There are several reasons you might want to consider doing a Masters degree, and it’s important to be aware of them before deciding if or when to study for a Masters. The cost of undertaking a Masters degree can be high, but they can also be incredibly rewarding in terms of the opportunities they offer.
In this article, we’ll look at all the reasons you might want to consider pursuing a Masters degree.
Reasons to consider doing a Masters degree
Whilst the reasons for choosing to study for a Masters degree may vary, some of the most popular reasons include the following:
- Meeting a job’s requirements
- Progressing down a particular career path
- Developing a new interest
- Entering a profession
- Aiding a career change
- Progressing to a higher-level qualification, such as a PHD
This is just an example of some of the most common reasons, but it may be for another reason that you are considering whether to pursue a Masters. The benefits associated with doing a masters can be extensive. Your knowledge of a particular subject will improve greatly, and it can help you build connections or gain chartership within a particular industry.
Although despite the benefits, completing a Masters is no easy task, and there will be intense studying and a hefty workload accompanying you at this level of education.
Will it help you get a job?
Although holding a Masters degree won’t guarantee you a job, they are often highly regarded by employers and are sometimes required in certain industries. Masters degrees can give you the edge over other candidates when it comes to applying for job roles, especially in competitive industries.
Postgraduate degrees such as Masters are often needed in higher skilled professions, and research has shown that having one makes you more likely to progress higher up the employment ladder in higher-skilled areas.
Masters degrees go hand in hand with relevant work experience. Once you’re able to spend time in a working environment, your Masters degree will likely make you a more desirable candidate.
Is a Masters degree worth the cost?
This will likely vary depending on many factors. Master’s degrees are typically cheaper than doing an undergraduate degree, however, the specific costs may vary.
Later down the line, postgraduates tend to earn more when compared to undergraduates and those working without higher education. Starting salaries for roles may be higher as well, although it may take a few years to be able to pursue the higher paying postgraduate roles.
It will most likely be up to you to determine whether a Masters degree is worth the cost. For a lot of students, it will depend on whether you can secure the funding or will need to pay the living and studying costs outright.
Can you do one with a 2:2 or a third?
Most masters degrees ask for a 2:1 at Bachelor’s level or an equivalent qualification. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get onto one with a lower classification. It’s always worth getting in touch with the admissions department to see if there is any chance they will accept you with a 2:2 or a third.
Even if you don’t have an undergraduate degree, there may be a chance they will admit you onto a course providing you have relevant professional experience.
Can you do a PhD without a Masters?
One of the most common reasons for pursuing a Masters is to progress up the academic ladder and be accepted onto a PhD. In most cases, students will need to possess a relevant Masters degree.
It is however possible to pursue some PhDs without a Masters degree, as for some Doctoral programmes, the entry requirements only ask for an upper second class Bachelors degree. If this is the reason you want to pursue a Masters degree, you’ll want to be sure of the specific PhD entry requirements before making your decision.
Are you ready to do a Masters?
As discussed, there’s a lot to consider before deciding if you’re ready to do a Masters degree. There is a lot of commitment to studying and workload that you’ll need to be comfortable with. One of the other considerations is your living situation, as it could be the case that none of your existing housemates are planning to do a masters. In this scenario, you’ll want to ensure you are able to find a new student property and housemates and have your living situation in check before enrolling on a Masters course.
