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What are the benefits of a Masters degree?
Will a Masters help me earn more?
There is some evidence showing a Masters can help you to earn more. But earnings outcomes vary by subject area, career path, and even individual motivation; afterall not everyone chooses to do a Masters for financial reasons.
For many, studying a Masters is about deepening knowledge, changing direction, or pursuing something they care about. That said, if improving your career prospects or earning potential is part of your goal, there is evidence to suggest postgraduate study can help you do that.
There is national data that shows a measurable difference overall. The UK Government’s Graduate labour market statistics (2024), show the median real-terms salary for postgraduates was around £3,000 higher than for graduates with only an undergraduate degree.
It’s not a guarantee — but it does suggest that, for many, a Masters can contribute to stronger long-term prospects as part of a broader career plan. This makes sense when you think a Masters can demonstrate advanced analytical ability, initiative, and commitment — qualities employers often look for when recruiting or promoting staff.
Will a Masters help me become an expert in my field?
Yes — a Masters degree is a great way to build specialist expertise and deepen your understanding of a subject.
Postgraduate study allows you to dive deeper into a subject than at undergraduate level, focusing on advanced theories, current research, and practical application within your discipline. You’ll learn from academics who are active researchers and practitioners in their fields. Through your dissertation or independent project, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to investigate real issues or emerging questions within your discipline.
This focused learning helps you develop critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills that employers associate with subject-matter expertise. Whether you aim to progress within your current career, move into research or policy, or prepare for a PhD, a Masters degree demonstrates mastery of your area and a commitment to professional growth.
The satisfaction scores of students who took part in Advance HE’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024 were above 80% for questions relating to:
- confidence about independent learning
- confidence to be innovative or creative
- research skills development
- ability to communicate information effectively
- encouragement to think about skills needed to develop personal career
- preparedness for your future career
Can a Masters help me make connections that could change my life?
A Masters degree puts you in contact with peers, academics, and industry professionals who are likely to share similar interests and ambitions. These connections can lead to mentorship, collaboration, and career opportunities long after graduation.
Courses often include guest lectures, industry projects, and alumni events, giving students access to insights and networks beyond the classroom. You’ll also meet researchers in your department whose work aligns with yours — connections that could lead to future collaboration on projects, postgraduate study, or career opportunities.
At York, students benefit from ongoing alumni networks like York for Life, providing lasting access to a community of professionals.
What transferable skills will I gain while studying a Masters?
A Masters degree develops a wide range of transferable skills that employers value across industries. You’ll strengthen your ability to analyse complex information, manage projects independently, and communicate ideas clearly — both in writing and in discussion.
Through research projects and group work, you’ll refine your problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills, while managing deadlines and priorities that mirror real workplace challenges. Critical thinking and data literacy are built into most programmes, helping you make sound decisions and evaluate evidence effectively.
You’ll also gain confidence presenting to academic and professional audiences, adapting your message to different contexts — a key skill for management and specialist roles. Combined with subject expertise, these capabilities mean Masters graduates are well-equipped to move into positions that demand autonomy, initiative, and strategic insight.
Is a Masters worth the cost?
Whether a Masters is “worth it” depends on your goals, subject area, and how you use the opportunities it offers. For some graduates, postgraduate study leads to clear career progression, higher salaries, or entry into specialist roles that require advanced qualifications. For others, the main value lies in building expertise, confidence, and professional networks that open doors over time.
While some people pursue postgraduate study to increase their earning potential, others see it as an opportunity to refine their thinking, build credibility, or open doors to more fulfilling work. Whatever your motivation, the skills, knowledge and perspective gained at Masters level can deliver long-term career advantages that go beyond the first job after graduation.
With a range of funding options, including scholarships, alumni discounts and government loans, the cost of a Masters may be more manageable than you think — and the return, in expertise and opportunity, can last a lifetime.
Do I need a Masters to pursue a PhD?
In many cases, you don’t need to complete a Masters before starting a PhD — but it can make a significant difference to your readiness and competitiveness.
Doing a Masters can help you develop research and analytical skills, build relationships with academics who could become future supervisors, and gain a clearer sense of your research interests before committing to a longer project.
At York, many PhD students began their journey with a Masters, using it as a bridge to refine their ideas and strengthen their applications for doctoral study or funding. Whether you take that route depends on your discipline, your experience, and how confident you feel about moving straight into independent research.
Study a Masters from anywhere
Whether you’re ready to study full-time on campus or need a part-time route that fits around work and family, we have a variety of Masters options to choose from. We offer different types of courses to suit people at all stages of their life — with options to learn in person, online, or as a commuter student.
If you want the full campus experience, you’ll benefit from close contact with academics, access to world-class facilities, and a vibrant postgraduate community. Prefer more flexibility? Many courses offer online or blended learning, so you can gain a York qualification wherever you are in the world. Or perhaps you’ll opt to get the best of both worlds, by studying part-time or as a commuter.
However you choose to study, you’ll receive the same high-quality teaching, academic support, and access to York’s Careers services — giving you every opportunity to advance your studies and your career, wherever you’re based.