You are successfully registered
Thanks for telling us about yourself, ! Now we know who we're talking to, and can create content you'll love
We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.You can manage your preferences now or at any time.
We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.
The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.
You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.
For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.
They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.
You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.
Functional cookies
These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.
Performance cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.
If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.
Marketing cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.
Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.
A master’s degree is the most popular postgraduate qualification. It’s usually taken after an undergraduate degree and before a doctorate. Courses can be either taught or research-based.
Taught master’s courses have timetabled classes. The most common qualifications are Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc). You’ll also come across others such as Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Engineering (MEng).
Research master’s courses have fewer contact hours and require more independent study. The most common qualifications are Master of Research (MRes) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil).
How long is a master’s degree?
In the UK, a master’s degree usually takes one or two years if studied full-time, two or more if studied part-time. This includes time spent completing a dissertation or large project.
Several undergraduate degrees have an integrated master’s degree at the end of the course. This means you study for four years instead of three, and earn both qualifications.
Most master’s courses begin in September or October. Some start in January.
What qualifications do you need for a master’s?
For most master’s courses at universities and colleges in the UK, you’ll need at least a second-class (2.2) honours in a relevant undergraduate degree. Subject-specific requirements vary between courses and institutions.
How is a master’s degree taught?
Taught master’s courses have timetabled lectures, seminars and other activities such as lab sessions. They’re similar to undergraduate courses where you work through several modules and are led by course tutors.
You take charge of your studies outside of classes, but tutors are available to guide you throughout. You can expect anything from 6 to 20 or more hours of contact time per week.
Research master’s courses demand a lot more independent study. You work on your own research projects and receive guidance from an academic tutor. You have very few or no timetabled contact hours and instead attend a small number of supervision sessions.
How are master’s degrees assessed?
Depending on your chosen course and institution, you may have to sit exams, be assessed on practicals, submit coursework and complete a final dissertation or project.
Master’s degrees are usually awarded as a pass, merit, distinction or fail.
What skills do you learn?
During a master’s degree, you develop skills specific to your subject area. You also build transferable skills that are useful across different careers, such as:
How much does a master’s cost?
Fees can vary widely between courses and institutions across the UK, from £4,000 to £30,000 per year (full-time). On average, master’s courses cost £8,000 to £11,000 per year.
Course fees are often higher for international students, averaging around £16,000 to £21,800 per year.
Master’s degree facts
It's a Level 7 qualification (RQF).
Some undergraduate qualifications include a master’s degree as part of the course.
In Scotland, the Scottish MA is an undergraduate degree.
Wondering what to expect when it comes to studying a Ma...
The routes for postgraduate students to get loans for their continuing education have changed quite ...