Have you ever found yourself thinking, should I do postgraduate study? Well, for starters, returning to university and being a student again is an exciting affair. But on a serious note, here are some reasons why you should be considering studying a master’s degree:

Career Progression

Having a relevant postgraduate qualification could give you a competitive edge in the job market. A higher-level qualification shows your ability to commit to an intense period of study. It demonstrates that you possess the motivation to develop your skills to succeed in your chosen field.  If you’re already working in your preferred industry, a postgraduate qualification can lead to career progression as your employer may recognise and reward your commitment.

Improve employment prospects

Master’s degrees in the UK tend to be well regarded by employers. The government’s Graduate labour market statistics: 2017 show that graduates and postgraduates had higher employment rates than non-graduates.

Postgraduates were also more likely to be in high-skilled employment like professional or managerial roles (UK Labour Market). For example, 77% of all working-age postgraduates were in high-skilled employment, compared with 65% of all working-age graduates. Indeed, 73% of young postgraduates – those under the age of 30 – were in high-skilled employment in 2017, compared with just 57% of young undergraduates. 

Pursuing a research/academic career

In the research industry, especially in subject areas like engineering and sciences, there is a high demand for skilled research professionals to work in path-breaking research projects. A postgraduate degree is stepping stone if you are considering building a research or academic career in your desired field. To advance to a PhD degree, postgraduate degree is a must; it provides a framework for your next step.

Changing careers

Postgraduate study can also help if you want to change career direction. If you are no longer interested in your field of study from your undergraduate degree and are looking into a new career – a master’s degree can give you the professional qualification to begin your new career.

The postgraduate degree is also a more professional setting and therefore it can provide you with useful contacts that may lead up to employment options.

Why choose RGU?

Ranked as 1st in Scotland and in the top 10 in the UK for good industry connections and high-quality facilities (The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018), and 2nd in the UK (and top 50 in the world) in the Graduate Employment Rate measure (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020), RGU is one of the best places to do your Master’s degree.

It is also located in Aberdeen, which has been named the 2nd best Scottish city and in the top 10 UK cities to live and work in (Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index January 2021).

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Robert Gordon University offers full-time, part-time and online postgraduate courses starting in January and September. Find out more information on the RGU website.

Swetha

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