How is Masters Learning Different From What You’ve Done Before?

By the time you start thinking about doing a Masters, you’ve already spent a large amount of time being a student. Whether you've gone through all the years in school and then straight into university, or you've had a break from the classroom, you'd be forgiven in thinking that you've 'mastered' being a student. But in reality...postgraduate study is very different. Not only is it a step up in your subject, it's a step up in how you approach studying.

We’ve listed some reasons why Masters learning is different and how you can prepare for it.

It’s a steep learning curve

Unlike an undergraduate degree, Masters study is shorter and therefore more intense (usually one to two years). It’s also made up of more credits. You can expect to have a significantly busier timetable and put in a lot more work outside your university contact hours. Give yourself the time to get into the groove especially if you’re getting back to a Masters after a gap or a few years of work.

The jump to independent learning

As a Masters student, you are expected to be self-driven and take responsibility for your own learning. Teaching at a Masters level is designed to get you thinking and questioning your subject, to encourage you to do your own research and learning outside the classroom. You may find that professors do not spend as much time explaining topics as they did during a Bachelors. Once a topic has been discussed in class, you are expected to identify and fill the gaps in your own understanding. You can obviously still ask questions and follow up with your teachers but don’t expect them to give you everything you need all the time. They’re there to help clarify and point you in the right direction.

Taking it a step further with independent research

Do you know why research is carried out in a certain way? If you’re a Masters student, academic research will play a bigger role than ever before so you’ll be expected to find the answer by the end of your studies. You will be assessed on your ability to understand, and then put into context, research in your field so you should take the time to develop your research skills (referencing, writing and understanding methodologies). Take advantage of any skills sessions provided by the Library or Careers Service in your own time to help with this.

How can you prepare for this change?

Masters study is a huge jump, but don’t worry too much, you’ll get the hang of it as you go. One tip is to take the time to get familiar with your course beforehand:

• Identify modules that you think will require more time/exploration – Whether it’s because they’re a big subject or an area you’re not familiar with, it’s good to identify these modules from the off so you can prioritise your time.
• Plan in advance – You’ll probably be given most, if not all, your submission deadlines for the entire course when you begin so take the time to plan your year. This way you are prepared and don’t have to sacrifice you social life for your studies when coursework is due.
• Be mindful with your time – It is likely you’ll take up extra hours of work alongside your Masters whether it is part-time employment or simply building on your academic/professional portfolio. With having to juggle more than just your coursework, your time is important (you’ll always be feeling like you’re running out of it) so use it wisely and give yourself breathing space so you don’t burn out.

What help can you get from your university?

Don’t worry, at Masters level you aren’t left completely to your own devices and there is help available as you go along. Universities understand the jump that a Masters course is so there's lots of support available to help you during your studies

• Get ahead of your reading lists - Universities usually provide pretty extensive reading lists for each module. Even though you will have to make sure you actively seek out new sources, these lists are a good place to start. If you’re able to access them before your course starts then take the time to read a couple of the main titles to get your mind into the subject.
• Book onto induction or skills sessions – These are usually run by the Library and are great refreshers or opportunities to develop your study techniques.
• Use the study spaces – Libraries and study spaces are available on most university campuses, so make the most of them during your self-study hours. It’s a lot easier to chat through groupwork in a dedicated location with resources at your fingertips! Although there are also student discussion forums that you can use to discuss coursework with your peers and give or receive feedback.

Masters study can be hard but it is so worth it for the advancement in your knowledge and study skills whether you decide to join the workforce or continue studying as a PhD student.

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