The idea of continuing your studies after completing an undergraduate degree can be overwhelming. However, there are numerous benefits to staying on in higher education to complete a postgraduate degree. We take a closer look at the answers to the popular question, “Why do a postgraduate degree?”.

 

A postgraduate degree encompasses a range of qualifications, including a Master’s and a PhD which typically require an undergraduate degree for entry. Postgraduate study is an increasingly popular choice among graduates looking to boost their employability. According to HESA, there were nearly 750,000 postgraduate students studying at UK institutions in the year 2020-2021, a 13.5% increase from the previous academic year.

Postgraduate study can open doors, enrich your career prospects, and satisfy intellectual curiosity at a depth that couldn’t be reached through an undergraduate degree. But with more and more students opting to study at a postgraduate level, the number of highly-skilled graduates in the job market is increasing.

Benefits of Studying a Postgraduate Degree

We’ve compiled a list of some of the main benefits of staying on in higher education to study for a postgraduate degree.

Employment Prospects

It has become increasingly difficult to get noticed in the crowded graduate job market. Postgraduate study can increase your employment prospects when compared to candidates with an undergraduate qualification. Government studies show that postgraduates have a slightly higher rate of employment than undergraduates; there’s just a 1.5% difference. However, there’s a 12% difference in the number of postgraduates in highly-skilled employment when compared to undergraduates.

Specialist Knowledge

The relationships students have with their tutors and members of the department drastically change when studying at a postgraduate level. Instead of being ‘taught’, postgraduates will work alongside faculty. This can give postgraduates a chance to make contacts and network with experts in their field.

Furthermore, postgraduate study opens up the opportunity to establish your own specialism and become known among leading academics in your own right.

Transferable Skills

Postgraduate study doesn’t just provide you with a greater understanding of your chosen subject area. It will also equip you with a range of other transferable skills that are highly valuable in the workplace. For some employers, these skills and experiences will help secure your employment over that of an undergraduate.

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Advanced research skills
  • Project development and management
  • Independent working, dedication and determination
  • Intellectual curiosity

A Change of Direction

Postgraduate study can also offer students a chance to change direction from their chosen undergraduate degree. A popular example is the graduate diploma in law. Often referred to as a ‘law conversion course’, this diploma provides a route into the legal sector for graduates without a law degree. To learn more, visit our dedicated page on careers in law.

Essential Qualifications

Some careers require a professional qualification. This includes teachers, solicitors or barristers, architects, engineers, and healthcare professionals. For people interested in a career that requires study beyond undergraduate level, undertaking a postgraduate degree is essential.

The Postgraduate Premium

In certain sectors, a postgraduate degree can provide what is known as the ‘postgraduate premium’. The earning potential for someone with a postgraduate degree can be significantly higher than those who hold an undergraduate degree. The average salary of a non-graduate in the UK in 2021 was £26,000. Meanwhile, undergraduates received an average salary of £36,000. This is over 14% less than postgraduates who earned £42,000 on average.

 

Summary and Conclusions

Studying a relevant postgraduate degree will increase your level of specialist knowledge in your chosen subject area. In turn, this will boost your employability and career prospects. In a crowded market with increased competition for jobs and an oversupply of graduates, having a postgraduate degree could give your application the edge you need to succeed and reach your future potential.

Now that you know the benefits of studying a postgraduate degree, check out our dedicated pages on Starting your Master’s Degree and Starting your PhD. We’ve also got all the information you need for when you’ve completed your postgraduate degree.

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