Study a Master's Degree: A Guide to Master's Degrees

Looking to undertake Master's studies? An MA? Or an MSc maybe? What do all these abbreviations mean? Is there a difference between them? Is getting a Master's worth it? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Master's studies.

In this guide, we will cover:

• What is a Master's degree?
• What Specializations Can I Do in a Master's Degree?
• How Long Does It Take To Get A Master's?
• What Are The Requirements To Study A Master's?
• What Can I Do With a Master’s?
• What Can I Get From a Master's?
• What Is The Average Salary of a Master's Graduate?
• How Much Does Getting a Master's Cost?
• Can I Do a Master's Online?

What is a Master’s degree?

The first thing you'll need to know is what a Master's degree actually means! Prospective students need to first complete a Bachelor’s degree program in order to receive a Master’s degree, which is awarded after completing one or two-year postgraduate programs after the Bachelor's.

There are lots of types of Master degrees: MSc (Master of Science), MA (Master of Arts), MPhil (Master of Philosophy), MEd (Master of Education), LLM (Master of Law), etc. Which type you’ll get depends on each school, and how they decide to categorize the degree. The most common titles are MSc and MA. 

What kind of Master's program should I apply for?

That depends! What are your goals? Are you hoping to get a job that requires a specific qualification, or are you looking to gain a wider array knowledge in your current field? A career in some fields, such as psychology or economics, could benefit from either an MA or an MSc. Other fields, such as engineering, are more specific in what kind of Master's program is more relevant. 

Also think about the kind of classroom instruction you're looking for. If you prefer a more liberal approach, an MA might be right for you. If you would rather have more emphasis on research and theory, an MSc will fit your learning goals!

What is a MSc (Master of Science) degree?

Programs which award the MSc title, also known as a Master of Science, often focus on numbers, calculations and scientific methodologies. You will be engaged in scientific research, but that's not limited to STEM! The actual topic of study can vary greatly between programs, ranging from an MSc in Biotechnology or Engineering to International Education or Sustainable Development.

Whichever field you choose, scientific research should be at the top of your list of priorities when choosing to study a Master of Science. You'll also be well prepped to pursue future PhD studies, as an MSc project can also be seen as one step on the path towards a doctoral program.

What is a MA (Master of Arts) degree?

MA programs, as the name suggests, are more focused on the arts, humanities, and social sciences, as well as philosophy and theology. An MA can also be attained in non-arts fields such as business, marketing, and social sciences, so your options aren't limited.

Generally speaking, a Master of Arts will deepen your knowledge in a field, and is often more focused on a specific subfield than a Master of Science. It's also important to know that an MA is a terminal degree, meaning that it is the highest degree you can be awarded in that specific field of research. However, students can still choose to continue to a PhD after completing an MA program.

What Specializations Can I Do in a Master's Degree?

As previously mentioned, MSc and MA tend to be the most common degrees, however, there are a number of specialized Master’s studies, and the degree titles match that. You can choose to specialize in Engineering (MEng), Research (MRes), Business Administration (MBA), Fine Arts (MFA), Music (MM/MMus), Education (MEd), Design (MDes) and many other fields.

Your course structure and the subjects you take will change depending on your specialization:

• MSc studies and other STEM-leaning degrees have more theory and reading materials.
• MA studies and specialized degrees in humanities and arts are usually more project and research-based.
• MEd (Education) programs may have a student teaching internship as a part of your curriculum, on top of research and final thesis.

Aside from the title on your degree and the coursework material covered during the program, there aren’t that many differences in the “ranking” or reputation between the degrees.

However, some universities might require specialized degrees in order to apply for particular PhD programs. For example, in order to get a PhD in Anthropology, you may have a prerequisite of a completed MA study. This is why it’s important to always check the requirements for the PhD program you’re interested in. Similarly, some job positions can require a specific Master’s degree - like having a Master’s in Music in order to work as a professor at a music university.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Master’s?

Generally, Master’s studies last 1 to 2 years, by the end of which you’ll have earned 60 to 120 ECTS credits, or 30 to 60 US college credits. The exact number of months and credits varies between countries, universities and degrees. 

How long it’ll take you to get a Master’s depends on several factors. Main ones are the country you wish to study in, how many credits you currently have from your Bachelor’s degree and your pace of study. 

The length of Master’s studies varies from country to country. In the EU/EEA, they tend to be two years, while in most countries outside of Europe one-year programs are the standard. In the US, one-year degrees are more common due to the four-year Bachelor’s programs. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany, on the other hand, two-year Master’s degrees are typical since their Bachelor’s programs are usually three years. 

You may wish to consider the length of your Bachelor’s when you’re choosing your Master’s degree. This is important if you’re planning on enrolling in a PhD program, which may have a minimum credits requirement.

The Bologna Process grouped post-secondary education in Europe into three cycles - Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate. In order to apply for a PhD program, you have to complete the first two cycles, usually in a “combination” of 3+2 or 4+1. In other words, 3 years of Bachelor’s + 2 years of Master’s or 4 years of Bachelor’s + 1 year of Master’s. 

The pace at which you wish to study is also important to consider. You can choose between full-time and part-time Master’s studies. Full-time programs are more demanding in workload, but they’re shorter in length. Part-time studies provide more flexibility at the cost of the program taking longer to complete.

Some universities (especially from the US) also offer Accelerated Master’s degree programs for particularly ambitious students. Students in these programs take courses whose credits count towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This is done to reduce the overall time it takes to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, but the courses are more rigorous. 

What Are The Requirements To Study A Master's?

In most cases, you’re expected to have a Bachelor’s degree and proof of meeting language requirements in order to apply for Master’s degree programs. 

The exact Master’s entry requirements vary a lot between countries and degrees, so it’s very important to check the program’s application requirements on the university website.  

However, there are a few common requirements across many programs:

Grades

Grades, or the average of all your grades, can be very important for some Master’s degree programs, i.e. for engineering or other STEM fields. Some universities with higher world rankings may even have a GPA cut-off due to the competitiveness of their programs.

Personal/motivation letter

Personal letter or SOP (statement of purpose) is another important element to your admission success. Some countries, like Sweden, put a lot of emphasis on personal letters - they’re sometimes the only requirement for selection (aside from Bachelor’s degree and language requirement). 

To write a successful motivation letter, make sure to do your research on the institution you're interested in and the professors you'll be studying under. Remember that professors and recruiters have probably read through many cliché letters and templates you can find online, so try to come across as authentic and enthusiastic. Tell your story, but don't forget to explain why that specific institution is the right match for you, and why you're the right candidate for them.

Work/research experience

Some Master’s degree programs require you to have prior experience in the field, be it industry or research experience. This is especially common for Master's programs in Business Administration (MBAs).

Depending on the program you’re looking to apply for, this requirement may offset grades or other criteria - for example, when applying for a Master’s in education or machine learning. In other cases, work experience can help you stand out from the crowd.  

Specific Bachelor’s program requirements

Certain Master’s degree programs, like nursing, visual arts or economics, require you to hold a Bachelor’s degree in the same or similar field.

On the other hand, there are Master’s degrees you can apply for with any Bachelor’s. Such programs are usually in the fields of business, management, international relations and communication.

Language requirements

Proof of language proficiency is almost always needed for international students, unless you’re a native speaker.

• Programs in English ask for certificates such as TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent.
• Studies in German generally require certificates of proficiency at level C1 or higher (DSH, VWU or from specialized courses).
• For programs in French, you should be ready to present one of the language certificates (DELF, DALF, TCF or Le TEF) or prove that you’ve been studying French for multiple years if a certificate isn’t specified.

Other requirements

If you’re applying for a Master’s in the US (or universities following their higher-education model), there may be more requirements you need to meet, such as completing a GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) test, submitting at least two letters of recommendation or uploading a CV/Resume. 

Programs in the fields of visual design, illustration, web design, UX and similar, may require you to submit a personal portfolio as a part of your application.

What Can I Do With a Master’s?

Master’s degrees are useful for many things. They show a deep understanding of your field or specialization, and a dedication to the subject or topic of research. 

Pursue a career in academia

For those who wish to continue pursuing research and enroll in a PhD program, a Master’s is a must. Not only is it a requirement for most doctoral programs, it’s also a good introduction to the world of graduate studies - journal publishing, networking, cooperation on research projects and more.

Furthermore, a terminal degree like MA may allow you to work as a professor at a university without having to complete a PhD.

Use your degree to get a higher salary

Master’s also helps with your career outside of academia. Having a Master’s degree doesn’t just look good on your resume, it also allows you to earn a higher salary.

For example, a research done by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) showed that graduates with a Master’s in biology earned up to 86.5% more than their Bachelor’s counterparts.

Although some Master’s create potential for a bigger salary difference than others, it’s still worth looking into depending on the field you’re interested in.

What Can I Get From a Master’s?

As a Master’s student, you’ll most likely find yourself doing more independent research than during your Bachelor’s. You’ll get to experience the world of academic research, networking, paper publishing, attending scientific conferences, and much more. 

All of these practical skills, on top of the in-depth knowledge Master’s studies provide, are highly in-demand in today’s specialized world. Companies are constantly looking for experts to solve specific problems they’re facing, or to work on projects as consultants. Master’s degree programs allow students to build upon their Bachelor’s studies and apply their knowledge in various specialized contexts within their field. This makes Master’s graduates highly competitive and employable. 

Aside from employability and increased opportunities for work and self-development in your chosen field, you may also use a Master’s to explore and expand your interests, and even change careers. You may realize that you’re no longer interested in the subject of your Bachelor’s after graduation, or something else piques your interest. Instead of going through a new three-year or four-year Bachelor’s, you may choose to pursue a Master’s degree program and look for opportunities in another field.

What Is The Average Salary of a Master's Graduate?

The average salary of Master’s graduates varies a lot across countries and fields. Some countries value international Master’s degrees more, while others prefer domestic degrees.

However, the general trend is that holders of Master’s degrees tend to earn higher salaries than those with Bachelor’s degrees only. Here are some rough numbers.

United States - graduate starting salaries

United Kingdom - graduate salaries (Source: Payscale, 2022)

Germany - salaries for types of degrees (Source: Payscale, 2022)

How Much Does Getting a Master's Cost?

How much a Master’s degree will cost you depends on a large number of factors: from the country you wish to study in, your citizenship, whether you qualify for funding and scholarships, if you need a visa or not, etc.

Here is a short overview of the tuition costs in some of the more popular countries for Master’s studies.

Can I Do a Master's Online?

Yes! Online Master’s and distance learning courses have become increasingly present due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and students tend to prefer this option due to the overall lower costs, less travel time and more flexibility in learning.

More and more universities are offering online courses and entire online or hybrid programs. It’s a great option if you’d like to study at an international university but can’t or don’t want to pay for the living costs of more expensive countries.