Science and mathematics

Postgraduate study in science and maths

A postgraduate qualification can really enhance your career prospects if you are looking for a job using science or mathematics. Many careers in these areas are very specialist so an undergraduate qualification is often insufficient to get your target job. Likewise, the combination of a numerate or scientific undergraduate degree coupled with a postgraduate business qualification can be very sought after by employers.

Finance jobs are often targeted by maths graduates and entry is very competitive, so specialising in subjects such as quantitative finance or investment and treasury within a postgraduate course is an excellent career option for maths graduates.

Job prospects

Recent years have seen several initiatives being developed by the Irish government to promote science, recognising that investment in science is vital for the future economic growth of the country. The Irish Government’s Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation 2006– 2013 offers a commitment to double the number of PhD students and increase funding levels to support this research.

This means that more and more opportunities are becoming available to those who wish to pursue science to postgraduate level. Research is often sponsored by commercial firms and the academics pursuing it are often given funds to hire a research student to help them with their investigations. These positions are usually advertised in the relevant department so keep your eyes open.

Alternatively, employees can be sponsored by their firms to take postgraduate courses.

The options  

A science postgraduate qualification is more likely to be research based, whereas maths and other quantitative disciplines often include a substantial taught component. Within science, postgraduate study can be divided into taught courses, leading to a master’s degree or diploma, and research courses.

Taught courses typically give you in-depth knowledge in a particular field and involve lectures, laboratory work and a major project or dissertation. Courses last one academic year (diploma) or one calendar year (master’s). The tendency over the last few years has been to put more of a focus on the research side of further study. The main reasons for this are the vast number of science areas that exist and also the funding available.

Many people who choose research enter with a masters in mind and, depending on the scope of their topic, often convert to a PhD. Some faculties offer mentorship schemes as well as an advisory panel of supervisors rather than just one (as was previously the case). Taught modules are available on topics such as research skills and commercialisation techniques.