1. Why Undertake Postgraduate Study? Elizabeth Wilkinson University of Manchester Careers Service

2. Agenda Why do it ? Options –type of qualification, what subject, where How to apply Funding What Next?

3. Why PG Study ? Interest in your subject –if ideal opportunities not available, how much are you prepared to compromise or sacrifice ? Advance your career –Check out if it will help before you start –www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations occupational database, includes “entry requirements” for 500+ grad level careers –talk to employers eg. at presentations & fairs –PG starting salaries are often same as UGs

4. Why PG Study ? To offset poor A-levels / first degree –Can’t assume employers will accept this To buy time before deciding on a career –but … the year you are buying is THIS YEAR – Recruitment starts 2 weeks after you start a one year Masters degree! –need to use this year / next summer for work experience, enhancing your CV and deciding on a career

5. The good news…. Needed for some careers Can demonstrate career motivation Lower unemployment rates (2007/8): –Undergraduates : 8% –Postgraduates : 4% Average earnings are higher (eventually)

6. What Employers Think : What it also shows is that the individual is able to set and achieve goals, manage their own time, think both analytically and creatively, and overcome problems; a set of highly desirable skills and attitudes in any professional person. John Hopkins, English Nature We like PhDs in our business sector - they never take anything at face value. That is a real bonus in a business compliance function. Their philosophical training and critical judgment have direct application in business services, whatever the topic of their research. Head of Grad Recruitment, 'Big 4' Accountancy firm

7. Type of Qualification PhD / DPhil / Eng D Masters – MA / MSc / MPhil MBA PG Diploma Professional – PGCE, LPC, Chartered Institute … of Marketing, of Personnel & Development etc

8. What to Study ? Specialise –needs to be related to your undergraduate study Convert –examples - IT, Business / Finance, Economics Prepared to compromise to find funded place?

9. Could You Do It ? Are you motivated enough ? Could you handle it ? Do you have what it takes to get accepted – and get funding ?

10. How to Apply ? No UCAS system Academic courses - apply direct to department Vocational courses – some have centralised application processes (eg. teaching, law) Likely to need an application form, maybe a CV Will check –Academic record –Academic references –Reasons for study

11. Funding Talk to the Schools –Check websites, ask where others got funding Manchester funding database –www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/fundingwww.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding Grants / trusts –Grants Register, Funder Finder (Manchester Careers) –www.researchresearch.com – “Predoctoral Fellowships” and “Student Awards” (if Manchester student, must be on campus to access it)www.researchresearch.com –www.scholarship-search.org.uk – from HotCourses (can filter by charity/professional/universitywww.scholarship-search.org.uk

12. What Next? To find out about life as a Postgraduate: Postgraduate Study and Research (AGCAS information booklet) How to get a PhD : A handbook for students and supervisors Prospects website : –Your PhD what next? –Your Masters what next? Visit departments and talk to other postgrads! Internet discussion groups and blogs eg Manchester postgrad blog, alumni associations etc

13. Postgraduate Study – 8 point action plan! 1.Think through your options 2.Start early – do research, make contacts & find out about funding 3.Get any funding applications in 4.Sort out any fall back position 5.Explore possibility of outside funding 6.Formulate a plan complete with deadlines 7.Get the right advice 8.Start doing something now!

14. Any Questions? Want to know more? Visit : www.manchester.ac.uk/careers www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate www.prospects.ac.uk www.manchester.ac.uk/careers www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate www.prospects.ac.uk