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Thinking about Postgraduate study? Here’s what you should consider

Published on 15 November 12

If you’re thinking of doing a postgraduate degree you need to start considering your options as soon as possible. Find out what help and advice is out there for you.

Planning on what to do after your degree can be really difficult. With postgraduate courses, internships and graduate programmes all eager to recruit new graduates, it’s not always easy deciding which would be best for you and your future. With postgraduate courses, firstly you will need to consider what you want to study; do you want to try something different or would you like to continue in the same subject? You can browse the postgraduate courses available here by checking the postgraduate website. To find out more about continuing your studies here at The University of Manchester you can register for the Postgraduate open day.

The Careers service may be able to help you if you want to try a different course but are unsure about the opportunities it may lead to. Making an appointment with an advisor is simple, and can be very valuable, click here to find out how to contact the Careers service. Find out how other people have coped with the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate with the postgraduate student blogs.

"The Careers Service offers lots of useful information and organises talks that are specifically tailored to student researchers." Olive Sabiiti PhD Law

Start talking to academics and tutors

Your academics and tutors may be able to give you a really good insight about what postgraduate study would involve. They are often a good resource as they know first hand about how postgraduate courses differ. They should be able to give you an idea of the topics of the degree as well as the amount of time and dedication that will be expected.

“Finishing my undergraduate degree, I was unsure of what path to take in science; however, by doing my postgraduate degree I have realised I enjoy studying, so have decided to prolong my stay in academic research. Talking with other students and staff members here has made it easier to decide what I wish to achieve in the future.” Leyla Zilic MRes Tissue Engineering For Regenerative Medicine

Think about funding now

There are different options when it comes to funding a postgraduate degree, but if you’re looking for outside help to pay your fees, you need to start finding out what’s available and how to apply as they are usually very competitive.

Some schools offer bursaries for students who are continuing their studies at Manchester, who have gained a first in their first degree. To find out if any bursaries, studentships or scholarships are available for the course you’re interested in applying for, contact the School or Faculty or go along to the postgraduate open day to find out more about available funding for your course.

The Postgraduate open day, on 28th November, will feature talks about funding opportunities:

Postgraduate taught sessions 12.40pm, University Place, Lecture theatre A Funding opportunities for PGT students

Postgraduate research sessions 12.40pm, Crawford House, Theatre 1 Funding for research degrees

For more advice about postgraduate funding, click here.

Funding was obviously a big issue. I took out a Professional Development Loan for 1/3 of it, I paid for 1/3 of it through saved money, and kindly asked my mum to pay the last 1/3 as my 21st birthday present. Beware, like me, you may have to forego a present! Ricky Shah, Msc Globalisation and Development

Postgraduate open day

The University's own postgraduate open day, Wednesday 28^th November, is a chance for you to discover more about the broad range of study options available to you here at The University of Manchester.

Throughout the day, staff and current postgraduate students will be on-hand to answer questions about courses, facilities, career prospects, availability of funding or just what it’s like to be a postgraduate student. 

Activities include:

• Subject-specific activities in each academic School, where you can speak directly to the staff involved in delivering postgraduate education;

• Talks on postgraduate services including careers advice, University accommodation and research training;

• Talks on the wider benefits of a postgraduate degree, including career possibilities inside and outside of academia, and an overview of fees and funding options;

• Talks and Q&A sessions with current postgraduate students, where you can learn first-hand about postgraduate student  life  and  our Grad Café is  a great chance to talk to current postgraduates informally over a tea or coffee;

You can find further details about the open day here.

Postgraduate Study Fair

Manchester Central (formerly the G-Mex Centre) 
Wednesday 21 November 2012, 10:30am - 4pm

Here you will find over 90 institutions from throughout the UK and overseas will be represented, as well as a range of advisory bodies including FindAMasters.com, FindAPhD.com, PostGraduateStudentships and many more. Click here for a full list of exhibitors.

For more details about the fair, including how to register, click here.