How is COVID-19 Impacting Postgraduate Study Plans?

Our survey of over 1,500 prospective postgraduates shows that many remain committed to Masters and PhD study next year.

Whilst much discussion of the impact of coronavirus understandably focusses on undergraduate study, it's important not to lose sight of the separate challenges and opportunities for postgraduate recruitment.

As well as being less dependent on the face-to-face, large-group teaching that is most immediately disrupted by COVID-19, Masters and PhD programmes may also prove attractive to graduates facing an uncertain employment market.

On the other hand, some postgraduate programmes are potentially vulnerable to changes in international recruitment, whilst certain subject areas are clearly very dependent on students' access to campus facilities.

The unique audience and reach offered by our FindAMasters and FindAPhD platforms enable us to survey prospective postgraduate students to assess the impact of the coronavirus on their study plans for 2020-21. The good news is that many remain committed to postgraduate study, though intentions and preferences do vary.

You can explore infographic results for different groups of students, below:

Data for these reports is based on a survey over over 1,500 prospective postgraduate students, carried out across the FindAMasters and FindAPhD platforms in March and April 2020.

We'll be expanding and improving our survey and reporting over the coming months, making sure that postgraduate recruiters and marketers have access to detailed and specific information for this audience.

To be kept up-to-date with our latest surveys and insights information, or to discuss our results so far, email [email protected].