Types of Postgraduate Programs

Actually, there are two main types of postgraduate programs: taught and research. What is the difference? How can one define the program type? In taught programs training is mainly carried out through classroom lectures and practice, seminars, computing and laboratory, coursework and exams. The work in a research program is the knowledge development. It is usually part of the educational institution research. The entry criteria and the description are of a great help.

All master’s programs contain the research elements, and there are some combined programs with taught and research elements, for example, the Doctor of Engineering (DEng). Funded integrated programs are of special interest. The designation ‘3+1’ means an academic year in the master’s studies and three-year PhD. The conversion courses are intended to change the students’ research direction according to the new career. That is why these courses are intense and deep in the new research subject. Program coordinators help everybody to choose the program.

In fact, stand-alone taught postgraduate programs are the first stage in postgraduate education before obtaining a research degree. In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) there are three levels in taught program: postgraduate certificate (PGCert), postgraduate diploma (PGDip) or masters (in science − MSc). They are less than a year and can be either a part of continuing professional development (CPD) or preparation for the full time taught program.

Sometimes diplomas (MScDiplomas) are awarded to students following the masters (full time program during a year, part time program for two years) without completing the dissertation (20, 000 words). Engineering programs can be achieved both as an extended period of undergraduate study during a year – M (Eng) or stand-alone one-year programs for thorough learning the specific area of the discipline − MSc.

In research programs the master’s level for two years is called Master of Research (MRes) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). All these programs teach mainly the research skills. PhD is the highest research degree, three years or more. It is much longer, from 7, 000 to 10, 000 words. With PhD one becomes a leading expert in a certain specialization.

Task 9 Answer the questions.

1) Which types of programs are the most effective ones?

2) Identify the types of programs and their learning goals.

3) Express your point of view and try to prove it with facts.

4) Speak about what PhD is.

5) Are you going to become PhD yourself?