The University of Kent
Careers and Employability Service
Postgraduate Study
Bruce Woodcock
University of Kent
Careers and Employability Service
bw@kent.ac.uk
You can download a copy of this presentation at
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
Tuesday 8th Dec. 10 am Templeman LT
Presentation by AbBaltis on careers in the bioscience industry
In Vitro Diagnostics and Biotech company offering innovative,
reliable and quality biologically-based products. Based in
Sittingbourne, Kent.
DON’T MISS THIS!
WHY DO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
• Because you are interested in your subject.
• Because you enjoy life at university.
• Because you want an academic/research career.
• To improve your job prospects.
Percentages of Kent graduates entering
further study within 6 months of leaving.
Bioscience
37 %
Physics
44 %
Forensic Science
19 %
Mathematics
28 %
Actuarial
16 %
Computer Science
14 %
Electronics
38 %
Multimedia
14 %
English
23 %
TAUGHT MASTER’S DEGREE
• Higher degrees by taught course &
dissertation - MSc
• Length: one calendar year (September September)
• Seminars, coursework and exams over the
academic year
• Followed by a dissertation prepared over
the summer
• Need 2:1
• Little funding available!
RESEARCH DEGREES
• M.Phil or PhD
• Length: from one year for Masters to at least three
for PhD
• Work independently to prepare a thesis
• Your supervisor will advise and guide - who you
choose is very important
• Original research expected
• Research Council funding normally available
• Need MSc or First Class degree for bioscience
WHERE TO STUDY?
Continue at Kent?
• “The Devil you know!”
• Friends may still be here.
Study elsewhere in the UK?
• More choice
• Seen as good to make a change
Study abroad?
• Much more work involved
• Apply early!
CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY
• Directories/websites such as Prospects
Postgrad
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PGDbase
• Ask your tutors!
• Use league tables and research
assessments - but with caution!
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
• Visit universities and talk to current
postgraduates
What can I do with my degree subject?
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/degreein.htm
• Gives details of Kent graduates in your subject who
have gone on to do postgraduate study.
University of Kent 2014 Grads: Postgraduate Study
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University of Kent
King's College
Kings College London
University of Surrey
Newcastle University
University of Kent
University of Kent
University College London
University of Kent
University of Leicester
University of Kent
University of Kent
John Lewis Plc/University of Kent
Imperial College London
King's College London
University of Nottingham
King's College London
Kings College London
King's College London
Reading University
University of Leeds
University of Kent
Waitrose/University of Kent
Universitat Antonoma de Barcelona
Uppsala University
University of Sheffield
Imperial College London
University of Manchester
University of Birmingham
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University
PhD in Biochemistry
PhD in Life Sciences & Medicine
PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
PhD Microbial Sciences
BBSRC funded MRes + PhD
Lab Demonstrater/PhD in Electronic Engineering
MSc Cancer Biology (5 students)
MSc Cancer Studies
MSc Infectious Diseases (3 students)
MSc in Infection & Immunity
MSc Biological Technology & Biological Engineering (3)
MSc Reproductive Medicine
MSc Biochemistry/Retail assistant
MSc Biochemistry
MSc Immunology
MSc in Cancer Immunology & Biotechnology
MSc in Biomedical & Molecular Sciences Research
MSc Neuroimaging
MSc Nutrition
MSc in Nutrition & Food Science
MSc Human Diseases & Therapy
MRes Cell Biology (2 students)
Checkout Supervisor/MRes Biomedical Science
MSc Pharmacology
MSc Biology
LLM Biotechnology Law & Ethics
MBBS. Graduate Entry Medicine
MbChb in Medicine
PgDip in Physician Associate Studies BA
PGCE (2)
PGCE Primary Education
How do self-funded students pay for their
course?
“Broke and Broken” – NUS report www.nus.org.uk/PageFiles/12238/Broke.pdf
RESEARCH COUNCIL FUNDING
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BBSRC Biology and Biotechnology
MRC Medical
EPSRC Engineering & Physical Sciences
NERC Natural & Environmental
STFC Science and Technology Facilities
Council (previously Particle Physics and
Astronomy Council)
RESEARCH COUNCILS AWARDS
• BBSRC, MRC, NERC, STFC, EPSRC,
• Apply to postgraduate department where you want
to study, not to the research council. Department
allocates awards.
• Closing date 31st July, but apply autumn or early
spring terms.
• Open to English and Welch applicants.
• Scottish and Northern Ireland applicants need to
confirm eligibility for particular courses.
• European Community applicants usually get fees
only.
AWARD VALUE
• Fees paid
• Maintenance grant about £15,000 outside
London
• May be extra allowances for dependants
• Most PhD students get a few hundred
pounds p.a. for invigilating, supervising
practicals/seminars etc.
• Normally need a 2:1 or 1st to get award
• Students resident in other EU countries may
receive a fees-only award
New Postgraduate Loans
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A new postgraduate loan scheme will be implemented for English-domiciled
students and EU students studying in English institutions from 2016.
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Will offer students up to £10,000 to help with the costs of a masters degree.
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Students are eligible for the loans if they are under the age of 30 and are
studying for a full-time masters, or part-time at 50% intensity or above.
There are no subject restrictions.
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Like undergraduate loans, graduates will only pay them back if they
earn over a certain amount - probably the same as undergraduate loans
(£21,000), and repay at a rate of 9% of income above this sum.
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FindAMasters Information on the Postgraduate Loans scheme
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING
Earnings
• Undergraduate teaching - sometimes a
requirement of university studentships
• Research Assistant - posts are relatively
rare and do not occur regularly
• Other jobs, unrelated to your studies,
full or part-time (Over half of
postgraduates are part-time students)
• UofK has a Graduate Teaching
Assistantship scheme supporting 300
postgrads
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING
• Professional and Career Development Loans
- Government loans for vocational courses.
• Company sponsorship/PhD whilst employed
• University research assistant/technician paid but have to do PhD in spare time
• Charitable trusts
• ASK COURSE DIRECTOR WHAT FUNDING IS
AVAILABLE!
Cancer Research UK
• http://science.cancerresearchuk.org
offers about 25 funded PhD places per
year (about £18,000 p.a.) They accept UK,
EU and non-EU students. Closing date is
usually late November
• You need to be expecting a good 2:1 or
first and must have some research
experience.
• They give as much funding for PhDs as
the Biology & Biotech. Research Council!
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
• Fees – about £5,000 a year for UK/EU
students on most full-time academic
courses.
About £1,000 off at Kent.
• But can be up to £20,000 for, e.g. MBA
courses
• International student fees start at around
£8000
• Maintenance – rent, food etc.
• Study expenses - travel to libraries, cost of
producing thesis, etc
UNIVERSITY STUDENTSHIPS
• Aimed at encouraging research – few available
for taught courses
• Sums vary but often similar level to Research
Council studentships
• May include a requirement to teach part-time
• Eligibility varies
• A brief list of these funds in Prospects
Postgraduate Funding Guide - or check with
the universities you are applying to
www.kent.ac.uk/recruitment/PG_Funding
HOW TO APPLY
• No UCAS equivalent for postgraduate
academic study
• Each university will have its own
application form
• Academic reference is important
• No overall closing date, but you may
need to apply early - in the first term of
your final year
• Early application especially important
to be eligible for funding
WHEN TO APPLY
EARLY IN FINAL YEAR.
• Discuss postgraduate study with your
tutor.
• Research and shortlist courses and
universities
• Apply for Cancer Research UK PhDs/
postgraduate study abroad/primary
teaching etc.
DECEMBER/JANUARY
• Most applications made now.
Writing your personal statement
• Usually have to write a personal statement of
about 500 words on why you wish to do the
Master’s degree.
–Why you want to do this course?
–Why this university?
–Relevance of your first degree
–Academic skills
–Career aims
• See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
for help with writing personal statements
VOCATIONAL POSTGRADUATE STUDY
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PGCE (teaching)
CPE (law conversion course)
MBA - Master’s in Business Administration
Librarianship Diploma
Computing Conversion
Journalism and Publishing Courses
Length: up to one calendar year
Seminars, coursework and exams
You may have the option to "upgrade" to a
Masters by producing a dissertation
STUDY ABROAD
• Many courses taught in English especially Netherlands, Scandinavia,
and some business courses.
• Often require a Masters degree to
enter postgraduate study in Germany
• Academic year starts February in
Australia/NZ
USA
• Apply well in advance - 12 months or
more.
• Have to pay to take GRE tests in
London
• Don't just apply to New York and
California
See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
FINANCIAL REASONS!
• ENGLAND from £4500
• FRANCE €425 (at public unis)
• USA $30,000 – 50,000
• GERMANY c€650 per semester
• CANADA up to $17,000
• GREECE FREE
• AUSTRALIA A$17,000 to 36,000
• NETHERLANDS €1900
• BELGIUM €600 - 1500
• SPAIN up to €3600
• DENMARK FREE
• SWEDEN FREE
• FINLAND FREE
For other EU countries, see
www.studyineurope.eu
www.mastersportal.eu
CAREERS SERVICE FACILITIES
• CAREERS SERVICE POSTGRADUATE STUDY
PAGES includes how to apply for postgraduate
study.
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
• PROSPECTS DATABASE OF POSTGRAD. STUDY
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PGDbase
• Practice interview for PG study
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/mockivs.htm
Further Help
• An adviser is on duty for short (15 minute)
consultations in the Careers and Employability Service
any weekday morning 10.30-12.30 or afternoon from 2
pm to 4 pm. You don't need an appointment to see the
duty adviser at these times. Just ask at Careers
Reception to see them.
• They can review your PRINTED personal statement for
postgraduate study study
• Can book an interview with me at Careers reception
(01227 823299)
• Email: bw@kent.ac.uk
Careers Employability Award on Moodle
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm
The University of Kent
Careers and Employability Service
Postgraduate Study
Bruce Woodcock
University of Kent
Careers and Employability Service
bw@kent.ac.uk
You can download a copy of this presentation at
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
OTHER RESOURCES
• Our CVs AND APPLICATIONS
BOOKLET has help on
constructing an academic CV
(page 12)
• Our INTERVIEWS BOOKLET has
advice on interviews for
postgraduate study (pages 23 &
24)
• Ask for a copy at Careers
Reception
Destinations of Kent Actuarial
Science Graduates
• MSc: MSc Applied Actuarial Science - Kent (12), MSc
Statistics - Kent (5), MSc Mathematics - LSE, MSc
Risk and Statistics - LSE, MSc Investment Banking Reading, MSc Finance - Oxford, MA Finance - Exeter,
MSc Actuarial Management - CASS Business School,
MA Islamic Studies - Middlesex University
• Postgraduate Diploma: Actuarial Science - Kent
• Teacher Training: PGCE Mathematics - Christ
Church, South Essex SCITT Training
• CISI - Chartered Institute of Securities
• CLAIT Computing Course - Sandwell College