1. Choosing the Right Postgraduate Course for You
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UCC Postgraduate Information Event
February 5th 2019

2. There are 1000s of further study opportunities out there for you.

3. A lot to think about? Your undergraduate subject or a new one?
Taught versus research?
Level - Master, postgraduate or higher diploma?
Professional accreditation? International?
Delivery mode – full time, part time, online?
Timing – now or later?
Quality ranking?
Research quality?
Employment prospects?
Reputation amongst employers?
Location? Study abroad?
Work placement?
Cost?
When?

4. Key Terminology “Post”-graduate programmes
Taught
Certificate – 30 credits
Diploma credits - 9 months
Master’s 90+ credits - 1 year +
Research:
Master’s 15 months +
PhD 3 years +
Funding – Research versus Taught
“Conversion” programmes?
Graduate Apprenticeships?

5. Why are you choosing Postgraduate Study?
“I don’t want to leave college”.
“If I leave now, I’ll never come back”.
“My friends are all applying for postgrads”.
“I love my subject and want to gain more knowledge and skills”.
“I want to improve my job prospects and know that this course will help me to access opportunities”.
“I want to work in a new area”.

6. How can I tell if a course will help my career prospects?
Because…
“I know what I want from a postgraduate course”.
“I know that what course will fit well my personal interests,, strengths and aspirations”.
“I’ve consulted with employers in my field”.
“I’ve researched the career paths of past graduates”.
“This postgraduate course is professionally accredited”.
“There is a healthy demand for graduates of this qualification”.

7. What do you want from a Postgraduate course?
New or more specialist knowledge
New skills
Work placement or industry experience
To learn from the best academics in my field
Research experience
A professional qualification
Study abroad experience

8. Have you researched the career paths of past graduates?
Ask the course coordinator about the destinations of past graduates.
Ask for “First Destination Reports” (UCC Careers can provide these).
Find past graduates on LinkedIn (review individual profiles).
Ask coordinators to put you in touch with graduates.
Conduct “informational interviews” with past graduates (at least one!)
InfoInterview

9. Have you consulted employers in your chosen field?
Contact relevant professional societies.
Find relevant industry networks.
Attend on campus fairs and presentations.
Attend professional events.
Research companies on LinkedIn.
Talk to recruitment consultants.

10. Influences on Your Decisions
Your Thinking
Expectations
Feedback
Support
Modelling
Information
Beliefs/Generalisations

12. Having you researched funding?
Scholarships
SUSI Grant
Erasmus+ Master Loans
ICT Skills Conversion
UK Bursaries?
Tax Relief on Fees

13. Have you considered the alternatives?
Work to gain more experience?
Work abroad?
Graduate apprenticeships?
Professional exams?
Online courses?
Internships?

14. Fast-Growing Industries
Information Technology
Healthcare
Energy Efficiency / Environmental
E-Learning
Microelectronics
Manufacturing Productivity
Composite Materials
Social Networking
Business Services – esp. Multilingual
Telecommunications
Food
Care of the Elderly
Business & Personal Coaching
Personal Wellbeing
Medical Devices & Technology
Accounting (some more than others)
Digital Media – eg -gaming, mobile media, animation
Alternative Power Generation
Financial Regulation and Control
Corporate Compliance
Life Sciences
Biotechnology

15. Good Combinations Logistics and languages
Marketing/sales and languages
Sales and product knowledge
Finance and quantitative modelling
Finance and law
Statistics and software modelling
Software architect and business
Web design; animation; programming

16. Online Resources
Qualifax Course Finder - Find out which courses are offered where in Ireland – the directory:
Careers Portal - Find out which occupations are in demand in Ireland – along with up-to-date industry news and industry and professional networks and associations across all sectors in Ireland:
GradIreland - The National Graduate Recruitment website:
Prospects UK – Quality graduate careers website –
Springboard - Find out more about funded ICT programmes and more:
Apprenticeships - Find out more about graduate apprenticeships:

17. Some Decision-Making Tools
Action Planning
How might postgraduate study complement my career goals?
Priority Grid
Which postgraduate options should I prioritise?
Forcefield Analysis (Pros vs Cons)
Should I take this offer or not?
Should I study now or later?

18. Action Planning: SWOT Analysis
What are my Strengths?
What are my Weaknesses?
Where are the Opportunities?
What are the potential Threats?

19. Forcefield Analysis

20. Priority Grid Criteria (Rate 1-5): Interest Level International
Experience
New Skills (e.g. IT)
Etc.
Final Score
Weighting
(1-3):
Options:
Rate x Weight
Course 1
Course 2
Course 3
Course 4

21. How can we help? Impartial, confidential consultations
Psychometric self-assessments
Student-centred advice
“First Destinations” reports for UCC programmes
Application feedback
We’re here for you!