Why Do a Masters Degree?

Enhancing your career

It is no surprise that a Masters degree is highly regarded by employers. And, we’ve got evidence to back that up!

Having a higher-level degree gives you a certain edge over other applicants who only have a Bachelors. It demonstrates expertise in your field and the ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure. If you’re an international student looking for jobs in a new country, a Masters is a good way to convince employers that you have the knowledge and skills they are looking for.

As a Masters graduate, you are also likely to start at a higher salary, giving you a foundation you can then build on as you progress in your career. Some Masters degrees, such as the MBA, are highly sought after because of the post-graduation job prospects and salaries they offer.

Completing a postgraduate course is also an impressive achievement in itself. It demonstrates your ability to tackle complex material and complete more challenging assessment tasks.

But don’t assume a postgraduate qualification will automatically make you more attractive to employers. Unless your degree relates to a specific career path, you‘ll need to consider how you’ll 'sell' your Masters to employers. Here are some ways in which you can do that:

• Showcase course content in your CV: Don’t let your Masters just be a fancy title on your CV. Highlight what you actually studied—especially if your course included technical or professional elements.
• Emphasise transferable skills: Postgraduate study builds valuable, transferable skills: independent learning, critical thinking, project management and strong communication. Completing a dissertation demonstrates research ability, problem-solving and the initiative to manage a major project from start to finish.
• Mention additional training: Many Masters courses include training in research methods, specialist tools or advanced IT. Even if it’s not directly related to the job, it shows you're capable of learning new skills and adapting professionally.
• Highlight extra-curriculars: Masters students often take on roles beyond coursework—leading societies, mentoring or joining research events. These experiences show leadership, teamwork and engagement with your academic community.

Should you do a Masters or work?

After graduating from a Bachelors degree, it’s pretty common to wonder whether it would be best to jump straight into the world of work or to study a Masters first.

There’s no simple answer to this – it largely depends on your personal circumstances and motivations. If you’re genuinely passionate about a particular Masters programme, that’s usually a good sign. You shouldn’t feel pressured into studying a postgraduate degree just for the sake of it or to put off ‘the real world’ for another year or two.

At the same time, it’s important to recognise that if you decide to begin a career after graduation, there’s nothing to stop you returning to university in future. In fact, you may find that your financial situation is a little more secure after a few years of full-time work – or that a break from academia has reaffirmed your passion for your subject!

Changing career paths

If you already have a Bachelors degree but are looking to change career paths, a Masters is a good way to reroute. Not all Masters applications require you to have an undergraduate degree in the same field, so you have the freedom of trying something new. Even though having studied in a field that is similar to your desired Masters will help, it is not necessary and can be made up for by putting in some extra study hours!

Moreover, there are some postgraduate conversion courses created specifically for those who are looking for a career change. These courses are open despite your academic background.

Developing further in your current role

Not everyone starts a Masters right after undergrad—many return later to gain new skills or re-train. Masters degrees are flexible, often available part-time or online, and many are tailored for professional development. These include conversion courses (e.g. teaching and law) and specialised programs in areas like digital marketing or graphic design.

When to consider postgraduate professional development:

• To boost your current career: In fast-changing fields, staying up to date is key. Masters-level courses (including PGDip or PGCert options) can help you gain new skills like social media management—often without leaving your job.
• To move into management: A Masters, even if it is not an MBA, can prepare you for leadership. It shows advanced knowledge and may give your CV the edge it needs.
• To transition into academia: Professionals in fields like business or journalism can become great lecturers or researchers. A Masters degree adds academic depth to your practical experience.

Preparing for a PhD

A taught Masters can provide an excellent bridge between undergraduate study and PhD research. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that PhD programmes will expect applicants to have a Masters degree.

Requirements may differ between subject areas and between different research projects. Studying a Masters degree before a PhD is more common in Arts and Humanities subjects than in Science disciplines. But there’s no hard and fast rule.

The benefits of studying a Masters before a PhD

If you are considering a PhD, it’s better to think about the possible benefits of a Masters, rather than simply viewing the degree as an obligation.

Studying a Masters will enhance your general subject knowledge and provide you with the chance to tackle advanced independent research-projects on a smaller scale. This can help make the transition into a PhD research project easier and more enjoyable.

If you’re already sure about a research topic, you can opt to do a Masters in Research (MRes), which is focussed more on your individual research than taught modules. You may still have some taught classes on how to conduct better research, but an MRes is likely to give you the skills to then continue your research at PhD level.

Even if you’re not yet sure that the research lifestyle is for you, you can take the duration of your Masters to find an area of expertise. You’ll likely be conducting some form of independent research for your final Masters dissertation which will give you some practice before you choose to move on to PhD level research. If you decide that an academic career probably isn’t for you, it’s better to find that out on a Masters (and come away with a worthwhile qualification) rather than realise it after you’ve already begun a PhD.

Frequently Asked Questions