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Continuing education? |
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Living as a postgrad |
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Continuing education? |
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The prospect of leaving a job to return to postgraduate study is often intimidating. Not because of the study required or indeed the bargain basement beer to found in the student union bar (to which you will once again have access), BUT because financially you have become accustomed to a relatively high level of disposable income and are insecure over giving this away. PhD or Masters Doing a PhD is an expensive exercise if only looking at the short term opportunity costs. However always remember post completion you will be very attractive to employers. More and more of us now have degrees, you will have that little extra that can make the difference. Think of your 3 years as an investment in your future. The Higher Education Statistics Agency published figures in July 2001 which revealed that most postgraduates found employment within the first year of graduating. Studies also suggest that postgraduates usually command higher salaries than those with just a first degree. An alternative might be a one-year Masters. These are often more vocational than a PhD and are increasingly attractive to employers. If you do have to fund yourself through another course a Masters might be an option. These come in two formats; taught courses are similar to a first degree in format - you do a number of modules and are assessd by a mixture of coursework and exams, and normally have to do some form of research project at the end. The other type of Masters is by research in which you are entirely assessed by a research project, rather like a mini PhD. Read our own observations, financial and other, of life as a postgrad. Funding Your Studies The key to reducing the cost of this investment is funding. This has a reputation of being very difficult to come by. True but between them the research councils provide around 10,000 postgraduate studentships a year covering tuition fees and a maintenance grant - invest some time to research and it will invariably provide fruit. There are a number of reasearch councils that fund postgraduates. To be eligible for a research council award you must be an 'ordinarily resident' in the UK throughout the three years preceding your application. (This does not include while being a student.) You should also have gained a first-class or upper second-class honours degree from a UK higher education institution although there are exceptions to this. The research councils are also responsible for making awards for students who live in Northern Ireland but who wish to study in Great Britain. Normally you should not apply directly to the research councils. Each council regularly reviews academic departments and programmes and publishes an approved list. You should instead apply directly to the department in which you want to study. Lists of courses and research programmes attracting funding are available in universities and careers services early in the year. You do however still fill in a research council form, however, they all follow the same format. This Form is split into 4 sections.
Note, funding is available for some taught postgraduate courses though competition for these is high. Speak to the course director at a number of universities who run courses you might be interested in and apply early. Don't be afraid to contact all possibilities. Remember the phone is more personal than email and therefore more likely to succeed. Click on 'more' for details of research councils offering postgraduate funding. |