Why is Now the Best Time to Invest in Upskilling Yourself via Postgraduate Study?

In an uncertain and changing job market, a lot of people are considering upskilling via postgraduate study. But is now the best time and how can it make a difference in your future career path?

Unfulfilled Job Openings

As of August 2023, just a quick search confirms thousands of job vacancies across the UK where a postgraduate degree is desirable. And this is simply compounding on the four in five businesses that are struggling to find qualified candidates - a 17-year high. If you upskill with postgraduate study, you can place yourself at the front of the queue for these incredible roles, securing your chance of success even in an otherwise unstable economic climate.

Changing Careers

Perhaps you’ve spent the last decade in employment but didn’t enjoy what you originally went to school for or maybe technology like AI has made it a requirement to reskill and change careers. Many people will transition to a different career path in their lifetime and postgraduate study is one way to build on what you’ve already achieved to forge a new trajectory in line with the market’s needs. 

Cost of Living

In the current cost of living crisis, you might need to invest in yourself and your marketability now to make a higher salary later. Earning a postgraduate degree can enable you to go for roles that you’re not currently qualified for and put you in a smaller pool of candidates overall. Postgraduates earn on average £6.5k more per year than graduates and £18k more than non-graduates. So, the investment in study easily pays for itself and enables you to seek a higher quality of life which is so important right now.

Improved Research Skills

According to TargetJobs, “A research-based masters will train you to undertake research and original investigation in your discipline. You’ll be supported by your supervisor, whether you are working individually or as part of a research team. [And] if you’re planning on pursuing an academic career, a research masters provides the groundwork and preparation for a PhD.” Generally, postgraduate study is one of the few ways to get practical research experience, so if it’s a skill you’re looking to develop, now is the best time to get started.

Specialisms

Maybe you want to specialise in your field. Postgraduate study is a great way to do that. Let’s say you have a nursing degree but want to focus on Community Public Health Nursing. There’s a course for that. Or perhaps you went to school for computing but now you need to specialise in Cloud and Network Security to get your next promotion. That training is readily available to you. Postgraduate study can improve your current employment or set you up for the next big step in your career through specialisms.

Transferable Knowledge

And let’s not forget about all the transferable skills you’ll learn in the process. Data handling, teamwork, time management, project management and more are all reinforced in the classroom. You may even develop characteristics like emotional intelligence or leadership while in postgraduate study. These can be extremely useful as you progress in your career towards more senior roles.

To learn more about our postgraduate courses, contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call +44 1204 903142 to speak to a member of the team. Reshape your career path today and experience #UniAsItShouldBe at Bolton!