Arts, humanities and social sciences

Postgraduate study in arts, humanities and social sciences

Job prospects

To maximise your job prospects be as clear as you can about the types of jobs that interest you before you start your studies. Courses with a strong career orientation, such as journalism, public relations, social work or music therapy, are likely to enhance your employment prospects. For some of the professions, for example psychology and social work, a postgraduate qualification is often a requirement. Graduates of research programmes are increasingly entering non-education related positions.

The options

Emerging areas at postgraduate level are studies that cross over between the arts and the sciences. For example, Trinity College Dublin offers an MPhil in Music Technology, DCU has an MSc in Science Communication, and the National College of Arts and Design runs an MA Art in the Digital World. Globalisation, international relations and peace studies are increasingly popular as are the psychology based courses.

Decide if a taught or research style of learning suits you best. Although research is often perceived as something that is mainly for science students, most arts subjects can also be studied by research. Research will typically build on your undergraduate expertise and will culminate in a research masters MA or MLitt (approx two years) or a PhD (approximately four years). Entry requirements are typically a 2.1 in a related discipline.

Taught programmes culminate in a diploma, postgraduate diploma, higher diploma, MA or MPhil. They are typically one to two years in duration. Some will build on your undergraduate study, for example a degree in Popular Literature or Medieval History, while others (conversion courses) provide an opportunity to try something completely new. Entry requirements vary and typically require a 2.2 or a 2.1 depending on the demand for places.