More and more students and professionals are opting to study for a Master’s degree in the UK, with 13% more people achieving a postgraduate degree in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Whether you’re considering your options after graduation, or looking to return to education to enhance your career, a Master’s degree could be the ideal choice for you. Read on to uncover our top 5 reasons to study a Master’s degree in the UK!
One of the main motivations for students studying for a Master’s degree is to enhance their career. Having a Master’s degree on your CV can show potential employers that you have the skills and stamina to succeed in your chosen field, or can help you carve out a specialism in an upcoming or existing career path.
For those hoping to have a career in academia, a Master’s degree is also a great – and in most cases, necessary – way to progress to a PhD. For many PhD courses, having at least a 2:1 Master’s degree is a requirement.
A Master’s degree isn’t just an option for students finishing their undergraduate degrees – many professionals opt to return to university after they have established their career to supplement their expertise, learn new things, change careers, or specialise further in their subject. This in turn may improve their job prospects, and lead to higher salaries and more fulfilling roles.
Your chance of earning more money from a job after graduation is significantly higher for postgrads than it is for graduates. According to research, Master’s degree recipients also occupy a higher number of professional occupations, managerial positions, directors, and senior official roles. If you have aspirations to advance further in your career, you may be in a better position to do so with a Master’s degree to back up your skills.
From the things you learn to the people you meet and places you will go to, nothing opens the world to you like attending university. You may have already finished your undergraduate degree, but a postgraduate degree can still offer you the opportunity to live away from home and try things outside your comfort zone.
This is especially true of our International students. A Master’s degree is an internationally recognised qualification with over 70 degree subjects to choose from, including Business Analytics, Medical Education, Climate Change, and Engineering.
If you are an International student interested in studying for a Master’s degree in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for scholarship funding, such as the British Council GREAT Scholarships, British Chevening Scholarship, and our own scholarship schemes. There are also many career opportunities available to graduates, including some in the UK’s Best Workplaces.
Having a passion for their subject or a love for learning is often the driving force behind further study in higher education for many. If you love your subject and want to take it further than an undergraduate degree would allow, applying for a related Master’s degree is the perfect way to continue the journey. If you have been out of education for a few years, a Master’s degree might be just the spark you need to reignite your passion and give you the satisfaction of knowing you have contributed to the world’s knowledge.
An excellent education isn’t the only thing you’ll get out of attending university – for many students, the experience of attending university is just as important as the qualification you receive at the end of your course.
The postgraduate experience varies from the undergraduate experience – you are no longer straight out of school, sixth form or college, and your aspirations will reflect that. You may want to do Fresher’s Week differently or explore accommodation options, but you can still get involved in everything the university has to offer, enjoy the cultural scene this city has to offer and make friends for life from the like-minded people you meet on your course.
University provides you with the opportunity to enhance and learn new skills that go beyond what you would have learned during your Bachelor’s degree too. For those hoping to network while studying for a Master’s, the university environment attracts other academics, giving you the chance to meet new people, grow your network, and make connections the likes of which you may never have been able to before.