Studying an Integrated Masters: Through a Scientist’s Lens

An integrated Masters allows you to earn a postgraduate level qualification at the end of a four-year undergraduate degree. But how do these longer programmes actually work? And what’s it like making the step from undergraduate to postgraduate work during a course? Kirsty shares her experiences.

A few years ago I was getting ready to begin university and choosing a degree. I remember seeing so many different Chemistry courses on offer; whether it was a standard three-year BSc or a longer MChem with the option to study in industry or abroad. In the end, I chose the integrated Masters (and have since gone on to begin a PhD). But, at the time, I didn’t know what to expect – or how to choose.

Are you in the same position? Don’t worry. Here I will discuss what my integrated Masters involved, and hopefully give some insight into the options available to you.

I can only shine a light on the experiences from a science prospective; however, I’m sure some things I encountered will be the same for other disciplines.

The initial three years

The initial three years of an integrated Masters will often follow the Bachelors version of the course. This was true for me.

I did the standard MChem and my first three years were the same, in terms of content, as the BSc. The only difference was the weighting (obviously other students’ final year counted for a lot more, as I still had mine to come).

This isn’t always the case though: If you choose to do a Masters with an international placement, or year in industry, this usually happens in your third year. The first two years will then be the same as the BSc.

The best part of an integrated Masters, for me, was that a lot of people remained on from the first three years. This meant I got the extra year of student life with my close course friends, before the reality of adulthood hit home.

Moving up to 'the Masters year'

The final year of my MChem was the highest-weighted and made up of several components. In a way it simulated the first year of a PhD, in terms of assessments and research projects.

So, what did my ‘Masters year’ involve?

Exams

Exams: the one thing many of us dislike about the student life, but a necessary part of the process (if you want that qualification at the end!).

Some universities will have an entire semester of research prior to exams; for me, my research project ran alongside January exams. This was a tough one, as I personally hate exams! The added stress of doing research alongside revision was zero fun. My social life vanished that December, but luckily not as much as those revising on Christmas day!

Research project

The final year of my MChem included an extended research project - basically a longer version of the dissertation at the end of a one-year Masters.

Research projects are typically conducted in postgraduate research labs (exciting, I know!). Academics usually display a number of possible projects. Students then rank their preferences. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of your top five. If not, well, it’s all experience.

For me, the research project was a highlight of the degree.

This was the first time I felt like I had the opportunity – and the freedom – to have my own input in experiments. In contrast, previous years’ labs involved essentially following a ‘recipe’. This was educational, but it wasn’t as exciting (and, unfortunately I’m no chef). Things changed in my final year and this was where my Masters really inspired me to do a PhD.

Looking back, I can see that the MChem project experience was actually similar to the first year of my PhD. Don’t worry, though: it was also significantly less intense. As you may be doing lectures alongside lab research you won’t be expected to submit anywhere near as much work. You’ll still get plenty of hands-on research experience though and this is a really good preparation for PhD study if you are considering it!

Presentation

Masters years may also include a presentation of your work; after all you need to let everyone know what you’ve been getting up to.

In my experience, I had to present in front of my peers and academics in related fields. I remember being particularly nervous about the questions at the end. Don’t take a leaf out of my book though: the questions are nothing to worry about; in fact, they actually guide you on what you can write in your thesis.

Luckily for you, your presentation can’t be as bad as mine: imagine a laser pointer dancing all over the screen and a room full of PhD students trying to ignore it (unsuccessfully).

Poster day

Poster days; yet another way of presenting your research, but also a good way of learning about everyone else’s. These days can be accompanied with a bribe, in the form of prizes (ones I never seem to win). For some reason, the prospect of winning that amazing £5 Waterstones or Amazon voucher is enough to drive some students into an artistic frenzy.

Don’t worry if you don’t win a prize, the departments usually use these posters as some much-needed wall decoration. You’ll be famous on university open days, that’s something right?

Thesis and viva

The thesis is a written report summarising your research throughout the year, the viva I’ll come onto later.

I was worried about my thesis, but you shouldn’t be, your project supervisor and personal tutor are always on hand to help. I personally find that proofing my work is a bit like a terribly-executed game of Where’s Wally? - I never find even the most obvious mistakes. Having that second eye to spot these is brilliant.

Then there’s the viva, the one thing all Masters students dread. This is because we get PhD students telling us about what a viva is, and we work ourselves up thinking it will be the same. Let me get this fact out there, a Masters viva is not a PhD viva.

I was so worried about mine! I remember feeling sick and shaking; it wasn’t a pretty sight. Then when I actually got in there all it really was, was a chat about my work. The academics weren’t trying to catch me out, they seemed genuinely interested. Remember they don’t want you to fail, if anything questions guide you to conclusions about the research.

I've since gone on to supervise other Masters students and have found that a lot of them come out of the viva and say, ‘I don’t know what I was so worried about’. In fact, in my discipline, vivas actually bring some peoples’ project grades up; probably because it can sometimes be easier to talk through your ideas than it can be to put pen to paper.

Final thoughts

I am happy I took the decision to do an integrated Masters, it really helped me improve as a research scientist. I think the skills I gained allowed me to do a PhD and gave me the passion to want to. I hope reading about my experiences has been helpful, and if you do decide to apply for an integrated Masters, good luck.