What is a Masters Degree?

Written by Taru Medha

A Masters is a postgraduate academic qualification that builds on an existing undergraduate degree or professional experience. In the UK, a Masters is typically completed over one to two years full-time, involves intensive coursework and finishes with a dissertation or research project.

A Masters is a Level 7 qualification, which means it’s a level higher than a Bachelors but lower than a PhD. It is a great way to help you build upon current knowledge, obtain a high skilled job and boost your future career and salary options. Whether it’s also just a socially acceptable way to delay entering the “real world” . . . I’ll let you decide!

If you’re thinking of doing a Masters, I discuss every detail of what a Masters degree is, from types and lengths to difficulty and entry requirements, in this guide.

Masters degrees – a summary
Qualification level	Level 7 (NQF) postgraduate qualification
Type	Taught and research
Length	1-2 years full-time
Credits value	180 CATS / 120 ECTS
Availability	Worldwide

Understanding Masters study Studying a Masters degree Masters degrees around the world

Understanding a Masters degree

Unlike a Bachelor's course, postgraduate study is much more varied. A Masters can be either taught or research based and students have more opportunity to study part-time or online.

There are also a wider range of Masters degrees compared to Bachelors. Aside from the MA or MSc, some subjects or specific institutions have their own specialist degrees.

You’ll have the chance to select from a variety of different degree types and pick the right qualification for you. As part of this, you’ll be able to specialise with subject-specific degrees, or other highly focussed courses.

Which Masters qualification is right for you?

The range of options on offer at Masters-level doesn't have to be confusing. Our guide to postgraduate study covers all the common types of Masters degree (from the MA and MSc to the MFA and MLitt) as well as PGDip and PGCert courses.

Types of Masters degrees

Unlike undergraduate degrees, Masters courses can be ‘taught’ or ‘research’ based:

Taught Masters are a lot like undergraduate degrees. You’ll study a series of modules before going on to complete an extended dissertation. (E.g. MA or MSc)
Research Masters involve much more independent study. They can still include taught units, but you’ll spend more time on your own supervised research work. (E.g. MRes or MPhil)

Here’s a comparison of taught and research Masters to help you decide which one’s right for you:

Taught Masters	Research Masters
You’ll have structured courses with lectures, seminars, and assessments.	You’ll have to conduct independent research, often culminating in a thesis.
You’re likely to have pre-determined curriculum with specific modules.	You’ll be concentrating on a more flexible, self-directed research project.
You’ll have to take exams, submit assignments and complete coursework-based assessments.	Your dissertation or thesis will make up most (often as much as 60%) of your final grade.
You’ll have a fixed timetable with lectures, seminars and exams.	You’ll still have some teaching, but it’s minimal and you’ll be focussing on your independent work.
They’re more suited to students wanting a career in industry, education or management.	They’re more suited to students wanting a career in academia or research.

There is a third type: the professional Masters, like an MBA or LLM. These are generally considered a type of taught Masters since they follow a similar structure. However, the key difference is that professional Masters are tailored for specific professions. While they include taught elements, they place emphasis on career-focussed training.

Student story: Studying a taught Masters – expectations vs reality

Maka tells us how her experiences studying a Bachelors and Masters in Journalism were “worlds apart”.

Other ‘Masters-level’ postgraduate degrees

(Almost) all Masters degrees are postgraduate qualifications. But, not all postgraduate qualifications are Masters degrees.

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are Masters-level degrees, but they’re shorter and you don’t have to write a dissertation.

Here's a quick summary of the different levels of postgraduate study in the UK:

Levels of postgraduate study
Qualification	Type	UK level	Bologna level	Length
Masters	Taught or research	7	Second-cycle	1-2 years
Postgraduate Diploma	Taught	7	Second-cycle	2 semesters
Postgraduate Certificate	Taught	7	Second-cycle	1 semester
PhD	Research	8	Third-cycle	3-4 years
* This information is a general guideline and is based on full-time courses. See our guides to postgraduate qualification types for more information.

Masters vs PhD

You may also be wondering about the difference between a Masters and a PhD.

Put simply, the PhD is a fully independent research degree. A Masters still involves acquiring existing subject knowledge through teaching and mentoring. But a PhD consists entirely of original scholarship.

The core requirement for a PhD is that a student makes an ‘original contribution to knowledge’.

You might say that a Masters gives you a ‘Mastery’ of your subject as it’s currently understood. A PhD, on the other hand, is your chance to expand that understanding.

Some students use a Masters to prepare for a PhD by gaining additional knowledge, expertise and research skills.

But a Masters isn’t always a prerequisite for a PhD. In some subjects (such as Science and Engineering) students may go straight to doctoral study after an undergraduate degree.

Studying a Masters degree

Doing a Masters is a big step up from a Bachelors — more focussed, more intense and also more flexible. You can study a Masters part-time or online if you need to fit your studies around work or family life.

What your day-to-day will look like really depends on your subject — you might spend most of your time in lectures and seminars or you could be in a lab all day. Here’s what you can generally expect from a Masters degree.

Length

A full-time Masters in the UK takes one year, but programmes in other countries are often longer. A part-time Masters in the UK usually takes two years. However, you may be able to complete your Masters over up to six years, depending on your university and the pace you choose to work at.

Assessments and grades

Your final dissertation will make up most of your Masters grade. However, you may also have to complete essays, presentations or projects leading up to it. Masters programmes in the UK are usually graded as a Distinction, Merit or Pass. This system works different to Bachelors degrees, which receive a 1st, 2.1, 2.2. or 3rd. You can find out more about how it works in our guide to Masters degree grades.

Applications

Masters degrees don't normally use UCAS (or a similar centralised application system). Instead, students apply directly to universities. You can find out more in our guide to applying for a Masters, or check out specific advice on postgraduate interviews and personal statements.

Entry requirements

In most cases you'll already have completed an undergraduate degree before starting a Masters. Entry requirements usually require a 2.1 or higher in a related subject. However, sometimes lower class degrees are accepted.

Student story: Stepping up to Masters studies and coping with imposter syndrome

Kimberly shares how she found the jump up to a Masters and how to tackle the challenges of a postgraduate degree.

Masters degrees around the world

Until relatively recently, higher education systems around the world took different approaches to postgraduate study. In Europe, this has been addressed through the Bologna Process, which standardises degrees into three ‘cycles’: Bachelors, Masters and PhD. Qualifications at each level have the same recognised academic value.

As a result, ‘long cycle’ Masters programmes (which often began at undergraduate level) have mostly been replaced by modern postgraduate degrees.

There are still some differences between different countries though. For example, a full-time Masters degree in the UK tends to run for a full calendar year, while most European countries offer two-year programmes (with a summer break). And, research Masters are also more common in the UK, whereas European (and US) universities are more likely to restrict independent research to PhD level work.

Interested in studying a Masters abroad?

You can find out more in our series of detailed country guides. These cover popular postgraduate destinations in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australasia and Africa.

Tips from the author

Doing a Masters has to be a conscious decision. You shouldn’t feel forced into studying a Masters for any reason. While “But, everyone’s doing a Masters” might seem like a good enough reason, it doesn’t justify the financial and time commitment involved. There are a lot of good reasons to do a Masters (and I’ll keep shouting them from the rooftops), but there’s a lot to consider first:

Costs: Masters fees are higher than undergraduate fees (and vary depending on university and course).
Work vs study: A Masters isn’t necessary for everyone. You may be able to gain the skills you need to progress in your career whilst staying in the workforce.
Masters vs PhD: While a Masters is a good stepping-stone to a PhD, it is definitely not compulsory. Many students go straight from a Bachelors to a PhD, especially in STEM. So, if you’re thinking you need a Masters to get into research — this isn’t the case!

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an undergraduate degree for Masters study?

Not all postgraduate programmes need an undergraduate degree. If you already have relevant skills and experience you may be admitted without a Bachelors. However, this is more likely for professional courses. Make sure to check your situation with the admissions department before applying.

Do I have to begin my postgraduate course as soon as I graduate?

Even if your course requires a Bachelors degree, you don’t need to continue to postgraduate study immediately. Many students return to university after a period in work as a Masters degree can help you advance an existing career or qualify for a new one.

Is ‘postgraduate’ study the same as ‘graduate’ study?

Yes, both terms refer to the same level of education. Some countries use different terms to describe education after a Bachelor's degree. In the UK, it's called "postgraduate" study, meaning education that takes place after graduation. In the US and some other countries, the term "graduate" study is used instead.

Ready to do a Masters?

Search thousands of degrees through our course search and find your perfect Masters today!

Taru Medha

Taru joined FindAMasters as a Content Writer in 2022. She creates well-researched, thorough content for our guides and blogs, as well as short video content for our social profiles. She has a Bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University in India and completed a Masters degree in Global Journalism from the University of Sheffield in 2021, giving her personal experience with postgraduate study as an international student.

What is a Masters Degree?

Contents