There are lots of postgraduate options for you to choose from and in many different academic fields. It’s important to understand the different types of courses available so that you can identify which one would best suit your strengths, skills and career goals.<\/p>\n\n
The next level up from an undergraduate degree is a postgraduate diploma or certificate. These qualifications are the same level of study as a Masters degree, but they're shorter and you don't have to write a dissertation. They often suit those who don't have the time or funds for a full Masters or if you think that a postgraduate qualification will boost your career prospects, but would rather not have to do lots of academic research.<\/p>\n
Find out more about postgraduate diplomas and certificates<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n A Masters degree is a Level 7 qualification meaning they sit above Bachelors degrees but below PhDs. They enable you to deepen your knowledge and expertise in a subject and can improve your chances of securing a job, although this depends on the role and the industry. Full-time Masters usually involve one or two years of study, while part-time programmes can last between two and four years.<\/p>\n Taught Masters courses (for example an MSc or MA) can be quite similar to your undergraduate degree in their delivery, often involving taught modules and then a research project. Research Masters (an MRes or MPhil) are more focused on preparing you with the necessary research skills and knowledge to undertake a longer, independent research project. Read more on FindAMasters<\/a> and the Prospects<\/a> website.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n Conversion courses are intensive postgraduate programmes that allow you to move into a different career that your undergraduate degree or professional career hasn't prepared you for. They are often vocational in nature and last anywhere between several months to several years, depending on the qualification and your mode of study (full-time or part-time). Many conversion courses condense an undergraduate degree into a shorter time frame.<\/p>\n Find out more about conversion courses<\/a> at Cardiff University and how they can support your decision to make a career change.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n Graduate Entry programmes are designed for undergraduate students to study fast-track degrees to get into certain professions, most typically within biomedical\/life sciences and healthcare. Graduate Entry Medicine is a particularly popular graduate entry degree in the UK. You can find out more on the Medical Schools Council<\/a> and Dental Schools Council<\/a> websites.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n A PhD involves at least 3 years' full-time working on an independent, research project. There is typically very little taught content. A PhD is essential if you want to pursue an academic research career and can be helpful for pursuing research roles outside of academia, depending on your industry. Doing a PhD is a big decision - read our advice on doing a PhD<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n