What does it take to do a postgraduate degree?

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Rama Govenden, Executive: HR at PPS, says "With the increasingly competitive job market young graduates are faced with in South Africa, a postgraduate qualification could be the one thing that sets a student apart from other candidates but it is important for students to ask themselves the following key questions before embarking on postgraduate studies."

What course do I want to study and for what reason?

Many students choose to further their studies because they are looking for an academic challenge while others are aiming to increase their knowledge, develop research skills or to gain a qualification that could further their career. Whatever the reason for embarking on postgraduate studies, it is important for any student, looking to complete their honours, masters or even doctorate qualifications, to choose the right course for their chosen career.

While many postgraduate qualifications and courses are linked to specific careers, such as the medical profession, in other professions a postgraduate qualification could lead to increased employment opportunities. It is advisable to speak to others who have already completed the course to ascertain whether they would recommend it.

Will the course recognise me as a professional?

When furthering studies in an effort to be a qualified professional in a specific field, it is vital to check with industry bodies whether the professional body recognises the course. If the course is not qualified, the student is at risk of completing a qualification that cannot advance his or her career.

Am I committed enough to do a postgraduate degree?

While it is very encouraging when students do decide to further their studies, it is imperative to realise that these programmes demand much discipline, motivation and dedication. When students commits to postgraduate studies, they need to ensure that they are fully capable of meeting the deadline and managing their time sufficiently to complete the programme. Most of these programmes are very fast-paced and in many instances, the students are required to undergo a year, or even two years of focussed research.

What type of course will suit my life?

It is equally important for students to consider the style of course that will best suit their daily life, and possible work schedule. There are different options when it comes to course styles, such as lecture-based or distance learning, each with a different assessment method (coursework versus exams) to choose from.

Therefore, students are advised to ensure that they choose the most suitable course style for their personal circumstances. Some might even opt to study part-time or do an extended course if they choose to keep a full-time or part-time job while completing their postgraduate studies.

How will my studies be funded?

While more students should be encouraged to further their studies to postgraduate level, the costs of the programmes are generally substantial. Students should speak to prospective employers, public enterprises or big corporates in an effort to source bursaries or funding for their studies.

Govenden says that most companies offering bursaries normally allow the student to pay the funds back in the form of time spent working for the company. Upon completion of their studies, the student will be obliged to work for the company for a set period to repay the company for financially supporting their studies.

"A postgraduate degree can be a very important stepping stone to entering the job market, as it portrays a positive message to possible recruiters. More people should consider taking their studies a level further by gaining additional knowledge and research experience in their chosen field of work in an effort to achieve their career goals," concludes Govenden.