Thinking of a Masters? What you need to know – and think about Jane Penrose, Director, Think Postgrad The home of: PostgraduateStudentships.co.uk MastersCompare.co.uk MyPostgradApps.com

What you need to know – and think about What can you expect? Fees, finance and loans Factors to consider when choosing your course Information sources A buyer’s market?

Masters Courses – what can you expect? Intensive – check course lengths and start dates Full-time, part-time, distance Higher standard – hard work! More independent learning Support – but maybe not as much as at UG? Postgraduate societies esp subject based Career advantage? More money? A buyer’s market?

Masters courses – fees, finance and loans Fees from £5-6K upwards – more variation; sometimes payable in instalments through the year of study Paid up front – BUT there are now loans for English students of £10K – repayment AT SAME TIME as ug loan Masters course loans but not for PG Certs or Dips or Grad Dips; not for PhDs Univs may still provide scholarships or bursaries of different sizes MastersCompare £5K masters bursary A buyer’s market?

Choosing your Postgraduate Course Where? Why? When? How? How much? What? = Which course A buyer’s market?

Where? First, not last Be practical – what are your circumstances, now and in the future? To move or not to move? Accommodation (is there any for PGs?) and the cost of living where you are thinking of. A buyer’s market?

Why? To put off work/having to choose a career To differentiate yourself To upgrade your degree Specialist knowledge Career advancement Conversion courses ‘Love of subject’ What do you want to get out of it? A buyer’s market?

When? Not always straight after graduation Fitting it in with the rest of your life Loan scheme – here to stay A buyer’s market?

How? Study Modes Your preferences or what the course offers? What will make you succeed? Is distance learning right for you? A buyer’s market?

How much? How big a factor is this for you? Cost or investment? Don’t let it get more important than ‘what’ or ‘where’ University and other funding sources Remember cost of living Loan scheme – taking on (more?) debt A buyer’s market?

What? Research or taught masters Does it do what you want it to eg for career Assessment issues Content – check modules University/course reputation Your contact with the University A buyer’s market?

Choosing between opportunities Creating a shortlist – how many to add? Which is the ‘best’ course? Comparing courses – decide which factors to compare A buyer’s market?

= What? What will suit you, in your life and career, where you are now (or then), to get where you want to be, how you want to get there. A buyer’s market?

Information Sources Portal websites to see what’s out there and evaluate (and compare!) your options Careers Services University websites and publications for greater detail Open Days – go if you can Always contact the University…. A buyer’s market?