Masters Study in the USA – 2025

Over one million international students choose the USA as their study abroad destination, making it the most popular international study destination in the world! America is known for its comprehensive approach to postgraduate education, combining enhanced subject knowledge and research opportunities with the development of a suite of transferrable skills.

• World-class universities – Masters universities in the USA dominate the postgraduate global rankings tables – out of the top 50 in the Times Higher Education’s league, 23 are based in the US.
• International outlook – America is by far the most popular destination for international students, and with good reason – its institutions offer an unparalleled breadth of qualifications to choose from.
• Funding opportunities - It’s true that a Masters in the USA won’t necessarily be cheap, but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of funding opportunities for talented overseas students.
• Career opportunities – Once you have completed your course, there is a huge and active job market waiting for you! Health, technology, business and management sectors are some of the most popular in America.

Where can you study a Masters in USA?

With more than 3,000 universities, there is a lot to choose from. US universities constantly rank well in world university rankings. We've looked at the top 5 universities according to three popular university rankings below. Keeping in mind the scale of the postgraduate education in the USA, we have a full guide explaining the kind of universities you can apply to and a deeper look into some of the best ones for a Masters in USA.

What kinds of Masters can you study in USA?

If you’re doing a Masters in America, you’ll be studying at a more advanced level and be expected to think and study more independently. However, your day-to-day experience will depend on the type of graduate programme you enrol on and what its intended outcomes are.

• Academic Masters programmes are similar to traditional taught Masters degrees in other countries. They focus on broad subject areas and conclude with a substantial research task and the submission of an associated thesis. However, they tend to be less specialised than their international equivalents. In most cases, students on academic Masters programmes choose from a range of modules. (also called ‘courses’ or ‘classes’). ‘Core’ modules are mandatory (ones delivering core knowledge and methodological training) and others will be ‘elective’ giving you the freedom to shape some parts of your degree according to your interests.
• Professional Masters are often offered by specialist grad schools and provide the vocational skills and technical training required for particular professional careers. Professional Masters programmes are likely to have fewer elective modules than academic programmes. Instead, you will be required to complete a stricter syllabus of core training. Whereas academic Masters programmes conclude with a dissertation, professional Masters programmes usually replace this with a formal internship in a relevant company.

'Graduate' vs 'postgraduate'

First things first: Americans don't tend to use the term 'postgraduate'. At least not in the same way as universities and students in other countries. Rather than studying as a 'postgraduate' in the USA, you’ll probably enrol onto a 'graduate' programme. This may also be organised within a specific 'graduate school' (or 'grad school') at your university.

The word 'postgraduate' (or 'post-graduate') is still sometimes used at American universities. But it normally refers to someone who has completed graduate-level training up to PhD level. Such a person would probably be looking for a post-doctoral or early career academic position, not a Masters degree.

We have continued to use the term ‘postgraduate’ in this guide and our other study in USA content, but don’t worry if you see American universities using the term 'graduate' instead.

How long is a Masters in USA?

A Masters degree at an American university usually takes around two years of full-time study to complete (though some courses are shorter). Part-time courses take longer (usually double the time of a full-time degree).

Even though this is longer than in some other countries, you’ll have additional development opportunities and, in some cases, the chance to shorten the time required to earn a PhD, if you decide to do one.

Academic calendar for a Masters in USA: Semester vs Quarter system

The academic year in American universities is structured slightly differently than in other countries. Universities work on either the semester or the quarter system which determines how long semesters last, when they begin, and how many modules students can take at once.

• If you’re studying on the semester system, you’ll have two 15-week terms. This is the more common system that about 95% of all American universities follow. A semester system usually runs from late August to early May with one term in autumn (or fall) followed by a winter break and the next in spring, followed by a summer break. If you‘re a full-time student, you’ll be able to take four or five courses (equivalent to 15 credits) per term.
• A quarter system is made up of hour 10-week terms spread across the year. They usually run from mid-September to early June. Only a few universities in the US follow the quarter system but some notable ones that do are Stanford University and University of Chicago. If you‘re a full-time student, you’ll be able to take three or four courses per term (equivalent to 9-12 credits).

How are Masters in USA assessed and graded?

If you’re enrolled on an American Masters, you'll be working towards your degree, with regular assessments and training tasks. Courses are usually organised into modules and your final grade will be determined by a weighted combination of the grades you receive across these individual units (including any dissertation project or internship).

But what makes the USA unique is its emphasis on continuous assessment and its use of a Grade Point Average (GPA) system (see below). Masters programmes in countries such as the UK are more likely to assess students at the conclusion of modules. The USA, on the other hand, favours regular evaluation and feedback via routine coursework and assignments.

What is a Grade Point Average?

Put simply, a Grade Point Average is the weighted average of all the grades you have received so far on your course. The weight of each mark will depend on its significance within your course. This usually corresponds with the number of hours of study it is held to represent. Maintaining a strong GPA can be important if you receive funding for your Masters degree. Scholarships may set performance requirements for financial support to continue or renew during your course.

What our Masters study in USA guides cover

If you're interested in studying a Masters in the USA, We've covered everything you need to know in our guides including:

• Applications: Find out about entry requirements and what you'll need to apply.
• Visas: What kind of visa do international students need and how to apply for it.
• Fees and funding: Learn about the cost of a Masters in the USA and the scholarships and other funding opportunities you have.
• Working in the USA: Find out about opportunities to work during and after a Masters in the USA.
• Living in the USA: Your guide to accommodation, living costs and more in some of the most popular student cities including New York, LA and Boston!