FINAL year as an undergraduate is undoubtedly a trying time, no matter where you go to university. Whether you are on a campus in the UK or abroad, it’s a very intense period in your life, emotionally, academically, professionally...you name it. The next few months will mark the “end of an era”, as final year students say goodbye to their (somewhat) carefree university living and get flung into adult life, full of its expectations and responsibilities.
Choosing a path for your future is an important element of your final undergraduate year, as you need to have some plan about what you’re going to do once graduation is over.
Some students look forward to experiencing the thrill of the graduate professional scene. Finally, after all those lectures and assignments, something real they can sink their teeth into! Graduate jobs represent the first step on the path to the careers of their dreams!
Others have a more adventurous approach to their post-graduation plans. Perhaps that trip to Indonesia that’s been in the works for so long, or teaching English in China. Maybe some good ol’ fashioned inter-railing around Europe. Why not? After all, what else eases you into life after uni like a little R&R?
Needless to say, these aren’t the only available options. Personally, I’ve noticed among my friends, both in the UK and in the Netherlands, that the idea of pursuing graduate degrees is becoming more and more popular. Some can find it hard to believe, since the common idea is that most students can’t wait to get out of the lecture hall. In fact, a growing number of graduates are looking for new ways in which to impress future employers, and having a Master’s degree in a subject you’re very passionate about can be what sets you apart from your peers.
For the past few months, I myself have been flirting with the idea of pursuing an MA after finishing my LLB. I’ve learned a lot when researching this potential path in my future. Here are some tips to help students navigate their way through the choosing process.
Think About What You Love
Unlike most undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees can be very specific. This gives you a great opportunity to delve deeper into a subject that may not have been covered enough during your previous studies, or to learn something completely new that you’re very passionate about. Most universities (both in the UK and abroad) present a wide array of options when it comes to graduate courses in any subject imaginable.
Before choosing a degree, think about what you love to learn about. Then browse through the course prospectus and come up with a shortlist of what you’d be interested in.
Meet & Greet
I believe that the most important part of researching a potential Master’s degree is to get a feel of the course and what it has to offer. This is an especially important step if you’re thinking about attending a different university. In this case, my suggestion is to attend Open Days for your chosen graduate degree. As much as it may appear as an effort at first (given the academic pressure of a final year), it’s always worth it in the long run.
The event normally won’t take more than a few hours (or an entire day if you have to travel) and they’re a great opportunity to find out more details on the course, meet lecturers, mingle and ask questions which can help you make your choice. It gives you a more vivid image about what student life would be like at that particular institution because, let’s face it, nearly all universities look good on paper, but the way they actually make you feel can be totally different. The last think you would want is to be disappointed or frustrated for the next year or two, in a place you’ve worked so hard to get into.
Think Outside the Box and Beyond the Channel
As I mentioned previously, don’t be afraid to consider destinations outside of the UK for your graduate study. Remember, it’s a time to expand your horizons both academically and socially. Foreign universities can offer a fresh take on teaching/ researching a topic, and it always seems like a good idea to think outside the box and try to be different than your peers.
Any student who’s been abroad, either on Erasmus or for their graduate degree, will agree that it is well worth the move and it’s an experience they don’t regret. Alternatively, think about it as getting two birds with one stone, with travel and study all in one.
Fulfilling, But Not a Walk in the Park
The key thing you need to remember about opting for a graduate degree is the fact that there is a lot of work involved. It does sound like stating the obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many students squander their graduate opportunity by under-estimating how demanding it is going to be.
In this case, I suggest you take a really good look at what the course offers and realistically assess whether you would be willing to commit to that kind of academic approach. Some courses are highly theoretical and involve writing multiple essays over 10.000 words long, while others adhere to practical approach. In order to make the most of your choice, think about how you like to learn, just as much as what you want to learn about.
These are, in my view, the top four things to remember when thinking about going into further education. If you do it right, you’re bound to have a great experience!
