MSc student Favour shares the key differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study that she has learned throughout her Masters journey at Birmingham.
Hi there! I'm Favour, an MSc student in Development Policy and Politics at the University of Birmingham. Starting postgraduate study was one of the most exciting decisions I ever made, and here are five things I learned along the way and wish someone had told me before I started.
One of the first things I noticed about postgraduate study was how self-paced it was. From the first week, your lecturers and professors set assignment deadlines for the entire module. You will need strong self-motivation to structure your work around extensive weekly reading lists, seminars, lectures, personal studies, research, and written assignments. For me, that meant creating focused learning blocks and setting realistic daily goals. I learnt that postgraduate study rewards consistency more than dramatic intensity.
Another key adjustment is learning how to quickly adapt to University systems. Within a short time, you are expected to learn how to access your calendar, register your attendance, check emails and navigate university systems. At first, it may feel overwhelming. But once you get familiar with the systems, things begin to settle. Getting support early on can be valuable. Lecturers have office hours designated for guiding students with questions related to their coursework.
If you ever feel stuck, do not wait for a deadline to find support. Engage with your academics regularly and proactively. The University also provides support through the Academic Skills Centre (ASC), where you can access writing resources and study skills workshops, Canvas courses, and even book one-to-one appointments or participate in online drop-in sessions. This helps reduce the stress that comes with tight deadlines.
Most programmes give you the flexibility of choosing some of your modules in the first week and before the start of the second semester. When selecting these modules, it is necessary to think about what you actually want to gain out of further study. It is tempting to gravitate towards modules that are similar to what you studied as an undergrad, however you risk gaining no new skills. The whole point of a Masters is to expand your thinking, not repeat it.
The better question then is to ask yourself: what do I want to be able to do or understand after this degree that I cannot do or understand now? Whether that is practical experience, advanced knowledge, exposure to a new area or gaining employable skills for future job roles, your choices should reflect where you want to grow. For many postgraduate programmes, some modules cross into other departments, and a module from another programme benefits you, then by all means, go for it.
Nobody tells you this clearly enough, so I will: you are not expected to get through every single item on your reading lists, but you are expected to understand the key arguments. This is where the difference between learning to write and learning to read actually comes in, and learning to read academically is a skill in itself. You need to know how to scan articles, identify the main claims and decide which journal paper requires more of your time. The core texts from your modules are usually the best places to start, then move onto the recommended ones.
Now when I pick up a paper, I go in with a few questions in mind. I read the abstract, the introduction, and the conclusion first; then work my way through the main arguments, asking myself: what is the author trying to argue, and what key evidence do they use to support it? This approach saves time and helps me engage more critically with the material.
Postgraduate study can be one of the most intellectually challenging periods of your life. But I have learned the importance of enjoying the experience too. That sounds obvious, but it is easy to get so caught up in coursework and deadlines that you wonder if you are keeping your head above water. Taking a moment to reflect on the position you are in helps to avoid burning out. How then does one find balance?
For me, that looks like connecting with people in my cohort. Compared to undergraduate study, a Masters programme often has smaller classes, which makes it somewhat easier to build relationships with people who may be either experts in their fields or carry several years of professional experience. You can learn a lot from them if you lean in; beginning with small gestures, like agreeing to coffee after a seminar or a weekend away to another city. These are the moments that enrich your postgraduate journey.
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MSc Development Policy and Politics
MSc Development Policy and Politics student at University of Birmingham
