Debating a Master’s? Here’s the official pros and cons list according to postgraduate students

Bethan Croft·12 July 2025·4 min read
Debating a Master’s? Here’s the official pros and cons list according to postgraduate students

You’ve just completed your undergraduate degree and now the question is picking away at you: do I dive straight into the job hunt or do I get a Master’s? Well, if you’re struggling to decide, here’s a pros and cons list to help you out, devised by postgraduate students.

Pros

If you’re looking to go into a specialised role and have a Master’s in this particular area, then you are more likely be selected over others who don’t have this extra qualification.

Sophia Crothall received her MA in Cultural and Creative Industries from Cardiff University in 2024 and said that, in her experience, having higher qualifications can help with overall job prospects.

“It is also a chance to have more freedom to delve deeper into subjects of interest,” says Sophia.

Holly Coles graduated from University of Bath after undertaking her MSc in Marketing and says that because she went to a different university for her undergraduate degree, continuing into postgrad meant that she met a whole new set of people that she was able to connect with.

A Master’s also gives you more time to decide which career path to take if you are unsure or are struggling to find a fulltime job.

If you have realised that you wanted to take you career in a different direction, or if you want to study something different to your undergrad degree (broadening your horizon whilst also opening up niche professions that require greater expertise), then this is also a great chance to do so.

Nowadays, getting an undergraduate degree is classified as ‘normal’ whereas in the past it was much more rare, this means that taking it further and completing a Master’s helps to set you further apart.

Holly also says, “You get to be a student for another year – enjoying yet another one of the best years of your life!”

Cons

Doing a Master’s degree is often more expensive than an undergraduate qualification, so it can cost a lot especially if you are living away from home.

Sophia says, “In many cases, you receive less student financial support than you would’ve at undergraduate level.” You only get one loan in total which has to cover tuition and living expenses.

A Master’s is something that needs a lot more commitment and you have to be ready to give your all into it, as it takes place over the course of a full 12 months.

Holly says that it feels a lot more intense and often needs to be treated like a 9-5 job which means it can be difficult to balance with paid work and extracurricular commitments.

If you’re looking for part-time work either during or after, you may find yourself being rejected as you are now “overqualified”, which could make you struggle more financially.

Holly has noticed that some companies are gearing towards hiring people with more experience or are looking for those that have completed placements instead as this helps to show that candidates are practically capable.

If you do a Master’s you will also have to come to terms with the fact that you will be starting your career later than others, but this could also be seen as a positive thing as you may find yourself fast-tracked to a higher position or role.

 

On top of all this, you don’t have to do your Master’s straight after graduating – you could choose to do it whilst working later on or during a career break. So, if you can’t decide now, don’t worry, the option will still be there in the future!