Is postgraduate study really the right option for you?

Consider these pros and cons before rushing into a decision

COVID-19 has caused quite a stir of uncertainty amongst the nation, leaving many of us re-assessing our options and aspirations — this might include many of us toying with the idea of postgraduate study (whether that's a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Ph.D.).

Although it presents many pros, further study also comes with a bit of a con list, and in order to make sure that you’re taking the right step at the right time, it’s important to weigh up that pros and cons list.

To help, we recently caught up with Anna Flatt, our Postgraduate Careers Adviser here at the University of Birmingham, who gave us some great advice to help you decide whether or not it's a wise idea, and if it is, where you can begin to look, and how to apply.

Further study is a great idea if…

It will help you pursue a specific career

For some, further study is a necessity because their desired career requires a specific qualification (e.g. a PGCE or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology). In this case, postgraduate study seems a bit of a no-brainer, but what about if it provides you with an advantage but isn’t necessarily a necessity (e.g. translation, journalism, or engineering)…

If you’re not sure whether you really need to continue with further study for your desired career, then why not consider looking at the job profiles over on Prospects to see what qualifications are usually required. You also need to research current job descriptions to see what employers are asking for.

It will provide you with more specialist knowledge in your subject area

Whether it’s linked to your career, or you want to explore your passion for a subject in more depth - postgraduate study can be a great way to strengthen your expertise in an area. For example, you might have studied Computer Science at undergraduate level but now want to specialise in Cyber Security or Artificial Intelligence.

It will help you transition into a new career

Perhaps you’ve decided you want to take your career in a different direction and retrain. In this case, postgraduate study is a great way to convert to a new career path. For example, you may be interested in teaching and need a teaching qualification, or perhaps you want to get into law and a law conversion course would help you get there.

Many courses will accept students from a range of different academic backgrounds.

You’re interested in research

If you find yourself enjoying projects, essays, or you’re even missing your dissertation work — then it's a strong indicator that you're more suited to research.

If so, further study will not only help you hone your research skills by teaching you to work independently and improve your technical knowledge, but it will also help you develop an academic career, or a career working in a research-based environment.

Postgraduate study will give you the opportunity to learn different research techniques, carry out projects with more independence and pursue your personal research interests.

You’re passionate about studying

Your decision to pursue further study doesn’t have to be linked to your career plans. Some people choose to continue their studies because they simply enjoy the academic environment, or because they love their subject. This is perfectly fine, but just make sure its a wise investment of your time and money.

It’s a big investment, so you need to consider what you’ll gain from postgraduate study and how it will help you in the future.

Further study may be a bad idea if…

If any of these reasons are included in your reasons for further study, it might be time to reflect on whether its the right choice.

It’s the easy option

Postgraduate study may feel like the obvious or easier option for some. This may be because it feels much simpler than the application process for a graduate job or it’s easier than deciding what to do next.

But it’s not necessarily the easy option — it requires huge investments of your time and money, and can be far more demanding than undergraduate study.

You’re not ready to make a decision about your career

If you’re not ready to decide what you want to do, then postgraduate study might feel like a good option to buy you some time. In some cases, it can be a great way to explore your options further whilst gaining a qualification, but burying your head in the sand might also leave you in the same (if not worse) position later down the line.

Instead, perhaps speak to a career adviser to discuss your possible options.

Someone else thinks its a good idea

Your family and friends will always have your best interests at heart, but only you can know what is right for you. It’s always useful to talk to different people and get their perspectives and advice, but ultimately, it is your decision.

Just because your friends are doing it, doesn’t mean you should be.

You want to prolong the student experience

Living with friends, the student discounts, socials, long summers etc etc — being a student certainly has its perks, but it should never be the sole reason for continuing your studies.

It is important to bear in mind, postgraduate study can be quite different from undergraduate study — involving a lot more independent research, more deadlines, and less time to socialise and meet new people (and a lot of your existing friends may have moved back home).

Still want to apply? Here’s how…

So you’ve weighed up your options and you’ve decided to take the plunge, but now what? Here’s how to get started…

Find the right course for you

If you want to continue studying at the University of Birmingham (I mean, why wouldn’t you) then you can easily browse their postgraduate courses over on their website.

However, if you’re looking further afield, then Find a Masters or Find a PhD are a great place to start.

Some useful things to consider when comparing courses would be location, the modules available, and the research interests of the academic staff you’ll be working with.

It’s always worth researching whether your course needs to be accredited by a specific professional body to be recognised in your chosen career sector.

Research your funding options

Further study is a big investment, so it’s important to think about how you will fund it. Find a Masters and Find a PhD have lots of information about the sources of funding available, and if you’re considering staying at Birmingham, do check out their funding database.

The University of Birmingham has also announced a Postgraduate Progression Award, which offers final year undergraduates graduating in 2020, a fee discount of £1,500 for postgraduate study. This is to ensure that our graduates have the support needed to continue studying and developing their careers during their challenging times. Not a University of Birmingham graduate? It’s still worth researching whether your university is offering something similar.

Get support with your application

In most cases, you’ll need to apply directly to the University you’re interested in studying with, but there may be the odd exception.

For a Masters or PhD, you’ll usually need to write a personal statement or CV. But the application process can vary for a doctorate, depending on whether you’re proposing a new research project or applying for a pre-defined one, but an interview is likely.

We have lots of support available here at the University of Birmingham to help you with your application, so do make sure you utilise this.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to pursue further study is only yours to make, but we are always here to help you along the way, so please do get in touch.