Your degree allows you a wide choice of postgraduate courses. Generally your decision rests between two choices – either taught or research-based courses and programmes. Research-based programmes generally follow from the discipline or subject of your primary degree and enable you to specialise, for example an MLitt in history. Taught courses may have an obvious connection to your primary degree subject – for example, an MA in landscape archaeology following a BA in archaeology – or allow you to ‘convert’ to another area such as an MA in health promotion or HDip in business studies.

Areas of study

The range of choices is wide. There are the core arts and humanities subjects such as theology, European studies, peace studies, or women’s studies. Languages, including translation, linguistics, or in tandem with other areas such as business, is another wide field. You could also choose a vocational subject related to arts, for example advertising, marketing, PR, media and publishing – contrary to popular opinion, you can enter these areas from a wide range of subjects – or performing and creative arts and design.

With a primary degree in arts and humanities you can go on to take a range of vocational degrees, from education to hospitality, human resources, or management. It is quite possible to convert from an arts degree to a degree in finance, for example accountancy or taxation. Other options are law, health care, social work, librarianship and information management, and information technology.

Job prospects

Chosen wisely, the completion of a postgraduate programme should enhance your employment prospects, though beware: it can be a disadvantage if you do a course instead of deciding what to do career-wise. Employers will want to know the reasons for choosing postgraduate study and will expect you to demonstrate the additional skills your studies have brought you.

Relevant professional training may be essential in certain areas such as social work or psychology. A postgraduate course is often an occupational requirement and can not only require high academic achievement but also some related work experience.

Choosing a course

It is important to have an interest in and enjoy the subject matter you study. However, interest in the subject of study alone is not necessarily a good enough reason to follow this path – the career options available after graduation are also a consideration.

Careers services survey graduate destinations annually and can often be a very good source of information on the career opportunities from courses in your institution. It is important to investigate the possible career paths that may open up (or even close) after a particular postgraduate course. It is recommended that you research relevant opportunities and use the support available from academic departments and your careers service before making choices for the future.

Written by John Hannon, Careers Service, National University of Ireland, Galway. This article appeared in postgradireland 2007.