Post-Graduate Studies

You may or may not be surprised to know, but to some extent it is actually quite similar to being an undergraduate. For some post-graduate courses, lectures are still the norm, but for other courses that are more fundamentally research based, it could entail days on end trawling through library books searching for substance for a 17,000 word literature review. I am fortunate that mine is a bit of both.

In discussion with other students about what it is like to undertake one of the plethora of post-graduate programs here at Hull (MA, MSc, MPhil, MEng, MChem, PhD etc.) two of the most recurring themes were that of ‘dedication’ and ‘time-management’. The life of a post-graduate can be a difficult one; the academic standards can be quite the step-up. But like all serious challenges in life, commitment and determination are important to succeed, and a post-graduate degree is exactly that, a serious challenge.

It can be a solitary life, but also an invigorating one. For me personally, I found the respect granted and the high levels of communication received from my post-graduate course lecturers to be invaluable. It is like as we shed the cotton wool it is seamlessly replaced by a warm blanket, and as a result a greater sense of belonging. A lot of post-graduates also work directly with lecturers and become involved in the wider teaching process.

At the same time though, the post-graduate student is never truly insulated. The sports teams and societies are always around, and still do an amazing job of helping individuals to integrate whether you move far away from here or decide to continue learning down by the Humber.

I undertook my undergraduate degree at the University of Hull and after taking a year out to work and rest my body and mind after 16 years of fairly solid education, I decided that the place I wanted to do my MA was right here. I already knew the city fairly well, I knew the campus like the back of my hand, and I knew that Hull is one of the cheapest places to live in the country (which for some Post-graduates is even more vital).

One of the major differences as a post-graduate is around funding, and I won’t pretend I know all there is to know about it, but I know for a fact it’s not as easy as posting off a form to the student loan company (although for me it was a form to the NHS) and in some cases, employment alongside may be required to fund it. Different courses have different procedures, and some even require entire research proposals, but in this economic climate it is imperative that if you are considering it, do not be afraid to ask about the money!! It’s your education after all.

Most importantly though, you really do have to want it, and if anything, a post-graduate degree is an excellent opportunity to relish learning before we have to go out and get a ‘real’ job.

Benjamin Fisk

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