Is a master’s degree worth it? How your career could benefit

What is a master’s degree?

A master’s degree is a postgraduate qualification that provides advanced knowledge and specialised skills in a specific field. While the entry requirements mean that you typically need an undergraduate degree to apply for a master's, you have flexibility in deciding when to pursue it. Some students will progress directly from undergraduate study. Others return to study after gaining some professional experience first.

How long does it take to complete a master's degree?

A full-time master's course usually takes twelve months of study. While this is significantly shorter than an undergraduate degree, it is likely to be more rigorous and much faster-paced. If you're balancing work and other commitments, many universities offer flexible part-time and online study options

Change career direction with a conversion degree

You probably chose your undergraduate degree at least four or five years ago — or longer, if you’re now in employment. It’s totally understandable that, with more knowledge and experience under your belt, you might now have a different career path in mind. A master's course can help you to make that switch.

What are conversion courses?

A conversion course is a master’s designed for students from different academic backgrounds. These degrees typically offer a more intensive curriculum that provides foundational knowledge and industry-specific skills within a condensed timeframe. 

They are particularly useful if you want to change your career or want to enter a sector which has specific qualification requirements.

Many disciplines offer conversion degrees designed for graduates from other fields, such as law, computing, psychology, and teaching. 

Whilst some conversion courses are designed for students who have no background in the discipline at all, and simply require an undergraduate degree in any subject, others have more specific requirements. For example, you might still need school-level exam passes in STEM subjects for certain Science and Engineering courses, if your first degree was in a non-STEM subject.

Some of our conversion courses:

• Computing and IT: Both our MSc Computer Science and our MSc Information Technology & International Business are designed for non-computing graduates who are aiming to enter the technology sector.
• Psychology: Our MSc Psychology (Conversion) course provides the necessary accreditation for those without a psychology, or even a scientific, background. It is ideal if you are wanting to pursue a career in a field such as mental health, research, counselling, or educational psychology.
• Teaching: The PGDE in both Primary and Secondary Education enables graduates to enter the teaching profession in Scotland.
• Business: Courses such as MSc Management, Strategy and Leadership mean that you can change your focus towards business, so long as your undergraduate degree enabled you to develop analytical and quantitative skills.

We also offer accelerated law degrees which are for graduate entry in both Scots law and English and Northern Irish law. These courses, while considered conversion courses, are undergraduate degrees rather than master’s qualifications and are completed over two years.

Conversion degrees such as these show employers that you are adaptable and committed to the new profession. 

Develop research skills in preparation for a PhD

If you are considering a PhD, a postgraduate degree can be useful preparation, especially if you didn’t complete a research-intensive undergraduate dissertation. 

Many master's courses include research components that will help you to improve your analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as gain experience in research methodologies. You’ll also have more opportunities to begin building a network of useful academic and professional contacts.

If your undergraduate degree marks were only average, you might also find that a strong performance at master’s level can help set you ahead of the competition and increase your chance of getting accepted for a PhD. 

Some master’s degrees can also help you to test the waters and explore whether a research career is the right fit for you. You can find out whether you really enjoy the research process and are ready to embark on a PhD. It can also make it easier for you to narrow down your research interests before committing to a doctorate. 

At the University of Dundee, in addition to offering taught Master’s degrees, we also provide opportunities for you to study for a Master’s by Research. For example:

• Our MFA/MDes by Research Art & Design degrees allow you to study independently under the supervision of a research supervisor for one year, with many students going straight into PhD studies on completion.

• The MRes — Master of Research — degree provides you with research skills. In Life Sciences, for example, you can carry out an in-depth research project in the field of molecular cell biology, gaining experience of working in a productive research university.

Specialise to improve your job prospects

If you’ve enjoyed an undergraduate topic but want to go further, then a master’s will also give you the opportunity to both explore it in depth and also to boost your earning power. 

According to the UK Government's Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2022, postgraduates continue to have higher employment rates and better job prospects than those without a master’s degree. In 2023, 78.9% of postgraduates were in high-skilled employment, demonstrating the significant advantage of postgraduate study.

Many industries value postgraduate qualifications because they demonstrate a higher level of expertise, problem-solving ability, and commitment to professional development. Employers often favour candidates with specialist knowledge, particularly in sectors such as finance, engineering, healthcare, and data science. 

Some careers specifically require a master’s qualification as there are few direct undergraduate equivalents. Fields such as curatorial practice and archives management, for example, often demand specialised postgraduate study due to their niche nature and professional requirements.

Other careers require a combination of elements from different disciplines, and a relevant master's course can tie these together, making you an ideal candidate for various jobs. For example, we offer a Master’s in Science and Health Communications at the University of Dundee, which is a growing field, and something you won't necessarily have the skills for after an undergraduate course.  

You don’t need to do a master’s degree immediately after your undergraduate studies. Some students choose to return to postgraduate study after gaining work experience. This can give you a better understanding of your industry and help you identify the best specialisation for your career goals. 

How a master’s degree can help you progress in your career

If you are already working, a master's can provide you with the necessary skills and credentials to progress in your field. Some organisations require a master’s degree for senior or leadership roles. For example, our MPH Public Health has seen graduates enter a variety of management positions, and our Global MBA will give you a qualification that is recognised by business leaders worldwide.

Studying part-time or through a flexible online programme means that you’ll be able to balance your education with your job and other responsibilities, so you can improve your career prospects without needing to take a break from employment. 

Overall, a master’s can be a highly valuable degree to have, whether you are keen to specialise in a particular field, prepare for an academic career, or change direction entirely. It can boost your career and set you apart from the competition.