Which Masters degree is right for me?

Studying a for a Masters degree is a big commitment so you need to make sure that the programme you choose is the right one for you.

How to choose a Masters degree

Career prospects

Whether pursuing postgraduate study to enhance your career prospects, to enter a particular profession or accelerate progression, ask yourself 'is a Masters degree necessary in my line of work?'

For example, most science careers in the UK require a Masters qualification, while aspiring teachers qualify by studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). For other professions an undergraduate degree is enough and postgraduate study isn't a necessity.

Do your research to find out if certain accreditations are sought after in your particular industry, if so does the course you're looking at offer those?

If you've a particular employer in mind, contact them to confirm whether a Masters will improve your job application. Look at relevant job adverts to identify what level of qualification recruiters are looking for, and speak to potential employers at careers events to get an understanding of how they view Masters degrees. Also look into the employability rate of graduates on the course you're considering.

'Career opportunities were a major factor in my decision,' says Vivin Anitha Thambidurai, MSc Computer Science student at the University of Sheffield. 'As an international student, I wanted to study at a university that would support my long-term career goals and provide opportunities to gain practical experience. Sheffield's strong careers support, industry-focused projects, and opportunities to engage with employers gave me confidence that I would be developing skills that employers value.'

With career prospects in mind, ensure that the university has consistently produced successful graduates who've made a positive impact on both industry and society. Be confident that the institution will help you to develop the real-world skills and knowledge needed to master your profession. Alternatively, if you're looking for a career in academia, check that the degree leads to a PhD.

To find out about qualifications and training for your chosen career, see job profiles. If you're thinking about changing career, take a look at conversion courses.

Taught or research Masters

Should you opt for a taught or research programme? They have several similarities. Both take one to two years to complete, are generally worth the same number of credits and include, to some extent, a taught and research element.

However, differences include:

• Taught Masters follow a similar structure to undergraduate study, while research Masters include more independent learning.
• The majority of Masters programmes are taught courses and these mainly consist of Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) subjects. Research courses include the MRes and MPhil.
• Taught Masters are made up of core and optional modules delivered through seminars, workshops and lectures. Research Masters involve one or more independent research projects, with little to no timetabled hours.

Search for taught and research Masters.

Consider what you enjoyed about your undergraduate degree. If you preferred studying set modules, maybe a taught course is best. If you enjoyed writing your dissertation and the freedom this afforded you, perhaps you're more suited to a research programme.

Your career goals should also help you make a choice. Those working toward a particular profession usually opt for a taught Masters, while those who'd like to enter academia or move on to a PhD, choose a research Masters.

To find out more about taught and research programmes see What is a Masters degree?

Course content

Look at module details and descriptions, as well as factors such as assessment methods, to find a course that is aligned to your interests, strengths and ambitions.

Ensure that compulsory modules aren't too generic or replicate what you've learned at undergraduate level. Scrutinise optional modules and confirm that your specialist interest will be covered. Be sure that the department won't cancel modules if only a small number of students select the option. Find out whether the course is exam-based, continually assessed or both, plus check that the teaching methods and style suit your preferences.

To achieve this, read course literature, check the programme's graduate employment rate and look into what alumni are doing now. Most university websites profile graduates, so discover what jobs they're doing and where, and how they've used the qualification to further their career.

'The MSc Advanced Computer Science programme stood out to me because it offered the balance I was looking for between academic excellence and practical learning,' says Vivin. 'It covered a range of topics that matched my interests, including software engineering, parallel computing, modelling and simulation, and large-scale software development. I wanted a course that would challenge me academically while also helping me develop skills that are directly relevant to the technology industry.'

Flexible study options

If flexibility is important, check which institutions offer distance-learning options. Learn more about online learning.

Those with work or family commitments should look into how courses are structured in order to plan your time effectively. Investigate programme timetables and discover how many days a week you need to dedicate to study, and how many lectures and tutorials to expect.

Find out about contact hours, class size and whether you'll be able to work part time. Search for distance learning and online Masters.

Part-time study is also an option, but this often doubles the time it takes to gain a qualification. Search for part-time Masters.

Fees and funding

The cost of study will need to be factored into your decision when deciding which Masters is right for you. Tuition fees vary so compare the cost of courses that interest to you. For help with paying your fees, see postgraduate funding options.

Most institutions offer scholarships and bursaries for Masters students, which are awarded for academic excellence and demonstrable potential for outstanding research. Find out more by contacting the institution directly, or by attending a postgraduate study fair or open day.

The seven publicly funded Research Councils award studentships - the UK's biggest source of PhD funding. However, they also provide provision for research Masters students. For more information on your personal eligibility, your course eligibility and how to apply, see Research Council funding.

Deciding where to study

University reputation

To help decide which Masters is right for you, look into the institution's reputation.

Employers value graduates with qualifications from reputable universities and while overall league tables can provide an indication of a university's strengths and student satisfaction, they're usually based on undergraduate courses.

Do your own research, but don't focus on the university's reputation as a whole, as this varies depending on the subject you choose, dig deeper to discover which universities have a good reputation in the subject you're interested in.

Find out about course reputation and student satisfaction rates (for particular programmes and with the wider department), how well courses are run and the reputation of tutors. What's the quality of teaching like? Do well-known lecturers spend time teaching at the university? Speak to past students as they are well placed to answer these questions and can provide 'inside' information.

To narrow down your options when choosing a Masters, target programmes and institutions that satisfy your interest. Scrutinise your potential department and its research reputation. Browse the academic profiles of lecturers to ensure that they're specialists in your particular field. This is important if you're considering a PhD, as you must strive to build strong relationships with experts.

Find an institution by attending open days.

Links with industry

When choosing a Masters course an important factor to consider is the university's links with industry.

'Choosing a Masters with strong links to industry can make a real difference to your future career,' explains Sophie Cherrett, deputy head of student recruitment at Bournemouth University. 'At universities that work closely with businesses, you'll have opportunities to apply what you learn in real-world settings, gaining practical experience alongside your studies.'

However, not all institutions offer the same opportunities, so check before making your decision.

'Look for courses that offer work placements, internships or opportunities to work on live briefs set by industry partners,' says Sophie.

Access to mentoring schemes and the chance to network with employers and alumni are also important.

'These experiences not only help you develop relevant skills, but also allow you to build valuable professional networks that can support your career after you graduate,' adds Sophie.

Courses may also offer the chance to conduct research with an employer as part of a dissertation and invite industry professionals to deliver guest lectures. Make sure the degree you choose gives you the chance to make these valuable connections.

Links with industry are often determined by location. Discover whether the industry that you're hoping to break into - and the type of employer you're hoping to attract - has a presence within the region.

Location

The right location for your Masters should depend upon your individual preferences, career aspirations, and lifestyle priorities. 'Relocating for a Masters is an exciting step, so it's important to choose a place where you can see yourself thriving, both during your studies and beyond,' says Sophie.

Consider whether you prefer city life or something more rural. Remember that some universities don't provide specialist housing for Masters students, so you may have to find your own accommodation.

Research and visit potential universities through events such as open days to ensure they align with your academic and personal goals.

Because it's important to keep your mind and body healthy through sports and other social activities, discover if there's a good selection of gyms, bars, cafes and shops on offer. If leisure facilities are off-campus, consider whether local transport allows you to easily access them.

You'll be able to choose either a campus or city university. A campus university has all its facilities, such as teaching locations, accommodation and leisure activities on one site. At city universities, facilities are usually spread out over a wider geographical area.

'The city itself played an important role in my decision when choosing a Masters,' adds Vivin. 'Compared with many other UK cities, Sheffield offers a good quality of life while remaining relatively affordable for students.'

Consider if you’d like to study somewhere new or remain at (or return to) your undergraduate university. Incentives for returning to your undergraduate institution may include the:

• perk of an alumni discount on tuition fees.
• strong network of academics and friends you've already made there.

Alternatively, you could consider studying abroad.

Support and facilities

'Studying at Masters level is both challenging and rewarding, so it's important to choose a university that will support you every step of the way,' says Sophie. 'Look for institutions that offer a range of academic and personal support services.'

Successful postgraduate study relies on having access to the latest academic facilities and resources, such as:

• modern teaching spaces
• industry-standard equipment
• specialist workshops
• up-to-date literature.

It's therefore important that the university has a track record of investing in and improving its academic facilities.

If your chosen course is a stepping-stone to academia, discover whether the institution has strong research links.

The strength of the university's careers service is also important. Consider how you can capitalise on any advice, support and training opportunities that it provides.

Ensure that the university you apply to offers wellbeing support to postgraduates. This could include:

• counselling provision
• disability support
• mental health support
• a personal tutor system.

Also consider the:

• availability of student services such as accommodation, study and disability support
• quality of library and learning resources
• strength of an institutions technology and IT support.

'Ultimately, having access to the right resources, expert support and a welcoming environment can help you make the most of your Masters and achieve your ambitions,' adds Sophie.

Find out more

• Discover how to apply for a Masters degree.