Postgraduate Study Options: Masters, PGDip, or PGCert? What To Know About Each

Thinking of embarking on postgraduate study? With a huge array of courses to choose from, how do you narrow down your options and find the one that best suits your aspirations and career requirements?

The masters route

A masters degree is the most demanding of the three options and is worth 180 credits. It is internationally recognised, giving you a major advantage if you wish to work abroad. It will typically take a year (30 weeks) to complete if you are studying full time, or two years if you opt to study part time. It also requires that you write a dissertation or conduct a significant research project.

A masters is an excellent option for those wishing to pursue an academic career because it is the traditional bridge to PhD study but even if this is not your ultimate aim it will give you a competitive edge and greater earning potential.

The shorter options: postgraduate diplomas and certificates

Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are shorter courses at the same academic level as masters degrees and tend to have a more vocational focus. They offer the opportunity to gain a postgraduate qualification and specialist knowledge without the financial and time commitments of a full masters degree. They are popular as a route for entering professions such as law or teaching and also for those wishing to change careers.

Much of the course content will be the same as a masters and you may well be studying alongside masters' students but you won't cover all the same modules, nor be required to write a dissertation.

A postgraduate certificate (PGCert) takes the least amount of time, at 15 weeks, and is worth 60 credits, while a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) takes 30 weeks and is worth 120 credits. Therefore, they are seen as equivalent to one third and two thirds of a master’s, accordingly.

What do we offer at Queen Mary Online?

At Queen Mary Online we offer courses that can be studied at masters, postgraduate diploma, or postgraduate certificate level, giving you the maximum flexibility to choose the option that best suits you. These include:

• International Relations
• International Dispute Resolution
• Global Public Health
• International Public Policy

Our courses are delivered via video, podcasts, and online presentations, with further links to resources and downloadable content. The added advantage of online study is that it can be combined with work experience and thus improve your employability along the way.

If you would like to discuss your options further, please don't hesitate to contact us for expert advice.