A postgraduate or master’s degree is a higher qualification after an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree. Students pursuing their postgraduate studies are looking to specialise at an advanced level.

Postgraduate degrees vary from MA/MSc programmes to MBAs and PhDs. Depending on your short-term goals, preferred location to work and area of specialisation, each advanced level qualification can be beneficial in different ways.

Postgraduate studies are an excellent way to refine your interests, enhance your skill set, and cultivate a comprehensive understanding of your preferred field. But more importantly, a postgraduate makes you more employable. According to the University of East Anglia, UK, approximately 15 percent of jobs (1 in 7) will need a postgraduate degree.

When deciding where to pursue your postgraduate education, it’s important to consider your personal and professional goals. While many study in popular destinations such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe, you should find a location that offers specialisations that align with your individual needs and cultural preferences. Simply put, you should look for a place that can provide you with the education you need to achieve your goals and where you feel comfortable and supported.

If you’re wondering whether you can use your postgraduate degree to get a work permit, it’s important to understand that the rules and opportunities vary depending on the country. In the UK and Canada, for instance, you can extend your student visa by two years, while in the US, the extension is only for one year (known as OPT), which applies to all degrees that are not in the STEM field. The availability and requirements of these permits also depend on whether you have a job offer in the respective country.

Postgraduate programmes cover many education options after your bachelor’s degree. A master’s in one of many postgraduate programmes that allows you to earn degrees such as MPhil, MSc and MA, among others. Other postgraduate programmes include doctorates, diplomas, and professional degrees like LLM, MD, CPA, FRM, and more.

Absolutely! When pursuing a master’s degree, you can choose to enrol either as a full-time or part-time student, which will determine the duration of your degree programme. If you opt for full-time study and take a full course load, you can expect to finish your degree programme faster. On the other hand, as a part-time student, you can work to balance the financial burden of tuition. However, completing your degree will take longer. Ultimately, the decision to enrol as a full-time or part-time should align with your circumstances and goals. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and consider how it will impact your life and career aspirations.