Conversion courses

Conversion courses are typically one-year taught postgraduate courses that allow graduates to ‘convert’ to a new discipline. They can be found in most subject areas, with a very high concentration in business, arts and computing. It’s also possible to find conversion courses in science and engineering, although these will usually require a primary degree in a related discipline.

Job prospects

Most conversion courses have a strong career orientation and this is reflected in the high employment rate of graduates who choose this option. The most recent national graduate employment statistics show that almost 2,100 graduates were awarded postgraduate diplomas in 2005, of whom 74 per cent went directly into employment (compared with 57 per cent of primary degree graduates). This highlights the value of combining two qualifications in different disciplines – a very attractive prospect for employers.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements will vary depending on the course and the college you choose. It’s important to check specific entry requirements, which you can find on colleges’ websites. The minimum requirement is a degree and in some cases a pass degree will be considered. The more competitive courses will require a strong honours degree, normally a 2.1 but some will accept a 2.2. Some courses will require a degree in a relevant area; for example, a postgraduate diploma in chemical engineering will require a science or engineering qualification. Others will require competency in a particular subject such as mathematics, but many conversion courses are open to graduates from any discipline. That’s their real attraction.

What to expect

Conversion courses tend to be more focused and much more intensive than a primary degree because they concentrate a large volume of material into a relatively short time span. Many will incorporate a lot of practical projects and assignments, and will require students to work in groups. As the class sizes are usually smaller than undergraduate courses, assessments will often include group or individual presentations.

Issues to consider

• When choosing a course, you will need to ask yourself:
• How will this qualification complement my primary degree?
• What is the reputation of the course amongst employers?
• What is the employment record of graduates on the course?
• Is it possible to progress to a masters degree on completion of the diploma?
• Is the course eligible for reduced fees, eg under the Graduate Skills Conversion Programme?

We would like to thank Mary Sweeney, Head of Careers at the University of Limerick, for her help with this article. This article appeared in postgradireland 2008.

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