Why study a Postgraduate course at Cardiff University?
There are a huge range of benefits associated with studying at postgraduate level. Here’s our top five reasons to study as a postgraduate in Cardiff:
1
Enhance your career prospects
Undertaking a postgraduate course is one of the most effective ways to advance your career to a higher level. The variety of skills and expertise gained from your course can significantly improve your job prospects and maximise your chance of securing work in a specific field, while simultaneously advancing your knowledge of a particular subject area. Combined with our expert career advice, you’ll be ready for the next step when you graduate.
2
Increase your earning potential
Completing a master’s degree is likely to increase your earning potential, with postgraduates typically earning more than their undergraduate counterparts. Postgraduates typically earn £5,000 more than graduates and £15,500 more than non-graduates. The most recent graduate labour market statistics (2024) show that full-time employed, working-age postgraduates have a median salary of £45,000, compared with £40,000 for working-age undergraduates.
3
Change your career path with a conversion course
4
Further explore a subject you’re passionate about
If at the end of your undergraduate studies you still have the desire to learn or carry out research, a postgraduate course can satisfy your intellectual curiosity by allowing you to explore a subject in more depth.
5
Achieve professional accreditation
If you need to gain professional accreditation to enter the workplace at a higher level, a postgraduate programme can help you achieve this. We offer a variety of courses leading to professional accreditation, some of which can be studied part-time alongside your employment.
A diverse course range
We offer more than 400 postgraduate study opportunities spanning a diverse range of subject areas. You can choose from our extensive portfolio of postgraduate taught master’s degrees, diplomas and certificates, as well as a wide variety of exciting research programmes. Many of our academic schools offer taught programmes on a part-time basis, offering you the flexibility to study alongside other commitments.
We also offer a number of full-time and part-time postgraduate conversion courses, which allow you to study a subject in a new field of interest unrelated to your undergraduate degree to support you with a change of direction.
Find your course
How to fund your study
If you’re already considering further study but are worried about the financial implications of staying at university, there are a number of ways that you can fund your postgraduate course:
20% alumni discount
Cardiff University graduates can now get 20% tuition fee discount on master’s degrees.
The discount is applicable on all full-time and part-time master’s degrees that are taught on campus.
The alumni discount has massively relieved the financial pressure that comes along with doing a master’s. Combined with the UK government funding my fees are covered and I can utilise the scholarship for living costs. This has been a major stress reliever and encouraged me to choose Cardiff as the place to study my master’s
Honor Johnson
£3,000 master’s scholarships
We offer £3,000 master’s scholarships on part-time and full-time master’s programmes. The scholarships are competitive and are awarded in the form of a tuition fee discount. Application deadlines for 2025 are 7 April and 7 July.
The master’s scholarship has provided me with the freedom to reduce my employment hours and focus on my MSc programme. In this context, the financial leeway offered by the master’s scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies without the additional pressure that can come with part-time work.”
Will Halliday
The master’s scholarship has provided me with the freedom to reduce my employment hours and focus on my MSc programme. In this context, the financial leeway offered by the master’s scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies without the additional pressure that can come with part-time work.”
UK government master’s funding
- If you ordinarily live in Wales (and didn’t move here for the purposes of study) you can apply for a loan from Student Finance Wales. For entry in 2025 this loan is worth up to a maximum of £19,255.
- If you ordinarily live in England, you can apply for a loan from Student Finance England. For entry in 2025 this loan is worth up to a maximum of £12,858.
- Postgraduate loans are also available for students from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
James Pantyfedwen Foundation Grants
Postgraduate research study
Postgraduate research study
We are currently leading or participating in a number of specific doctoral training initiatives, including UK Research Council sponsored Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs), Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), which span many of our areas of academic and research strengths. We also offer a range of fully funded studentships.
Find out more
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