|
Postgraduate
Study
in the UK
What
sort of courses can I do as a postgraduate student in the UK? What
will the experience be like? How can I get the most out of my time
in Britain? How will this contribute to my personal development?
What support is available? Will further study be valued when I return
home?
 Taught
courses
Most postgraduates in the UK are studying for Masters qualifications
lasting one or two years. These courses serve a range of needs from
vocational training to a preparation for further research. One characteristic
common to all is the opportunity to work in small groups and contribute
to an exciting mix of ideas and experience.
Teaching and learning on taught courses may be in the form of essays,
project work, industrial or business placements, problem classes,
lectures, tutorials or discussion groups. They may also include
a project or research dissertation which you work on individually
or as part of a group.
It is important that you check the content of courses and are sure
that they are suitable for you. Courses with the same title may
be very different in their aims and methods and different institutions
have different strengths.
Research
British Universities have a long and respected tradition for research.
Many Masters courses contain a research element and some are dedicated
to research with little or no formal teaching. The most advanced
form of postgraduate research is doctoral work which is intensive
and needs strong commitment in terms of time, dedication and finance.
Full time study at this level will take at least three years.
Whatever course you choose research in the UK is characterised by
close contact with academic staff and personal research supervision
either working with one or two academics or part of a research team.
If you are considering doing a doctorate in the UK you must make
sure you are very clear about your reasons and motivations. The
work is intense and demands a high degree of independence of both
thought and working patterns. Choosing your supervisor’s) for
doctoral level work is very important. You will have a close working
relationship with these people for several years so be sure to make
sure the people you choose will be best suited to your needs.
In recent years
much more emphasis has been placed upon gaining a broad range of
skills appropriate not just to your specific research project but
to the your subject area generally. Do take advantage of these opportunities
as they will put you in a stronger position when it comes to seeking
employment whether within academia or in other careers.
 Personal
Development
Whatever your course you will have the opportunity as a postgraduate
to develop your skills both formally and informally. All institutions
offer a range of supplementary courses in addition to the training
and teaching you will receive as part of your study.
What is often
not recognised are the skills you will develop informally through
studying in another country at postgraduate level. Postgraduate
study will enable you to develop your personal skills in areas such
as presentation, report writing, organising work effectively, managing
others and communicating ideas clearly. Also the experience of simply
studying in another country and being part of a different culture
is something that cannot be learned elsewhere.
Working
while studying
The UK Government has recently made it easier for international
students to work while studying. The most obvious way of earning
extra income while studying is doing teaching work. With the rapid
expansion of higher education in the UK over the last decade there
are many more opportunities for teaching at all levels from demonstrating
and laboratory work to tutorials, seminars and sometimes lecturing.
There may be
limitations on what teaching work you can do as Masters student
and more opportunity exists for those doing doctoral research. Remember,
though, that teaching can be time consuming so be sure to balance
the attractions of teaching work with the needs of your course or
research. You should expect training and support to be provided
from your department or institution to help you teach.
Student
Support
It is important to remember that when you are studying your academic
work is only part of your life. All institutions in the UK have
an organisation run by students and usually known as the students’
union or association. They are a focus for student life and provide
social and sporting facilities as well as acting as the voice of
students at the institution. Most institutions have a postgraduate
society and a wide range of other clubs and societies.
The first places
you should go for information and support are your institution and
its students’ union. There are also several national organisations
for students in the UK.
The national
body for postgraduates in the UK is the National Postgraduate Committee
(NPC) which is an independent organisation offering support, advice
and guidance to student unions, institutions and individuals. The
National Union of Students (NUS) is the largest student organisation
in the UK but does tend to focus more on the needs of undergraduates.
Be part
of it!
There is unprecedented interest in higher education at the moment
and a real commitment to widening opportunity and expanding the
role that higher education plays in society and the world. Postgraduate
study and research can serve different needs from career training
to the development of original and exciting ideas through research
and collaborative work. This is an exciting time to be part of a
learning revolution that can benefit you as an individual and society
as a whole. The UK has a deserved reputation as one of the best
places to do postgraduate work in the world. If you are clear about
your reasons for study and make the most of the opportunities available
you will have a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Be part of the
learning revolution and come and study in the UK. It’s an experience
you will never forget.
By: Jeremy
Hoad
General Secretary, National Postgraduate Committee (UK), 1998 -
2000
http://www.npc.org.uk/
|
