PGCE or PGDip? A quick guide to postgraduate qualifications

diploma-certificate

If you’re thinking about postgraduate study, then you won’t be the only person having trouble distinguishing your MPhil from your DPhil, or a PGCE from a PGCert.  Here are a few of the main postgraduate qualifications explained, as well as some tips for choosing which one is right for you.

Masters degrees

Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Education (MEd), to name just a few!

Often referred to as a taught masters, these degrees usually take one year full-time (or two years part-time) after the completion of an undergraduate programme.  You will attend lectures and seminars for about nine months, leaving another three to research and write up your thesis.  You may need one in a specialist area to advance careers in sectors such an international development or in actuarial work, but many people also choose to complete one to enhance their knowledge of their undergraduate subject.

(Master of Research) MRes

If you are considering a career in research, either in industry or academia, then a research-led masters may be a more relevant route for you than a taught one.  There is a greater emphasis on the thesis, which can be up to 40,000 words in length, compared to around 20,000 for a taught masters.  An MRes can also be awarded to students who have worked towards a doctorate but have not achieved the required standard.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

This is a more advanced, research-based masters degree, and can sometimes be completed as preparation for a doctorate.

Doctorates

A doctorate demonstrates that you have made an original contribution to your academic discipline, engaging in three to four years of committed research and producing a thesis.  The traditional model of a doctorate that people have in mind is usually that of the lone student working closely with their supervisor.  However, there are now many different kinds of doctorates available and which are delivered in a variety of ways.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can still be undertaken alone but you could also be part of a research team and may be supervised by several academics or even industry professionals to address different aspects of your project.  A DPhil is simply what Oxford University calls a PhD. A DEng is a doctorate in engineering, and this can involve considerable time spent in industry on placements, as is also now the case with some science doctorates.

Other options include practice-led doctorates, which require something like an exhibition alongside a thesis in art and design or performance-based areas, or a doctorates by publication, where publishing a certain number of articles or a book can be taken as evidence of your expertise.  The latter is more common when you have already been working in an area for some years.  This is also the case for professional doctorates, such as the Doctor of Education or EdD, where experienced practitioners will present a portfolio of evidence as well as a thesis to achieve this qualification.

Postgraduate Certificates & Diplomas

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas fall between undergraduate and masters degrees, offering training in both vocational and academic areas, with qualifications taking months rather than years to complete.  For example, careers advisers can complete a postgraduate certificate in careers guidance (PGCert), followed by a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) and, if they are really keen, go on to an MA in Careers Guidance, where they would take on a research element in an area that interests them.

Entry into areas such as law and teaching also require study at this level, with aspiring solicitor and barristers completing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), if they do not already have a law degree, and would-be teachers studying for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

Key points to consider

If you are currently thinking about whether or not further study is right for you, and what kind of qualification to take, then do come in and talk to us at the Careers Service.  Many students think about taking a masters degree because they can’t think of what else to do after graduation, and this could be a very expensive year out of the labour market without enhancing your prospects if you don’t choose wisely.

We always recommend speaking to potential employers or  contacts in the areas of work that interest you to find out if you need to take a postgraduate qualification and, if you do, which ones would  be most relevant.  Our web site contains more information about postgraduate study, as well as information about how to fund it.

Finally, watch out for workshops at the Careers Service this autumn on choosing postgraduate study as well as on specific options such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and teacher training via the PGCE.

Dr Tracy Johnson, Careers Adviser

(Image: http://ipdraughts.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/postgraduate-diploma-in-ip-transactions-an-update/)

Working alongside your studies – more than just a job?

With expensive tuition fees and high living costs, many students find themselves taking on part time work in the holidays and in term time to supplement their income. For the majority of us, the financial benefits of part time work are the primary motivation. In such a competitive job market, landing any part time job can feel like an achievement, and students rarely give much thought to the other benefits of working alongside your studies.

During my time at Bristol I have had a variety of part time jobs. They have ranged from grotty bar jobs to the crème de la crème of student jobs, working as a member of the University of Bristol Careers Service. Certainly, supplementing my income was an important consideration when seeking out work. However, I have found I have gained an immense number of less quantifiable things that have both allowed me to develop as a person and broadened my horizons.

Given the difficulties many graduates face in finding work after university, any form of part time work is a great way to distinguish your application, and provide evidence of important skills such as time management, initiative, commercial awareness and communication. When facing the dreaded competency interview, having examples from previous employment has been essential. With creative job hunting and a little luck, it is possible to find a position that will give you valuable professional experience in a sector you’re interested in, putting you streets ahead of many graduates. Even if you’re not fortunate to be in a part time job relevant to your future career, you will still come away with many key transferable skills. Another advantage to part time work people rarely consider is that it can help narrow down your seemingly endless career options. Deciding the hospitality industry is definitely not for your after endless gruelling night and weekend shifts can be almost as valuable as stumbling across a field you are really passionate about.

Aside from the all-important professional experience, working part time at university has many other advantages. The university experience has a tendency to immerse you in a bubble and insulate you from much of the outside world. Coming to work and interacting with people from different backgrounds and at different stages in their lives can be very refreshing and help you to develop perspective. Similarly, making new friends who live outside of student areas allows you to discover areas of your university town or city you would never have ventured into. Some of my fondest memories and favourite places in Bristol would have remained undiscovered were it not for my work friends.

Without doubt, a pay cheque every month has boosted my student experience and my finances. However it has also provided me with greater self-assurance and confidence and a head start on many of my peers when it comes to seeking graduate employment. Your wages at the end of the month may be your main motivation for part time work, but there is a lot more to be gained than just a positive bank balance.

Ciara McKibbin, Careers Service Information Assistant Intern