Is there value in a Masters degree nowadays in your opinion?

[difficultdecisions2018]

Considering applying for a masters. Inrerested in several, broadly linked in terms of subject area but some are MA and some are MSc.

My undergrad is a BA. Do MSc degrees open a few more doors? I've noticed in a few jobs, for example copywriting for pharmaceutical companies, I'm not eligible to apply because of no science degree.

And in general do you think there's much advantage in postgrad degrees now? It seems practically every job assumed you have a Bachelors, so it can give you an advantage to have a postgrad qualification?

Yes I find there is value in the masters qualification as it immediately puts you ahead of bachelors candidates. I found it opened many doors for me and I do look for it and see it as more advanced when considering candidates.

The thing is, although it's called a Master of Science MSc, it doesn't mean a science degree. It's just a Masters level qualification. If your subject is not actually a science, you don't have a science degree just because you have an MSc.

I think it does help. I have a biomedical science primary degree and while it probably would have got me through the door of my company, the MSc in clinical pharmacology probably clinched it. My company has employed several others with same degree. I’m in regulatory affairs in big pharma. My dept also takes 4 students a year from a very specific MSc course for a one year industrial placement and they are very high calibre. It’s worth it but has to be the right one.

No, I know it's not a science degree (like a MSc in economics isn't like MSc in neuroscience) but I got the impression from my constant job hunting and researching that they are looked upon more favourably. Taken more seriously as a lot seem to feature compulsory statistics modules, etc. I could be wrong, it's just my impression.

I work in the legal world. Partner in a large firm. In my day everyone just got their LLB and got a job in a firm.

Now, well every graduate CV shows an LLM. That’s applications for a secretary too.

I think the market has been flooded with graduates (so many kids going to university) and there aren’t enough jobs to go around. They perhaps get the LLM either because they might as well as they don’t have a job to go to (legal training contract) or to try to stand out from the crowd.

They’re not standing out from the crowd because the all have an LLM. I wouldn’t bypass an applicant with “just” an LLB and go for someone with an LLM. I just choose the best candidate full stop.

Thank you all for replies.

If I had my time at school again, I'd have done a few things differently. I suppose a lot of us say that!

Another conversion MSc. here, which transformed my value in the job market. My project placement was for a major computer manufacturer, they offered my a full time job as soon as I completed the project and I have had n9 trouble getting jobs since. In my second job, I was offered the opportunity to do a part-time, but fully funded MBA. It was the first year of the programme, they were keen to make sure everyone was successful, so offered the twelve places to people who already had masters level qualifications.

So, yes, the subject and the institution's links to industry, transformed my opportunities.

I think I might apply to a couple, and see if I get accepted or not.

I work in a niche field, it's also fairly unestablished but growing professional field. About half of the people I've worked with have one and it's certainly expected for most senior roles.

My master's degree got me to think in a way that's invaluable to my role (critical insights, building strategy, thought leadership etc). It's not having the piece of paper, nor the subject matter knowledge as you can get that on the job, it's the way it shaped my thought process and my ability to think at that higher level.

For hiring decisions, I'd be more interested in how the candidate framed their experience in relation to the job role beyond just "I learned a lot about x,y and z".

OP I think you are completely right, it's absolutely looked on more favourably.

Usually there is more dissertation work, that's seen as a candidate who can manage their time and doesn't need taken care of constantly, you will have more modules and possibly research work to put on applications and a CV that will add to your profile, it shows initiative as you've actively chosen to get a Masters. You are also a postgraduate, so immediately more senior, if you have a Masters.

If your can manage the finances I would encourage you to go for it.

More value than ever I’d say (after 15 years working in higher education)

Absolutely valued.

Utterly irrelevant in my profession. I’ve recruited for middle mgt roles recently and I couldn’t even tell you if they have a A level. I’m only interested in work experience - voluntary is fine if they don’t have paid experience. I never even look to see if they have a degree.

Agree that they've just become like a bachelor was pre Blair. A BA or BSc is now a hygiene factor, even for traditionally non-graduate jobs (eg PA, estate agent, sales) so the graduate jobs now to effectively demand a masters level,it may not say that on the recruitment criteria but it becomes a de facto requirement.

I wonder if in another 15 years a PhD will be the new requirement for a professional role.

Yes that's the thing - a bachelors is a filter for basically every job now, so postgraduate seems to be acting as the next level of filtering candidates all competing.

I'm going to apply! I'm quite sure I'd be able to get the student loan. Of course I might not get in to any of the courses I like the look of.