How do you start looking for a Master's degree? To begin with, it's reasonable to assume that things are a lot more complicated at the postgraduate level. You have pretty wide bachelor's degrees in quite broad disciplines at the undergraduate level because that is how undergraduate education works. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Arts in History.
You do have those kinds of degrees at the postgrad level but they’re also a lot more specialized many more specialized options. So, for example, you could have a Master of Arts in Medieval History or a Master of Science in Polymer Chemistry.
Many courses aren’t MA or MSc qualifications; for example, there are shorter postgraduate certificates and diplomas, as well as more specialized professional occupational degrees. There are also many ways to study at the postgraduate level, not just in terms of part-time or full-time, but also in terms of talk courses and more independent research courses, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of universities to select from while looking for a Master’s degree. So, where should you begin?
What Master’s degrees are available?
When looking for a Master’s degree, the first thing you should do is take a break, slow down, and re-acquaint yourself with your subject area. There will be a plethora of additional possibilities available to you, some of which will be specialized, which is exciting.
You might have the chance to do an entire master’s in the particular theme you enjoyed at the undergrad level. But, all these options can also be a bit bewildering, so it’s a good idea to get your bearings. You may utilize a site like FindAMasters to just look around and see what types of specializations and programs are available in a certain area so you can get a sense of what’s out there. Select the discipline that interests you, scroll through, see what you see, and get a sense of what’s available.
Master’s degrees details
The next thing to do, once you’ve got a sense of what’s out there, is to start diving into the details and look closely at the course descriptions for the different Masters you’re interested in. Even if two courses look the same they, almost certainly won’t be, there are lots to consider here are a few things to start with.
1. specific modules
First and foremost, look at the exact modules to see what you’ll study for that master’s degree because it will be different from other master’s degrees at other universities, even though the course titles appear to be relatively similar.
The modules as well as what you’ll study reflect the staff interest and expertise that’s important at the postgrad level when you’ll be working more closely with those academics you know, do these sound like the sorts of things you’re interested in learning about and potentially researching for yourself?
2. assessment methods
You could also find some information about assessment methods. looking at that might feel like you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself but it’s useful to know whether or not you’re going to be examined using exams or coursework, you know how many essays will you have to write, roughly how long will they be, you know how many of each what kind of assessment methods do you prefer.
3. course timetable
Another item to consider is the course schedule, if you can find it; how flexible is it, will you be able to fit those class times around other commitments, will it suit your travel needs, and so on? You may also be able to see some information on the tutors who are responsible for that course and possibly learn a little more about them, such as what their research interests are and what they are currently researching; this can be useful if you’re thinking about your dissertation and the options you have.
4. course fees
Finally, consider the fees, which will vary greatly amongst courses.
Types of Master’s degrees
when you’re looking at these different options, you won’t just be seeing MA or MSc courses, you might see a few other types of qualifications. So, for example, you might come across a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or postgraduate diploma (PGDip) course. These are similar to shorter master’s degrees in that they don’t usually include as many modules or a dissertation, but they can be worth considering if you want to finish a course faster or with more flexibility.
You might also come across an MRes, or Master of Research, which is a research-focused master’s degree. If you choose a program like this, you’ll still have certain modules to complete, but you’ll be spending a lot more time on independent project work, which could be precisely what you’re looking for.
It’s also a good idea to learn more about the university that’s offering the Master’s program, so look into institution profiles to learn more about the department or the university in general. If you want to look at rankings, you can do so as well.
If you’re considering pursuing a Ph.D., you could also have a look at the type of research the university is currently doing, and the easiest way to do so is probably to go to FindAPhD and look at the projects that they currently have posted.
Tips to help you search for a Master’s degrees
here are a few tips to help you search for masters and a few hacks you might like to try as well.
1. Could you continue your studies at your undergraduate institution?
Your first thought might be, “Should I stay or should I go?” It’s likely that you’re currently enrolled in university for your undergraduate studies or that you’ve already graduated from a university and are considering returning or remaining there.
Always evaluate both choices, in my opinion. Your current university will have a familiarity that will help you settle in, and they may also offer you an alumni discount, which is fairly common these days, but you know it’s a bit daft not to at least check and sees what else is available, so as I said, even if you’re happy with your current university, pop your subject area and see what else is out there.
2. check course fees
When you find a course that interests you, use the title as a keyword search to see what else pops up. Other courses may be available that are even better. It’s also worth noting that when you see a charge for a postgraduate course, don’t assume it’s the fee; it’s likely to vary significantly between programs.
3. get in touch with universities
Please contact the universities using the contact forms on our website; they would be pleased to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. If you can’t find a specific detail about the course or want to learn more about some of the modules, please ask.
4. stay up to date
Postgraduate study evolves at a far faster rate than undergraduate study, so it’s important to keep up with what’s going on. Subscribing to our newsletter, which we send out once a week and is free, is one method to do so. It contains information about new courses that have been added to the site, new financing options, future open days, and so on.
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