Answering your postgrad queries

I am desperate to develop a meaningful career, but have no money. What can I do?

Up a blind alley

I am a 38-year-old graduate who, having worked for a merchant bank for one year, 16 years ago, has been self-employed ever since. I have had some success. In hindsight, I realise that I was rudderless and that I have developed no meaningful career. In short, I have gone up a blind alley.

I now have a daughter, who is five, and I desperately need to build a career before it's too late. I am keen to get back to university for a graduate degree or further qualification, but have no money. Is there any assistance I might be eligible for? Do employers or potential employers fund further education in return for a commitment to work for them? I realise that I do need to retrain and am prepared for the task.

There is a range of options open to you, but it really depends on what direction you want to go in. I see from your CV that you have a degree in economic and social history, and that you've been working as a commercial director. But, aside from your strong sense of motivation, what career are you looking for?

There is such a huge array of postgraduate courses available that you need to ask yourself how you will benefit from taking this course, and whether it will build on the experience you have gained while self-employed. If you're thinking of a new profession, find out if any qualifications are needed. It sounds like you want something more "meaningful". Does that mean you would consider teaching or social work? For teaching, you would need a PGCE; for social work, you'll need the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW). The Vocational Course Surveys on http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/VCSC provide information on a range of courses.

As far as funding is concerned, if you are interested in a postgraduate course, ask the tutors how previous students gained financial help. Funding may be easier if you're interested in part-time postgraduate study. You could link a job to part-time study by looking at institutions that do work-based programmes. Learndirect has a Learning Through Work scheme (www.learndirect.co.uk) which offers a range of higher education qualifications through seven participating universities. Distance learning is another option where you continue to earn while you learn, thus enabling you to support your daughter.

Employers tend to sponsor people on postgraduate study once they are in post and they see real value in paying for a course. Some courses can cost up to pounds 20,000, and employers will expect a good return on their investment.

If you want to study full time, there are some public-funding opportunities through research councils and the Arts and Humanities Research Board, though these are highly competitive and your chances are best in science and engineering subjects. Funding may cover tuition fees and a stipend, and help towards the cost of travel, fieldwork and academic materials. The value of the stipend in 2004-05 ranged from pounds 9,000 (the Government- set minimum) to pounds 12,300 (London stipends may be up to pounds 2,000 extra). Additional sums may be available for those with dependents. For details on research councils and sources of funding, try www.rcuk.ac.uk/.

For many courses that lead to careers in education and social care, there is funding available from the public purse. For bursaries in health- related jobs, see www.nhs.uk/careers/.

Another source of funding is Career Development Loans, designed primarily for vocational courses and administered by some high-street banks and the Department for Education and Skills. At the Co-operative Bank, you can borrow between pounds 300 and pounds 8,000. The Government pays the interest during your studies, and you repay the loan over one to five years once you've finished the course (call 08457 212 212 for details). For more details on career development loans, see www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl/.

Getting that further qualification won't necessarily mean finding a better job, but it could provide the rudder you're looking for.

With thanks to Professor Howard Green, chair of the UK Council for Graduate Education, and Naeema Khan, Careers Consultant, Prospects

Send your queries to Caitlin Davies to reach her by 28 February at `The Independent', Education Desk, Second Floor, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS; or fax 020-7005 2143; or e-mail caitlind1@aol.com