Going back to school isn’t a decision you take lightly. Postgraduate study takes commitment, finances, and self-discovery to assess your career goals and find the right fit for you.
Uni isn’t just for recent high school graduates – it’s a place to learn new skills, expand your networks, get the leg up you need to succeed in a new industry or career stage, or imbue your work with purpose. But if you’re still unsure about taking that leap and heading back to school for postgraduate study, here are three important questions to ask yourself.
1. How will I balance work/life/study?
Juggling work, life, and study is no easy feat. Your social life will almost certainly take a hit, but there’s plenty of opportunity to learn, network and expand your potential that will more than make up for it. Here are a few things to consider that will make answering this question easier.
Interest: We’ve all heard the saying: “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Postgraduate study is a big commitment. If you’re enjoying the course and passionate about the area of study, it’ll be much easier to maintain your interest and motivation. You’ll be less likely to procrastinate – and more likely to hit the books when you have a moment free.
Flexibility: You probably already juggle some big commitments, so it’s important to find a university that offers a range of study options to maximise flexibility. These options might include:
day and evening classes;
100% online, blended and on-campus study modes;
recorded lectures for those days when you just can’t make it work; and
a choice of part-time and full-time degrees.
Networks: Consider your personal commitments and support networks. Are you raising a family? Looking after ageing parents? Do you have other responsibilities that might be impacted? Talk to your family, friends, and networks about your plans for study and ensure they’re on board. It takes a village! If you can, discuss with your workplace any flexible working arrangements. Can you change your work hours to fit in with classes, or work a shorter week during semester? Lots of workplaces now embrace flexible working, and if your studies are beneficial to your current role, it’s a win-win for everyone.
University support services: Universities want you to succeed just as much as you do, and many offer a variety of services aimed at supporting students through all stages of learning. For example, here at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), we offer a wide range of support services that cover academic support, health and wellbeing, financial help, as well as mentoring and networking support. Be sure to research what’s available and inquire about how you can take advantage of these services.
2. How will I cover the costs of my postgrad study?
There’s no dancing around it – postgraduate study is a significant financial investment, and the fee structure can sometimes be confusing to navigate. But there are options you can explore to help take some of the pressure off.
Fees: If you’re a domestic student, you’ll need to pay domestic full fee-paying tuition or secure a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). CSP’s are partially subsidised by the Australian Government, which means you only pay the non-subsidised portion of the degree. There’s also a Student Services and Amenities fee. This amount is dependent on the number of subjects you undertake each session. You can use our fees calculator to estimate how much your postgraduate study might cost to get a sense of the commitment before making your final decision.
Financial assistance: If you’re eligible, there are financial assistance programs and loans such as FEE-HELP that you can tap into. FEE-HELP allows you to defer some or all of your course’s fees until you’re earning a certain amount so you don’t have to cover the costs upfront. If you’re able to pay upfront and your study directly relates to your job, you might be able to claim your fees and other study expenses as a tax deduction. The ATO website offers more information on this.
Government incentives: The NSW Government has introduced the New Education and Training Model (NETM) to help fill essential skill gaps through the delivery of microcredentials. Right now, the courses are free and have been developed in collaboration with industry and leading education providers such as UTS. Visit the Western Parkland City Authority website to see if the courses on offer align with your goals.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available for postgraduate study as well. UTS offers them for a variety of study areas and assessment criteria – check out our Scholarships Finder to explore your options.
Government assistance: Investigate whether you’re eligible for financial assistance from Centrelink. The Youth Allowance program is an option if you’re 24 or younger, and Austudy if you’re 25 or older.
3. What type of degree is the right fit for my goals?
A good starting point is to decide on your long-term goals: is it a career change, a specialisation, to upskill or explore a passion? Then work out which course and pathway will take you there.
If the thought of committing to a master’s degree is overwhelming, then perhaps dipping your toes in the water with a graduate certificate is a better place to start. You can always put your completed graduate certificate towards a master’s program. Or if you commit to a master’s and your situation changes, you can exit with a graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
You might also like to consider taster courses, short courses, or microcredentials to test out the subject matter and relevance, upskill in a particular area, or gain deeper understanding of a topic in a shorter period of time.
As a bonus, if you have completed any similar courses or have employment experience, you might be eligible for recognition of prior learning and can tick a few subjects off your degree before you even start.
Ready to learn more about postgraduate study at UTS? Explore your options and take the next step in your postgraduate journey. Enquire about postgraduate study at UTS here.