What's Next: Your guide to becoming a Post-postgraduate
Published on 14 August 13
So, your project’s almost handed in and your masters degree is nearly complete. What comes next? Well, it’s up to you really, but here are a few things you might like to consider.
Celebrate in whatever way you see fit – Completing a masters degree is a serious achievement – massive congratulations. Eating, drinking, meeting long-neglected friends, going away for a few days, and most importantly of all, sleeping, are all excellent ways to spend your post-hand-in days. Do them all to your heart’s content – you deserve it.
Use the Careers Service – As you will have no doubt found out during your masters, the reasons people study for a postgraduate degree are as varied as the courses themselves. The University’s Careers Service knows this, and will be able to offer guidance and support for up to 2 years after you graduate, regardless of the direction you are thinking of heading in. The Careers Service has been specialising in postgraduate careers for over 10 years so make the most of their dedicated resources.
Think about graduation – If you hand in your masters project in September then you will be automatically enrolled for Winter graduation, which will take place from 9th – 13th December 2013. Your programme staff will contact you to confirm the date and time of your graduation towards the end of September or early October and ask you to confirm your attendance. To do so, you will need to log in to your Student Centre through My Manchester and click on the ‘Attend Graduation Ceremony’ tab, which will be under ‘Degree Progress/Graduation’. You will have two tickets automatically reserved for guests, but you can request more using this tab. You will also be given a link to order your robes for graduation, so make sure you have a tape measure on hand to measure the size of your head!
Get your results – The moment you’ve no doubt been waiting for. Your degree result will be uploaded to your Student Centre in the last week of November, accessible through My Manchester. If you have any questions about your result, you should contact your programme staff immediately. Guidance on taught degree regulations and awards can be found here.
Join the University’s Alumni Association – The University of Manchester is possibly the biggest family you will ever be part of (around 270,000 graduates), and it is the Alumni Association’s aim to keep you connected via regular updates, reunions and networking opportunities. As an active member of the Alumni Association you can receive various benefits and services, have a say in the election of University officials, and receive the bi-monthly e-newsletter and annual ‘Your Manchester’ magazine. Details of how to join the Alumni Association can be found here.