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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Don't choose the wrong Master's: 6 research-backed rules to pick the right course
Six key factors to consider before choosing your postgraduate course. (Gemini) A postgraduate degree is no longer just a feather in your academic cap. It's a high-stakes investment—of time, money, and often personal reinvention. The right master's or PhD program can sharpen your expertise, expand your global mobility, and push you ahead in a job market where credentials still matter—but context matters more. But let's not romanticize it. In a world flooded with flashy course titles and algorithm-fed rankings, choosing the right program is harder than ever. It's not just about prestige. It's about fit. Will this course actually serve your career goals? Can you afford it—financially and emotionally? Does the curriculum still hold relevance in a job market increasingly shaped by AI and automation? Before you sign up for a degree that costs more than it returns, consider these six research-driven filters. They won't make the decision easy. But they'll make it smarter. 1. Align the Course with Your Career Goals The most important question is: Will this course advance my career in the direction I want? According to the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA ), 83% of graduates (both undergraduate and postgraduate) were in employment or further study 15 months after completing their degrees, with 61% in full-time paid work (HESA, 2024). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo Selecting a course that directly supports your career goals—through relevant modules, skill development, or industry placements—can significantly improve your job prospects. 2. Consider the Institution's Reputation and Industry Connections While university rankings aren't everything, they can influence employability and networking opportunities. However, it's also critical to note that 66% of employers prioritize professional experience over university brand names, according to the QS Global Employer Survey ( QS, 2020 ). That said, institutions with strong reputations often have better funding, industry partnerships, and alumni networks—all of which can enhance your postgraduate experience and open professional doors. 3. Understand the Financial Commitment Postgraduate education requires a substantial financial investment. In the UK, tuition fees typically range between £12,000 and £20,000 per year, depending on the subject and whether you're a domestic or international student ( ). Beyond tuition, you'll need to factor in living costs, study materials, and the potential loss of income if you're leaving full-time employment. Consider applying for scholarships, bursaries, or graduate assistantships to ease the financial burden. 4. Assess Flexibility in Study Modes Many students balance work, family, or other responsibilities while studying. A growing number of universities now offer part-time, online, and blended learning options to accommodate different needs. While exact statistics for postgraduates are limited, the trend is clearly moving toward flexible study modes. Be sure to review the program structure and delivery format to ensure it aligns with your lifestyle and commitments. 5. Explore Research and Development Opportunities For those interested in research, choose a university with a strong research focus in your field. Look for published faculty, well-funded departments, and active partnerships with industry. Engaging in research can lead to publications, patents, and future doctoral studies. Many postgraduate programs also offer access to cutting-edge facilities or opportunities to work on real-world projects, enhancing both your academic profile and employability. 6. Check Accreditation and Global Recognition Accreditation is a hallmark of academic quality. In the UK, for example, the Quality Assurance Agency ( QAA ) ensures that higher education institutions meet strict standards for teaching and assessment. Enrolling in an accredited course not only ensures academic rigor but also improves the global recognition of your degree—an essential factor if you're planning an international career. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big drop in overseas students at Scottish universities
The number of overseas students at Scottish universities dropped by almost 10,000 last year, new figures show. The decline comes after foreign student numbers reached an all-time high in the previous year - their tuition fees provide an important source of funding for universities. The latest figures from HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) show there were 73,915 students from outside the UK, down 12% from 83,795 the year before. The statistics also show there were 173,795 students from Scotland at Scottish universities. The number of European Union students in Scotland fell by half as Britain left the EU in 2019 and it has continued to fall in the current figures, to just 10,430. Meanwhile, the share of foreign students had been rising from one in 20 in the 1990s to more than one in four in recent years. What does the future hold for Scottish universities? Record foreign student numbers at Scottish universities The largest number of overseas students in Scotland is from China. It fell from 19,000 in 2022/23 to 17,565 last year. Students from India fell from 12,235 to 9,950 and Nigerian students dropped from 9,415 to 5,985. The number of students from Pakistan increased from 5,075 to 5,540 Dundee University, which recently announced a £35m black hole in its finances, saw a 27% drop in international students - down from 4,570 to 3,335. The University of Glasgow saw a 15% drop in overseas students, down from 15,200 to 12,935. However, the University of Edinburgh, which has also announced financial shortfalls, managed to increase its number of overseas students from 16,625 to 17,020. Scottish students get "free tuition" at Scottish universities which means undergraduates do not have to pay fees for their courses if they can secure one of the limited number of places. However, universities have long claimed that the money it receives from the Scottish government has not kept pace with inflation and is less per student than similar institutions in England get from tuition fees. Scottish universities, like most in the UK, have been on a recruitment drive to draw in students from other parts of the world, charging them much higher fees than UK students – from about £10,000 up to £40,000 per year. For those with a prestigious reputation, including Scotland's older universities, the share of foreign students has risen to close to 40%. This has brought controversy - about the quality of learning, standards of English language ability, and the surge in demand for student accommodation. It has also brought vulnerability if the demand for places falls away. A growing concern about universities, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, becoming too dependent on Chinese students saw recruitment shift to other countries. Nigeria was one new target, encouraged by the UK government. But the market there depends on the strength of the Nigerian currency, which fell sharply and cut off the number of people who could afford to come to the UK. Other factors, such as tighter visa restrictions and stronger competition from other countries, have led to further falls. Why are Chinese students so keen on the UK?
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big drop in overseas students at Scottish universities
The number of overseas students at Scottish universities dropped by almost 10,000 last year, new figures show. The decline comes after foreign student numbers reached an all-time high in the previous year - their tuition fees provide an important source of funding for universities. The latest figures from HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) show there were 73,915 students from outside the UK, down 12% from 83,795 the year before. The statistics also show there were 173,795 students from Scotland at Scottish universities, unchanged from the previous year. What does the future hold for Scottish universities? Record foreign student numbers at Scottish universities Why are Chinese students so keen on the UK?
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Big drop in overseas students at Scottish universities
The number of overseas students at Scottish universities dropped by almost 10,000 last year, new figures decline comes after foreign student numbers reached an all-time high in the previous year - their tuition fees provide an important source of funding for latest figures from HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) show there were 73,915 students from outside the UK, down 12% from 83,795 the year statistics also show there were 173,795 students from Scotland at Scottish universities, unchanged from the previous year.
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The ‘Mickey Mouse' master's degrees which could cut your salary
The need to stand out from the sea of university graduates flooding the labour market makes master's degrees more enticing than ever. The average salary three years after studying for a master's degree is £32,500, according to data from the Department for Education, 8.7pc higher than if they had gone straight into work after a bachelor's degree and equal to a £2,600 pay bump. But just as young people doing A-levels need to dodge 'Mickey Mouse' degrees, those eyeing up postgraduate study in some fields should consider whether it is worth the lost years of experience and salary rises in the job (not to mention the extra debt). In some cases, a master's degree actually reduces your earnings potential by thousands of pounds. A growing number of young people in the UK are choosing to extend their time at university with a master's, with 110,560 such degrees issued in England in 2022. This is up by more than a third (34.8pc) in four years, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency. For many, such a decision is a financially savvy move. The advantages were greatest for those in education and teaching, which led to an average pay increase of £11,400 in the 2021/22 tax year, the latest for which data is available. This is the difference between those in teaching having completed a bachelor's degree alone – constrained by law to the training or early years sectors, or private schools – and those holding a master's who can teach in primaries and secondaries. The figures compare the salaries of graduates with just one degree five years after they leave education to those of master's students three years after (and so five years after when they would also have graduated). Graduates with master's degrees in business and management studies (£9,200), law (£8,400) and computing (£6,900) also boosted their salaries. In each case these gains assume a two-year course. But others would have been financially better off jumping straight into employment – and that's not even taking into account the extra tuition costs. Those with a master's in language and area studies earned on average £4,000 less three years later than those who were five years out from a bachelor's in the same subject (£27,400 versus £31,400). Almost a third of all subjects (10 out of 32) produced a similar predicament, including history and archaeology (£3,300 less), chemistry (£3,300) and English studies (£2,500). A further three subjects did not increase salaries at all. Higher education qualifications continue to boost job prospects of working-age adults: the employment rate of graduates between 16- and 64 years old was 87.3pc in 2022, considerably higher than the 69.8pc rate for school leavers. But those extra years of study in a postgraduate course do not lead to higher employment levels: 86.3pc of bachelor's degree holders were found to be in sustained employment five years after graduation, rising just 0.5 points for those with a master's the same year. And this relative advantage is slipping. The salaries of those with one degree increased by 16.8pc between 2015/16 and 2021/22, or 0.6pc in real terms. For those who put in an extra two years in the library, the 12.5pc increase translates to a 3.2pc fall when adjusted for inflation. This is in spite of the fact that those who pursue postgraduate studies tend to be among the highest-achieving graduates. But all of these figures relate to gross earnings alone. Net of the cost of two extra years at university – with uncapped tuition fees ranging from £5,000 to over £30,000, according to Ucas – the benefits are even harder to tease out. Figures from the Student Loans Company show postgraduate borrowing to English students peaked at £850m in the 2021/22 tax year – up 58.1pc in four years. The additional loan balance will also be costlier than one's undergraduate debt. Undergraduate lending falls under Plan 5, with interest charged at the retail price index (RPI), which is 4.3pc for the current academic year. Postgraduate loans are issued under Plan 3, which adds 3pc to the RPI, making 7.3pc currently. Over the course of a working life, these factors may well not outweigh the financial gains of a master's degree. But for young people on the lowest rungs of the career ladder, thousands of misspent pounds could prove an irrecoverable blow.
