The 3 Most Common Challenges Masters Students Face

Getting a Masters degree is no easy stroll in the park. You will face difficulties stepping up to postgrad. These might manifest as something practical, like financial issues. Or perhaps it will be something more internal, like an epic battle between good (you) and evil (procrastination).

OK, I might have been a tad dramatic with the last one. Learning how to motivate yourself is probably not quite as difficult as ridding the world of all evil, but it can be a struggle.

To help prospective students know what challenges to expect (and how you might overcome them), we’ve taken a closer look at the Masters experience.

Probably the most common challenge students face is managing finances. They may only last for a year and potentially cost less than a Bachelors, but that doesn’t mean Masters study is cheap. When tuition is combined with additional expenses such as rent, food and course materials your monthly costs may seem a little steep.

Since finance is a common concern among students, there are many tried and tested methods that can help you make ends meet:

• Part-time employment - This can be a good source of income and can help build your CV with further work experience. The downside, of course, is that a job will take up time and add extra responsibilities to your plate. But with some forward planning and time management, many students balance work and study. If you’re wondering how to balance it all, read one students personal account of working three different jobs while completing a full time Masters.
• Scholarships and bursaries – Many universities offer a range of scholarship and bursary schemes to help cover costs and tuition. These can be both needs-based and merit-based. Make sure to check what your university offers and if you’re eligible. Additionally, some universities offer alumni discounts to students who completed an undergraduate degree at their institution. This will usually lower the tuition costs by 10%.
• Student loans – If you are a UK or Irish student then you will also be eligible to apply for a government Masters loan. Although these loans have a repayment scheme, the amount you pay will be based on your yearly income. You also wont start paying anything until you earn above the threshold.
• Charities and trusts – Another, more unusual, method of funding is through charity scholarships. Many charities offer support to people from a range of backgrounds studying a variety of subjects. While these scholarships wont usually cover all your costs, they can help take the edge off.

While financial concerns can be quite common there are plenty of options available to students for support. All it takes is a bit of forward planning and budgeting.

A full-time Masters can be pretty intensive. As one lecturer described it to me, a Masters is like a 100 meter sprint taking place over a year. It’s easy to wear out. Looking after your mental health can quickly become less of a priority when you’re trying to push out consistent work. It can also seem like an impossible task at the moment when your living room becomes the most exciting holiday destination possible. But all this means is that understanding and taking care of your mental health is more important than ever.

Simply making time for a bit of selfcare can go a long way. Go to the gym (when it’s safe to do so), cook a special meal, invest a bit of time in that hobby. These are all important things that can help you remember that you’re a person outside of your studies. Getting proper rest will also stop you from burning out and keep your work more consistent.

Knowing the help your university and department provide is also extremely important. Many universities have specific student support services that can provide you with excellent online and in-person resources.

We also recommend you check out the amazing work Student Minds does. Their project, Student Space means that it's easier than ever to find support, whether it be through email, call or text.

Maintaining mental health will be different for each person. Make sure to check in with yourself and your needs, not necessarily what works for others.

The last common challenge that Masters students face is preparing for the future. Many students decide to do a Masters to increase their employability. But to be successful you have to articulate why your postgraduate degree makes you more employable. In some ways the answer is obvious. An extra year’s worth of education will increase your subject knowledge and experience.

But what about all those other skills you picked up along the way?

A Masters allows you to further refine your soft skills, like time management, organisation and teamwork. These are also important to communicate to potential employers.

Another difficulty is knowing what you’re qualified for. Many students decide to do a Masters because they enjoy their subject, not to improve their chances for a certain career. Deciding what to do after graduation can be pretty daunting. The best way to overcome this challenge is with a bit of research.

You might have already decided that you want a job. Reading up on the careers you’re most qualified for could help spark some inspiration. Keeping an eye on the job market to see what’s out there is also a good idea.

Another option is to apply for further postgraduate degree. You might decide that you need a more specialised professional degree, such as a PGCE, to enter a specific field. Or you might want to continue learning what you love and apply for a PhD.

The good news is that the options are endless. The bad news is that means we can’t tell you what you should do post-graduation. You’re just going to have to put in a little thinking time!

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