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PG Courses > Arts, humanities
and languages
The subjects covered within the category of arts, humanities
and languages are potentially very broad. A selection of the subjects covered
includes languages, geography, history, philosophy, religion, architecture,
art and design, music, drama and dance. What links them together is a complex
mixture of culture, literature, environment, events and beliefs.
The choice of programmes can look even more complicated than it seems at first,
because there are all sorts of variations possible. Some postgraduate qualifications
comprise two or more topics (English and drama, history and philosophy) while
others:
- shade into the sciences - linguistics, phonetics, archaeology, historical
conservation, the spatial side of architecture, ecology and environmental
sustainability in geography
- take in technology - sound recording, digital arts and music, web design,
fashion production
- veer away from the traditional academic perspective: tourism, community
arts, arts administration, business and marketing techniques.
Keep an open mind while researching and be aware of new approaches
to the programmes that interest you.
What's involved
Diplomas, certificates and Master's qualifications are usually 'taught' via
lectures and tutorials. A Master's degree involves several compulsory subjects
plus a choice of optional modules. Most diplomas require a series of assignments
and perhaps a short dissertation, while at Master's level, there is likely to
be a number of extended essays and/or a lengthy dissertation. Art, design, performing
arts and architecture students, for example, may be able to produce a final
project instead.
It is possible to do a research-based postgraduate programme, though competent
research methodology is often needed, either before starting or acquired while
studying. PhD, MPhil and MLitt qualifications are obtained through research,
a thesis and a viva voce (oral) examination. Some include a taught first year
programme.
Choosing a programme
Choose a taught programme that suits your preference for continuous assessment
or regular tests and final examinations. If you thrive on collaboration, look
for an institution that provides it. Some art programmes, for example, involve
working with filmmakers or computer students. Research students who need continuous
support should go for a course that offers regular meetings with the supervisor,
rather than less structured arrangements. If you enjoy travel, see if studying
abroad is possible.
In terms of deciding where to study, your first consideration might be departmental
specialisms. If, for example, you wanted to do a postgraduate programme in animation,
Bournemouth University and the University of Teesside are renowned for their
work in this area.
The reputation of an institution or department is sometimes an issue. For instance,
musicians may prefer to study at one of the UK's conservatoires. Institutions
and departments also undergo regular inspections. The RAE (Research Assessment
Exercise) and the TQA (Teaching Quality Assessment) are the two best-known examinations
of department quality. The scores provided can add to the reputation of an institution
or a department. Their scores are published on their websites or in postgraduate
prospectuses. Both these activities are only done every few years, so they can
become outdated quickly
The location of your chosen institution can be significant. Historians, architects
and geographers might need to be near sites and records that are central to
their studies. Art and literature students could want to be based in areas that
inspired particular writers and painters.
Most research degrees are purely academic, but some taught postgraduate programmes
give you a specific skill such as librarianship or museum work. Others focus
on practical elements, rather than knowledge. There is a difference, for instance,
between studying a language and becoming an interpreter, between researching
16th Century drama and learning acting skills, and between a performance course
and one which focuses on choreography or composition. In addition, entrepreneurial
courses are springing up to encourage artists, designers and performers to set
up on their own.
The application process
At Master's level and below (postgraduate certificates and diplomas), most courses
begin in September or October or, occasionally, in January. For higher-level
research, start dates occur throughout the year. Apply well in advance, direct
to the institutions concerned. You can apply to as many as you like. Popular
courses fill up very quickly and some have closing dates.
For entry from a first degree course to a research-based postgraduate programme,
such as a MPhil, MLitt or PhD, it's usual to have graduated with a first-class
or maybe a good upper second-class degree or the international equivalent. For
a taught postgraduate programme, some institutions make an upper second-class
degree mandatory, others are happy with an upper or lower class second degree
or the international equivalent. An honours degree is the only prerequisite
for most certificates and diplomas. Students from India may also need high marks
on TOEFL (550-700) or IELTS (between five and seven) papers.
It's not unusual for students to want to study a new subject at postgraduate
level. This can usually be done when entering on to postgraduate diplomas and
certificates. This is sometimes catered for by offering, for example, languages
ab initio (without prior knowledge) or the chance to read classics in translation.
Multi-disciplinary courses such as history of art and architecture mean that
distinctions between programmes are blurred and students come from a range of
academic backgrounds.
In art, music and drama, those with evidence of talent can sometimes go straight
into a postgraduate programme with no formal education in the area. Vocational
programmes often require relevant work or voluntary experience.
Money matters
Indian students should expect to pay £8,000-£11,000. Most universities
require the money in advance, although a few allow home students to pay in instalments.
Look out for hidden costs. These tend to affect creative students and include
charges for aspects such as studio space and time.
Every university has a range of competitive scholarships, bursaries and awards.
Research funding is offered by bodies such as the Arts and Humanities Research
Council and the British Academy. Students from abroad can apply for an Overseas
Research Scholarship or British Council assistance. Other funding can come from
various external scholarships, trust funds, charities and public bodies.
Most students work their way through the course (check first with your chosen
institution if see if they allow you to work on a part-time basis while studying)
or take out a loan. Within universities, teaching and related jobs (such as
technicians in art colleges) tend to be reserved for research students. However,
postgraduate students in the languages, arts and humanities are often in demand
for providing private tuition to schoolchildren and adults.
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