How To Explore Employment Opportunities During Postgraduate Studies
Are you looking for employment while studying for your postgraduate degree? Then you have come to the right place!
Working Part-Time As A Student
Working part-time while studying is a great way to make some extra money, as well as meet new friends and grow your network.
Part-time work is quite common. A study in 2018 showed over 60% of students worked at least one part-time job to fund spending habits, cover expenses or for savings. In the UK, postgraduate degrees can last between one and two years long. Most postgraduate students have employment in a role where they hope to progress in. Others jump straight into studies once they complete their undergraduate degree.
For newer postgraduate students, it’s best to find part-time employment in the field you wish to progress your career in. For example, if you are studying law, it’s ideal to find a part-time role at a law firm and so on. The reason being you could very well stay on after you completed your studies with not only higher pay, but already have a bucket of experience. In some cases, employers may contribute to your study cost to acquire you permanently.
If you are unable to find a part-time role in a study field of your choice, you should try and find a role elsewhere. This can be a field closely related to your field of study, or if not possible, a role with valuable experience.
In addition, do look at freshers fair or a similar event with the introduction of companies. You never know, you could find something you may very well be interested in.
It’s also important to find the right balance in the number of hours you work and study per week, so you don’t burn yourself out. While earning extra funds as a student is recommended, remember your priority is to get your degree.
On-Campus Job
On-campus roles are also another possibility for finding valuable work experience. Many universities offer roles to students such as assistants, teachers, and research assistants, to working in labs, admin offices, dorm buildings, restaurants and shops. Both on-campus and off-campus roles come with pros and cons.
| On-Campus Roles | Off-Campus Roles | |
| Pros | – Higher pay compared to campus role – More jobs to choose from: including potential companies related to the field of study Less restricted rules on the campus | – Higher pay compared to campus role – More jobs to choose from: including potential companies related to the field of study Less restricted rules on the campus |
| Cons | – Do not pay as much as off-campus roles – Fewer campus job opportunities | – Higher pay compared to campus role – More jobs to choose from: including potential companies related to field of study Less restricted rules on the campus |
In Summary
In conclusion, it is up to the student to choose the best place to work. Having a role offers much more flexibility to money in the case of fullbacks, but also experience is key to finding a postgraduate role. We at Lendwise recommend a job in the same field of study, but a related field if not possible.
Are you thinking about pursuing a master’s at a top UK university? Make your dream come true by seizing this opportunity to either take your career to the next level or tick off a personal interest. *Apply online and we’ll support you on your path to success.
Representative Example: Assumed borrowing of £30,825 over 120 months at 12.73% APR representative. Monthly cost of £509.26. Total amount repayable of £61,199.65. Interest rate of 11.62% p.a.(fixed) and total fees of £925.00. Available for loan amounts between £5,000 – £100,000.
(Representative Example date: October 2024)
*Credit is subject to status and loan approval is not guaranteed. Over 18’s only. Terms and conditions apply.
