FAQs: General Questions
- What is postgraduate study?
- Why undertake postgraduate study?
- What is the difference between coursework and research programs?
- What are typical pathways to postgraduate study?
- What are the benefits to my employer?
What is postgraduate study?
Postgraduate study refers to the range of courses (often referred to as 'programs' at postgraduate level) that are available to students who have significant work experience and/or a TAFE or undergraduate qualification.
Programs that come under the postgraduate label include:
- Graduate certificate
- Graduate diploma
- Master (by coursework or research)
- Master (honours)
- PhD
- Professional doctorate
There are two ways to undertake postgraduate study; by coursework and/or research.
Why undertake postgraduate study?
There are many reasons why students choose to undertake postgraduate study.
Postgraduate study offers the chance to pursue extended research (requisite for a career in academia), enter the world of work at a higher salary level, or acquire vocational training and skills.
With an increase in the number of students pursuing university study each year, competition for graduate employment is becoming progressively more difficult. For those students who have a specific career path in mind, evidence of postgraduate education could make all the difference to a prospective employer.
What is the difference between postgraduate coursework and research programs?
Postgrad coursework programs usually involve student attendance at lectures, classes or seminars and may, depending on the level of qualification, require a minor thesis. These qualifications are awarded by following a set stream of core units and electives.
Research qualifications are awarded following the completion of a major thesis, involving original research, under the supervision of a senior academic. When undertaking research programs, learning is undertaken independently and there are no lectures or classes.
What are typical pathways to postgraduate study?
There are various pathways to a postgraduate course. A traditional path has been for academically gifted students to enrol in an honours year in their undergraduate degree and, if successful in this course (which usually includes a research topic, project or essay), move on to a research master (sometimes called an honours master) degree or straight into a PhD.
It is possible, however, to enrol in a university-level graduate certificate or graduate diploma in an academic field on the basis of relevant employment - or in some cases, life experience - and then progress to a higher-level postgraduate qualification on the basis of success in these courses.
In a similar way, enrolment in a master by coursework can follow relevant work experience and/or the successful completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a relevant area or by finishing an undergraduate degree which is deemed by the university to allow adequate preparation.
What are the benefits to my employer?
Many students undertake postgraduate study in an effort to increase their likelihood of securing course-related employment. Not only does postgraduate study refine course-specific knowledge and skills but it has also been shown to greatly improve the transferable skills and qualities sought by employers.
Transferable Skills of Postgraduate Students |
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|---|---|---|
People skills |
Task skills |
Self management skills |
• Teamwork |
• Quality focused |
• Research skills |
Other qualities that postgraduate students are recognised for include professionalism, resilience, resourcefulness and patience.