Taking the Step from Undergraduate to Postgraduate Study

My journey with the University of Huddersfield at undergraduate level has been amazing, I loved the facilities, lecturers, and modules. This experience encouraged me to apply for further studies here.

Moving from undergraduate to postgraduate can seem overwhelming for many students, but for a lot of students it can be very exciting. I was told by my lecturers that postgraduate study was very different from undergraduate, and in some respects I agree. The knowledge you build from an undergraduate level will help prepare you to make the steps to postgraduate study. Through optional modules, I built up knowledge outside of my core course content which helped me to gain a better understanding of the subject.    

Here are some of the things that I have noticed after making the step to Masters:

Everything moves fast

The first thing you will realise during your masters is the timetable is different. You will have one module at a time, and at the end of every module you will be assessed. Just bear in mind that you will attend three-hour lectures. This is called block timetabling, it’s where the class time is increased but students attend fewer classes. My advice is to bring a bottle of water and a light snack to get you through. Don’t worry you will get a break!

Socialising outside studies

The people you meet in your first year of undergraduate studies although new, most are at the same point in their lives and will be a similar age to you. This will be very different in postgraduate studies. Most of the people you will study with are most likely to have already gained industry experience and be well into their careers. Being around people from different walks of life is very interesting and it’s great to be able to learn from students with lots of life experience. Sharing ideas, learning about different cultures, and making new friends have all added to a positive experience.

Workload

As I already mentioned, everything moves fast. You will start a new module after another which means it’s a great idea to keep on track and avoid extensions unless it’s impossible, this is to avoid modules overlapping. Try balancing your workload and always prioritise. You will be surprised to realise that it’s easier to balance the workload from undergraduate to postgraduate level. You will most likely have six hours’ worth of lessons a week and the rest is self-motivated study. However, you will not feel alone in this journey, lecturers are happy to help students anytime and they will answer any questions you have. If you decide to come to the University of Huddersfield, you will have the support you need all you need to do is ask for it.

Optional modules

In your course, you will have your core modules and your optional modules, the same as at undergraduate. Make sure you pick the modules that will relate to what direction you see your career taking. For example, if you want to get into data analysis, pick a module that relates to data, most courses will have a module that includes this. When looking for a job you will have the knowledge, skills, and qualification to make you stand out from the crowd. The University of Huddersfield offers a variety of optional modules and in my experience, it’s optional ones that give you an interesting way to view your course from a different perspective.

Extras

You study to qualify, and you qualify to work, and you work to move up. If you want to stay ahead of the competition and be the best out there you always need to learn and educate yourself, refresh your knowledge, and make sure you put that knowledge to use. My advice is to take as many extra online courses as you can but make sure you pick the right ones because you don’t want to waste your time.

The University of Huddersfield offers students many free study tools that can be expensive if you were to pay yourself. Make sure you check them all out, LinkedIn Learning is amazing.

Another hack you need to learn is whatever your school doesn’t provide the library might, and if you are not sure just ask it’s as simple as that! Adobe Photoshop is my personal example, it’s expensive and my school doesn’t provide it but the library does.

The University also organises trips for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, I have been to the one organised last year and it was a very positive experience. The trip was to the Museum of Brands in London, below are some pictures. This year I will be off to London again in February.

Would I recommend the University of Huddersfield?

I would 100% recommend progressing to postgraduate study at the University of Huddersfield. It’s not just a qualification that you receive, you get so much more. The University has some of the best staff that dedicate their time and effort to make sure they are delivering the best teaching possible; the university has the triple proof of teaching excellence and has previously been the winner of the Global teaching Excellence Award. The facilities are also amazing, and the support continues after you graduate too they offer a careers for life service that alumni can access anytime they need it. To top it all off University of Huddersfield graduates and alumni get a 10% discount on tuition fees for taught postgraduate courses.

Three months into my masters here’s what I have realised. Not only will you learn in lectures and when you carry out research but also from peers. Every conversation you have will aid your learning. As an individual I have seen myself changing a lot. I am becoming more professional, confident, and focused. Along with studying, there are also a lot of student experience opportunities here, like social sports clubs and societies. The students union helps students to also start their own clubs and societies as well as being members of existing ones.

Find out more about continuing your studies at the University of Huddersfield