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How to choose the best engineering postgraduate course for you

Why do postgraduate study in civil and structural engineering when you've got a vocational degree? Well,  for a start, the industry is relying more and more on specialist engineering skills. 

These skills help make companies' projects a success, and they're willing to pay a premium for the graduate they feel fits the bill.

The questions to consider if you're thinking about postgraduate study in engineering

  • Where do you want to go? If you know what interests you and where your strengths lie, it may be a good idea to specialise now so that you can jump the queue when you start work and do something you enjoy. But if project management is more appealing, you may be better off going straight into the workplace and building up your hands-on experience.
  • Is a taught or research course best for you? Research courses such as MPhils and PhDs allow you to focus on an area that interests you, but you'll need lots of self-motivation and a genuine interest in your chosen subject. Taught courses develop specialist knowledge and there are loads of subjects on offer. Assessment methods vary between courses but usually include dissertations, oral presentations, project work and written examinations. It is possible to follow this type of course straight after your first degree if you have developed an interest in a particular area, although you may choose to work first to obtain more practical experience.

Choose your study mode

Part-time study is a highly viable option in the field of engineering. Many employers welcome this approach, as not only do they gain a dedicated employee but they also benefit from the knowledge you develop in your studies. In return, you may find your employer would be prepared to pay your course fees in full or part.

Next steps: choosing the right course engineering postgraduate course

Use our course search facility to find the courses that are right for you: search by location, research rating and study mode and look at students' and employers' ratings of courses.