Postgraduate conversion courses for a career change

If you're looking for a job in a field that's different from your degree, you can change direction using a postgraduate conversion course.

These courses can help you use your degree to move on to something different, or better suited to the evolving job market, and increase your employability.

If your postgraduate career change has been prompted by recent events, you’re not alone.

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Postgraduate career change – why now and how do I get started?

The pandemic has changed the world of work – and perhaps your priorities. Maybe you've expanded your digital skills, or discovered new interests?

Whatever the reason for wanting to change career, you may benefit from a period of re-training.

The first thing to do is to research the career you are interested in: you'll need to know if any formal qualifications are required ro would be useful, and from there you can start looking at courses that deliver them.

Perhaps consider how you might transition from one career to another? Could you begin a career conversion course that's part -time, or runs alongside your current role?

Next step: come to a postgraduate open evening or get in touch with our enquiries team who will be happy to help with any questions you might have.

What is a conversion course?

A postgraduate conversion course is a university qualification which gives you knowledge and skills specific for employment in a field you’re not yet qualified for. These conversion courses include postgraduate certificates or diplomas, masters-level degrees and they can include professional qualifications you might need to change career.

Types of conversion course include:

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert and PGCE)
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
Masters degree (MA and MSc)
Specific courses such as Law LLM

Postgraduate conversion courses in 2023

Are conversion courses worth it?

University conversion courses are worth it as they are designed specifically to help you transition to a new career. How you value this change is subjective.

As a university graduate looking to change profession, their value may be more personal than financial, so ultimately this depends on what you want to achieve.

Take a look at this video where Dr Ioannis Pantelidis from the Doctoral College explains the six benefits to postgraduate study and provides help and advice about what you might experience when converting your degree.

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Why study your postgraduate degree at Brighton?

Professional accreditation

Many of our postgraduate conversion courses are recognised and accredited by leading professional bodies including National Council for the Training of Journalists, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Health and Care Professions Council, and the Chartered Institute of Building.