Does Postgraduate Study Mean Giving Up Work?

Degrees and diplomas don’t come overnight, and so people can be put off postgraduate study because they’re not sure how they’d make it work around their existing job, or because they don’t have the money to take time out of the workplace. In contrast, you can undertake postgraduate study for lots of reasons, and if you’re already in employment it can herald the start of a new career, help you get a promotion or simply expand your options within your current job. But does postgraduate study mean giving up work? Not necessarily... 

Look at Part-Time Study Options 

If you’re serious about pursuing a postgraduate qualification and think you’re up to the challenge of managing your time efficiently, consider studying part-time. 

Part-time courses will usually last for a couple of years and contact time will be limited to a few hours each week – usually in the evenings – making it possible to keep your job as you study. This also means you’ll have a regular source of income to help pay fees and manage your living expenses. 

Talk to Your Employer 

If the course you want to do is particularly relevant to your current job, talk to your employer about ways they might be able to help. After all, gaining qualifications makes you an asset to the business, so they’ll stand to benefit, too. They might allow you to combine work and study, or take a sabbatical to complete the course on a full-time basis.  

"I’d been working at a marketing company for a few years but felt I couldn’t climb the career ladder because I didn’t have any formal marketing qualifications," says 32-year-old Sarah Thomas. "I spoke to my boss, and because I had a good track record with the company and was eager to get ahead, they partially sponsored me and allowed me to take time out of the office to attend classes."

If You Want a Complete Career Change 

Most employers probably won’t be happy making allowances for you if it means you’ll end up leaving them. In this instance, you have two choices. You could seek out a part-time course to study in your free time or leave your existing job to focus solely on studying for your new career. 

If you decide to leave your job, you should make sure you have some savings that will cover your living expenses and, potentially, your fees. This may mean staying in your job for a while longer while you save up. 

Make Sure Your Course Choice Matches Your Goals 

If you’re considering postgraduate study because you’re after a promotion, investigate whether you really need to commit to a degree to get there. Could a shorter business-focused qualification like a PGDip or PGCert help you up the ranks? Could moving to a new company give you more seniority? 

If you’re considering a complete career change, make sure you’re totally committed to your new industry before you make the leap. Speak to people in your field of interest to get a good understanding of the sector you want to join. You could also try taster courses or volunteer work to help you decide if that new direction is right for you. 

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