subject: How A Masters Degree Could Help You [print this page] After finishing an undergraduate degree there are a number of options open to you you could go straight into a career centred on your degree subject, or you could continue your education with a Masters degree.
In some cases going into work is the best idea, especially if you want to be able to earn a living instantly. Depending on the subject you have studied though, you may find that additional learning is required. This can be very true for specialised subjects, such as those in science and law. With these disciplines getting a Masters is usually advised, as you will be able to take a step up the career ladder into a higher level position.
Finding a graduate career role is now even harder than before, due to the low number of entry level jobs being advertised. Alongside this issue comes the problem that more and more graduates are now applying for positions, so you could be up against a virtual wall of other graduates when applying.
Advancing your studies will help to put your skills on the map, so you can show employers that you are more dedicated to your career. If you want to really stand out getting a high finishing grade on a Masters degree that is directly connected to the job you are applying for will certainly make potential employers notice you more.
You will also be able to gain knowledge in your field of study, so your understanding of the ins and outs of the subject will be far superior to that of your undergraduate competitors. You may even find that, for subjects such as physics, astrophysics and biophotonics, employers wont even take a second look at you without a Masters degree.
Many people find they are unable to continue their learning due to lack of funds, which can be incredibly difficult if you view your Masters degree as a necessary step into your career field. There are ways around this issue though, such as studying part time to spread the cost of your degree or applying to funding from student bodies.
One of the most important things to remember when researching Masters degrees is that you should always pick a university that suits you. Choosing the wrong university for your master degree could be disastrous, as you could end up wasting money on sub-standard study, so always do your research prior to applying.
