Should I do a Masters?

Studying for a postgraduate course has many advantages but it’s also intense, costly and time consuming. If you’re questioning whether you should do a Masters you need to take the following into consideration

Why do a Masters?

Amy Smith, associate director of admissions and student recruitment at Nottingham Trent University explains 'some of the most common reasons we come across include:

a love of learning
the need to gain in-depth knowledge about a particular subject or career area
a plan to have a career in academia
a desire to increase employment prospects.'

A Masters degree can also help you to enter a particular profession, progress a current career path, aid a career change, help you to gain chartership and provide useful industry contacts and connections.

However, Masters study is intense and often comes with a hefty price tag. You'll also need relevant work experience for entry onto a programme. In order to make the most of postgraduate study it's vital to have a solid reason for committing to a course.

Will a Masters help me get a job?

Masters degrees in the UK are highly regarded by employers. They are also popular among international students, indicating the UK's globally recognised strength in this area.

Holding a Masters qualification won't guarantee you a job, but the government's Graduate labour market statistics 2022 show that graduates and postgraduates continue to have higher employment rates than non-graduates.

'In fact according to these statistics, postgraduates are around 12% more likely to be in a professional role than first-degree graduates,' says Amy. For example, 78% of all working-age postgraduates were in high-skilled employment, compared with 66% of all working age graduates.

For some roles, such as clinical psychologist, lawyer, librarian or teacher, a Masters degree is essential, while for many others it is highly beneficial. To check the entry requirements for particular roles, see job profiles. To find out how a Masters can aid career progression see conversion courses and professional qualifications.

Having a relevant Masters degree could give you a crucial competitive edge in a crowded job market - employers are increasingly looking for ways to distinguish between candidates, and this higher-level qualification shows your ability to commit to an intense period of work. Masters study may also be useful if you're looking to change career.

If you're already working in your preferred industry, a postgraduate degree could lead to rapid career progression. It could emphasise your drive, determination and willingness to increase your ability in a chosen area. What's more, your employer may support you financially through sponsorship.

You will only benefit fully from a Masters if it's complemented by relevant work experience. Without this, your employability will be weaker and you run the risk of getting into unnecessary debt. Read these 5 ways to benefit from your university's industry links.

Is it worth the cost?

Obtaining a Masters degree can be expensive and time-consuming. Therefore you need to weigh up your reasons for studying carefully.

As a rule, Masters study is cheaper than doing an undergraduate degree, although fees vary widely. In the majority of cases, international students pay more. The exception to this rule is the MBA, which is one of the most expensive qualifications available. To find out more about the financial cost of postgraduate study, see what is a Masters degree? To discover more about financial support, see funding postgraduate study.

On a positive note, postgraduates earn considerably more than their undergraduate (and non-graduate) counterparts. The Graduate labour market statistics 2022 report shows that working-age postgraduates have a median nominal salary of £45,000. This is £6,500 more than working-age graduates (£38,500) and £18,000 more than working-age non-graduates (£27,000).

Despite this, think about why you want to pursue a Masters before committing. Many applicants wrongly believe that a Masters degree will automatically allow them to earn more - yet this is only true if the qualification gets them closer to fulfilling their ambitions. To be certain that a Masters will meet your expectations, and be worth the high costs, you should:

be passionate about your subject
browse relevant job adverts to identify what employers value most, as industry certifications and accreditations are more important for certain roles
consider everything in the context of your overall career plan, ensuring that the qualification offers the best way of achieving your career goals
consider whether Masters study will boost your credentials significantly above your existing undergraduate education
contact careers services, professional bodies or individual employers for further advice.

Avoid Masters study if you can't convince yourself it's the right move and don't pursue postgraduate study in the naïve hope that it'll automatically add to your CV or because you need more time to think about your career. Unless your goals are clear, it might be better to spend some time in the workplace gaining experience, research your options, or take a gap year.

To learn more about your options, see what can I do with my degree?

Which Masters subjects are the most useful?

It depends on how you look at this. If you look at it from a salary perspective those that lead to high paying jobs, include subjects such as:

architecture
business and management
computing
economics
engineering
MBAs
medicine and dentistry
politics.

If you look through the lens of which Masters subjects are most employable you'll find the following:

education
medical science
nursing and midwifery
pharmacology and pharmacy
psychology
social work
sport and exercise science
veterinary sciences.

Can I do a Masters with a 2:2 or a third?

You'll usually need a 2:1 at Bachelors level, or an equivalent qualification, to be accepted onto a Masters course.

However, those with a 2:2, a third, or no undergraduate degree at all may be considered provided they have appropriate professional experience. Contact the admissions department directly if you don't meet the criteria.

If you're worried that your lower-class degree may affect your chances of gaining postgraduate funding, this won't be the case. You'll be out of the running for merit-based funding, such as university scholarships and bursaries, but needs-based funding and postgraduate loans aren't awarded on academic merit, so you'll still be eligible to apply.

If English isn't your first language you'll also need to prove proficiency with a recognised language test, such as:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
Cambridge English Language Assessment.
Language requirements differ between institutions and depending on your subject of study.

To check the entry requirements of a particular course, search for a Masters degree.

International students can find more information about how their qualifications compare to those in the UK at UK ENIC (National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills).

Can I do a PhD without a Masters?

To be accepted onto a PhD, which is the highest qualification a student can achieve, students usually need a relevant Masters degree.

This is because students cannot attain the requisite level of in-depth knowledge about a particular area without Masters study. Those looking to progress onto a PhD from Masters study can benefit from making contacts for future reference, and by surrounding themselves with students and colleagues who share their aims and interests.

However, the minimum entry requirement for most PhDs is an upper second class Bachelors degree, so it's possible for those without a Masters to gain entry onto a Doctoral programme. It's more common for science students to progress directly to a PhD from an undergraduate course, while those studying the arts and humanities will generally need a Masters.

PhD entry requirements vary so to check specific requirements, search for a PhD.

Will I have time to do a Masters?

Masters study must fit around your lifestyle, so identifying the mode of study that's right for you is essential.

Full-time study is the most common, and suits continuing students. You'll work intensively for the duration of the programme, achieving your qualification as quickly as possible. Contact hours vary from course to course, but full-time study involves several lectures and seminars each week. Alternatively, it could require you to attend university from 9am to 5pm every weekday. Business, law and science courses generally require more contact time than programmes in arts and humanities. Regardless, you'll be expected to dedicate six to seven hours per day to self-study.

Part-time study, meanwhile, is primarily aimed at students with family commitments and/or in full-time employment. You'll usually study for around 20 hours every week. While qualification takes longer - often two to four years - teaching is flexible, and lectures and seminars take place during the day or evening. Sessions are commonly hosted during the weekends or even recorded for students to access online. Working while studying is particularly popular with those who are self-funding their course.

Other modes of study worth considering include:

Blended learning - combines face-to-face classroom time with online learning. You can interact with lecturers, tutors and fellow students, while also working from home. Learn more about blended learning.
Block mode learning - involves intense face-to-face study over a fixed period, often weekends or consecutive days allowing students to book time off work in advance.
Distance/online learning - entails learning from home in your own time. You'll get resources and support from a personal tutor, and can take as long as you need to complete the course. Find out more about online learning, choosing an online learning platform and discover 5 tips for online exams.

Search for part-time and distance learning Masters.

If you’re determined to study a postgraduate programme but are worried about the length of time this will take you could consider a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or diploma (PGDip). Worth less credits than a Masters they take less time to complete one term (15 weeks) and two terms (30 weeks) respectively.

Am I ready to do a Masters?

Before committing to a Masters degree, ask yourself:

Am I fully aware of the level of commitment required to undertake Masters study?
Am I prepared to do more studying and less socialising than at undergraduate level?
Am I excited by the opportunity to write another, even longer dissertation or research project?
Can I afford Masters study, in terms of tuition fees and living costs?
Am I willing to accrue more graduate debt, or alternatively make potentially lengthy applications for funding?
Am I willing to live on a budget in order to cover living expenses, while my friends are in full-time employment?
Will the postgraduate qualification improve my career prospects?
Is the qualification rated highly by employers within my ideal industry?
Will the qualification equip me with the specific skills needed for my career?
Will my studies allow me to qualify in my chosen field?
Am I passionate about the qualification and subject?
Am I certain that the courses I'm looking at are right for me?

'There is a lot of information online that can help you answer some of those questions, and university admissions departments are always on hand to answer any questions you may have,' advises Amy.