Deciding to do postgraduate studies is one of the best decisions I have made, but like anything, it hasn’t been without its challenges. I went straight from undergraduate to postgraduate, and while there are similarities, there are also many differences. If I could go back in time to when I was preparing to begin my postgraduate journey, I would educate myself to be more well informed on what was ahead. I believed my postgraduate journey would be very similar to my undergraduate, and that couldn’t have been more untrue for me!

Intensity of the course

It may go without saying but I found the jump from undergraduate to postgraduate very significant. My studies have been extremely enjoyable, and worth the struggle, but there is certainly a difference between the intensity of each course. A master’s is completed typically within one year, and involves studying 180 credits, whereas an undergraduate degree involves 120 credit study per year. A considerable difference, but you’ll get an amazing qualification in just a year, with a significant enhancement to your job prospects.

^{Find out more about postgraduate study}

I also noticed that my master’s degree had more seminars and lectures than my undergraduate, which may not be the same for every course, but I went from being on campus 2-3 times a week to being there every day.

More independent studying

When you are completing advanced study, you are older and more experienced. Therefore, universities often expect postgraduate students to complete a lot more independent study. In Queen’s, The Graduate School is solely for the use of postgraduate students, and if you’ve ever been in there, you’ll know it’s always busy. It’s a beautiful, calm environment and is perfect for independent or group study.

^{The Graduate School is the main hub for PG students}

It's necessary for postgraduate students to complete more independent study as their courses will more than likely run through the summer months. For example, a dissertation will be completed from June to September, and will be written alone without attending lectures or seminars. Be prepared to undertake more research and reading than ever before, particularly if you are undergoing a Research Masters.

The cost

Postgraduate study is certainly not cheap, and this is something that you will need to put a lot of thought into before deciding to continue your education journey. Speaking as a Northern Irish student, Student Finance NI will most likely not cover the full cost of your master’s degree. Again, there isn’t a maintenance loan as a postgraduate student which can be very tricky particularly if you are going straight into further study and are used to those handy payments from Student Finance a few times each academic year. If I could go back in time, I may have decided to work for a year full time beforehand to save up some money to spend the full year exclusively focusing on my studies.

^{Consider the costs before you make your decision to pursue PG study}

Perks

Not everyone will agree but I have felt that my postgraduate study has had more perks. As mentioned already, within Queen’s the Graduate School is one of the main perks offered to postgraduate students, and it is certainly a remarkable addition to the campus. Again, the advanced career prospects a postgraduate qualification gives you is second to none, giving you a competitive advantage in job applications.

^{Postgraduate study can be rewarding and beneficial}

So those are some notable differences I have noticed, but it will certainly be different for everyone, depending on your university and circumstances. No matter what, I am confident that if you are reading this and beginning a postgraduate course in this upcoming academic year, you will have the time of your life studying here at Queen’s!

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Rosa Hasson  MSc Marketing student | Postgraduate Student | Northern Ireland My name is Rosa Hasson, I’m currently a MSC Marketing student at QUB. I graduated with a BA Hons in Journalism in 2022, and since then I have definitely kept my love of writing and content creation alive through my internships, university work and freelance writing. When I’m not working or studying I love listening to new music, trying new coffee places or getting inspiration for any upcoming city breaks!