Postgraduate Study

Bruce Woodcock

You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

WHY DO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?

• Because you are interested in your subject.

• Because you enjoy life at university.

• Because you want an academic/research career.

• To improve your job prospects.

Percentages of Kent graduates entering further study within 6 months of leaving.

Bioscience 37 %

Physics 44 %

Forensic Science 19 %

Mathematics 28 %

Actuarial 16 %

Computer Science 14 %

Electronics 38 %

Multimedia 14 %

English 23 %

TAUGHT MASTER’S DEGREE• Higher degrees by taught course &

dissertation - MSc

• Length: one calendar year (September - September)

• Seminars, coursework and exams over the academic year

• Followed by a dissertation prepared over the summer

• Need 2:1

• Little funding available!

RESEARCH DEGREES • M.Phil or PhD• Length: from one year for Masters to at least

three for PhD• Work independently to prepare a thesis• Your supervisor will advise and guide - who you

choose is very important• Original research expected • Research Council funding normally available• Need MSc or First Class degree for bioscience

WHERE TO STUDY? Continue at Kent?• “The Devil you know!”• Friends may still be here.

Study elsewhere in the UK?• More choice• Seen as good to make a change

Study abroad?• Much more work involved• Apply early!

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

• Directories/websites such as Prospects Postgrad www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PGDbase

• Ask your tutors!

• Use league tables and research assessments - but with caution! www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm

• Visit universities and talk to current postgraduates

What can I do with my degree subject?

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/degreein.htm

• Gives details of Kent graduates in your subject who have gone on to do postgraduate study.

How do self-funded students pay for their course?

“Broke and Broken” – NUS report www.nus.org.uk/PageFiles/12238/Broke.pdf

RESEARCH COUNCIL FUNDING• BBSRC Biology and Biotechnology• MRC Medical• EPSRC Engineering & Physical Sciences• NERC Natural & Environmental• STFC Science and Technology Facilities

Council (previously Particle Physics and Astronomy Council)

RESEARCH COUNCILS AWARDS

• BBSRC, MRC, NERC, STFC, EPSRC, • Apply to postgraduate department where you want

to study, not to the research council. Department allocates awards.

• Closing date 31st July, but apply autumn or early spring terms.

• Open to English and Welch applicants.• Scottish and Northern Ireland applicants need to

confirm eligibility for particular courses.• European Community applicants usually get fees

only.

AWARD VALUE

• Fees paid

• Maintenance grant about £15,000 outside London

• May be extra allowances for dependants

• Most PhD students get a few hundred pounds p.a. for invigilating, supervising practicals/seminars etc.

• Normally need a 2:1 or 1st to get award

• Students resident in other EU countries may receive a fees-only award

OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING

Earnings• Undergraduate teaching -

sometimes a requirement of university studentships

• Research Assistant - posts are relatively rare and do not occur regularly

• Other jobs, unrelated to your studies, full or part-time (Over half of postgraduates are part-time students)

• UofK has a Graduate Teaching Assistantship scheme supporting 300 postgrads

OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING

• Professional and Career Development Loans - Government loans for vocational courses.

• Company sponsorship/PhD whilst employed

• University research assistant/technician - paid but have to do PhD in spare time

• Charitable trusts

• ASK COURSE DIRECTOR WHAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE!

Cancer Research UK

• http://science.cancerresearchuk.org offers about 25 funded PhD places per year (about £18,000 p.a.) They accept UK, EU and non-EU students. Closing date is usually late November

• You need to be expecting a good 2:1 or first and must have some research experience.

• They give as much funding for PhDs as the Biology & Biotech. Research Council!

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

• Fees – about £5,000 a year for UK/EU students on most full-time academic courses. About £1,000 off at Kent.

• But can be up to £20,000 for, e.g. MBA courses

• International student fees start at around £8000

• Maintenance – rent, food etc.

• Study expenses - travel to libraries, cost of producing thesis, etc

UNIVERSITY STUDENTSHIPS

• Aimed at encouraging research – few available for taught courses

• Sums vary but often similar level to Research Council studentships

• May include a requirement to teach part-time

• Eligibility varies• A brief list of these funds in Prospects

Postgraduate Funding Guide - or check with the universities you are applying to

www.kent.ac.uk/recruitment/PG_Funding

NEW POSTGRADUATE LOANS SCHEME In the Chancellor’s autumn statement in December 2014, it was announced that a postgraduate loan scheme will be implemented for English-domiciled students and EU students studying in English institutions from 2016-17.

The scheme will offer students up to £10,000 to help with the costs of studying a masters degree.

Students are eligible for the loans if they are under the age of 30 and are studying for a full-time masters, or part-time at 50% intensity or above. There are no subject restrictions.

Adam Wright from the NUS brings us up to date about plans for the new scheme:

http://www.masterscompare.co.uk/masters/postgraduate-loans-whats-happening-new-scheme-masters-students

HOW TO APPLY

• No UCAS equivalent for postgraduate academic study

• Each university will have its own application form

• Academic reference is important

• No overall closing date, but you may need to apply early - in the first term of your final year

• Early application especially important to be eligible for funding

WHEN TO APPLY

EARLY IN FINAL YEAR.

• Discuss postgraduate study with your tutor.

• Research and shortlist courses and universities

• Apply for Cancer Research UK PhDs/ postgraduate study abroad/primary teaching etc.

DECEMBER/JANUARY

• Most applications made now.

Writing your personal statement

• Usually have to write a personal statement of about 500 words on why you wish to do the Master’s degree.

–Why you want to do this course?–Why this university?–Relevance of your first degree–Academic skills–Career aims

• See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm

for help with writing personal statements

VOCATIONAL POSTGRADUATE STUDY

• PGCE (teaching)• CPE (law conversion course)• MBA - Master’s in Business Administration• Librarianship Diploma• Computing Conversion• Journalism and Publishing Courses• Length: up to one calendar year• Seminars, coursework and exams • You may have the option to "upgrade" to a

Masters by producing a dissertation

STUDY ABROAD

• Many courses taught in English - especially Netherlands, Scandinavia, and some business courses.

• Often require a Masters degree to enter postgraduate study in Germany

• Academic year starts February in Australia/NZ

USA• Apply well in advance - 12 months or

more. • Have to pay to take GRE tests in

London • Don't just apply to New York and

California

See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm

FINANCIAL REASONS!

• ENGLAND from £4500

• USA $30,000 – 50,000

• CANADA up to $17,000

• AUSTRALIA A$17,000 to 36,000

• BELGIUM €600 - 1500

• DENMARK FREE

• FINLAND FREE

• FRANCE €425 (at public unis)

• GERMANY c€650 per semester

• GREECE FREE

• NETHERLANDS €1900

• SPAIN up to €3600

• SWEDEN FREE

For other EU countries, seewww.studyineurope.euwww.mastersportal.eu

CAREERS SERVICE FACILITIES

• CAREERS SERVICE POSTGRADUATE STUDY PAGES includes how to apply for postgraduate study. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm

• PROSPECTS DATABASE OF POSTGRAD. STUDY www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PGDbase

• Practice interview for PG study

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/mockivs.htm

Further Help• An adviser is on duty for short (15 minute)

consultations in the Careers and Employability Service any weekday morning 10.30-12.30 or afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm. You don't need an appointment to see the duty adviser at these times. Just ask at Careers Reception to see them.

• They can review your PRINTED personal statement for postgraduate study study

• Can book an interview with me at Careers reception (01227 823299)

• Email: bw@kent.ac.uk

Careers Employability Award on Moodle

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm

Postgraduate Study

Bruce Woodcock

You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

IMMINENT CAREERS TALKS/EVENTS

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm

OTHER RESOURCES

• Our CVs AND APPLICATIONS BOOKLET has help on constructing an academic CV (page 12)

• Our INTERVIEWS BOOKLET has advice on interviews for postgraduate study (pages 23 & 24)

• Ask for a copy at Careers Reception

Destinations of Kent Actuarial Science Graduates

• MSc: MSc Applied Actuarial Science - Kent (12), MSc Statistics - Kent (5), MSc Mathematics - LSE, MSc Risk and Statistics - LSE, MSc Investment Banking - Reading, MSc Finance - Oxford, MA Finance - Exeter, MSc Actuarial Management - CASS Business School, MA Islamic Studies - Middlesex University

• Postgraduate Diploma: Actuarial Science - Kent

• Teacher Training: PGCE Mathematics - Christ Church, South Essex SCITT Training

• CISI - Chartered Institute of Securities

• CLAIT Computing Course - Sandwell College