Postgraduate Study

• What is it?
• Why do it?
• How do I find out about it?
• Where do I do it?
• Paying for it
• Moving forward
• Action Plan
• Where are TCD graduates now?
• Related Resources

What is it?

'Postgrad' can mean a number of things - Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and PhD programmes.

• Postgraduate Diploma
  • These may help you to become more 'vocational' - closer to fields of work, professions.
  • The subject area may be different to that studied in your first degree.
  • Sometimes it is possible to 'convert' into a masters.
  • A good quality first degree required for many courses.
• Masters
• May be 'research based' or 'taught'.
• It takes less time and is less demanding than a PhD.
• Taught programmes generally involve course work plus thesis, the average time to complete is 1-2 years.
• A degree is required. The quality of degree required depends on the course. For research masters a first class or upper second class honours would generally be required but in some instances a lower second class honours may be accepted. For taught masters there is more variety in the quality of degree sought from lower second class honours / pass to first class honours.
• PhD
  • An original contribution to knowledge.
  • It takes several years to write a thesis by research.
  • A very good quality first degree i.e. first class or upper second class honours, is needed.

 

Why do it?

On a further course of study you will develop your knowledge, personality, skills and interests which could help to prepare you for making a decision and getting a job.

Three reasons for pursuing postgraduate study may be:

• "I really enjoy my subject and want to be even better at it"
• "I have found out my job prospects will improve"
• "I do not know what I want to do next - more time studying will give me the answer".

If the last options best describes you, postgrad study will not of itself resolve the future. However, you should develop your knowledge, personality and skills - and that way help yourself to make career decisions.

Where do I do it?

• Some things that matter when making a choice:
  • Place
  • Prestige of the institution
  • Reputation of the course
  • Research track record of your supervisor
• Explore the postgraduate programme through:
  • Internet - individual university websites are very important.
  • Academic contacts - you will need a recommendation from them .
  • Recent graduates - see what TCD graduates have done. It's important to ask your predecessors for their opinion.

How do I find out about it?

• Source information through prospectuses, directories and the internet. View Resources.
• View Research vacancies for opportunities.
• Courses available are continuously advertised but these are not necessarily the best courses or recommended. View postgraduate courses & awards notified to the Careers Advisory Service.
• Attend the Postgradireland Fair.

Paying for it

Costs

• Postgraduate Diploma & Masters with course work, you may have to pay in full. A few 'new skills' programmes may offer fee remission.
• PhD: universities may have funds (studentships, scholarships) to attract the best. Some governments advertise these also, including Irish agencies, IRCSET and IRCHSS.
• Note: 1/3 postgraduate students are funded by parents initially

Awards

Below is a list of awards generally available annually and a list of those advertised to the Careers Service.

Some Annual Awards for Ireland:

• Local Authority Grants:
  Students, who received an Irish local authority grant for their undergraduate studies, may normally extend this to cover one full-time postgraduate course in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. This applies to both Masters and Doctorate degrees as well as postgraduate diplomas.
  
• TCD Awards
  If remaining in College you should investigate TCD Awards.
  
• Irish State Agencies offering Awards:
  • The Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences:
    Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships are awarded in support of research in areas, within the Humanities and Social Sciences, including Law and Business Studies.
  • The Irish Research Council for the Sciences, Technology and Engineering:
    This makes awards in support of postgraduate students.
    
• Advertised Awards
  Advertised Awards has a list of awards notified to the Careers Advisory Service.

For more annual awards see Resources.

Moving forward

Postgraduate information is available from two key sources:

• Careers Advisory Service, Resources.
  Information consists of:
  • Directories
  • Websites
  • Booklets
  • Advertised awards
  • Advice on pros/cons of doing it
• Your academic tutor
  Your academic tutor is your best resource for academic issues. Their contribution may include:
  • Advice on making an academic proposal that goes with a postgraduate research application
  • Academic contacts
  • Referral to recent TCD graduates / new 'postgrads'
  • Providing essential references
  • Reviewing Personal Statements

Action Plan

Six step plan to an effective action plan:

1. Talk to academic & Careers Service staff .
2. Decide on the type of postgraduate programme you want.
3. Consult directories and websites.
4. Draw up a realistic time-frame.
5. Clarify funding options.
6. Find out more about:
   • Closing dates
   • Time offers are made
   • Time for acceptances.
7. Write a personal statement if required.

Where are TCD graduates?

• What TCD Graduates Do includes useful information on courses and institutions where past graduates have studied.
• Examples of postgraduate study being pursued by graduates & the funding source, include:

First Degree	Postgraduate Study	Source of Funding
BA (Mod) Philosophy & Politics	Masters in Foreign Service, Georgetown USA	Georgetown University Scholarship
BAI Mechanical Engineering	MBA, Hull University, UK	Employer support
BA (Mod) Science, Geology	Masters Applied Environmental Geosciences, Tubingen	German Government Award

Related Resources

• Postgradireland.com. Postgraduate Directory of taught courses in Ireland & links to Irish, UK and international study sites.
• Prospects.ac.uk. Directory of courses & links to all UK university websites.
• Fulbright Commission. All aspects of further study in US, applications and links to US university sites are available here..
• 'Postgraduate Study & Awards', (GCI) contains advice and information on postgraduate study & awards in Ireland.
• 'Postgraduate Study & Research', (AGCAS), contains advice and information for postgraduate study in UK.
• 'Postgraduate Study & Awards in Ireland'. A directory of taught courses available to graduates in Ireland.

More resources on Postgraduate Study and Postgraduate Awards are available at this website.