Before you decide on a course you need to find out what the options are. There has never been such a range of postgraduate courses available but it is advisable to do plenty of research and choose carefully.

Consider the following questions:

• What types of course are there?
• What about part/time, distance learning and other flexible options?
• How are students selected for postgraduate courses?
• How would I be able to fund the course?
• When and how should I apply for courses/scholarships?
• Are you making the right decision entering postgraduate study?
• What about postgraduate study abroad?

REMEMBER!

Postgraduate courses are a product for sale and it is worth shopping around. Don't be afraid to ask questions - you are the customer!. If at all possible, visit the institutions and talk to staff, students and recent graduates. It is worth your time to ask questions and you should consult an appropriate member of academic staff to ascertain what field of study would be best suited to your abilities and ambitions, and where this could be best pursued. The reputation of the institution and the degree is important in terms of whether this course will enhance your employment prospects.

Many colleges and universities offer slick, intensively marketed courses that are not of equal quality and may not help you in attaining your career goals. Ask the college if they provide full statistics on what graduates from particular courses do after graduation. There may be good reasons why some colleges are reluctant to reveal these statistics. You can check out what graduates from postgraduate courses in DCU do after graduation here. Remember:

• Do not feel restricted by your undergraduate degree: you can explore different areas and develop new skills on a postgraduate course
• Research all options fully before you make a definite choice
• Don't forget the opportunities for courses and further study outside the university/college environment

Some of the best opportunities for further study may lie within the university itself and its centres of excellence. Some academic departments have special funding arrangements which are administered internally, so make sure you are aware if such arrangements exist in your faculty.

Useful resources:

• The Admissions Office of the Registry in DCU provides all the information you will need about postgraduate programmes and applications in DCU including details of entry requirements and closing dates for applications
• GradIreland provide an excellent searchable database of postgraduate courses in all the main universities and colleges in Ireland
• DoctorJob offer lots of information on postgraduate study abroad
• Prospects have an excellent guide to deciding whether or not to undertake further study and a useful guide to application procedures