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This article titled “The \u00a36,848 question for postgraduate students” was written by Seb Murray, for theguardian.com on Friday 10th November 2017 16.33 UTC<\/a><\/p>\nThe benefits enjoyed by those with postgraduate qualifications are becoming increasingly evident. Research published by the Sutton Trust education charity suggests that, in Britain, they will earn on average 14% more<\/a> than those with an undergraduate degree alone. They are also 15% more likely<\/a> to be employed full-time after six months, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, and more likely to use skills acquired during their education in their work.<\/p>\n But with undergraduate tuition fees of up to \u00a39,250 a year, mounting debt could deter potential students into postgraduate study, which raises questions about the economic barriers some face. Around three-quarters of those on taught postgraduate programmes in the UK<\/a> \u2013 which cost on average \u00a36,848<\/a> \u2013 are self-funded, with many relying on financial support from their families to pay their fees. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is no longer enough to have a bog-standard bachelor\u2019s degree to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Postgraduate qualifications are often essential in many fields, such as journalism, and they command a wage premium \u2013 \u00a3200,000 more than an undergraduate degree alone, over a lifetime,\u201d says Lee Elliot Major, chief executive of the Sutton Trust. <\/p>\n \u201cBut with undergraduates racking up average debts of \u00a350,000, those who do not come from privileged backgrounds, and cannot rely on the bank of mum and dad, are prevented from pursuing postgraduate education \u2013 the new frontier of social mobility.\u201d <\/p>\n