Graduate Studies: What and Why?

1. Graduate Studies: What and Why? John Hannon 2nd Feb. 2011 Career Development Centre

2. Today’s Objectives • Place further study in context of lifelong learning • Give an overview to NUI Galway postgraduate study applications and funding • Limited detail. Requirements constantly changing…full list of postgrad courses on www.postgradireland.ie / www.qualifax.ie OR for UK www.prospects.ac.uk OR for EU http://europa.eu.int/ploteus • Other study options www.nightcourses.com Career Development Centre

3. 14 3 50 Career Development Centre

4. Postgraduate Routes to Employment EMPLOYMENT POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT / CONVERSION POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREE Career Development Centre

5. Postgraduate Study - Options Higher Research Degrees • Examined by thesis, Masters (2 years) or PhD (3 / 4 years…if you are organised + supervised !) e.g. MLitt (Geography), MEngSc, PhD Taught Masters • Course work + research project. 1 or 2 years e.g. MA Community Development Vocational Courses • Often Higher or Graduate Diplomas / Certificates. Some Masters. E.g. Cert. TEFL, HDipAppSc (Software Design & Development), MAcc • Training relevant to career area. 1 year Career Development Centre

6. Career Development Centre

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8. Career Development Centre

9. Why postgraduate study? • Enjoy subject…specialise…but what career? • Change direction…challenging…able for it? • Time to consider career options…placement? Time not = inspiration • Occupational requirement - research / apprenticeship / techniques / skills Career Development Centre

10. Graduate Recruitment Trends Survey 2010 and (2009) • 48% (56) Graduates ‘who can demonstrate specific competences’ • 60% (53) Must have studied specific degree • 37% (41) Require a 2.1 min. • 21% (23) Must have relevant work experience • 5% (6) Must have studied at particular universities [ Source: gradireland]

11. Communication Independent working Motivation Managing own learning Confidence Problem solving Organisation Analytical skills Writing Leadership Project management Fluency in foreign language Administration IT Numeracy Shortfalls Soft skills Hard skills

12. Information Overload! Career Development Centre

13. What is a postgraduate “conversion” course? • Taught postgraduate courses that allow graduates to ‘convert’ to a new discipline, a ‘back-door’/second chance • Many subject areas available, but high concentration in business, law, arts and computing/IT • 1-2 years duration • Strong career focus and high employment rates • Linked directly to skills requirements for growth in current economic climate, help mobility for grads of any discipline • To ‘convert’ to science or engineering - usually need a primary degree in a related discipline Career Development Centre

14. The Seven Categories of Conversion Programmes Career Development Centre

15. Career Development Centre

16. General points on postgrads • Exceptions to the rule are common. • Requirements vary from college to college and from course to course in the same college. • Do not exclude yourself if you do not meet the entry requirements on paper – contact the course tutor / director to discuss. www.postgradireland.com www.prospects.ac.uk Career Development Centre

17. Making an online application Valerie Leahy, Deputy Admissions Officer (Postgraduate) P O S T G R A D U A T E O P E N D A Y 2 February 2011 Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

18. Who does what Who’s who Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) Postgraduate Admissions (NUIG) College Office and programme director/supervisor Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

19. Steps involved Choose programmes Prospectus Career Development Centre Lecturers Taught vs. research PAC codes Closing dates www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

20. Closing date vs. offer round dates Change for this year Early application may mean early offer Page 22 of prospectus or information online Offer round dates (× 5) Mid-February, end-March … Offers will continue to be made until course is filled www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/closingdates Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

21. Steps involved • Apply online • Read FAQs • Two-stage process—online & post/ upload • Check supporting documents • Register an account (login) • Valid e-mail—check often • €45 application fee • Assigned PAC number • Save (and submit) • www.pac.ie/nuigalway Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

22. Steps involved • Sample application forms (two online pages to complete) • Under PAC FAQs, No. 1 www.pac.ie/nuigalway Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

23. Steps involved • Supporting documents • Check website • Requirements vary, e.g.,personal statement, C.V., exemption form • Post or upload. • Write your PAC numberon each page and post to:PAC, 1 Courthouse Square,Galway. • Docs. scanned in & appended to your electronic application. • www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/pac_supp_docs.html Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

24. Steps involved • How it all works … • Once application made online, you’ll receive confirmation email. • Keep email account active and check regularly. • Log into your account to check your updated status. • You’ll be reminded if you’re missing documents. • Check offer round dates. • If successful, you’ll be made an offer via the system; can accept or decline the offer online. • Note: non-refundable deposit required to secure course-place, deducted from your course fee …can be transferred to another NUIG course if you receive a subsequent offer. Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

25. Tips • Do your research—online and talk to academics, current students, Careers. • Look at FAQs—postgrad website and on PAC. • Check what supporting docs. you need & assemble well in advance. • Watch offer round dates. • Use all your course choices … keep your options open.No need to order by preference. • Keep your email account active and in good order to ensure emails get through to you. Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

26. Good luck!Any questions? Valerie Leahy, Deputy Admissions Officer (Postgraduate) P O S T G R A D U A T E O P E N D A Y 2 February 2011 postgrad@nuigalway.ie | Tel. (091) 492 844 | www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad Postgraduate Admissions Office: Making an online application

27. Writing a Personal Statement Pamela Devins Career Development Centre

28. Personal Statements • What to include? • How to write an effective Personal Statement?

29. Why you want to do the course? Well rounded personality A well-written statement A well-presented statement (pride) Strong introduction and conclusion Relevant work exp. Evidence of broad key skills e.g. Teamwork, Presentation Skills Evidence of being a hard worker Anything distinctive about degree results? What do Course Directors like to see?

30. Possible outline….brainstorm • Section 1 – This course + college – why? • Section 2. Academic qualifications and attributes…how has college life led you to this? Have an achievement focus. Relevant subjects / modules / projects you have done…if you are missing something, what can you offer as a substitute?

31. Possible outline…. • Section 3 – personal qualities + achievements that make you suitable…outline what you want to get from the course (not necessarily ‘career’ if the course is not vocational)…can be related to work, extra-curricular etc. Note: It is not an autobiography. Every sentence is important and should convince the reader that you have the academic ability, skills and motivation to complete the programme successfully

32. Avoid… • Waffle • Swallowing a dictionary • Absence of evidence…could be seen as lying. • Writing at length about results • Ordinary interests…show your involvement • Rushing, thinking you can write it without research and advice

33. Interests and experiences outside college • Identify and outline key activities or experiences which you have gained. • Only give information on interests and experiences outside college if you have something to say…make it relevant

34. Writing the PS • Play close attention to paragraphs and sentences • Spell check and grammar check • Ask someone to proof read • Use the active voice • Be precise with punctuation

35. Using “I” • This is a personal statement so using the first person pronoun I is acceptable • Using the third person makes the prose vague • Try not to have short clipped sentences, instead use words to link sentences

36. Furthermore In addition Yet Which However Including Namely As a result Moreover In Conclusion Finally Particularly For instance Useful Linking Words

37. Check, check, check • Be meticulous before submitting check for: • Accuracy • Relevance • Your writing reflects you so make sure it is as impressive as possible

38. Career Development Centre • Visit website for further info or to book an appointment to get your personal statement reviewed (current students) www.nuigalway.ie/careers

39. Graduate Studies Orientation Dr. Pat Morgan Dean of Graduate Studies Wednesday 2nd February 2011

40. Who are Graduate Studies? • Dean • Pat Morgan • Senior Administrator • Anna Marie Leonard • Administrators • Sandra Donohue (on leave to April 2011) • Siobhán Cunningham

41. Research and Graduate Community • Academic Staff 781 • Post-doctoral Researchers 255 • Postgraduate Students • Taught 1658 • Research 1044 • International 309

42. University Research Guidelines • Guidelines http://www.nuigalway.ie/graduatestudies/Current_Students_2/guidelines.html • Structured PhD • Graduate Research Committee • Generic, Transferable and Discipline Specific Modules • IUA http://www.iua.ie/index.html • IUQB http://www.iuqb.ie/info/good_practice_guides.aspx

43. How to Find Funding - Resources • Research Programmes • Supervisor / Competitive / Limited • Taught Programmes • Financing a course is the responsibility of the student. • Youmay be eligible for a Local Authority Grant. Contact your local County Council -Higher Education Grants Office. • Revenue Office websiteshttp://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it1.html#section16 and http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it31.html • http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/fees/

44. How to Find Funding - Resources • Research Office http://www.nuigalway.ie/research/vp_research/seminars.html • International Office http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/ • Fees Office http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_fees/ • Research Accounts http://www.nuigalway.ie/research_accounting/funders.html

45. How to Find Funding - Resources • College Studentships http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/ • Postgraduate Admissions http://www.nuigalway.ie/admission/postgrad/fees/ • Graduate Studies http://www.nuigalway.ie/graduatestudies/Research_Degrees/funding_sources.html • Career Development Centre http://www.nuigalway.ie/careers/students/courses.html

47. Postgraduate research scholarshipsin the College of Science, NUI Galway •  Full-time research toward MSc or PhD degrees. • Scholarships include fees (at EU rates) and annual stipends of up to €12,000 for up to four years. • The closing date for applications • is 5 pm, Friday, 18th February, 2011 • Further information and application forms are availableon the College of Science website:  • www.nuigalway.ie/science/ • www.nuigalway.ie/science/scholarshipsandprizes.html

48. Other Possible Sources Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Health Research Board (HRB) • Higher Education Authority (HEA) • National University of Ireland (NUI) • Royal Irish Academy (RIA) • Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) • Teagasc

49. IRCSET Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology • IRCSET is an independent research funding body established to promote science and engineering research in Ireland • Call for funding under the EMBARK Initiative 2011 (Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme).  There will be one competition under this scheme in 2011. • Call is currently open • Accept applications until 16 February 2011 • Further information can be found : http://www.ircset.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=68

50. IRCHSS Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences • IRCHSS aims to develop Ireland's research capacity • IRCHSS 2011/12 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme is now open for applications • Closing date is 4pm Monday February 21st 2011 • Applicants can submit their queries to info@irchss.ie and the answers will be published in the FAQs • IRCHSS website: http://www.irchss.ie/schemes/scheme01/index.html