If you're planning to take a postgraduate qualification in the UK, don't leave it to the last minute - the earlier you start planning, the better your chances will be.

It is helpful to draw up a timetable, to keep track of what you need to do and when you need to do it.

Penultimate year

October-November

Plan ahead. Ask yourself:

• taught course or research?

• what are the funding possibilities?

• full-time, part-time, or distance learning?

• which institutions?

Gather information:

• use Postgrad website

• research programmes available

• identify any grants available and other sources of funding; keep a note of closing dates

For programmes you are interested in, establish:

• your eligibility

• funding possibilities

• timing of applications.

Note that there is considerable competition for courses in law, journalism, medicine and many others, so the earlier you apply, the better.

Develop a contingency plan:

• What will you do if you don't get a postgraduate offer and/or funding?

• Consider paid or unpaid work experience to improve your skills and prospects.

• You can keep your options open on whether to reapply the following year.

December-January

Apply for summer vacation work, preferably either:

• relevant work for your chosen progamme, or

• work to increase your skills base.

Check closing dates for scholarships.

April-June

Continue planning:

• Talk to current postgraduate students.

• After summer exams, discuss your ability with tutors.

• Draw up a schedule for UK applications.

• Send off for UK prospectuses and ask about funding available.

Examine options for research:

• Write research proposals with help from your current tutor. .

• Identify academics with whom you want to do research and devise well-targeted letter and CV for speculative applications; be selective.

• Draw up an action schedule.

July-September

Gain skills or experience through paid or voluntary work and test the water in a chosen career.

Final year

October/November

Now is the last chance to meet closing dates for some scholarships and courses.

• Check all closing dates and adjust your applications schedule.

• Apply early for Bar Vocational, Legal Practice and social work courses.

• Approach your chosen referees and ask permission to use their names.

• Apply for PGCE (teacher training) courses in early October - especially for primary level, where competition is fierce.

Send off speculative applications to selected academics with whom you wish to undertake research in the UK - ask if they have applied for funding and plan to continue in the same research field. Arrange to visit target department to meet the potential supervisor.

Watch national and specialist press for funded research degree opportunities. Keep an eye on the Internet too: Postgrad lists a wide range of postgraduate opportunities

Set your contingency plan in motion.

December/March

Check you have met all eligibility criteria (including professional membership) for courses at home and abroad.

Apply for funding to public and private sources (check closing dates carefully).

April

Course providers might call you for interview, so be prepared.

Research awards are announced by the government Research Councils. These awards and studentships are then advertised by universities in the national and specialist press - take note and apply. Check individual Research Council websites for closing dates and details of haw to apply (they vary).

Beware: the Arts and Humanities Research Board has new rules: only one application may be submitted. Send it in early April to the university where you intend to study. That institution has to send your form to arrive at the AHRB before 1 May. Late applications will not be accepted.

May/June

Concentrate on finals, since offers of places usually depend on degree results.

June/July

You should now know if you've obtained provisional place offers and if funding is available. Continue applying for funding, if necessary, and checking the Internet and the press for postgraduate vacancies.

August/September

Still unlucky? Keep trying. Phone programme directors to see if places have become available - some people will have pulled out, eg for lack of funds or to take up an offer elsewhere. Persevere for funding. Look for course and research post advertisements in publications such as The Guardian and New Scientist.

Other last-minute options:

• Investigate project-based work experience schemes for unemployed graduates - details from your careers service.

• Take a year out to gain additional skills through short courses, voluntary work or temporary paid work.

• You could consider travelling abroad and learning a language, but beware - a whole year of travel might hinder your chances of securing offers of a graduate job or of postgraduate study. It can also eat up your funds! Discuss your plans with a careers adviser