you will be well placed to make an informed decision about the quality and the relevance of the programmes on offer
you know the faculty and administrators and how things work
you have experience of what the associated living costs will be
you may be able to keep your current accommodation
there may be finance (or paid work) available

However, you should definitely research other options to make sure you make an informed choice. Criteria to consider include:

the availability of the type of course you want to do
what are the entry requirements; is financing available
what is the reputation of the institution, department and course
are there suitable and willing supervisors available?
will you have the opportunity to teach
what is the research standing of the department
what are the support services like, e.g. library, IT and careers
what are your views of the location and wider environment

Where to seek advice

Careers consultants – make a careers discussion appointment at LSE Careers
Your supervisor or director of studies
Personal tutor
Admissions or course tutor
Students on the course you are interested in
People in the job you would like to do

Applications

Once you have decided where you want to apply, you need to ensure that you are fully informed about:

course and funding application deadlines
any documentation that will be required in support of your application, e.g. undergraduate transcripts, personal statement and/or research proposal and letters of recommendation
the entry requirements, including academic grades, GRE or GMAT test scores and language test scores

If you are applying in the UK then you will need to start your research no later than the start of the academic year before you plan to commence your postgraduate studies.

If you are applying outside the UK then you need to do this 18 - 24 months in advance.

Useful websites

Association of Business Schools (ABS)
Association representing the leading business schools in the UK. Includes a list of members and directory of courses
Association of MBAs
Lots of information about studying for an MBA, including a directory of MBA programmes in the UK, a job search application and a CV uploader to be seen by MBA recruiters. Also contains information on their MBA loans.
Business Education | The Economist
Information about MBAs, including the top ranking places to study one.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Provides access to a list of all accredited higher education institutions and programmes in the USA. If an institution or a programme it offers is not accredited then the degrees it confirms (Masters or PhD) will not be recognised.
EducationGuardian.co.uk
Interactive guide from The Guardian to the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise listing research ratings and research staff numbers of the 2600 university departments submitted to the exercise, as well as comparisons to the previous results in 1996. Includes
EducationUSA
For international students interested in studying in the USA covering all the major issues from finding the right programme, to funding, to making applications and visa requirements. There is a downloadable guide in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russi
eduPASS
Wide range of information about studying as an international student in the USA. Includes information on paying tax on pay, scholarships, grants and other funding. Information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the United States
Elitnyi Personal
This weekly newspaper is distributed mainly in Moscow and is devoted to education (training, seminars, MBA courses, graduate degrees), major conferences in the HR sphere and well-paid jobs. It also offers career development and interview advice.
Find A Masters
Search for taught and research masters degrees in the UK and Ireland.
FindAPhD
Postgraduate research degrees, PhDs, studentships and scholarships.
Gradireland
gradireland.com is the official graduate careers website in Ireland, north and south, and is jointly provided by Irish third-level careers services and GTI Ireland
Hot courses
Search for courses.
International Education Site for Study Abroad Advice
The International Education Site is a FREE guide to study abroad information, advice and opportunities for students worldwide who are considering studying overseas. Including university advice, college search facilities, student profiles, and articles fro
International graduate
Graduate course search worldwide. Also contains useful general careers advice.
Jobs.ac.uk - Find PhDs and scholarships
Search for PhDs, research studentships, professional doctorates and many more opportunities.
LLM Study
Search for Master of Law programmes offered by institutions worldwide.
LPC Central Applications Board
LSE
Find out about graduate programmes at LSE
Postgrad.com
Guide to postgraduate programmes in the UK. Search the comprehensive database for taught programmes, research programmes and institutions.
Professional Doctorates | Home
Find a professional doctorate world wide.
Projectvisa.com
Searchable database of visa and embassy information worldwide.
Prospects - Austria
Information on studying for a postgraduate degree in Austria.
Prospects - Belgium
Information about studying in Belgium.
Prospects - Denmark
Information on postgraduate study in Denmark.
Prospects - Finland
Information on postgraduate study in Finland.
Prospects - France
Information on postgraduate study in France.
Prospects - Ireland
Information on postgraduate study in Ireland.
Prospects - Netherlands
Information on postgraduate study in the Netherlands.
Prospects - Poland
Information on postgraduate study in Poland.
Prospects - Portugal
Information on postgraduate study in Portugal.
Prospects - postgraduate courses
Search for postgraduate courses.
Prospects - Postgraduate study in the UK
Information on postgraduate study in the UK.
Prospects - Qualifications Explained
Find out about different qualifications that you can undertake in higher education.
Prospects - Spain
Information about postgraduate study in Spain.
Prospects - study in Germany
Information on studying abroad in Germany.
Prospects - studying abroad
Guide to studying abroad.
Prospects - Sweden
Information on studying abroad in Sweden.
Prospects - Switzerland
Information about studying abroad in Switzerland.
Prospects - Your master's, what next?
Includes information on further study, career options, employment, other options, and useful contacts and resources
Prospects.ac.uk
Lots of useful information to help you decide if postgraduate study is right for you.
Prospects.ac.uk
Prospects country profiles outlining applying for jobs, work experience, studying and visa issues throughout the world.
Study Link
Includes advice on studying at postgraduate level, a database enabling you to search for courses, and interactive profiles and fact files on the providers of postgraduate level education.
Study Options
Search for PG courses in Australia and New Zealand.
Study Overseas
Free university and college advice for students worldwide who are considering studying abroad for an international education. Information on courses worldwide which are looking for international students, plus a guide to entry tests.
TARGETcourses
Newly relaunched website that compares postgraduate courses in the UK for graduates considering further study. It has been compiled with UCAS and also has institution profiles with information on research and funding.
TARGETpostgrad
Compares postgraduate courses in the UK for graduates considering further study. It has been compiled with UCAS and also has institution profiles with information on research and funding
The Association of Commonwealth Universities
View available courses across 5 continents. Also read publications and find out about awards and scholarships. The oldest and one of the largest inter-university networks in the world. Lists vacancies, funding opportunities and news
The Careers Group
Online publication about postgraduate study.
The Careers Group - CVs for PhD Students
Information on writing CVs for PhD students.
The Careers Group - Postgraduate study
Information and advice on postgraduate study
The National Postgraduate Committee
Information from the representative body for UK postgraduates.
The Open University
UK university dedicated to distance learning.
Times Higher Education
World university rankings.
Top Universities
See worldwide university rankings, country and subject guides and information on studying abroad.
Topgradschool
Graduate school and degree online guide. Information on worldwide masters and PhD applications, including information on country guides, funding and applications.
UKPASS - UKPASS homepage
Search and applying for postgraduate courses in the UK.
USA Education Guides
Run by Hobson's has sections for Asian, Latin American, European, and rest of the world students looking to further their studies in the USA. Focuses on undergraduate study but does have information for graduate students (Masters and PhDs).
US-UK Fulbright Commission
Used as a search for institutions and courses across the US. The Fulbright Scholarship gives funding annually to one student who is a non-US citizen for a masters in journalism at a US university.
Your PhD...what next?: Academic careers | Prospects.ac.uk
Provides information on the job market for PhDs, making the most of your PhD, finding and applying for jobs, case studies and useful contacts and resources.

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