Planning for Postgraduate Study

1. Planning for Postgraduate Study • Introduction • The Path to Postgraduate Study • Research Postgrads at UL • Postgraduate Study Overseas • Funding for Postgraduate Study • Q & A

2. The Path to Postgraduate Study Dr John Breen Dean, Graduate School

3. How do I become a postgrad? Is it worth it – time, effort?

4. Some Statistics • 26% of UL graduates of 2004 in further study • PGs in Ireland = approx 25% of student population • 18.3% of total UL students are postgrads • 1200 taught postgrad programmes • 808 research postgrads • 45% funded • Graduated 131 research postgrads 2006 • 44 Masters and 87 PhDs

5. Why Postgraduate Study? • What are your goals? • Career objectives / plans • Employment prospects • Interest in the academic area / academia • Professional requirement • Subtle change to a new area • Key issues you need to think about… • Sufficient motivation • Academic ability, suitability and your needs • Time and money

6. Types of Postgraduates • Taught versus Research programmes • Taught Grad Diplomas/Masters degrees • Dr Siobhán Tiernan will speak about “taught postgrads” • Research degrees • Entry requirements: usually 1st & 2nd Class Hons. degrees • Full-time and part-time • May include some taught elements (methodology, etc) • Generic and transferable skills • Research proposal and plan • Masters: 1-3 years; PhD: 3-5 years

7. Timing and Location • When to study • After your first degree … easiest time • After a break • After working full-time • While still working full or part-time • Where to study • In Ireland: Limerick or elsewhere • Overseas: planning and timeframe • Advantages/disadvantages of moving institution • Personal/professional considerations

8. Type of course Number of places Selection criteria Closing date Employment record Fees and finance Size of Department Research interests Type of supervision Facilities Inside story Publishing rights Evaluate what is on offer

9. What’s on offer at UL • 70+ taught PG Programmes • Research Masters / PhD • All Colleges • Look at College / Department Web sites for research interests • Research your options … now! • Compare and contrast UL with other institutions

10. Funding at UL: research p’grads • Privately funded • Advance Scholars’ Awards • University / department scholarships • Limited number of EU fee waivers • Maintenance … tutorial assistants, demonstratorships …ask HODs/ADsR • University demonstratorships • €6,864 Masters; € 8,232 PhD + fees

11. External funding • Irish Research Councils • Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS), www.irchss.ie (5 in 2007) • Science, Engineering & Technology (IRCSET), www.ircset.ie(2 calls?) (36 in 2007) • Some available to “non-EU” applicants • Research Grants (“won” by supervisors) • Local Authority Grants • 1 PG programme; fees plus 3 x €837 per annum … goes directly to student

12. Other funding possibilities • HEA Programme for Research in Third Level Institutes HEA – PTRLI • Other agencies: Health Research Board, Marine Institute, etc. • See UL website for more details http://www.graduatestudies.ul.ie

13. Fourth level Ireland • Moving towards more • Structured PhD programmes (4 years) • In first 1 to 2 years taught modules, beginning of the project, then • 2 years research programme • You will hear about “Greps” • Graduate Research Education Programmes • Name used by IRCSET / IRCHSS for “structured PhD programmes”

14. The national policy is to… • Double the output of people with postgrad qualifications by 2013 • A national “upskilling”…

15. Why more PhD graduates? • Your country needs you! • Number of researchers per 1000 population: Ireland 14th of 30 OECD countries • National targets for the universities • SET: 543 (2005)  997 (2013) • HSS: 187 (2005)  315 (2013) • UL: 67 (2005)  134 (2013) – all PhDs

16. UL Research institutes

17. So, example: MSSI • 34 Academic Staff, • 38 Postdoctoral Fellows, • 139 Postgraduate students 211 Researchers • Chemistry Mechanical Engineering • Materials Science Electronic Engineering • Physics Biochemistry

18. And… • PhDs are the norm for academic positions • (usually = almost invariably! In fact Post-doc experience plus publications plus research funding Science) • Masters and PhDs are usually required for more senior positions in • Research labs / Labs in industry • Many industries are opting to pay for their laboratory staff to register and complete a postgraduate degree Part Time! • Continuous Professional Development CPD in jargon!

19. What is a research Masters? • In UL, titles like MSc, MTech, MEng, MA, MEd etc. • Full time: minimum of one academic year • In practice… usually 2 academic years but (should be) easily completed in that time • You are expected to complete a substantial volume of research and present it as a thesis • Good option if you want an additional expertise • Or slight change in direction from your undergraduate course

20. PhD: Four years, not for years! • Full time: a minimum of 3 academic years • To be fair, most take ~ 4 years • You are expected to undertake a substantial amount of independent research • It must be publishable in peer reviewed journals … original • You present it as a thesis… perhaps with published papers • You must demonstrate that you are capable of independent research and be able to design and carry out a research project

21. Applications • Applications (UL) • Deadlines: research (applications considered monthly) versus taught (early June) • Information: College / Department booklets / websites • Talk to potential supervisors / ADsR • If thinking about postgrad you may want to “choose” your final year project supervisor! • Admission forms (see web site) • http://www.ul.ie/graduatestudies/ • Usually register for MSc and transfer to PhD – seminar and a Transfer Document

22. Research Postgrads… at UL • Discuss possible project and get “advice” from your supervisor on the Project Description • “advice” = AGREE! • Fill out the Postgraduate Form (research version)… all the forms are on the Graduate Studies website. Submit form by 15th of any month • Applications are considered on the first Tuesday of each month (except August) • Offers of places the following week

23. No project, No supervisor? • Discuss possibilities with your FYP supervisor • Consult the ADR in your college … • I usually suggest writing out a SHORT cv: one page MAXIMUM, with qualifications to date, FYP title and supervisor, special methods used etc. • Give this to Head of Dept saying you are interested in “doing postgrad”!

24. So you’ve submitted your thesis… • Chair, External and Internal Examiner • Viva voce examination • You graduate… • Dr! • In Germany they retain all their titles: • Herr Professor Dr Dr! Photographer in action at a College of Science graduation!

25. What now … Sem 1, year 4 ? • Start expressing interest • You will achieve a 1st or 2:1 degree (hopefully) • Not all lost with a 2:2, but funding not as easy! • Discuss with potential supervisors • Get working on funding applications

26. Please note … some facts of life • Applications e.g. to Irish Research Councils for Humanities and Social Sciences / Science and Technology (IRCHSS, IRCSET) are submitted by and for the candidate (you!) • In theory! • However: you must involve your potential supervisor in the application • Reference • “Help” with the project description

27. IRCHSS seminar • MBA Room, 11-12, Monday 19th November • Be there! • IRCSET seminar to follow

28. ADsR, in each College • Business, Dr Siobhan Tiernan • Education, Dr Roland Tormey • Humanities, Prof. Tom Lodge • Informatics, Dr Seán McGrath • Engineering, Dr Patrick Frawley • Science, Dr Ciarán MacDonncha • Note the name and enquire in your College

29. Taught Postgraduate Studies at the University of Limerick Dr. Siobhan Tiernan ADR Kemmy Business School

30. Taught Versus Research Postgraduate Studies • Taught Grad Diplomas/Masters degrees • Full-time/part-time/bloc release • Conversion courses • Development of an academic specialism • Entry requirements vary (2.2 Hons. plus) • Duration – 12 -16 months • Which route suits you is a fundamental decision • Depends on career options and personal preferences

31. Autumn Semester HRM in Transition Issues in International Political Economy Comparative IR Psychology of Strategic Decision Making & Change Masters Thesis A Spring Semester Irish & EU Labour Law Theory & Practice of Negotiations HRD International Innovations in HRM Masters Thesis B Example of a Taught Masters Structure & Content - HRM • Summer • Masters Thesis

32. Advantages of Taught Programmes • Degree of continuity from undergraduate programme • Mixture of taught modules and a research dissertation • Many of the programmes are recognised by professional bodies • Could provide the basis for subsequent PhD

33. When to study • After your first degree … easiest time • After a break • After working full-time • While still working full or part-time • Many of the taught programmes offer part time variants

34. Where to study • In Ireland: Limerick or elsewhere • Overseas: planning and timeframe • Advantages/disadvantages of moving institution • Personal/professional considerations

35. What’s on offer at UL • 70+ taught PG Programmes • Graduate Diplomas / Masters • Masters • Look at College / Department Web sites • Research your options … now! • Compare and contrast UL with other institutions

36. Evaluate what is on offer in UL • Type of course • Number of places • Selection criteria • Closing date • Employment record • Fees and finance • Size of Department • Research interests • Type of supervision • Facilities • Inside story • Publishing rights

37. Applications • Deadlines: (early June) although may close off before that date • Information: College / Department booklets / websites • Talk to current or past students of the course • Talk to potential supervisors / ADsR • Admission forms (see web site) • http://www.ul.ie/graduatestudies/

38. Funding for Postgraduate Study …etc Mary Sweeney Head of Careers Cooperative Education & Careers Division

39. Where do UL graduates study? • Survey of 2006 graduates • 22% in further study • 90% in Ireland • 10% overseas • 29 UK • 4 USA • 3 EU • 1 other

40. Postgraduate Study USA (cont.) Application Procedure • Research Universities • Consult UL faculty member and Careers Service • Check directories and websites • Check Fulbright website • Select realistic choice: 3-7 • Request Application Material ($30 - $100 fee) • Register for Tests GRE, GMAT • Compile application material • Statement of Purpose (Fulbright guidelines) • Transcripts • References: 2/3 • Complete application and apply for financial aid • Check visa requirements (US Embassy website)

41. Funding for Postgraduate Study Overseas • UK • British Council, Research Councils e.g. Economic & Social Research Council • Scholarships for Irish graduates • www.findaphd.com • www.hotcourses.com/pg • Europe • Government-funded International Scholarships • The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool • National Scholarship program of the Slovak Republic • The Norwegian Government Scholarship Pool • Austrian Scholarship • Marie Curie Foundation/Framework 7 • German Academic Exchange Scholarships • College of Europe, European University Institute

42. Funding for Postgraduate Study Overseas • USA • Fulbright Awards • O’Reilly Foundation; John F Kennedy Fund • University Scholarships and Assistantships • E.g. Conlisk MBA Scholarship • Other • Japan Foundation Program 2008/2009 • Mexican Scholarships 2008/2009 • Further Information • www.education.ie

43. Fulbright Student Awards • For postgrad study or research in the USA • Value: Up to €20,000 for full academic year • Disciplines • Visual and performing arts • CRH award for Business Studies • Enterprise Irl for Science, Tech & Innovation • EPA for Environmental Science/Policy • Glen Dimplex for Science, Tech, Renewables • Teagasc for Agriculture & Food Science • Closing date: 14th December 2007 • Details: www.fulbright.ie

44. Conlisk Scholarship - USA • Fairfield University, USA • Scholarship for MBA or MSc Finance • Sponsored by Irish American community • Awarded to 10 UL graduates to date • Very positive feedback from graduates • Value =$45,000 • GMAT required • Check www.ul.ie/careers News section

45. Irish Research Councils - Ireland • Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) • Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering & Technology (IRCSET) Maintenance Awards IRCHSS - €12,900 IRCSET - €16,000

46. Sources of Information • www.ul.ie/careers(Postgraduate Study section) • www.graduatestudies.ul.ie • www.postgradireland.com • www.findaphd.com • www.education.ie • www.prospects.ac.uk • www.britishcouncil.org/education/funding/ • www.fulbright.ie • www.eurograduate.com • www.ets.org/gre - information on GRE & GMATtests • www.petersons.com – Guide to studying in the US • www.idp.com – Online applications to Australian Universities • www.irchss.ie • www.icrset.ie • www.npc.org.uk

47. Other Resources • Postgraduate Study Fair • 13th February, 2007 • All UL Faculties • Other Irish Universities & Institutions • Some UK Universities • Opportunity to review options • Postgraduate Courses in Education • Wednesday, 14th Nov @ 6.30 in D1050