How can I best select an English master’s degree?

Step 1: Consider Your Career

The first thing a student should decide when applying for a master’s degree is whether they are studying for the general value of learning, for the ability to pursue and be competitive in a particular career, or as a stepping stone to a terminal qualification such as a PhD. Although a master’s shouldn’t be selected purely on the basis of CV (resume) improvement, it is certainly recommended that postgraduate students carefully consider the types of jobs that interest them most. You should take the time to research the most appealing jobs and find out which qualifications are typically required – as you may be sufficiently qualified without even needing a master’s degree. Seeking out professional career’s advice before making that final decision might be a good idea here.

Step 2: Investigate Different Programmes

Because master’s students are expected to be effective autonomous learners, the way MA courses are delivered can be quite different to bachelor’s degrees – with generally smaller (and fewer) classes and much more engagement expected. It is therefore important for students to carefully research and compare a variety of different programmes before making their final decision, educating themselves on what will be expected. The following four considerations may help when doing so:

1. Entry Requirements: A bachelor’s is almost always a prerequisite qualification, but depending on the MA it may be unnecessary to have one in the exact subject area – although a bachelor’s in the arts probably wont qualify for a masters in the sciences. Occasionally, work experience in place of a specific qualification can be enough to supplement an existing qualification or gain direct access onto a course, so do enquire.
2. Course Syllabus and Assessments: Two MAs of the same name but at different institutions may in fact be very dissimilar courses. Students should therefore read about the modules on offer for a particular course and learn about assessment expectations – such as whether primary research papers, examinations and dissertations will be required. One aspect to also consider is whether the course is considered a research or taught programme, as this simple distinction will impact the amount of time spent in the classroom, the type of assessments undertaken and the skills developed.
3. Cohort Size: In many European and North-American universities, an MA cohort can be very small with class sizes not exceeding twelve. In fact, cohorts as small as five or six students for one course is not uncommon. However, for master’s degrees in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, larger classes sizes may be the norm, changing how students and tutors interact both inside and outside of class.
4. Contact Hours: Finally, if the MA programme is heavily research focused, it is possible for there to be as few as three contact hours per week with tutors – which may be considered too few for some. In the UK, between six and nine hours spent in seminars is a fairly normal number, with tutors also offering office hours in which you can visit for additional assistance. Additionally, because master’s degrees are more vocationally focussed, some consideration may also be given to when classes are scheduled, with some courses offering evening and weekend lessons – particularly for part-time students.