The Best and Worst Things About Masters Study

Here at FindAMasters, we love seeing prospective students start their postgraduate journey. But we also recognise that Masters study isn’t always smooth sailing. Like everything in life, postgrad degrees have their pros and cons. This week we’ve taken a look at some of the best and worst things about doing a Masters degree so you know what you’re signing up for.

The best:

Let’s start with the positive.

#1 Learn more about your passion

One of the most common reasons why people enrol on Masters courses is to continue studying their passion. With world-renowned experts, cavernous libraries and state-of-the-art lab facilities, why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of all the knowledge on offer?

#2 Improved employability

Research into employment outcomes has concluded that graduates with a Masters degree tend to reach higher level jobs quicker. Data from the Graduate Outcomes survey in the UK shows that postgraduates were 11% more likely to be in full-time employment 15 months after finishing their degree compared with those only holding a Bachelors. The survey also found that 20% more postgraduates were employed in a professional occupation, rather than a less senior associate role.

#3 Flexible study hours

If you ask current students they’ll probably tell you that the best thing about studying a Masters degree is the flexible hours. We all have different commitments in life and we all work best at different times of day. Classes may be fixed, but you can tailor your research hours to fit you.

This also means you have the freedom to visit popular attractions outside of peak times! Why queue for hours on a Saturday when you could finish a little early on a Monday?

#4 Lots of opportunities

The final great thing about Masters study is the vast array of opportunities available. Many Masters courses allow students to take modules outside of their specific course. Fancy learning a language for the fun of it? Check with your department because they might offer free classes. Want to learn a new skill or sport? Don’t worry, you’re not too old to join the university societies, and some even have dedicated groups for postgraduate students. Fancy trying your hand at a writing career? Many faculties have student-led blogs that highly encourage Masters students to submit. In fact, you can even write for FindAMasters about your experiences!

The opportunities are endless, so why not try some of them out! You might be surprised by what you enjoy.

The worst:

Unfortunately, Masters study isn’t all chocolates and roses, lie-ins and excitement. It’s hard and some people do struggle with the pressures. So make sure you’re aware of what you’re signing up for before applying.

#1 Imposter syndrome

If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you might have heard us talk about imposter syndrome. Effectively, it’s the feeling that you’re not good enough to be where you are. That you are an imposter and sooner or later someone will figure it out.

While imposter syndrome can be present in any part of life, it’s quite prevalent in postgraduate education and academia. The good thing is that universities are well equipped to deal with it. Also, talking to other students can help as it’ll show you we all feel like that sometimes.

#2 Delay entering ‘the real world’

If you have friends who didn’t enter postgraduate education, or you have parents that have been working since they were sixteen, then you’ve probably heard people talk to you about the ‘real world’.

As we’ve discussed, Masters courses can be a great boost to your future employment opportunities. However, they will be in the future. Starting a degree, or continuing on from undergraduate means that you are, in a way, delaying your career (despite how it might benefit you later on). Watching others begin or continue their careers can sometimes make you feel like you’re being left behind.

Knowing why you’re doing a postgraduate degree is therefore extremely important to help keep you motivated.

#3 Work-life balance

The last undesirable part of Masters study is that the work-life balance isn’t always the best. If you’ve just come from an undergraduate degree then be prepared to lose those weekly house parties and Wednesday afternoons off.

A lot more work is required for Masters degrees and deadlines can get tight. You may also have a part-time job to juggle as well. To stay on top of it all, some things might have to be sacrificed. Make sure to still schedule in breaks, but your weekly late night at the pub quiz might have to be cancelled sometimes to meet a deadline. Don’t worry, the payoff will be worth it.