Choosing postgraduate study
Whether you are considering further study at Exeter, in the UK, or abroad you will need to choose your route with care and make sure that the course/ programme both fits with your interests and your longer-term career plans. This section of the website provides you with useful information and links to help you research postgraduate study further.
Why continue onto further study?
Students choose postgraduate level study for a wide variety of reasons:
- A pure interest in learning and enjoyment of your studies
- To specialise even more and become ‘the expert’ on a particular topic
- For a fresh academic perspective and a new area of interest
- To achieve a professional qualification needed to pursue your chosen career (e.g. law, teaching, social work, librarianship or clinical psychology)
- To work on special projects, perhaps overseas, with academic and industry experts both within and outside the university
- To develop your research, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills even further
- To impress employers in industry sectors where postgraduate study is firmly recognized and expected
- To complement relevant work experience you may have already gained i.e. ‘putting theory into the practice’
- To make yourself more marketable, employable and perhaps to command a higher salary in some very competitive sectors.
There is however a lot to think about when considering further study, including the subject, length of study period, location, reputation of the university and the course (e.g. with employers), links with industry, future career prospects, on-course training and development, access to appropriate facilities (e.g. laboratory equipment), funding etc.
Listen to our Career Zone Podcast - Is postgraduate study for you?
Postgraduate and further study | targetjobs - has some useful resources for further information around choosing postgraduate study.
Need more advice about choosing postgraduate study?
Our Careers Consultants are happy to discuss your options and your application with you. Before getting in touch with the Career Zone, please make sure to:
- Consider what type of course/s might be suitable for you by reading up / researching the various options on this page – please do some homework so that your consultation will be more informed resulting in a better outcome for you
- Bring any information you may already have about specific courses / programmes you are interested in
Different Types of Postgraduate Study
There are a variety of different postgraduate study options and the type you choose will likely depend on your circumstances and reasons for undertaking postgraduate study. Some courses / programmes will have links with industry, whilst others will be purely academic. It is important to do your research and choose the course that is right for you.
Masters degrees are available in a wide variety of subjects and can be a popular choice. They are a Level 7 qualification so are a step up from an undergraduate degree but below Doctoral level study (Level 8). In the UK a Masters degree can typically take between 1-2 years and involves undertaking a dissertation or research project. There are a variety of types, such as MA, MSc, MRes or MBA. It can be a great way to study a subject of interest in more depth and potentially improve your career prospects however the costs involved, and study demands mean it is important to thoroughly research if it is right for you before committing.
- Masters degrees | Prospects.ac.uk - has detailed information about the different types of Masters available and the factors you may want to consider when choosing the right one for you.
- Find a Masters - FindAMasters.com and mastersavenue.com offer comprehensive databases of postgraduate Masters courses, featuring a wide range of Master’s degree programmes from universities in the UK and across the globe.
- If you are keen to continue your studies at Exeter you can see the various types of Masters degrees available here.
- Events - Considering a Masters: Is it right for you? This session will help you explore your motivations for pursuing a Master's, assess the employability benefits, and learn about different qualifications available and UK funding options. For the latest events, please check Handshake.
The most common type of research degree in the UK is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), but there are a variety of types of a doctorate. Research degrees (e.g. PhD, DPhil, EdD) involve exploring an original research question, carrying out an independent in-depth piece of research on a particular topic advancing knowledge in your chosen field.
Doctorates such as Doctor of Engineering (EngD) involve the opportunity to work with an industry partner on ground-breaking research.
If you are considering Doctoral level study, contact the academic whom you wish to supervise your research or at least the 'academic director of research' in the department/institution that you wish to study at. Disciplines will vary in their requirements and there may also be differences if you are applying for an advertised studentship or making a research proposal yourself.
The Vitae website has an online suite of over 150 researcher career stories providing an insight about life as a researcher and the different career paths which researchers take. The stories cover a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds.
- PhD study | Prospects.ac.uk - gives a good overview of understanding what Doctoral level study is about. FindAPhD.com is a guide to current postgraduate research and PhD studentships. It lists details of research programmes from universities throughout the UK, Europe and further afield.
- Vitae is the UK organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes. The section of their website on Researcher Careers will be of interest to those considering a PhD as part of a clear career plan. You can read case studies; explore career options; find out more about what researchers do; and look at example CVs.
- University of Exeter Resources:
- Events - Considering a PhD: Is it right for you? This session will help you consider whether studying for a PhD is right for you. It will cover what doctoral study entails, key motivations for studying at this level and future career options. For the latest events, please check Handshake.
- Podcast - Considering a PHD: Is it right for you? - Career Zone Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
Depending on the job role you are interested in going in to, it could be that a diploma, certificate or other type of professional qualification might be needed.
Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are more advanced than an undergraduate degree and are a similar level as a Masters but with fewer credits. They can be a requirement for certain professions so it is worth checking what qualifications are needed for the area you are interested in.
Professional qualifications relate to specific industries and career paths. It may be that these can be done straight after graduating however, some may be for professionals with several years' experience.
A great way to research this can be through looking at the ‘qualifications’ section on the job profiles on Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk, speaking with industry professionals or reviewing relevant job adverts.
- Study for a PGCert or PGDip: boost your professional skills | Prospects.ac.uk
- Professional qualifications | Prospects.ac.uk
It is also worth noting that some of the large graduate schemes may include relevant training and cover the costs for certain qualifications so it is worth doing your research into the various options available to decide what route might be the best fit for you.
Funding
You will need to consider how you will fund your further study: student loan, bursaries, competitive scholarships (from research councils and other research organisations, universities, or trusts), personal income etc. The funding you choose will depend on the type of course you decide to undertake and the funding options available to you. A useful overview of the various options available can be found here:
For further information on postgraduate funding including student loans, there are a range of sources below:
- The government Student Finance website
- The Find a Masters or Find a PhD websites
- Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online - is a web resource for current and prospective postgraduate students (any subject, any nationality) who are looking to fund PhD, Masters, and PGCE study in the UK through grants from charities, trusts, and foundations.
- Funding | Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees | University of Exeter - These pages will help you estimate how much studying for a postgraduate degree will cost, explain how to search for scholarships, studentships, bursaries and other awards you might be eligible for, and introduce a number of alternative ideas that can help you fund your postgraduate studies.
- Postgraduate Studentships | Find a PhD | Postgraduate Funding - search for Masters & Research study & funding
- For information on PhD Studentships
- Turn 2 Us - Explore what financial support you can get through welfare benefits and grants based on your circumstances.
Applying for funding and scholarships takes time and you need be prepared; talk to your tutors sooner rather than later if further study is of interest to you. More information can be found on the University Funding webpages, particularly the University of Exeter funding database; a one-stop-shop for all Exeter funding awards.
Where to study?
Given the large number of Universities in the UK (over 160) it can be tricky to know where to choose to study. Various factors may impact your decision such as the teaching and research activities, size of the student population, the courses offered and location of the institution. There are a number of search engines available which can help you to search for courses:
You may wish to try to narrow down your options by:
- Speaking with relevant academics about their experiences and recommendations.
- Review the destinations of previous students from the course you are interested in.
- Speak with people working in the sector you are interested in for their view.
- You can view various University rankings on the following sites however do bear in mind that this looks at the University as a whole, so may not accurately reflect an individual department.
- Times Higher Education: World University Rankings
- Top Universities
- You may also wish to review other assessment methods of Universities such as the:
- Teaching Excellence Framework
- Research Excellence Framework
Why choose to Study Abroad and what to consider
Many students choose to study in a foreign country to experience new cultures, improve language skills, and build a global network. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, develop greater independence, and gain a new perspective on the world.
In addition to academic benefits, living in another country encourages personal growth. You'll learn to navigate new environments, manage day-to-day life in a different culture, and adapt to diverse ways of thinking. These experiences can make you more resilient, open-minded, and attractive to future employers.
However, studying abroad requires thoughtful planning. Key factors to consider include:
- Academic Compatibility: Ensure your chosen program aligns with your educational goals and that qualifications align with where you might end up working.
- Language and Culture: Some countries may teach in English but be prepared for language barriers and cultural differences.
- Cost and Funding: Consider tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and available scholarships or financial aid.
- Visa and Legal Requirements: Each country has different visa rules, including work rights, insurance, and residency obligations.
- Living Arrangements: Decide whether you prefer on-campus housing, private accommodation and research options well in advance.
Resources to help you research studying abroad:
- GoinGlobal - has country and city career guides which provide information about living and working in those places.
- Findamasters.com has information on different countries, courses, fees and funding, visas and student life.
- Findaphd.com has information on different countries, courses, fees and funding, visas and student life.
- Prospects Study Abroad has information about studying in different countries.
- You can view various global University rankings on the following sites however do bear in mind that this looks at the University as a whole, so may not accurately reflect an individual department.