Why it’s time to invest in postgraduate study

As industries evolve, postgraduate courses are a great way to expand your options – think of it as an investment in your future.

The world can be unpredictable, and it’s understandable that many of us are wondering what lies ahead for our careers. Here’s why now is the perfect time to take the next step in your career path with further study. 

Your dream job won’t wait

The turbulence of the pandemic has left us reassessing our goals, so it’s a good time to ask yourself what you want to achieve in your career. Are you looking to upskill or move into a new career or industry? Do you want to focus on an area you really care about? Or are you looking to increase your earning potential and job prospects by standing out in the job market with expertise that set you apart from your peers? There are so many ways to enhance your skills and knowledge. 

It’s important to understand what your goals are before you pick the degree that’s right for you. In an ever-changing world, standing still means you may be falling behind. Jobs will shapeshift as industries evolve, and postgraduate study will equip you with the skills and expertise to adapt to these changes better than work experience alone. Your dream job won’t always wait for you, so move forward as the world does to ensure you’re ready when an opportunity comes knocking.

Change is the only certainty

Postgraduate study is also about expanding your thinking, opening yourself up to diverse perspectives and uncovering new passions – which are all great ways to prepare yourself to adapt to change. You could say higher education has always been set up for a changing world, as every student is looking to change the course of their future.  

We’re here to empower you with the knowledge and expertise to thrive and grow, no matter the challenges you face. Our researchers set the agenda for the future of work, ensuring our degrees have versatile specialisations built into the course structure. This allows you to explore your options by providing the know-how to change your career, industry and path in an ever-changing world.  

You’ll gain the hands-on experience you need to build a career through UNSW’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and UNSW Employability services. 

On top of this, you’ll be given access to a career coach with an industry network and real-world experience to guide you to help your transition from uni into your first post-study job. Find out more about our UNSW Employability services.

Why UNSW?

UNSW allows you to build a schedule that fits your life with the support of academic, lecturers, your student circle and the wider UNSW community. We're here to guide you through this changing world by offering a flexible environment and all the support services you may need.

Many of UNSW’s postgraduate programs are delivered online, and unlike most undergraduate degrees, others balance intensive blocks or evening classes with online delivery. It also pays to talk to your employer about work arrangements, as most companies are happy to arrange flexible hours to incorporate further study into your full-time job.  

As a postgraduate student, you can choose full-time or part-time study and have the option of deferring programs for up to two years. Our trimester model breaks the mould of traditional uni calendars, allowing you to complete more courses in the same timeframe or the flexibility to study fewer courses each term if you’re balancing full-time work.

If a master’s course seems like too much of a commitment for your circumstances, enrolling in a graduate diploma or graduate certificate offers shorter study options. These shorter coursework options often accept lower entry requirements and allow you to progress into a master’s degree later and receive credit for the time you’ve studied if you want to further your postgraduate qualification.

And the costs? We’re here to help

UNSW ranked 3rd in Australia for Graduate Employability* and in 2020, our postgraduate alumni earned the highest median salaries three years after graduating in Australia. While postgraduate study is an investment, it’s important to be financially prepared in the short term. We may not be able to provide you with personalised financial advice, but we can point you in the right direction to several services that may be able to help. Here are a few options:  

• Government support: Domestic postgraduate students may be eligible for support with their tuition fees and expenses through HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loans, or Centrelink. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) could also be a good option for you, offering subsidised placements through this government programs. You can learn more about CSPs here.  

• Employer support: Ask your current job about whether they offer sponsorship, study leave, or flexible working arrangements.  

• Claim on your tax return: If you’re undertaking study for professional development, you may be able to claim some expenses in your tax return. Find out more through the Australian Taxation Office. 

• Scholarships: UNSW offers several scholarships and awards to postgraduate students. 

^{*QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022}