postgraduate study
DESCRIPTION
Bruce Woodcock You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm . Postgraduate Study. WHY DO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?. Because you are interested in your subject. Because you enjoy life at university. Because you want an academic/research career. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The University of KentCareers and Employability Service
Postgraduate Study
Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability [email protected]
You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
WHY DO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
• Because you are interested in your subject.• Because you enjoy life at university.• Because you want an academic/research
career.• To improve your job prospects.
Percentages of Kent graduates entering further study within 6 months of leaving.
Bioscience 37 % Physics 44 % Forensic Science 19 % Mathematics 28 % Actuarial 16 % Computer Science 14 % Electronics 38 % Multimedia 14 % English 23 %
TAUGHT MASTER’S DEGREE: MSc• Higher degrees by taught course & dissertation
• Length: one calendar year (September – Sept.)
• Seminars, coursework and exams over the academic year
• Followed by a 3 to 5 months-long dissertation prepared over the summer:
• Need 2:1usually.
• Funding normally via postgraduate loan
RESEARCH DEGREES • M.Phil or PhD• Length: from one year for research Masters to three for
PhD• Work independently to prepare a thesis• Your supervisor will advise and guide - who you choose is
very important• Original research expected • Research Council funding normally available• Need MSc or First Class degree. May have to compete
with MSc students for PhD places
WHERE TO STUDY? Continue at Kent?• Top quality university• “The Devil you know!”• Friends may still be here. Study elsewhere in the UK?• More choice• Can be seen as good to make a changeStudy abroad?• Much more work involved• Apply early!
CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY
• Prospects Postgrad website – database of all PG courses in the UK www.prospects.ac.uk
• Ask your lecturers!
• Use league tables and research assessments - but with caution! www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
• Visit universities and talk to current postgraduates
What can I do with my degree subject?www.kent.ac.uk/careers/degreein.htmGives details of Kent graduates in your subject who have gone on to do postgraduate study.
University of Kent Grads: Postgraduate Study• University of Kent PhD in Biochemistry• King's College PhD in Life Sciences & Medicine• Kings College London PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences• University of Surrey PhD Microbial Sciences• Newcastle University BBSRC funded MRes + PhD• University of Kent Lab Demonstrater/PhD in Electronic Engineering• University of Kent MSc Cancer Biology (5 students)• University College London MSc Cancer Studies• University of Kent MSc Infectious Diseases (3 students)• University of Leicester MSc in Infection & Immunity• University of Kent MSc Biological Technology & Biological Engineering
(3)• University of Kent MSc Reproductive Medicine• John Lewis Plc/University of Kent MSc Biochemistry/Retail assistant• Imperial College London MSc Biochemistry• King's College London MSc Immunology• University of Nottingham MSc in Cancer Immunology & Biotechnology• King's College London MSc in Biomedical & Molecular Sciences Research• Kings College London MSc Neuroimaging• King's College London MSc Nutrition• Reading University MSc in Nutrition & Food Science• University of Leeds MSc Human Diseases & Therapy• University of Kent MRes Cell Biology (2 students)• Waitrose/University of Kent Checkout Supervisor/MRes Biomedical Science• Universitat Antonoma de Barcelona MSc Pharmacology• Uppsala University MSc Biology• University of Sheffield LLM Biotechnology Law & Ethics• Imperial College London MBBS. Graduate Entry Medicine• University of Manchester MbChb in Medicine• University of Birmingham PgDip in Physician Associate Studies BA• Canterbury Christ Church University PGCE (2)• Canterbury Christ Church University PGCE Primary Education
Postgraduate courses at Kent
• MSc Biotechnology and Bioengineering
• MSc Cancer Biology• MSc Infectious Diseases• MSc Reproductive Medicine• MA Science CommunicationOther Schools• MSc Conservation Biology• MSc Ethnobotany• MSc Computer Science (conversion)• MSc Business (conversion)
RESEARCH COUNCIL FUNDING for PhDs• BBSRC Biology and Biotechnology• MRC Medical• EPSRC Engineering & Physical Sciences• NERC Natural & Environmental• STFC Science and Technology Facilities
Council
RESEARCH COUNCILS AWARDS
• BBSRC, MRC, NERC, STFC, EPSRC, • Apply to postgraduate department where you want
to study, not to the research council. Department allocates awards.
• Closing date 31st July, but apply autumn or early spring terms.
• Open to English and Welch applicants.• Scottish and Northern Ireland applicants need to
confirm eligibility for particular courses.• European Community applicants usually get fees
only.
AWARD VALUE• Fees paid• Maintenance grant about £15,000 outside
London• May be extra allowances for dependants• Most PhD students get a few hundred pounds
p.a. for invigilating, supervising practicals/seminars etc.
• Normally need a high 2:1 or 1st to get award
New Postgraduate Loans• A new postgraduate loan scheme will be implemented for English-
domiciled students and EU students studying in English institutions from 2016.
• Will offer students up to £10,280 to help with the costs of a masters degree.
• Students are eligible for the loans if they are under the age of 30 and are studying for a full-time masters, or part-time at 50% intensity or above. There are no subject restrictions.
• Like undergraduate loans, graduates will only pay them back if they earn over £21,000, and repay at a rate of 6% of income above this sum.
• Information on the Postgraduate Loans Scheme
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING• University Research Assistant: posts are relatively rare
• Other jobs, unrelated to your studies
• Undergraduate teaching: sometimes a requirement of university studentships. Kent has a Graduate Teaching Assistantship scheme supporting 300 postgrads
• Company sponsorship/PhD whilst employed
• Charitable trusts• ASK COURSE DIRECTOR WHAT FUNDING IS
AVAILABLE! • www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/fees-a
nd-funding
UNIVERSITY STUDENTSHIPS
• Aimed at encouraging research – few available for taught courses
• Sums vary but often similar level to Research Council studentships
• May include a requirement to teach part-time
• Eligibility varies• A brief list of these funds in Prospects
Postgraduate Funding Guide - or check with the universities you are applying to
www.kent.ac.uk/recruitment/PG_Funding
Cancer Research UK
• http://science.cancerresearchuk.org offers about 25 funded PhD places per year (about £18,000 p.a.) They accept UK, EU and non-EU students. Closing date is usually late November
• You need to be expecting a good 2:1 or first and must have some research experience.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?• Fees – about £5,000 a year for UK/EU
students on most full-time academic courses at Kent.
About £1,000 off at Kent.• But can be up to £20,000 for some courses –
especially in London• International student fees start at around
£8000• Maintenance – rent, food etc.• Study expenses - travel to libraries, cost of
producing thesis, etc.
HOW TO APPLY• No UCAS equivalent for postgraduate academic study• Each university will have its own online application form • Academic reference is important• No overall closing date, but you may need to apply early - in
the first term of your final year• Early application especially important for funding• PhD studentships advertised from late November to January.
Sign up for alerts on www.findaphd.com
EARLY IN FINAL YEAR• Discuss postgraduate study with your academic advisor.• Research and shortlist courses and universities
JANUARY ONWARDS • Most MSc applications made in Spring term.
Writing your personal statement
Usually have to write a personal statement of about 500 words on why you wish to do the Master’s degree.
• Why you want to do this course?
• Why this university?
• Relevance of your first degree
• Academic skills
• Career aimsFor PhDs may need a 2,000 word research proposal on what you want to research and why
See our postgraduate study page www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htmfor help with writing personal statements, funding and how to apply
VOCATIONAL POSTGRADUATE STUDY
• PGCE (teaching)• CPE (law conversion course)• MBA - Master’s in Business Administration• Librarianship Diploma• Computing Conversion• Journalism and Publishing Courses• Length: up to one calendar year• Seminars, coursework and exams • You may have the option to "upgrade" to a
Masters by producing a dissertation
STUDY ABROAD
• Many courses taught in English - especially Netherlands, Scandinavia, and some business courses.
• Often require a Masters degree to enter postgraduate study in Germany
• Academic year starts February in Australia/NZ
USA• Apply well in advance - 12 months or
more. • Have to pay to take GRE tests in
London • Don't just apply to New York and
CaliforniaSee www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
FINANCIAL REASONS!• ENGLAND from £4500• USA $30,000 – 50,000• CANADA up to $17,000• AUSTRALIA A$17,000 to
36,000 • BELGIUM €600 - 1500• DENMARK: FREE• FINLAND: FREE
• FRANCE €425 (at public unis)
• GERMANY: FREE• GREECE: FREE• NETHERLANDS €1900• SPAIN up to €3600• SWEDEN: FREE
For other EU countries, seewww.studyineurope.euwww.mastersportal.eu
Further Help• How to apply for postgraduate study
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm • Practice interview for PG study
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/mockivs.htm • Help for PhDs www.kent.ac.uk/careers/PDWPgrad.htm • An adviser is available for short (15 minute) consultations
in the Careers and Employability Service any weekday morning 10.30-12.30 or afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm. You don't need an appointment to see the duty adviser at these times. Just ask at Careers Reception to see them.
They can review your PRINTED personal statement for postgraduate study.
Further Help• An adviser is available for short (15 minute) consultations
in the Careers and Employability Service any weekday morning 10.30-12.30 or afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm. You don't need an appointment to see the duty adviser at these times. Just ask at Careers Reception to see them.
• They can review your PRINTED personal statement for postgraduate study.
• For career choice, you can book an interview with me at Careers reception (01227 823299), but not for CV/application form checks!
• Email: [email protected]
www.kent.ac.uk/careers Telephone: 01227 823299 Email: [email protected] hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5 including vacations Drop-in times (no appointment needed: 15 minutes): 10.30 to 12.30 and 2 to 4 pmHelp given for up to 3 years after graduationWeekly careers emails every Monday afternoon
Tuesday Lecture: Cinema 10-11 am
• You don’t have to attend!• I will simply be available in Cinema
to answer any individual questions you may have.
The University of KentCareers and Employability Service
Postgraduate Study
Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability [email protected]
You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm