Are you looking for professional courses for graduates to kickstart your career?
Congratulations! You’ve done the hard work and gotten your degree. Now what? It’s time to build industry-specific skills for life after university.
The job market is competitive. Therefore, a graduate degree is no longer enough to land you a well-paying job straight out of university. Many jobs for graduates demand hands-on experience or professional qualifications. This is because it shows employers that you have the know-how to succeed in the job role.
The demand for short-term and long-term post-graduate courses has grown significantly. As a result, many graduates opt for career-oriented professional courses after graduation. This type of qualification gives them a competitive edge. Furthermore, it ensures they are job-ready. That’s why professional courses are a great alternative to graduate schemes.
In this article, we look at 5 of the best professional courses for graduates.
What Are Professional Courses?
Professional qualifications are industry-specific training programs that offer hands-on experience. These job-oriented courses build the skills needed to succeed in a specialised job role. While some can be taken immediately after graduating, others cater for experienced professionals who want to further their career prospects.
How Are Professional Courses Different From a Master’s Degree?
Although professional qualifications are similar to a Master’s degree, they tend to be more vocational. Moreover, professional qualifications aim to facilitate direct entry to a specific job title.
How Much Do Professional Courses Cost?
The price tag of a professional course varies significantly depending on the intensity of the course and the training provider. That being said, professional courses are generally more cost-effective than a Master’s degree. The good news is that you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan from the UK government.
5 of the Best Professional Courses For Graduates
With so many excellent professional courses for graduates available, it can be overwhelming for recent graduates to pick the right one for them. To help you narrow down the selection, we have hand-picked 5 career-oriented courses after graduation.
These job-focused courses will seriously boost your career prospects.
1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
There is a huge demand for PMP certified professionals. As a result, a PMP certification is globally recognized and highly regarded. Since it’s possible to get the PMP certification in as little as 8 to 12 weeks, it’s one of the best short courses for graduates.
The PMP programme provides students with theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in project management. During the course, you’ll learn valuable project management tools and techniques. However, you don’t just learn the theory. You also have the chance to apply them in real-time to projects. The course gives students hands-on experience in managing project timelines, budgets, and resources.
Job Opportunities
Once you are certified in PMP, you are eligible for the following job opportunities:
- PMO (Project Management Officer)
- Project Portfolio Management Officer
- Project Management Commercial Professional
Since it’s such an in-demand profession, there is a wide range of Graduate Project Manager jobs available across the UK and overseas.
2. PG Diploma in Digital Marketing
A postgraduate diploma in digital marketing will equip you with the tools, techniques, and know-how to harness the power of the internet to grow a business. This is currently a hugely in-demand skill set.
A postgraduate course in Digital Marketing will develop the essential skills for a career in digital marketing. Graduates gain knowledge and experience in analysing user markets, identifying future trends, solving problems related to product marketing, managing customer relations, and SEO.
There are various postgraduate courses that prepare you for specialist roles within digital marketing. These include:
- Social Media Marketing (SMM)
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
- Content Marketing
- Google Analytics
- Business Analytics
- Digital marketing strategy
Job Opportunities
Gaining a postgraduate qualification in digital marketing opens career pathways such as:
- Content Marketer
- SEO Manager
- Social Media Strategist
- Digital Marketing Consultant
- Social Media Marketer
3. ACCA Certification
Are interested in pursuing a career as a chartered accountant? If so, the ACCA is one of the most recognised professional courses you can take. The ACCA sets you up with the vocational training needed for a career in accountancy, tax, or auditing.
ACCA is divided into three stages:
- Applied Knowledge – 6 to 12 months to complete
- Applied Skills – 12 to 18 months to complete. This qualification is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.
- Strategic Professional – 12 to 18 months to complete
It takes 5 years to become a full member of ACCA. However, you are able to work as a part-qualified accountant. Once you complete the first level, Applied Knowledge, you can earn an annual salary of around £23,000 working as an associate or accounts clerk.
Job Opportunities
There are significant job prospects for ACCA members, including:
- Chartered Accountant
- Finance Consultant
- Chief Financial Officer
- Director of Finance
4. Master of Business Administration (MBA)
An MBA is one of the most highly regarded professional courses out there. Globally recognised, an MBA opens doors to a wide range of career pathways.
While open to all backgrounds, an MBA is particularly valuable for commerce graduates. The two-year programme covers all core business administration subjects. This includes modules on human resources (HR), marketing, finance, and economics. Since it is such a highly recognised qualification, you are required to take an entrance exam to get accepted into the programme.
There’s no doubt an MBA is a huge financial commitment. That’s why the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programme is such a popular alternative. Not only is it more cost-effective, but it is also shorter. The PGDM takes 1 to 2 years to complete. The course covers the core concepts of Business and Management, preparing students for senior management roles. There is a wide range of industry-specific PGDM courses. Some popular options include International Business, Retail Management, Business Analytics, or Operations Management.
Job Opportunities
A professional qualification in business administration will make you eligible for the following job positions:
- Business Analyst
- HR Specialist
- HR Manager
- Business Consultant
- Operations Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Sales Manager
- Finance Advisor
- Business Development Manager
Be sure to browse our live jobs board for the latest jobs after completing an MBA, Graduate Sales jobs, and Business Analyst Graduate jobs.
5. PGD in Hotel Management
A postgraduate diploma in Hotel Management is a great professional course for graduates looking for a career in hospitality and management. It’s a one-year training course that offers hands-on experience.
The PGD training programme covers a range of topics, including:
- Human Resource Management
- Business and Market Research
- Financial Accounting
- Food and Beverage Management
You will gain the soft skills needed to successfully work in a number of different roles within the hospitality industry. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to work abroad with a PGD.
Job Opportunities
Once you successfully obtain a PGD in Hotel Management, you are eligible for job roles such as:
- Sales Manager
- Bar Manager
- General Manager
- Hospitality Director
- Travel Consultant
- Events Coordinator
- Front Office Manager
- Hotel Manager
- Guest Relationship Manager
- Food and Beverage Manager
In summary, professional courses provide graduates with industry-specific skills to boost their career prospects. It can be tough for recent graduates to find a job after university. Job-oriented qualifications are a great way to land your dream job.
Looking for your next opportunity? Be sure to also check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area.
