Simple Do’s and Don’ts for Choosing a Master’s Degree

A post-graduate or master’s degree can be an incredible thing. The ultimate evidence you’re committed to your field, these demonstrate your incredible skill and love of a specific industry. Of course, a post-graduate degree also requires years of study, significant investment, and a lot of time, it’s important to ensure you’re not rushing into the wrong decision. If you’re trying to figure out what kind of program is right for you, you’re in the right place. Here are some simple and memorable do’s-and-don’ts to think about when you’re looking into the ideal master’s degree. 

What to Do

The first and most obvious thing you should do before you begin applying to any post-graduate programs, is to think about what you want in your future. What kind of career do you hope to get from your degree, and how do you know whether this specific degree is going to be what your employer is looking for? Let’s look at some additional do’s when choosing:

• Do Pick an In-Demand Skill: Ultimately, you need to ensure the time and money you’re putting into your master’s is going to pay off. Make sure there’s a lot of demand for the skills you’re developing before you jump in. This will ensure you don’t feel as though you’ve been cheated out of opportunities later.
• Do Think About the Type: Do you want a taught degree, which follows a similar format to undergraduate? Or are you more drawn to the concept of research, which allow you to be more independent in gaining your skills?
• Do Check Out University Open Days: Think about the kind of location you want to go to. If you’re attending a physical university, there will be open days where you can look at the classrooms and get a feel for what the environment is like. This will also be an opportunity to network and make some friends.
• Do Know How You’re Going to Fund: Are you going to be getting a student loan from a private lender, or do you have another strategy for paying for your education? Knowing exactly how you’re going to afford everything is crucial to making your time at university a success. 

The Don’ts

Perhaps the most important thing you should not do when you’re choosing a master’s degree, is rush into a decision. Figure out how to avoid distractions and make choices that are intentional. Remember, post-graduate degrees take a lot of work, so you really need to be confident you’re making the right choice. Other don’ts include:

• Don’t Rely on Rankings to Make a Choice: Don’t just check university rankings to figure out where you want to go for your post-graduate degree. Do your own research and check the location out in-person if you can instead.
• Don’t Underestimate the Effort: Don’t assume going into a post-graduate degree is a great way to simply put off going into the world of work for a little longer. These courses can be extremely intense, so make sure you’re properly prepared.