Second Post

With lots of graduates, and soon-to-be graduates, taking the opportunity to spend a further year studying rather than attempt to get a job in a lean market, does this mean it's much tougher to get on a course these days? Anyone had experience of this?

I have found the opposite actually, I have managed to breeze from course to course but now have trouble entering work force as am over qualified!

I have been applying to PhDs and MPhil degrees for nearly a year and I was almost expecting to be already through a PhD by now. Instead I'm just stuck in a situation where I can't get into a PhD or MPhil and am applying to graduate jobs. My situation is quite desperate and it is not a very happy or successful time. Both claim to be oversubscribed.

Its tough times mate, at least your not applying for your undergrad where all the places seem to be disapearing! What grade did you get in your degree and what are you applying for?

There is more competiton this year for places as students are looking for alternatives outside of work and looking to enhance their CV's.  Much of your application will depend on your grades and past academic performance so be realistic in your applications. 

Do remember that the whole process is unlikely to be quick: referees will need to find time to write reports on your academic performance and universities will often have to sort through a high number of applications. Keep trying and match the courses you are applying to with your academic history so that you have more chance of finding a place on a course.

I have studied art history but have a distinct interest in clinical sociology.  Having looked into courses, there is nothing stopping me from applying for a course but will it be night on impossible due to the large number of sociology graduates who will be applying?

MagneticAlex. I would still suggest applying unless your degree in art histroy is below a 2:1. If you have a 2:1 you should be able to get in if you apply early enough. For instance I have a friend who recently graduated from Surrey Uni with a First in Business Management but decided he want to do a masters in Human Rights or Ethics, very different to his undergraduate degree. Although still he applied to very competitive universities i.e. UCL and Kings and still managed to secure places in both, and Human Rights is an incredibly popular course for law graduates nowadays. So Basically just go for it and make sure you write a good personal statement highlighting why you are good for the course i.e. the academic skills gained from your previous degree and why clinical sociology is your passion. If you do these things I reckon you will get a place.

Hi I really want to do a masters in social work, and I have a 2:1 for my undergraduate degree but cant find any with places open. Does that mean theres no hope? I dont really understand clearing, I am just approaching Universities themslves and asking if they still have places. Is this the right thing to be doing?

sav

Hi,

Most applications for post grad courses do follow a similar time frame to undergrad courses where you will need to get your applications in around the end of autumn beginning of winter.  Unlike undergrad applications there is no regulatory body like UCAS so applications are dealt with directly by universities.  This means that there is no clearing system, so you may want to continue chasing up universities over the summer to see if places are becoming available.

What you will need to do is to look at higher education journals and websites that will advertise these roles such as http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk and http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/higher-education.  You should also look at journals and sites that are specific to the career area that you are looking for as research roles may be advertised there.