Deciding whether to wait or go straight into your Master’s degree from undergraduate level is a personal decision and largely depends on your individual circumstances.
Many questions are asked by students whilst they make this decision: can I afford to study a Master’s? Do I need a Master’s for the career path I want to take? Should I wait a few years and then do my Master’s?
Here’s what some postgraduates believe about whether or not you should wait.
Coming back into education after a break
Holly Coles studied her MSc Marketing at University of Bath during 2022-2023. She says, “Personally, I am so glad that I went straight into doing a Master’s after my undergraduate degree because I don’t think I could’ve come back to concentrate in the same way or write the assignments in such a disciplined way, especially with referencing!”
She thinks that if she had left education to come back, it would’ve been very difficult after getting into the rhythm and routine of working in the professional industry.
Time to get more experience
Holly says that she had the chance to gain some part time professional experience alongside her studies, “This ultimately helped me secure a job when I left. I don’t think I would’ve been in such a good position to do that without it.”
What about if I am offered a job after graduation?
If you are offered a job after doing placement, it is often wise to not turn that chance down. Opportunities like this tend to happen to students that took on internships or work placements during their second and final year of undergraduate studies and were offered a position.
As a result, some people decide to take the job and see what happens and then if they still want to do a Master’s they can come back at a later date to complete it. This allows you to gain more experience in the field, helping you to learn on the job and confirm the career route you have chosen is right for you but also ensuring you build a network of contacts.
However, if the job isn’t something that sparks your interest and you are coping okay financially, you don’t have to take it just because it was offered to you. Sometimes students are conditioned into believing they should only take what is offered to them, but a lot of the time in order to pursue the route you want to take you have to put yourself out there more – that’s when the real opportunities come towards you.
On top of this, some companies also offer to pay or partially-fund (if it benefits them) for your Master's Degree so that you can do it alongside working for them!
Financial side
If completing a Master’s isn’t a financially feasible opportunity for you but you’re still eager to do one, don’t be put off!
You can still apply for student finance or you could step back for a year (or a few if needed) to save up – that degree will wait for you and in the meantime whilst working you will build your experience too! (Win, win.)
“Covid affected my undergraduate university experience”
For Holly, and many others, Covid disrupted their chance to experience university as an undergraduate student, as the whole of second year was online. Holly says she felt like she “missed out on a full uni experience.”
So, doing whilst this wasn’t the only reason she chose to do a Master’s, she says that it was nice to gain some of that experience back during her postgraduate.
Tailor your degree to your taste
Holly says, “There are so many options available now that I think you can really tailor it to be what you want it to be as an experience and you should follow the path that gets you to where you want to go and be happy whilst doing it.”
Whether this means studying part-time so you can work or care after loved ones too, whether it means postponing for a later date or studying online – choose the route that suits you.
Want to do your Master’s abroad? Find out how to make the most of your study time abroad.
