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Continue Your Education

Many graduates go on to do some form of further study or training. But there are a number of questions you need to be asking yourself before you start such as 'why do it?' and 'what are my options?'. If you're thinking about further study, why not talk through your reasons and options with a career consultant.

Students engage in further study or research for a range of reasons. Some of the main ones are:

It will get me a better job.
Probably the most common reason for most students. Research the area of work you wish to enter to identify how potential employers view applicants. In some cases a further qualification will enhance job prospects, in others, transferable skills and work experience may be more important.

I really enjoyed a particular aspect of my degree and want to continue.
Great, but will the programme help you with your longer term career planning? If the content is unrelated to a job area, you will need to explain why you are seeking to work in a field unrelated to it, and what relevant skills you can offer.

I need it for the job I want to do.
For some employment areas a postgraduate qualification, whilst not essential, will provide a distinct advantage to applicants, particularly when competition for places is fierce. However, check that this applies to your field of study and is not an uninformed assumption on your part.

I want to convert to a new career area.
Extending your professional skills into new areas and bringing with you already developed transferable skills is certainly valued by employers. The trick is to make sure you know which career are is the right one for your next career move.

I am not sure what career I want to follow.
Past experience suggests undertaking a further year or more or study is unlikely to lead to careers inspiration! If you choose a course for this reason you will need to use the duration of the course to research what options are open to you, what skills you have to offer and what you want out of a job by using the Careers Advisory Service and its related activities.

If you are considering further study why not contact a Career Consultant to discuss these and other issues you may need to consider when making your decision.

Resources:
	Switching courses for 1st years - [.pdf | 35.91 kb] Thinking of switching courses?
	Taking a break for 1st years - [.pdf | 40.7 kb] Thinking of taking a break from Uni?