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Further Study
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study (also known as further study) is studying towards a master’s or doctoral degree, or a postgraduate diploma or certificate, after having obtained a bachelor's degree. This may be taught or through research.
The following links allow you to search a wide range of programmes easily. Once you have narrowed down your selection , spend some time going to the institutions website to get indepth information into the programme, modules, teaching methods, what graduates go onto do once they have completed the programmes
- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses-results?featuredCourses=112077,8424&qualifications=21366&size=20&page=0#results
- https://www.findamasters.com/masters-degrees/
- https://www.findaphd.com/
- https://www.jobs.ac.uk/phd
- Postgrad.com: funding news, immediate vacancies, new courses and research places
- Target Postgrad: 20,000 searchable courses
- PostgraduateSearch.com
- FindAMasters.com – Master’s courses
- FindAPhD.com – PhD programmes
- FIND MBA: global directory of over 2,000 MBA programmes
- The Complete University Guide
- QS Top Universities
- Courses online - postgraduate
Things to consider when deciding on postgraduate study
- How will the programme improve my career prospects
- What will I enjoy studying
- Is it a requirement for a particular career
- Do I need it to change careers
- Am I applying because I haven’t had the time to look for a job during my final year
- University reputation
- Taught or research
- What is the course content
- What links does the university have with industry
- Do I need to be located somewhere in particular
- Cost of the programme ( Institutions have different fees)
The link below goes into more detail
Study Abroad options
There are many reasons why students and graduates of British universities look overseas for their postgraduate study. They may wish to study with a world-class academic in their subject; they may plan research that will be more easily carried out in the country to which it relates; fees may be lower or funding more readily available; they may already have friends or family there or they may just wish to live as a student in a different country and culture.
Whatever your reasons, postgraduate study outside the UK is a very real possibility and many overseas universities actively encourage applications from international students. However, begin planning earlier than you would for study in the UK: during your second year is the best time to begin investigating the opportunities.
Be aware that in the US and Europe, PhDs take much longer (typically 5 or more years) than the typical 3 to 4 years in the UK: in the United States you usually spend the first part of your PhD doing a lot of taught study. Also funding would be much harder to obtain abroad. The Explore Studying Abroad section of the Prospects website has information on study in over 50 countries and is a good place to start. Many postgraduate courses are now taught in English, especially in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. If this is not the case, you may need to take a language proficiency test.
- University rankings:
- Worldwide university sites:
- Belgium
- Canada:
- Prospects Study in Canada
- studyincanada.com
- Canadian High Commission has links and scholarship information
- France:
- www.cnous.fr information on all aspects of studying and living in France
- www.egide.asso.fr general information on living and studying in France
- Germany:
- DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
- studying-in-germany.org
- Student's Guide for people who want to study in Germany
- Denmark
- Finland
- Ireland
- Japan:
- Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation provides a scholarship programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan
- The Netherlands - more UK students are choosing to take their master’s degrees in the Netherlands, as tuition fees are often lower
- Spain
- Sweden:
- www.studyinsweden.se - some postgraduate courses are taught entirely in English and there are no tuition fees. Accommodation costs are also much cheaper than in the UK.
- Switzerland - higher education is publicly funded and fees are very low for foreign students.
- The USA – begin your planning well in advance as the application process is quite complex and expensive. You will probably have to pay to take a GRE examination in the summer before you apply which costs about $170 (see below). Some PhD students obtain teaching assistantships: in return for teaching undergraduates you get your fees waived and a bursary. These assistantships normally go to 2nd or final year PhD students rather than 1st years.
- US-UK Fulbright Commission: superb information and advice on postgraduate study in the USA and all aspects of the US educational system
- Graduate Record Exams (GRE) - required for admission to many US postgraduate courses
- Peterson's Education Centre
- Gradschools - graduate schools directory
- Funding:
- Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth Countries:
- StudyinAustralia.gov.au
- Prospects Study in Australia
- Prospects Study in New Zealand
- Hobsons Studies in Australia
- Study Options – Australia and New Zealand
Funding options
You can get funding for postgraduate study through loans, studentships, bursaries and grants. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply use the links below