Duration: 11:48
Welcome to the top tips for applying for a master’s session, my name is Gagan.
This session will give you the basics and it will give you enough to get you started on all elements of applying for a masters it's a very good starting point but it is just a starting point so for further discussion or for extended sessions on particular issues like writing a personal statement then do look at events and do arrange to see an advisor and we'll give you details about how you can do that later on.
Now let's begin by thinking about the objectives for this session. By the end of the session you will be able to: discuss good reasons to do a master's, identify resources to help you find courses summarise what makes a good masters application, and know how to search for appropriate funding resources. Let's think first of all about why we may choose to do a master's course.
There can of course be all kinds of reasons and will be different for every one of you listening but some very positive reasons I would suggest are: passion for your subject, to change career, to develop your knowledge and specialise, to make progress in a current career, personal development, the challenge, a stepping stone to a PhD, and networking opportunities. Now reasons that are perhaps less positive can be things like peer pressure or your friends doing one, fulfilling others ambitions, fear of change, you might love Birmingham and not want to leave, beating a recession thinking I’ll wait until things improve keeping your visa, escaping a job you're not enjoying, or putting off or making a career decision.
Having thought about reasons for doing the masters let's spend a little time now on thinking about the different types of masters, so you can have a taught masters and you can have research masters.
If you choose a taught masters you probably find that these are similar in style and structure to undergraduate degrees, so by this I mean they typically consist of lectures seminars and practical assignments with work assessed or exams essays dissertations and group projects. Now as a student you'll be encouraged to work independently and yet you'll receive close support from your tutor. A taught master's degree may best suit a student who is looking to change careers boost the job prospects or gain a wide-ranging skills net.
The research master's is a little different in that here students are perhaps expected to actively and independently learn by producing a thesis on one particular topic, and this will take up around 60% of the students overall time. Now the programs can involve little or no in-class teaching and this is quite a change from the taught master's style. However guidance is provided by an appointed supervisor. A research master's degree may best suit you as a student if you work well alone, if perhaps you have work that you want to be published, if you're interested in a very specific niche topic and there may not be a taught masters that addresses that, or you are planning to undertake PhD study. Now if you are not sure what type of masters suits you best or to explore if master's study is for you at all then book an appointment with the careers advisor in your college and they'll be details of how to do this later on.
Having thought about reasons for doing the masters let's spend a little time now on thinking about the different types of masters, so you can have a taught masters and you can have research masters.
If you choose a taught masters you probably find that these are similar in style and structure to undergraduate degrees, so by this I mean they typically consist of lectures seminars and practical assignments with work assessed or exams essays dissertations and group projects. Now as a student you'll be encouraged to work independently and yet you'll receive close support from your tutor. Now a taught master's degree may best suit a student who is looking to change careers boost the job prospects or gain a wide-ranging skills net.
The research master's is a little different in that here students are perhaps expected to actively and independently learn by producing a thesis on one particular topic, and this will take up around 60% of the students overall time. Now the programs can involve little or no in-class teaching and this is quite a change from the taught master's style. However guidance is provided by an appointed supervisor. A research master's degree may best suit you as a student if you work well alone, if perhaps you have work that you want to be published, if you're interested in a very specific niche topic and there may not be a taught masters that addresses that, or you are planning to undertake PhD study. Now if you are not sure what type of masters suits you best or to explore if master's study is for you at all then book an appointment with the careers advisor in your college and they'll be details of how to do this later on.
Now next we're going to think about well where can you look for a course you're interested in.
University websites can be a very good place to start, and don't forget most universities will host postgraduate open days and that can be an excellent way to find out more, look at the campus and facilities, and potentially meet staff.
Findamasters is a good website if you're looking for masters courses, you can search by location or by subject, very useful. Other useful things can be Target Postgrad, that will have a list of postgraduate courses and also this information on funding.
Prospects, again a very good site, and then you have specialist individual sites that can be well worth looking at, so if you're interested in a specific profession – such as being a psychologist then look at something like the British Psychological Society website and that again will have a section on accredited masters.
You can use professional bodies like this to find accredited courses; and beyond this you can ask your current lecturers, think about are you able to contact any alumni, can you talk to current post-grad students in your college or university, or can you take part in a mentor scheme where you may be able to find and talk to somebody who's done postgraduate study.
Now next we're going to think about well where can you look for a course you're interested in.
University websites can be a very good place to start, and don't forget most universities will host postgraduate open days and that can be an excellent way to find out more, look at the campus and facilities, and potentially meet staff.
Findamasters is a good website if you're looking for masters courses, you can search by location or by subject, very useful. Other useful things can be Target Postgrad, that will have a list of postgraduate courses and also this information on funding.
Prospects, again a very good site, and then you have specialist individual sites that can be well worth looking at, so if you're interested in a specific profession – such as being a psychologist then look at something like the British Psychological Society website and that again will have a section on accredited masters.
You can use professional bodies like this to find accredited courses; and beyond this you can ask your current lecturers, think about are you able to contact any alumni, can you talk to current post-grad students in your college or university, or can you take part in a mentor scheme where you may be able to find and talk to somebody who's done postgraduate study.
So, what will you need to apply for a Masters? They'll want to see your grades and they'll want a transcript, and if there are any language requirements then they want language certification also. They will want references. They will want a personal statement, this is important, where you can show your passion for your application, why you are suitable and they may - and this will depend perhaps on the type of course you're applying for - ask you for a research proposal or a sample of work.
We offer specialist help in helping you with a personal statement through a workshop or through one-to-one help and I’ll tell you more about this later on, but let's start by thinking about what we call the four Ps of the personal statement and this will be the person, why you; They'll want to see that you are really motivated and interested. They will be interested in your career plans, how does this fit into your longer-term pathway, and will your work make a wider contribution perhaps particularly here if you're pursuing research of some kind.
Now in terms of the place - why there? - this is where you can show your understanding and insight into the course, so you can talk about unique aspects of the course the interesting profile of their staff, perhaps you're impressed by the resources and support that's available, or you may know that there is a very strong postgraduate community in the department or university.
Preparation, here you can show any relevant modules or topics that you've studied that will give you a very good foundation for this particular post-grad course. Your dissertation may be useful here too, You may well mention any relevant research training, any methodology or any statistical analysis you may have done; and any other experience, and this could be professional from paid work it could be voluntary through work experience, extremely important the experience if you are looking for something that is vocationally orientated; and of course your passion for your subject it's a big commitment as we identified at the beginning they want to see that you are sure about this and you are really eager to start and study.
We offer specialist help in helping you with a personal statement through a workshop or through one-to-one help and I’ll tell you more about this later on, but let's start by thinking about what we call the four Ps of the personal statement and this will be the person, why you; They'll want to see that you are really motivated and interested. They will be interested in your career plans, how does this fit into your longer-term pathway, and will your work make a wider contribution perhaps particularly here if you're pursuing research of some kind.
Now in terms of the place - why there? - this is where you can show your understanding and insight into the course, so you can talk about unique aspects of the course the interesting profile of their staff, perhaps you're impressed by the resources and support that's available, or you may know that there is a very strong postgraduate community in the department or university.
Preparation, here you can show any relevant modules or topics that you've studied that will give you a very good foundation for this particular post-grad course. Your dissertation may be useful here too, You may well mention any relevant research training, any methodology or any statistical analysis you may have done; and any other experience, and this could be professional from paid work it could be voluntary through work experience, extremely important the experience if you are looking for something that is vocationally orientated; and of course your passion for your subject it's a big commitment as we identified at the beginning they want to see that you are sure about this and you are really eager to start and study.
We offer specialist help in helping you with a personal statement through a workshop or through one-to-one help and I’ll tell you more about this later on, but let's start by thinking about what we call the four Ps of the personal statement and this will be the person, why you; They'll want to see that you are really motivated and interested. They will be interested in your career plans, how does this fit into your longer-term pathway, and will your work make a wider contribution perhaps particularly here if you're pursuing research of some kind.
Now in terms of the place - why there? - this is where you can show your understanding and insight into the course, so you can talk about unique aspects of the course the interesting profile of their staff, perhaps you're impressed by the resources and support that's available, or you may know that there is a very strong postgraduate community in the department or university.
Preparation, here you can show any relevant modules or topics that you've studied that will give you a very good foundation for this particular post-grad course. Your dissertation may be useful here too, You may well mention any relevant research training, any methodology or any statistical analysis you may have done; and any other experience, and this could be professional from paid work it could be voluntary through work experience, extremely important the experience if you are looking for something that is vocationally orientated; and of course your passion for your subject it's a big commitment as we identified at the beginning they want to see that you are sure about this and you are really eager to start and study.
Let's look at the application process. So you'll apply, usually online, and as we mentioned usually directly to the university unless it's something that is going through UCAS and as we mentioned you will be told if this is a case. Normally it will go to central admissions for an initial screen, this will be to make sure everything that they require is there, and then for an academic opinion on your suitability. It will then be looked at by the course team or the admissions tutor.
When it comes to decisions you'll usually be notified by email or on an online portal, so do always make sure that you check things like your junk folder. Most courses will offer you a conditional place without an interview but occasionally you may well be invited to interview. Again, I would say if you're applying for a vocational course such as an MA in Social Work you will be invited for an interview, and then you can have a conditional offer, an unconditional offer, the application may be declined.
Let's look at the application process. So you'll apply, usually online, and as we mentioned usually directly to the university unless it's something that is going through UCAS and as we mentioned you will be told if this is a case. Normally it will go to central admissions for an initial screen, this will be to make sure everything that they require is there, and then for an academic opinion on your suitability. It will then be looked at by the course team or the admissions tutor.
When it comes to decisions you'll usually be notified by email or on an online portal, so do always make sure that you check things like your junk folder. Most courses will offer you a conditional place without an interview but occasionally you may well be invited to interview. Again, I would say if you're applying for a vocational course such as an MA in Social Work you will be invited for an interview, and then you can have a conditional offer, an unconditional offer, the application may be declined.
Postgraduate Master’s Loan
If you’re starting a master’s degree, you could get a Postgraduate Master’s Loan to help with course fees and living costs. You can get up to £11,836 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2022.
Take a look at the video we have on the applying for a masters pages.
The alternative guide to postgraduate funding is a very useful source and a very popular funding resource for current and prospective postgraduate studies, whether it's PhD masters, or PGCE study it will probably have something that can help. Research Councils, charities, and trusts are another source for potential funding, as are professional development loans, and bursaries. A good starting point for these can be on the www.gov.uk site.
Prospects, has a section on funding www.prospects.ac.uk, and don't forget the university itself, look at the University, and the department's websites. Most of them will have information there on funding that they can offer.
There may well be bursaries or scholarships available for particular courses, so always worth looking at and of course some people will self-fund using perhaps part-time work or savings.
For more detail, take a look at our Further study pages on Careers network website.
If having looked at all the reasons and processes for studying for a Masters, you're absolutely sure that this is for you, then you may be thinking about what your next steps can be. I would suggest you speak to academics and course tutors that you know in the department that you're already studying in, they can be a really useful source of advice and information.
Identify suitable courses using the resources that we've looked at. Visit postgraduate open day, we hold them here at the University of Birmingham regularly, and ther are often things like talks on funding going on so watch out for those.
Deadlines are really important, so do check and double-check if there are deadlines you may need to meet. Research funding sources and think about your eligibility - do you meet that criteria. Gather material together for your application, speak to people you may be approaching to be a referee for you, so that it's not a surprise for them if they're asked to suddenly do a reference for you; and most importantly of all start to write that personal statement, it will probably take several drafts for you to get something you're really happy with, so the earlier you start the better.
Applying for masters is as we said right at the beginning a big decision, it's a life-changing decision and you may well feel you'd like some advice and some support to help you through this process. There's lots of help from Careers Network available so firstly you can discuss your options with a careers adviser by booking an appointment via careers connect.
You can submit your personal statement for review online via careersenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk
There is lots of information on the University of Birmingham website, and again you may find very, very useful - a section on postgraduate taught study at Birmingham, and a section of the postgraduate research at Birmingham also - and that is on www.birmingham.ac.uk/study if you're interested in Birmingham itself; and equally on the postgraduate research pages you'll find how to find a research course, more information on fees and funding, create your research prospectus, information on how to apply, options where you can search our advertised PhD listings, and information on events and open days.
All of the above resources have useful information on courses, funding, application process and open day details.
I hope you have found this talk useful and it's given you some ideas and a starting point for your research, thank you for listening.