In the UK, ‘postgraduate’ refers to the level of higher education that sits above first degrees such as the BA and the BSc. Sometimes, the term ‘postgraduate study‘ means the same thing as ‘Masters study’ or ‘graduate study’.
This can be confusing for students from some countries. In Bangladesh, for instance, graduate study refers to first degree-level study. For the purpose of this publication, postgraduate means a degree for which the normal entry requirement is a first degree from a UK university or its equivalent in other qualifications(ie an equivalent degree in your own country) or experience.
Postgraduate qualifications
Many postgraduate courses contain both research and taught elements, although the traditional division between the two modes of delivery still exists. There is also a strong emphasis on student choice in many institutions and some programmes are put together in such a way as to enable the individual student to tailor the degree to their specifications. Degree titles can vary from one institution to another for historical reasons. A guide to the most common usage is given below.
Diplomas and certificates
Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are almost always taught course qualifications. Certificate courses are usually shorter than diploma courses. Both types of award are frequently given for conversion courses and courses leading to membership of certain professional bodies.
Conversion courses are always taught and usually take one academic year. In some cases, the course may finish with a postgraduate diploma, and you may have to apply from scratch to get onto a Masters course.
In others, the conversion course may be the first part of a Masters programme, after which you have the option of continuing on the same course. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a conversion course required by all graduates who wish to become teachers in state schools but may not always be necessary for teaching in independent (public) schools.
Masters degrees
Masters courses can consist either of taught courses or a research programme or they may, in certain cases, contain elements of both, such as the MPhil. Intake is from those with a Bachelors-level qualification with honours or its equivalent, and most of them take about one year of full-time study. Most Masters degrees are designated either MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science), depending on the subject, or as a specialist degree such as an MBA or LLM (see below). Taught Masters courses may include formal training in research methods as preparation for further research study.
Specialist programmes
MBA (Master of Business Administration), LLM (Master of Laws), and MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) are all widely recognised specialist Masters courses. The popularity of management or business-related courses has surged in recent years, especially those leading to an MBA. In the UK alone, there are over 100 MBA programmes accredited by the Association of MBAs.
The Association of MBAs
The Association of MBAs AMBA is the global network for the MBA community. The Association represents the international MBA community, MBA students, MBA graduates, schools, businesses and employers. The Association has acted in the interests of these groups for over 30 years, promoting the MBA as a leading management qualification. The Association aims to encourage management education at postgraduate level to create highly competent professional managers.
Association of MBAs
25 Hosier Lane
London
EC1A 9LQ
United Kingdom
Tel: 00 44 20 7246 2686
Fax: 00 44 20 7246 2687
www.mba.org.uk
MPhil
The MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is usually an extended Masters degree involving a longer research thesis. Some MPhil courses have a significant taught content in their first year and devote the second to research; others are purely by research. Many institutions’ regulations provide for transfer from an MPhil or other Masters by research to a Doctorate for suitable candidates.
MRes
The MRes (Masters in Research) is designed to prepare students for doctoral research.
Doctorates
Doctoral programmes – the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common – usually take three or four years full time to complete. Intake is normally from those with a very good first degree or more commonly from those with a Masters degree, and occasionally by transfer from a Masters course.
CATS modular masters and study schemes
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Schemes (CATS) enable students to put together a study programme based on a range of courses or modules, across departments, faculties or even institutions. Under CATS, courses and course modules are worth a certain number of points and accumulated points can be transferred from one course or institution to another.
Distance learning
You can study for a wide range of UK postgraduate qualifications without leaving home. Teaching methods can vary widely but you may receive printed materials, videos, CD-ROMs and audio-visual teaching aids. Contact with a tutor is sometimes by email, but some distance learning providers encourage students to attend in person on occasion. You can find details of UK and international distance learning opportunities on the Open University (OU) website www.open.ac.uk or by calling their registration department on:
00 44 191 213 1380