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Posted Jan. 7, 2026

From classroom to career: Here’s how to navigate the postgraduate jobs market

There are so many reasons why taking that extra educational step to study postgraduate is well worth it. Alongside the industry connections, personal growth and professional development a good postgraduate program makes possible, the enhanced employability you’ll enjoy as a postgrad is another major perk as these statistics from Universities UK demonstrate:

“Unemployment rates have consistently been lower for graduates and postgraduates compared to non-graduates, even during economic downturns such as the 2008–2009 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic. In 2024, the unemployment rate for graduates (5.5%) and postgraduates (3.5%) remains well below that of non-graduates (8.1%), underscoring the employment advantage conferred by higher education.”

Despite postgraduate unemployment remaining at miniscule levels, making the transition from classroom to career isn’t always easy. Here we share our top tips for making the leap into the postgraduate jobs market, and securing the role of your dreams and the higher earnings most Level 7 taught postgraduates enjoy…

Turn academic experience into industry value

You’ve no doubt learnt a lot about your chosen discipline during your masters degree program. Translating this academic experience into skills that are useful to potential employers is the key to hitting the ground running when applying for your first job after graduation.

Problem solving, data analysis, project management, technical expertise and communication are all industry-useful skills that you would have refined during your studies and are now ready to use in the real world.

Remember, portfolios aren’t just for creatives

A portfolio will be your secret weapon when applying for postgraduate jobs. It’ll allow you to go beyond the confines of a CV to prove your skills and demonstrate your experience across a range of areas. A strong portfolio can help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, with an opportunity to show off your skills, accomplishments and potential.

Don’t wait until after graduation to build your professional portfolio; you can start work during your masters program with this advice.

Customise your application for success

Generic CVs and portfolios don’t stand out, it’s that simple. We recommend tailoring each and every application to the role, which may take more time but will be well worth it!

Modify your CV, cover letter and portfolio to match the required skills, show enthusiasm for the company and highlight your understanding of industry trends. You can explore CV designs that are different from the average too. It is important to note however that simplicity wins out with today’s employers. Unless you’re in the creative industries, most prefer CVs that are quick and easy to read. They’re also very aware of CVs that have been written via AI, so don’t cut any corners!

Connect with exactly the right opportunities

Networking is an incredibly powerful thing, especially for a newly graduated masters student. Connecting strategically can make all the difference to your experience of the postgraduate jobs market, with networking opening doors that jobs boards simply cannot.

Use your spare time to get in touch with alumni in your target industry, connect with thought leaders, attend events (either in person or online), explore university-industry partnerships and join relevant groups.

You can also network, build experience and increase your credibility by getting an internship, volunteering, or securing freelance or consulting work.

And if you’re not ready for industry just yet…

…why not consider PhD study? It can deepen your knowledge, grow your network and give you access to even higher level roles in your chosen sector. Explore our PhD courses today and look forward to the valuable, specialised experience PhD study brings.

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