Taught Masters Students

Life on a taught postgraduate course is tremendously busy. It can be difficult to find the time to work out your next career steps. Add to this the fact that for many sectors applications need to be made before Christmas and you might feel that as soon as you arrive in Oxford you have to start taking action on what to do when you leave.

What careers are open to me?

  • First review your options, Your masters….what next? (from the Prospects website) provides a good starting point.
  • Our Career Briefings 2011/12 (PDF) include information about entry points, the experience needed, job search strategy for that sector and links to a host of other resources.
  • If you need help working out what might suit you or just want to go back to basics have a look at Career Planning to kickstart your thinking.

When do I need to apply?

Here is a (very) generalised picture of a typical year in graduate recruitment. While this pattern is common for employers who recruit large numbers of graduates each year remember that there are big variations between sectors, employers and countries. Early research into your area of interest is therefore crucial.

Michaelmas Term

  • Many applications for graduate schemes and further study open.
  • Most careers presentations and fairs are take place.
  • Pre-Christmas closing dates for some sectors (for example banking and management consultancies, civil service faststream, primary teaching etc). See the relevant Career Briefing (PDF) for the lowdown on your sector.

Hilary Term

  • Many more closing dates across many sectors.
  • Bulk of interviews and assessment centres take place in Hilary term.

Trinity Term

  • Some employers recruit year-round and may still have opportunities.
  • Still time to make speculative applications.

I’d like to continue my studies/research

You may be thinking about applying for a PhD (DPhil in Oxford) perhaps with an academic career in mind. Have a look at the information in the 'Continuing your studies or research' section to get you started. The Vitae website is another useful source of information.

Page last edited: 30 April 2012

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