How do I make a decision about where to study?
Postgraduate Study: Advice from the Experts
The market for postgraduate study in now global: this is particularly so for British students as the language of postgraduate work in an increasing number of universities worldwide is English. However, if you are to study in the UK, you should think of those factors which will be important to your decision. You may of course have little choice either for personal reasons, mode of attendance reasons and straightforward availability of programme reasons. Your decision making may be influenced by the following.
1. Subject related matters
Does the institution offer what I want (and here the devil is often in the detail)? Where there are associated taught elements, check that the specific curriculum is what you are looking for. Ask for lecture lists and reading lists.
2. Status related issues
Does the institution have a reputation for the programme you want to follow or the research area you are interested in?
3. Staffing related issues
Do you want to study with a particular person or research group? Take care however because there are several instances where the person you particularly wanted to supervise your work has left by the time you arrive or is on sabbatical leave (universities may be reluctant to guarantee any particular supervisor). Professors have a habit of delegating supervision to junior colleagues too. In short, you need to recognise that being an academic and supervising students are, at the end of the day, just jobs like any other. People may move to another post elsewhere, take time off or retire. You should try to become overly dependent on any one person - although we recognise here that as the project progresses this is easier said than done.
4. Financial issues
The key questions you need to ask are:
- is funding available from the Research Councils, the institutions or external sponsor?
- what is the level of the funding and what does it cover?
- will you be able to earn additional income from teaching or other university related work?
- what funding is available for additional activities such as field work and conference attendance?
5. Issues of success rates and times to completion
The time taken to complete a doctorate depends on many factors - some are academic relating to the complexity of the problem, some organisational relating to the management and supervision of the work, some financial relating to the level of support and hence time that the student is diverted away from the research. The UK has adopted 'time to submission' as a key indicator of success for programmes and, from very low levels in the 1980s, rates have improved in research council and Wellcome Trust funded programmes to hover around the 80% level after 4 years. However, recent analysis has demonstrated that for doctoral programme other than these, rates are much lower.
Howard Green and Stuart Powell (see contributors) November 2006


Thank you for the wonderful advises. I have only one quick topic related question, is it really truth that there is some kind of “legal distinction” between "undergraduate" and "postgraduate" in some European countries ? I heard that in that kind a programs the education process and even the writing assignments are pointed towards the Master's degree, regardless the Bachelor's level is that true as well ?
The organisational relating to the management and supervision of the work, of support and hence time that the student is diverted away from the research. The UK has adopted 'time to submission' as a key indicator of success for programmes and, from very low levels in the 1980s, rates have improved in research council and Wellcome Trust funded programmes ,.Thank you
In my opinion, Carrier Guidelines will help students to make the decisions what is good and bad.
Elena L
In some programs in the other countries' system, there is no legal distinction between "undergraduate" and "postgraduate". In such programs, all education aims towards the Master's degree, whether introductory (Bachelor's level) or advanced (Master's level). The aim of the Bologna process is to abolish this system.
The decision where to study can play important role in further professional life and efficiency on the market, you must keep in mind many factors I think.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a 26-year-old Italian student.
At the moment I am living and studying in Lecce (Italy).
I will surely get my degree in languages (a three year degree in English, French and Spanish) next July or in November.
I am very determinate to continue my studies abroad. My target is to become an Italian teacher for English speakers, but I am willing to consider many options.
I have heard about the possibility to be fully or partly helped.
Can I please get more information about your courses and Allowances Scheme?
Yours faithfully,
PIERPAOLO SPAGNOLO
some are academic relating to the complexity of the problem, some organisational relating to the management and supervision of the work, some financial relating to the level of support and hence time that the student is diverted away from the research.
You can get a lot of scholarship programs from universities in Aussie. The government really focus on Aussie education system, that's why the education in Aussie is really good nowadays. Good luck.
In short, you need to recognise that being an academic and supervising students are, at the end of the day, just jobs like any other. People may move to another post elsewhere, take time off or retire. You should try to become overly dependent on any one person - although we recognise here that as the project progresses this is easier said than done.
This site is actually good with all the advice on how to get the best choice in studying postgraduate. I've read some of the articles and it really helps me a lot. I will take my Master of Economy next year. Thank you for being here.
The market for postgraduate study in now global. The UK has adopted 'time to submission' as a key indicator of success for programmes and, from very low levels in the 1980s, rates have improved in research council and Wellcome Trust funded programmes to hover around the 80% level after 4 years.
I am investigating doing a PhD through a university in the UK but I will be based in Italy. This is where I will be living with my family when we return from Australia in less than 2 years time. I am originally from the UK.
I am wondering if anyone has done this / is doing this, or if anyone has any advice on whether it is at all feasible?
I envisage being able to be on campus about 3-5 days per month. For certain aspects of the project I could be in the UK for longer periods of time.
Regards
When you are making a plan as to where you want to study I think the more important question is what course you want to study that will enable you to enter the specialized field you see a future for yourself. The reason being today there are many universities that offer online courses and they are accredited and give you a valid certificate on completion on the course.
Carrier Guidelines will help students to make the decisions what is good and bad.
Postgraduate study is very neccessary for every one nowadays, so every one should study atleast up to the postgraduate, but the thing is that where he/she should study the post graduation ? so he must get ideas from friends and then decide where to study.
Some of us who teach decision making as an aspect of problem solving create for our
students a list of different procedures for making decisions.Studies factors that contribute to student's work study decision while attending post graduation institutions.
Thanks for the helpful information.
I have been thinking to go for post graduate studies, but I wanted to pick a field first with good jobs opportunities.
I am ready to sacrifice more money to get a degree from a well known institute.
Some institute's websites can be only accessed from IPs within the same country, some times you need to go
these websites without giving your information till you make up your mind about which institute to go for.
In my opinion, Carrier Guidelines will help students to make the decisions what is good and bad.
As for as you are concerned with post graduate study to do out of the country , you must contact with your friends ask from them about the universities and environment of there, then you have to decide that where to study.
Postgraduate learn is very neccessary for anybody nowadays, so anybody should learn at least up towards the postgraduate.
I plan to study this year but, furnishing my undergraduate dissertation is nothing but hard. A Doctor's Degree in Humanities suit me fine and undergoing sensitive training in the Arts will surely improve my artistic ability to communicate with my fellow poetic comrades in Italy. They're having a ball right there now.
The moment robbed towards finalise a doctorate depends onto a lot factors - a number of are academic relating towards the complexity of the complication, a number of organisational relating towards the management and supervision of the profession, a number of financial relating towards the grade of cooperation and thus moment that the reader is diverted away from the research.
Step to Study postgraduate out of country:
1. University must be well recognized.
2. Atmosphere must be well over there.
3. If you want to study abroad then think about finacial support too.
You must follow the following things when you go for Postgraduate Study:
--> first you must search out all the universities where you want to study
--> the best university you found, then select it for your Postgraduate Study
--> also you must keep in mind about financial
This page contains Valuable guidance from experts for post graduation studies. Many factors affect while taking decision for higher studies like financial issues, staff, lab, status, success rate, etc. Such issues are discussed in detailed manner. Read and get benefit.
Hmm, yup its true before going to do postgraduate study in any counrty we must have some resources of income, if our government supports us then we should leave for out country for more study.
I suggession is that it is also much important that where to do masters but also it is also uptu you that how you are with your self, if you fell you can do well in your country i think it is better to do masters in your country rather to go out.
ake care however because there are several instances where the person you particularly wanted to supervise your work has left by the time you arrive or is on sabbatical leave (universities may be reluctant to guarantee any particular supervisor). Professors have a habit of delegating supervision to junior colleagues too.
The UK has taken up 'time to submission' as a key sign of achievement for programmes
Well, first of all you should decide on what major that you will take. After that, try to find the best university by googling around. I suggest that you choose Australia or USA to get the best education available. Spore is also great place to find quality education.
I want to develop a career that will enable me make a difference to some of the world's most pressing problems; be able to assist in the development of solutions to diverse and complex problems.
This site provides all the details for P.G study,,,..It gives info about the financial issues and
details of reputted institutions,,..Very useful for many students who intend to study in abroad.
The pupil can also contact eachother to clear doubts and help make a decision which is very important,
Thank you
The site gives maximum information for the student before joining PG course. The student can take suggestions from the teachers of that particular university and also from the seniors. Maximum care should be taken before joining since it is the one-time decision which cannot be altered henceforth.
all of this advice is great, on an academic level . . . and of course it is true that most post-graduate students have very little resembling a "life", either social or hobby-oriented . . . but i think it's also fair to ask yourself if the institution's location is a place you can handle living in for two to five years while you study. if small towns drive you nuts, or large cities make you want to scream . . . that should be a factor, as well.
I recommend that anyone who is honing their shortlist of educational establishments should speak with previous students - ideally those who've followed their intended course of study. This has helped me get an accurate view from the Students perspective and not just the hype provided by the college or University admissions office.
Its all about what you are going to study. I think this is the way you are going to decide.
I plan to study this year but, furnishing my undergraduate dissertation is nothing but hard
Fishing games
As education has become global, there are many universities that has become the good target for the students who seek education, in all levels of the PG level courses has a lot more opportunities and universities than before. The most important thing that we should keep in mind while thinking about studying abroad is that it should be at a place where we can study peacefully, avoid countries that are troublesome to the whole world.
I belive that location is semi important. It must be a high standard school but in a location where you will be comfortable studying. I would hate to study in places where I would not be comfortable, or where it would be cold all the time, etc.
This article will guide most of them one who likes to study foreign universities. Great idea and very informative.
Should they study in their own homeland or study in locations like Australia, UK or the US in order that they have better job opportunities.
I think the most important thing is to match your intended focus of study. There's a big difference among schools for various fields.
The most sought after study is the postgraduate education,,..
And the website provides all the details for a person to not to
get confused and make a decision of where to study the post graduate.,,...
The most important decision in ones life can be easily taken from here,,..
Thank you!!!!!!!
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Assessment of degree courses in the UK, focused on teaching and student experience, indexed by institution and subject.
Your posts are always very informative and interesting to read. Also like the look of your site.
This is a question that a lot of students wanting to pursue higher studies ask - where to study. At the University of Derby we offer CIPS Foundation Diploma designed to give you the purchasing skills needed for operational or junior management roles, even if you're new to the profession.
Andre
Thanks for posting about how to arrive at a decision on where to study, this is a question that many students particularly in the developing world face. Should they study in their own country or study in places like Australia, UK or the US so that they have better job opportunities. Students from places like China and other South East Asia countries have in the past studied in the US and UK and thereafter have much better life.
Over the years students from various countries have found UK and more so curso de ingles a great place to harbor their vision for a more promising future. Curso de ingles is an invaluable resource for international study for students.
Douglas
Now-a-days many students intend to study abroad. This article will guide most of them one who likes to study foreign universities. Great idea and very informative.
How fantastic information I got from your site. I am wondering, because of your effort. It is really good thing which you have written here. Useful article for many students who intend to study in abroad.
I believe first we need to check which county is best for master studies, then ill check all the resource to get a seat there and about financial situation and other things, then only i can decide, good discussion. thanks.