Postgraduate Study

This is the time of year when many of the third-level colleges are advertising their postgraduate courses. If you are considering applying for a postgraduate course over the next few months you may wish to think about the following:

• Have you researched all the course options available to you?
• Do you wish to study full-time, part-time or through distance learning?
• Do you know enough about the courses and the qualification gained?
• Do you know the difference between a ‘taught’ and ‘research’ postgraduate course?
• Are you prepared for the level of commitment involved?
• Are you aware of the financial cost and the financial supports available?

Some Benefits of Postgraduate Study;

It can allow a person to make a specialised career choice leading to a professional qualification, e.g. Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree + Postgraduate Diploma in Education, please note the closing date for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education for entry in 2008 has already passed.

A postgraduate Diploma/Masters may be used to make a change of direction in your career based on your degree status and/or your relevant interests/experiences.

It allows you to develop a higher range of specialised skills including rational thinking skills (critical analysis), self -management and communication skills.

New postgraduate courses are constantly coming on stream, often dependent on economic interests, and require people to have very specialised qualifications so there may be new opportunities for people to develop professionally in certain fields.

If you are applying to the following colleges you will need to refer to www.pac.ie:

• Dublin City University
• UCC
• NUI Galway
• NUI Maynooth
• Trinity College Dublin

Some Pointers

Use a search engine such as www.gradireland.com to search for courses on-line

Contact the relevant postgraduate course Co-Ordinators in the colleges for advice on applying, course content, commitment expected and progression afterwards

Attend college Open-Days specific to postgraduate courses

Speak to other postgraduate students

Finally, as this may be a bigger step for you ensure you pick the right course and have the supports in place when you undertake it.

Good Luck