Will I Need a Masters For My Job?

It’s widely acknowledged that Masters study can help boost your career prospects. Most of the time, a postgraduate degree will be the icing on your employability cake, helping you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate a high-level understanding of your subject.

Occasionally, however, a postgraduate qualification is not only a beneficial addition to your CV, but an essential one. We’ve taken a look at five sectors where it’s common for employers to require a Masters.

#1 Education

If you’re looking to teach others, it’s only fair that you should have to ‘master’ your subject beforehand. To lecture at a university or other higher education institution, you’ll need at least a Masters (if not a Doctorate ) in the subject you plan to teach.

To become a secondary school teacher, you’ll usually need a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). While not technically a Masters, a PGCE is a highly specialised postgraduate qualification, which will prepare you for your future career through a combination of teaching experience and education theory.

#2 Archiving and curation

If you’ve got a passion for preserving, collecting, and displaying historical artefacts, you might want to consider a career as an archivist or curator. Both are specialist roles that require a postgraduate degree.

To become an archivist, you’ll need a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Archives and Records Association (ARA), such as a Masters in Archives and Record Management.

Aspiring curators will need to study a Masters in Curatorial Studies, as well as clocking up a substantial amount of (often voluntary) work experience.

#3 Therapy and Psychology

Practicing therapists in the UK must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which almost always requires postgraduate study. Specialist roles you could pursue include psychotherapist, art therapist, music therapist or even dramatherapist . For each, you’ll need to hold a postgraduate degree accredited by the relevant professional membership body.

The role of clinical psychologist requires the most extensive (and competitive) training – you’ll need to complete an undergraduate degree or Masters conversion course in Psychology, followed by a 3-year professional doctorate.

#4 Public health

Could you be at the forefront of preventing the next pandemic? Epidemiologists study the origins, behaviour and effects of human disease. You’ll either work in research or apply your skills in a clinical setting.

The minimum requirement for a career in epidemiology is usually a Masters in a relevant subject such as Public Health or Statistics. Those intending to work in research will usually need to do a PhD.

Other senior positions within the field that require a Masters degree include public health manager and public health consultant . These professionals are employed in a variety of sectors such as local and national government, the NHS, defence and higher education to deal with complex public health issues at a high level.

#5 Nursing

You can become a registered nurse in the UK by completing an undergraduate degree, but many will choose to progress to the role of nurse practitioner, which requires a Masters degree in Nursing. Nurse practitioners have a much higher level of autonomy in diagnosing and treating patients and may have the opportunity to progress into management or leadership roles.

The above are just a few examples of roles that often require a postgraduate qualification. We’ve taken a more comprehensive look at jobs that require a Masters in our full guide!

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