Who Needs a Master's Degree: Five Reasons to Continue Your Studies
After receiving a bachelor's degree, the question arises, what to do next: go to work or enroll in a master's degree? Is it possible to combine both? If you have doubts about the next stage of study, we suggest paying attention to the list of reasons why you should take a closer look at master's programs.
Change of occupation
Requirements of foreign universities to the applicant's previous education are often not limited to specific areas. This makes it possible to change the occupation.For example, you applied to sociology or political science, which involved engaging in academic activities. If you change your mind over time, there will be a chance to choose a more applied specialty.You will be able to study in management or other areas. The main thing is to show motivation to study in the chosen program.
You enjoy doing research
Master's degree is a compulsory degree before PhD. Are you fond of doing research or teaching in higher education? Then be sure to continue to study further - there are more opportunities for this in the master's program. Successful and motivated students who strive for pursuing science are awarded grants and scholarships. You can also choose a program that focuses on research - research programs.
Getting a narrow specialty
Undergraduate studies give extensive knowledge of the program you have chosen. They are often more theoretical, despite possible practice. The master's degree gives a chance to choose a narrow direction that became interesting to you while you were studying. For example, you were educated and became a manager, but all your life you were interested in sports. Then Sports Management Programs are made for you. Or you got an engineering degree, but you want to deal with the environment. Then you have the chance to enroll in an interdisciplinary program in this area (here you will see examples of such programs). You will be able to unlearn an interesting specialty, and gain professional knowledge and advantages that you have in your bachelor's degreedid not have.
Possibility of relocation or travel
It is much easier to apply for a master's degree abroad than for a bachelor's degree. There is no need to study for a year in your home country or take exams other than entrance exams to avoid an academic difference. There are good full scholarships for masters.Among the most popular are:
Visby Program in Sweden,
Fulbright in USA,
Chevening Scholarship in the UK,
Programs Erasmus Mundus .
Universities also offer exchange programs that will help you travel temporarily to a university in another country. There are also separate research grants that apply not only to graduate students, but also to masters.
Combination of science and work
If you have not yet decided whether you would like to do science or start work, take a closer look at the master's degree. First, as we have already mentioned, you cannot get into graduate school without a master's degree. Secondly, it is not difficult for graduate students to find a part-time job or a paid internship: you already have a bachelor's degree, but in addition to that, you are now getting a narrow specialty.It is impossible to say that the load on masters is less.It all depends on your program. But nevertheless, the students have time for a part-time job. Sometimes it can be counted as educational practice.
Useful Links
If you are interested in master's programs, have a look at the search section on our website.
So take a look at these collections of Master's programs in different fields: