Variety of Master’s Programme || Taught Master’s or Research Master’s

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular destinations for international students. As a result, thousands of international students fly to the UK to pursue their higher education at a UK university. Moreover, studying at a UK university is a wonderful opportunity for international students’ academic and personal betterment. Students will get a huge choice of world’s renowned institutions at which to study. Also, they’ll be able to immerse themselves in the British's old and rich culture. A master’s degree is offered by a college or a university. It is not just a 'post-graduate' diploma you receive after writing your thesis, it's rather an intensive study programme that includes examinations, projects, and/or internships.

Most of the UK universities offer two kinds of Master’s. Such as,

1. Taught Master’s: Taught or Coursework Master’s degree will provide you specialize training in your chosen field. Most of the master’s earned by completing the courses only, although students can include a dissertation in their course. You will be assisted by different staff members on each of your module’s assessments, and be responsible for independent learning in your own time. In the UK, the structure of this programme varies from course to course and from institution to institution. The most common taught master’s MA and MSc. An MA or Master’s in Arts is normally studied in disciplines related to Arts, Humanities and some Social Sciences. On the other hand, an MSc or Master’s in Science is usually studied in disciplines related to science. Even in the UK, MSc courses are also common in some Management and Social Science related disciplines. It is important to clarify if any difference lies between MA and MSc and need to decide which course is more suitable for you. Additionally, other possible qualifications of a Master's programme often relate to special discipline or a particular specialization. For example, Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Master’s in Law (LLM), Master’s in Music (MMUS), Master’s in Orthodontics (Morth).

2. Research Master’s: Master’s in Research (MRes) programmes are very independent and generally include both research and methods training in the relevant discipline and generally a substantial research project. A research Master’s is really valuable and necessary if you’re planning to pursue a PhD in the near future. In the fields of Arts, Humanities and Social Science students might be required to complete a Master’s degree with substantial research elements before a PhD. Moreover, you may face difficulty while getting funding for your PhD degree. This type of course is also needed if you are considering a career in the commercial world where research is the key focus but a PhD is not specifically required. While pursuing your Master’s you’ll be paired with a specialized supervisor who will guide you throughout your degree.

Differences between Taught and Research Master’s

There’s a lot of fundamental differences between taught and research postgraduate degrees. Taught Master’s involve a mixture of lectures, seminars and coursework. On the contrary, a Research Master’s programme requires students to undertake extensive research training. The differences are:

1. A Taught Degree is more of a team-building experience since you get to work with your course mates. Nevertheless, in a Research Master’s you need to focus more on your individual work. Additionally, a Research Master’s degree focuses more on your specific work or research.

2. In a Taught Master’s programme students go through a lot of course work, lectures, seminars etc. whereas a Research Master’s is more subject focused. A Taught Master’s will teach students a combination of things. However, a Research programme gives students the floor to choose one subject and perform extensive research upon it and it requires a lot of commitment.

3. Although both the degrees generally require a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience, there are some differences between the selection process. Students need to demonstrate enthusiasm and some exciting knowledge of the relevant subject area. On the flip side, students have to submit a research proposal about why they want to enroll in this particular degree, what motivates them to start their study in this specific area etc. In addition, you will also need to demonstrate your knowledge of the subject and why you are the right person to do this research project.

Should You Choose a Taught Master’s

A taught degree has more variety; it allows students to choose pretty much any subject to study and has a similar schedule and outline to your undergraduate degree – so it isn’t much change either. A taught master’s degree is excellent if you have a specific career path in mind and the employment has certain eligibility criteria. Moreover, it is a perfect option for you to extend your knowledge on these subjects.

Advantages of Taught Master’s

● International Students won’t be living in an English language bubble and they will experience a whole new culture

● Students will get chance to mix with a bunch of people

● They will be able to boost their chances of landing an international career

● Students can expand their network as they will attend the class lectures with other students

Disadvantages of Taught Master’s

● It might not be a compulsory degree for the students

● It is generally very expensive to pursue

● It might contribute to improve one’s job prospect

Should You Choose a Research Master’s

A research master’s is seen as a way to obtain a PhD. Most students enrolled in an MRes or MSc program have done so to move up to the doctorate level and pursue a PhD degree.

Advantages of Research Master’s

● Graduates from higher degrees by research programme are highly employable.

● In STEM subjects, it is often mandatory to have research master’s to progress

● In order to make career academia a Research Master’s is very useful

● It gives students a glimpse of PhD degree

Disadvantages of Research Master’s

● The options are very limited here

● Students’ skill sets will not vastly improve as Taught degree programme

● It is a lonesome experience

Scholarship Opportunity for Both the Master’s

Most of the UK universities offer scholarships and funding for both Taught and Research Master’s programmes. Moreover, you can check the scholarship opportunity online. In addition, you can also apply for student loans as it is highly common in the UK universities.

At the end of the day, regardless of which option you choose, studying for a Master’s degree is an invaluable experience and either course is sure to open a lot of doors for you further down the line. So, if you get the opportunity to pursue your master’s in the UK, grab the opportunity without giving a second thought.