List of Postgraduate Courses for the Best Career Benefits
Postgraduate courses are a great way to level up your career opportunities. From higher salaries and promotions to driving a successful career change, the right list of postgraduate courses can make all the difference. Postgraduate programs tend to have a more specialist focus in their field, with universities often developing courses specifically for professionals.
To find the right postgraduate course for you, you need to start by figuring out your career goals. With a clear idea of what you hope to achieve with your degree, you have a better sense of direction while exploring postgraduate course options.
Types of Postgraduate Courses
Postgraduate courses are any program that you enrol in after completing your Bachelor’s degree. The right type of postgraduate course for you will depend in part on your existing academic and professional qualifications as well as your future goals. Here are the most common types of programs you will come across while researching your list of postgraduate courses:
Master’s Degrees
The most common postgraduate degree option for students holding a bachelor’s degree is a Master’s program. Master’s degrees are specialization degrees in subjects that build on the foundations you created during your undergraduate study. Some master’s programs, especially those that focus specifically on professionals, may require you to have some existing work experience too. Many Master of Business Administration (or MBA) programs ask for prior work experience as part of the entry requirements.
A Master’s degree is generally 1-2 years long, though some specialist programs may be longer. The curriculum typically consists of a mandatory thesis or final project.
Types of Master’s Degrees
There is no one kind of Master’s degree. Depending on your course subject list, your field, and even the university offering the program, your Master’s degree may look different. Some of the academic Master’s degree options include:
● MA - Master of Arts:
A postgraduate degree focusing on humanities, social sciences, or fine arts.
● MS, MSc. - Master of Science:
A postgraduate degree emphasizing scientific, technical, or mathematical disciplines.
● MRes - Master of Research:
A postgraduate degree with a primary focus on advanced research methodologies and conducting original research.
● MPhil - Master of Philosophy:
A research-focused master's degree involving a significant original research project and thesis.
There are also Master’s degrees with a professional focus. These include:
● MBA - Master of Business Administration:
A postgraduate degree focusing on business management, leadership, and administrative skills.
● LLM - Master of Laws:
A postgraduate degree for advanced legal studies, often specializing in specific areas of law.
● MFA - Master of Fine Arts (MFA):
A postgraduate degree focusing on creative disciplines such as visual arts, writing, and performing arts.
● MEng - Master of Engineering:
A postgraduate degree emphasizing advanced engineering principles and practices.
● M.Arch - Master of Architecture:
A professional postgraduate degree focusing on the study and practice of architecture.
Doctoral Studies - PhD
If you want to pursue doctoral studies after completing your master’s, your next likely route is a PhD. Typically, you would want a PhD if you want to pursue research and academia. As a scholar, you can contribute to developing literature in your field as a researcher and participate in teaching as well. PhD programs involve planning and implementing original research projects. You may be a part of a research team and conduct your research using university resources.
Completing a research project for a PhD usually requires 4-5 years, especially in STEM subjects. After you finish your PhD, you officially hold the prestigious “Doctor” title. Generally, students opt for a PhD after their Master’s education. However, there is a list of postgraduate courses at doctorate levels that you can pursue directly after your bachelor’s degree.
With a strong research proposal, you can access waivers, funding, and research grants to study abroad. For example, if you plan to study in the UK, you can explore a list of university courses that the UK Research and Innovation Councils invest in for research.
You can also look into research assistantships and teaching assistantships to cover part of your costs. These are not only great opportunities to make your degree abroad most cost-effective but are also an excellent chance to build professional experience.
Postgraduate Diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a short specialist qualification with a keen professional focus. It concentrates on practical skills and advanced knowledge in a specific field. Typically, you would want a postgraduate diploma to enhance your professional skills or switch careers. This diploma can improve job prospects and career advancement. It usually involves coursework and practical training.
Unlike a master's degree, it does not typically require a dissertation or thesis. Postgraduate diplomas generally consist of two terms, taking around 6-12 months to complete. Diplomas also cost significantly less than a Master’s degree and focus more on skill development than conventional studying.
Postgraduate Certificate
A postgraduate certificate is another short, concentrated qualification. It focuses on specific skills and knowledge in a particular area. Typically, you would want a postgraduate certificate to gain expertise quickly or supplement your existing qualifications. This certificate can boost your career and open up new opportunities. It usually involves coursework and practical assignments. Degrees like this are generally known as:
● PgCert
● PG Cert
● PGC
● PgC
Unlike a master's degree or diploma, it is shorter and with a greater focus on immediate practical applicability. A certificate course can be both full-time and part-time. You will require somewhere between 2-4 months to complete around 60 credits for a postgraduate certificate.
How to Enrol in Postgraduate Courses
The entry requirements for your list of postgraduate courses will depend on each program and each university. Generally, though, there are some common elements in applications for master’s and doctorate-level programs. The basic requirement is at least a bachelor’s degree (and master’s as well, for most PhDs). The documents you need to enrol in a postgraduate course may include:
● Undergraduate Degree:
Transcripts of your most recent higher education qualification.
● Resume:
You will need to provide a CV or resume showcasing your more recent and relevant academic and professional experience.
● Portfolio:
For programs in fields like design and architecture, you may need to provide a portfolio of your work.
● Research Proposal:
You may need to provide a research proposal and outline any prior research experience.
● References:
References from academic and professional sources are a common requirement for postgraduate applications.
● Statement of Purpose:
A strong statement of purpose can add a lot of weight to your application.
Benefits for Your Career
A master’s program is a popular option among prospective international students keen to unlock career advantages. Postgraduate diplomas and certificates can be quick gateways to upskill or reskill for career growth as well. For students who aim to pursue a career in research and teaching, a PhD is the natural pathway towards this goal.
Here are a couple of the top reasons why you should consider a list of postgraduate courses to accomplish your career goals:
Skill Development
One of the biggest upsides of a postgraduate education abroad is the skillset development you can enjoy here. Top study abroad destinations like Australia and the UK are as popular as they are because of their emphasis on industry-relevant programs and curricula. In fact, one of the metrics that determines the standards of academic excellence is the employability of graduates. Therefore, top global universities pay particular attention to program development so that students graduate with up-to-date, job-relevant skills for their fields.
Many programs you will discover in your list of postgraduate courses will have this keen focus on skill development. Look out for programs that place an emphasis on experiential learning and real-world practice. These are the actionable tools that will boost your career growth after graduation.
Greater Career and Earning Opportunities
Indeed.com reports that the salary increase you can enjoy as a master’s degree holder can be 20% higher than that of a bachelor’s degree holder. This increase can be as high as 35% for those completing postgraduate studies in Australia.
Meanwhile, almost 80% of master’s degree holders are in professional or higher-level employment with greater earning potential. Many employers favor master’s degree holders over bachelor’s degree holders because a postgraduate qualification reflects a higher skill level and specialist experience. Graduate employability for master’s students completing their degree at top global universities tends to be impressively high.
In-Built Work Experience Opportunities
Some professional Master’s degrees include an internship or co-op opportunity as part of the curriculum. Your list of postgraduate courses at the doctoral level may also come with options for research or teaching assistantships.
These are excellent options to get real-world work experience in the leading global sectors in your field. Many global universities supplement classroom learning with hands-on experience, recognizing the demand for the skills and competencies you can only develop through practice. These programs not only bring your career-relevant skills up to speed to appeal to employers, but you also develop inroads into career opportunities through professional networking.
Cost of Studying Abroad
Master's degrees will typically cost you less than Bachelor’s degrees overall. Thanks to their shorter duration, the total cost of a master’s program typically comes down to lower than the total cost of a bachelor’s degree. If you held off on studying abroad at the undergraduate level because of cost concerns, you can still access a global education and all its perks through a postgraduate! Tools like GRADSearch let you easily shortlist the list of university courses that best meet your needs. You can easily compare the tuition fees of programs through the handy program overview for each course.
Career Change
A master's degree or postgraduate diploma can help you transition to a new career. Many postgraduate programs accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, letting you gain knowledge and skills in a new field. For instance, say you have a bachelor's degree in science, but you wish to become a business professional. You could explore a plethora of business programs through tools like GRADSearch to find the ideal course subject list accepting applicants from any discipline.
Research
If you see yourself contributing to scholarly pursuits, including university-level teaching, a postgraduate course can be your gateway into research and academia. Postgraduate courses such as Master’s degrees and PhDs comprise strong research components. They set you on the course to professionally pursue research and academia as your ideal career path.
Top Postgraduate Career Options
Ultimately, your top pick out of the list of postgraduate courses out there will depend on your specialization, field, and career goals. Below are just a few of the postgraduate pathways with promising job prospects in the next ten years:
| Career Path | Postgraduate Courses |
| Sustainability Engineer | MS/MSc in Environmental Sciences, MEng in Sustainability/Renewable Energy Engineering |
| Chemical Engineer | MS/MSc in Chemical Engineering |
| Healthcare Administrator | MHA in Healthcare |
| Economist | MS in Economy |
| Software Engineer | MS in Software Engineering, MEng in Software Engineering |
| Marketing Manager | MBA, MSc/MS in Marketing |
| Petroleum Engineer | MS in Geology, Petroleum Engineering |
Rounding Up
What matters most when considering the list of postgraduate courses you discover through university forums or tools like GRADSearch is your career interest. Outline your career goals – what exactly do you hope to accomplish professionally once you complete your degree? Look through the program outcomes of each of the courses you are considering. How do the program components line up with your career objectives? Having these objectives in mind helps you sort through your options to find the right fit.
