Applying for an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma is an important step. Before you apply, take time to reflect on whether the qualification fits your career goals, study plans and personal circumstances. This page will help you think through your readiness and identify what you may still need to prepare.

Before you apply, reflect on these three areas:

• Your career and study goals
• Your qualification choice
• Your readiness for postgraduate-level study

1. Your career and study goals

Deciding to apply for a postgraduate qualification is a step that will bring you closer to achieving your career goals.

Ask yourself:

• Have you thought about how this qualification will contribute to your career goals?
• How are you hoping this qualification will strengthen your knowledge, skills or professional profile for the kinds of opportunities you are considering?
• Have you gathered enough information to help you make your qualification choice?
• Have you explored other study options should your application not be successful?

Postgraduate spaces may be limited and admission is not always guaranteed. It is helpful to identify alternative qualifications, related fields or other development options before you apply.

Take some time to think about where you are now in terms of your career and how your proposed qualification will contribute to your career development.

Activity 1:
Download the career reflection brochure and complete the questions to help you reflect on your career.

Activity 2:
Learn more about doing career research to help you make effective career and study decisions.

2. Which qualification should I choose?

Your choice should primarily be guided by the type of career and study opportunities for which you want to prepare, and whether you meet the admission requirements for your qualification(s) of choice. Read the admission requirements, curriculums and module descriptions carefully to make an informed choice.

What's the difference between a postgraduate diploma and an honours degree? Generally speaking, an honours degree includes a research module, which is not included in a postgraduate diploma. The research modules are intended for further studies at a master’s degree level. If you complete a postgraduate diploma and later wish to apply for admission to a master’s degree, you may need to complete additional or bridging requirements. Check the admission requirements for your qualification and future study pathway carefully.

3. Study motivation

Postgraduate studies demand time, energy, independence and persistence. You may need to manage uncertainty, solve problems, ask for help and keep going when the work feels challenging. Have you thought about the possible impact of your postgraduate studies on your life? At postgraduate level, your motivation is closely linked to whether you believe you can succeed, how you respond to challenges, and whether you are willing to plan for the support and resources you may need.

Bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Postgraduate studies require a deepening of your academic skills. Once you are registered for a postgraduate qualification, you may realise that how you have been studying will have to be adapted (sometimes radically so). At undergraduate level, for example, you were able to memorise the content of your study guides and prescribed textbooks. At postgraduate level, however, you will be expected to do more independent reading and research to demonstrate a deeper understanding of your subject.

Do you feel prepared for postgraduate studies?

These are some of the attributes of a successful postgraduate student. Do you recognise yourself here, or do you need to develop some of these aspects?

A successful postgraduate student can 

• work systematically (do things step-by-step).
• act promptly on tasks related to your studies (be responsive).
• study independently.
• write academic texts.
• read widely about the area of study.
• critically read, analyse, evaluate and integrate information from different academic sources.
• recognise when to seek support and negotiate support from others (from family, friends, community members, Unisa).
• have continuous access to the internet and be able to work comfortably with technology.
• effectively utilise online information sources (specifically, those available through the Unisa Library).

Ask yourself:

• Do I have enough weekly study time available?
• Do I have reliable internet access and a suitable place to study?
• Am I comfortable reading academic texts independently?
• Am I prepared to search for, evaluate and use academic sources?
• Do I know where to ask for support if I get stuck?

If you are unsure about your qualification choice, take time to complete the reflection activities and read the admission requirements carefully before applying. If you identify areas where you are not yet fully prepared, use this as an opportunity to plan the support, time and resources you will need to succeed.

Need support?

You can contact the Unisa Directorate: Counselling and Career Development for counselling and career development support. Send an e-mail to counselling@unisa.ac.za