Continuing the training after finishing the degree will add greater professional value to the student, allowing him to update and reinforce his skills.
Furthermore, it contributes to greater competitiveness in the work environment, as the candidate is better prepared and specialized.
This will be more likely to be chosen in professional recruitment processes.
Types of postgraduate studies and their advantages
The postgraduate studies are mainly intended to expand knowledge, improve specific skills and multidisciplinary expertise.
These subjects may or may not be related to the degree curriculum.
Advantages of conducting postgraduate studies
- Training after graduation, has become an increasingly important requirement for scientific research and for companies.
- Having this type of academic degree increases the range of professional possibilities worldwide.
- Postgraduate studies can make a difference and better position the student, in relation to the labor market.
- Postgraduate degree is even more relevant if we consider the areas of law, energy, banking and industries.
- In the same vein, postgraduate studies facilitate access to the first job, increasing the chances of moving up the professional category when there is already experience.
- Having training in postgraduate studies is closely related to better working conditions.
- This type of training creates more qualified professionals and helps to develop skills that are useful to companies.
- Furthermore, they foster personal growth. Among the skills that make it possible to develop training after graduation, are the following:
- Development in different areas of a company, with the possibility of acquiring a global and strategic vision within the organization. This will be a way to acquire problem solving skills.
- Strengthening leadership skills and facilitating networking. These skills make it possible to establish a network of contacts with people whose personal and professional profile are interesting from the point of view of talent.
Modes: face-to-face, online or semi-face-to-face
There are several modalities (face-to-face, online or semi-face-to-face) that facilitate access to this type of training
Presential.
This is the traditional modality that is based on being in a classroom. It is generally mandatory to attend 85% of classes (as a minimum to be assessed and to be able to obtain an academic diploma). Even so, this requirement varies depending on the institution’s regulations, the discipline and the requirements established in each enrollment.
On-line.
More and more universities and business schools are developing masters and postgraduate courses in an online system. These can be carried out from anywhere on the globe where you have access to the internet.
Through a platform it is possible to access the course contents, digital resources, clarify doubts with teachers via e-mail and participate in activities in a telematic way. This option ends up facilitating the combination of academic and professional life.
Semi-presential.
It is a combination of classroom and online training. It allows to interact with the teacher and colleagues in a more direct way in the face-to-face classes.
At the same time, it allows for greater time flexibility in online classes, since each student can study at the place and time they want.
Types of postgraduate studies
In Kenya, higher education is structured in three cycles.
The first, of general orientation, corresponds to the degree. The second, with specialized guidance, allows to obtain a master’s degree. Finally, the third cycle, which corresponds to studies for a doctorate or post-doctorate.
It should be noted that there are also specialized training courses, called “postgraduate courses”, which can be carried out after graduation.
These do not confer an academic degree, but can be a means of certifying specialized knowledge in the most diverse areas.
Besides, in Kenya higher education depends on each administration, but the levels are as follows: certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate and other specialization courses, doctorate and post-doctorate.
There are different types of postgraduate studies: masters. postgraduate courses, specialization courses and doctorates.
Academic Degree and Specialization Courses
Postgraduate studies can be of two types: conferring an academic degree or specialization course. They differ by access to the doctorate and the scope of recognition (international, state or curricular).
Academic Degree. These are the study cycles that confer academic degrees and may be masters or PhDs. It should be noted that academic degrees have their own regulations and measurement methods. As a rule, they have international recognition and precedence regimes. .
Specialization courses. These are training courses that take place after graduation and as a means of professional development. As a rule, they are called “postgraduate courses” and it is the university that defines its own study plans. These courses do not give access to the doctorate.
Master, Postgraduate and PhD
The differences between these three modalities are mainly due to the number of credits and level of depth. Some of these formations have an academic orientation and others value professionally. The number of credits and the length of study time varies widely between these modalities.
Master: reasons for accessing this training
The master’s degree is an advanced training that can be accessed by anyone with a degree. Due to its specialized or multidisciplinary nature, it can be focused on both academic and professional paths.
Generally, the teaching can last between one to two years. With a wide range of themes and methodologies, it turns out to be one of the most popular postgraduate studies.
Having this type of specialization will add professional value to the student, contributing to a greater specialization of knowledge. Likewise, you will achieve greater competitiveness in the labor market, facilitating access to better wage income.
A British study by the National Institute of Economics and Social Research, analyzes the insertion of recent graduates in the labor market and concludes that the salary of a student who finishes his master’s degree increases substantially.
MBA (Master of Business and Administration)
In other areas, as with MBA (Master of Business and Administration) – a type of master’s degree specialized in business management and administration – it is preferable to do it with some work experience. In this way, you will benefit more from the global and strategic vision that this type of studies provide.
Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate training has a high degree of specialization in a given area.
Generally they have a duration of one year, extending up to two years. This variation occurs according to the type of graduate and the university that does it. Some postgraduate courses, unlike master’s degrees, allow students without a degree to attend them. However, in any case these are training courses that do not confer academic degrees.
Doctorate: high academic qualification
The doctorate is oriented towards the acquisition of skills and competences for university research and teaching. In order to be able to study a PhD it is necessary to have a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Another requirement, which may vary depending on the university, is the certification of an approved language level. Although it is not essential, on many occasions work experience can be a factor that will influence the application for a PhD.
With regard to the duration of the doctoral program, this period has a maximum term of three years (if it is carried out full-time) and 5 years (part-time).
At the end of the degree, postgraduate studies allow to deepen quality and specialized training. The decision to take a master’s degree, a graduate program or a doctorate, is of great relevance for professional development. These formations allow the expansion of learning in different areas of knowledge.
What’s more, it can help boost the professional career of students looking for a first job. Likewise, it allows experienced professionals to occupy positions of greater responsibility or to reorient their professional careers.
