Read more »
