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 degree is required, the quality of degree will depend on the course .
• 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 honour / 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 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.

Learn more about the benefits of PhD study:

• Career benefits at Destinations®.
• The intellectual benefits at Destinations®.
• Personal benefits at Destinations®.

 

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 web sites 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.
  • Research your options through top tips at Destinations®.

How do I find out about it?

• Find out about projects being completed at your university of choice, for example, view some TCD PhD Projects.
• 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 the Irish Research Council.
• 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:
  • Irish Research Council - www.research.ie
    
• 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 (Postgraduate Courses & Funding)
  Information consists of:
  • Directories
  • Web sites
  • 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 web sites.
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. Complete the application form. Follow the advice at completing application forms.
8. 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 web sites.
• 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.
• 'Postgrad Study and Awards in Ireland'. Advice and information on postgraduate study and financing it..

More resources on Postgraduate Study and Postgraduate Awards are available on our site.