This is a guest blog written by Avneet Sandhu, a Science tutor on MyTutor, and one of your 2023 Tutor Reps.
So you’ve completed your undergraduate course, what to do next?
Completing your undergraduate degree is a big step in your academic journey. It may feel like a big relief to finally complete your course, but for some, it’s daunting deciding what to do next. There’s a whole host of opportunities available for graduates to take, but is a master’s the best option?
My experience of my master’s degree so far 🧑🎓
I am studying for a Master of Science (MSc) in Foundations of Clinical Psychology. I chose to do this subject as I’m interested in pursuing a Clinical Psychology doctorate and I believe this post-graduate degree will enable me to step up my skills and knowledge for the doctorate. I didn’t start my Masters straight after my undergraduate degree and took a year to work full-time so I could make sure I was in a good financial and mental position beforehand.
It’s been a challenging but extremely rewarding experience for me. When I was applying for an Assistant Psychologist position, it helped me to stand out. I feel more confident in my knowledge and skills relating to applied psychology because of it.
Difference between a postgraduate and undergraduate degree 📓
A master’s degree inevitably requires more time commitment and is arguably more difficult than an undergraduate degree. In England, a full-time undergraduate year will require you to complete 120 credits worth of modules, whereas a full-time Master’s year will require you to complete 160 credits worth of modules. This means you’ll have more lectures and assessments and ultimately do more work whilst studying for a Master’s compared to an undergraduate degree.
What course you study can also significantly impact your experience of a master’s. Research versus taught master’s programmes will require different commitments.
Assessments are also marked differently at the master’s level. Postgraduate marking criteria are often more rigorous and require you to adapt your writing style from the undergraduate level. If you do choose to do a Master’s, make sure you’re familiar with the new marking criteria and ask your lecturers for guidance.
How to decide if a master’s is right for you 🤔
Deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree can be a big decision. My advice is to carefully consider your financial and personal circumstances before you decide whether or not to do it.
Although a master’s degree is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge of a particular field and develop your transferable skills, there’s a significant investment of time, money, and effort required. You may want to think about whether you need a master’s for your desired career, and how you’ll fund it before deciding what to do.
There are also many different types of post-graduate courses available. You can study for post-graduate diplomas, post-graduate certificates, or a master’s. master’s courses can be taught programmes or research programmes. Make sure you research your relevant course and university to find out what’s best for you!
I hope that this blog gives you some insight into whether you should do a Master’s degree. Whatever you decide to do after your undergraduate degree depends on you as a person and there is no right ‘path’. Make sure you prioritise yourself first and consider carefully what will be the most useful graduate route for you before making a decision.
For more support on this, check out these links👇
UCAS – Choosing a university for postgraduate study
Prospects- Which Masters degree is right for me?
Find a Masters – What Masters Should I Do?
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us on tutors@mytutor.co.uk or 0203 773 6024.