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Careers Advisory Service
Careers for Postgraduates
Postgraduate study is undertaken for a variety of reasons but usually with some career aim in mind. As such study involves commitment and an investment of time and money, those pursuing it may well seek reassurance that it is worth the effort. There is a strong demand for Bath graduates amongst prospective employers and many prestigious organisations target the University. In 2006/7 78% of full time UK and Other EU domicile students completing their postgraduate study entered employment. Additionally 6% were combining work and study, and a similar proportion had chosen to enrol on further study only. Of those in employment 95% were in positions classified as managers/senior officials, professional occupations or associate professional and technical occupations.
Some postgraduate study is clearly vocational. For example the School of Management offers a range of MBA and MSc in Management courses, which have an impressive record in terms of employability and the quality of jobs obtained after graduation. Likewise the Department of Computer Science offers an MSc in Advanced Computer Systems, a field in which there is usually a strong demand for trained staff.
There are a number of other taught, vocational courses spanning engineering, the sciences, social sciences and modern languages, which either prepare students for specific types of employment or build on a first degree to widen their knowledge and expertise in a more general field.
Much postgraduate study involves research in a specific field and the University has an impressive research rating record. Postgraduates undertaking research are likely to be doing so partly out of interest in their subject but also because it is a necessary step in a longer term career in research. This does not mean that postgraduates are tied down to a specific research field.
Most postgraduates have a broad spectrum of options open to them, sometimes moving into very different fields of employment. Their period of postgraduate study or research usually develops further technical and personal skills that can be attractive to a range of employers.
Most postgraduates have a broad spectrum of options open to them, sometimes moving into very different fields of employment. Their period of postgraduate study or research usually develops further technical and personal skills that can be attractive to a range of employers.
Examples of careers entered by Bath postgraduates
- MSc Conservation of Historic Buildings – Heritage Development Officer, West Wilts District Council
- PhD Biochemistry – Post-Doctoral Researcher, Barts & the London Medical School
- PhD Biology – Research Scientist, Unilever
- PhD Chemical Engineering – Environmental Consultant, Arthur D. Little
- PhD Chemistry – Post-Doctoral Researcher, Uppsala University
- MSc Computer Science – Analyst, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein
- MSc Computer Science – IT Consultant, PWC
- MSc Development Studies – Programme Assistant for Western Central Africa Team, Christian Aid
- MSc Economics – NHS Research Officer
- MSc Environmental Science, Policy & Planning – UKAEA, Graduate Environmental Adviser
- PhD Electrical Engineering – Software Engineer, IBM
- MSc Electrical Power Systems – Research Engineer, National Grid
- MSc Management – Associate, ABN Amro
- MSc Management with Finance – Equity Analyst, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney
- MSc Management with Marketing – Marketing Trainee, Reckitt Benckiser
- MSc Management & Strategic Information Systems – Business Analyst, Accenture
- MBA – Finance Manager, Mars
- MBA – Analyst, PA Consulting, New York
- MBA – Brand Manager, Delta, Greece
- PhD Statistics – Marketing Analyst, Royal & Sun Alliance
- PhD Mechanical Engineering – Design Engineer, BAE Systems
- PhD Mechanical Engineering – Engineer, Audi, Germany
- MSc Fluid Power Systems – Engineer, Intel, China
- MA Euromasters – Research Assistant for Member of Parliament
- MA Euromasters – Business Development Consultant, French Embassy in Spain
- MA Interpreting & Translating – Translator, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- MA Interpreting & Translating – Interpreter, European Parliament
- PhD Pharmacology – Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Toronto
- PhD Physics – IT Consultant, Detica Ltd
- PhD Physics – Senior Research Scientist, ATL, Seattle
- MSc Health Psychology – Trainee Health Psychologist, Gloucester Royal NHS Trust
- MSc Science, Culture and Communication – Copy Editor, Oxford University Press
- MSc Social Research – Drug & Alcohol Worker, Avon Wiltshire Mental Health Trust
- MSc European Social Policy Analysis – Policy Adviser, CBI, Brussels
The Careers Advisory Service is available to postgraduates at all stages of their study, providing individual guidance, advice on CVs, applications and interviews, skills training, and occupational and employer information. There is a computer guidance system, an extensive programme of employer visits, including careers fairs in the Autumn and Summer, and online searchable vacancy bulletins for students and those who have recently graduated. Much of this information is also reproduced on our website. Early contact with the Service is advisable for those who wish to look at the options available to them.
MBA students have their own, dedicated careers adviser within the School of Management.
For further information, please contact the Careers Advisory Service:
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 386009
Fax: +44 (0) 1225 386895
Email | Web
For MBA students please contact:
Ms Clare Stott,
School of Management
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 383767 | Email