Master Programmes
Chart Your Master's Journey: GTEC's Tailored Guidance for Higher Education Abroad
At GTEC, we understand the importance of selecting the right master program to shape your career. Our consultancy services are designed to provide individualized guidance, helping students like you explore diverse opportunities in higher education abroad. From identifying specialized courses to assisting with application processes, we ensure a seamless experience. Let GTEC be your compass as you navigate the path to academic excellence and professional success.
Postgraduate Education
In order to pursue a Master’s degree abroad, students must first complete their undergraduate education. The duration of these programs varies by country, ranging from 1 to 2 years for full-time students and 2 to 4 years for part-time students. In countries where student visas are not required, students can study full or part-time. However, in countries requiring student visas, education must be pursued full-time.
Master’s programs in the UK typically last for one academic year as ‘full-time,’ with classes spanning 9 months. The subsequent 3-6 months are allocated for thesis preparation. After successfully completing their courses and submitting their thesis, students conclude their Master’s program.
In contrast to the UK, Master’s programs in the USA and Canada usually last for 2 years, although there are rare 1-year programs. In New Zealand and Australia, most programs last for 1 year, but in certain fields, the duration might extend to 2 years.
Master’s Programs in the UK
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the participation of international students in Master’s programs in the UK. One of the factors making the UK appealing is the relatively shorter duration of education compared to other countries. Additionally, depending on their home country’s regulations, students often have the opportunity to work part-time during their studies or full-time after completing their education.
Students can pursue Master’s programs in various fields at private or public universities. It is crucial to ensure that the education received and the university chosen have the necessary equivalence recognition from the relevant authorities. Some private universities might not be recognized by the respective authorities.
For students considering Master’s studies in the UK, obtaining a minimum required score in the IELTS exam is mandatory. Students planning to pursue Master’s degrees in the USA, Canada, or other countries must achieve the required scores in exams such as GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS. The specific exam depends on the university’s requirements.
Requirements
Many universities require all criteria to be met for Master’s degree applications. However, in some cases, if one or more of these criteria are missing, the student can be given ‘conditional acceptance.’ In this scenario, if the student fulfills the conditions by the specified deadline and submits them to the university, the ‘conditional offer’ transforms into an ‘unconditional offer,’ allowing the student to proceed with the visa application.
Before Master’s programs, if a student wishes to undertake an preparatory period or if the student’s educational level is insufficient for the desired Master’s program, the student can enroll in a Pre-Master program. The English proficiency requirements for these programs are generally lower than those of Master’s programs. After successfully completing this program, the student can transition to the Master’s program.
Required Documents:
- Complete Filling of the Application Form
- Diploma or Document Proving Current Enrollment (with English Translation if applicable)
- Transcript or Grades Until the Last Academic Year (with English Translation if applicable)
- Proof of English Proficiency (such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement or Essay
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) and, if available, Work Experience Documents/References
Types of Master’s Degrees
Generally speaking, there are two main types of master’s degrees: course-based (taught) and research-based. Course-based master’s degrees are based on structured course modules taught through lectures, seminars, laboratory work or distance learning. However, research-based master’s degrees require the student to carry out their own research project(s) in a specialized field of study. Research master’s degrees normally take a little longer than taught master’s degrees to complete.
It is also possible to categorize master’s degrees in terms of subject matter, level of specialization, type of coursework and entry requirements. Please see the lists below.
“What are the types of master’s degrees by subject/coursework type?”
The following list describes the distinct types of master’s degrees based on the most common course names used in university listings.
A Master of Arts (MA) is usually awarded in disciplines categorized as arts or social sciences. For instance, communications, education, languages, linguistics, literature, geography, history and music.
A Master of Science (MS, MSc) is usually awarded in disciplines categorized as the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, engineering, health and statistics. Certain fields such as economics and the social sciences can fall under both arts and sciences, with the individual institution deciding on what to call their master’s degree program.
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A Master by Research (MPhil) is an advanced research-based degree which allows the candidate to focus on a particular topic in-depth and independently, to complete a single large research project. An MPhil is often seen as a precursor to a PhD and is often used by institutions to allow students to ‘test the water’ before commencing a PhD degree program. This often takes longer to complete than other types of master’s degrees – though the length of time and the status awarded to an MPhil varies significantly depending on the country and institution.
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Taught in only a few places (including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge), a Master of Studies (MSt) degree is comparable to the MA or MSc, requiring both classroom learning and the completion of a thesis and an examination. An MSt can serve as a provisional enrolment for a PhD in some cases. The need for this category of master’s degree partly stems from the fact that at Oxbridge universities students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts are automatically awarded an MA after a defined time-period has passed. In contrast, those with a MSt have completed postgraduate coursework to gain the title.
There are also more specialized types of master’s degrees, often focusing on a specific professional area. These are sometimes known as ‘tagged master’s degrees’, because they are ‘tagged’ to a certain field, or professional master’s degrees, because they focus on career development in a particular profession. As ever, classifications and course details will differ depending on the country and institution. Here are some of the most common examples of specialized and professional master’s degrees:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MA, MALS, MLA/ALM, MLS)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Master of Music (MM/MMus)
- Master of Education (MEd, MSEd, MIT, MAEd, MAT)
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
- Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
Master’s degree requirements
Finally, master’s degrees also vary in terms of the entry requirements applicants need to meet. To meet the requirements of a master’s degrees it’s usually necessary to have graduated with a bachelor’s degree (though not always), and some programs require a certain amount of professional experience. See below for the most common requirements for different types of master’s degrees.
Postgraduate master’s degrees (MA, MSc, MLA, MSW, etc)
These master’s degrees are usually open to anyone who holds a bachelor’s degree.
Business or management master’s degrees (MBA, MSc, MIM, MSM, MA, MEM)
For these types of program, master’s degree requirements usually include a certain amount of professional experience, especially in the case of an MBA (Master of Business Administration). An MSc in Management (MSc, MIM, MSM) typically requires a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, while an MA in Management is more likely to accept candidates from all backgrounds. The Master’s in Engineering Management (MEM) is specially designed for engineering students.
Executive master’s degrees (EMBA, EMS)
Designed specifically for mid-career executive professionals, executive master’s degrees require candidates to have gained significant professional experience – even more than in the case of an MBA. The most common are Executive Master’s in Business Management (EMBA) or Executive MSc programs.
Postgraduate research master’s degrees (Master by Research)
Master by Research programs are designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree with a significant research component and/or have several published research papers.
Executive master’s degrees (EMBA, EMS)
Master by Research programs are designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree with a significant research component and/or have several published research papers.
Integrated master’s degrees (MEng, MMath, MSci, etc)
These are master’s degrees that follow on directly from an undergraduate degree program, most commonly available in scientific and technology subjects. It’s possible to apply for an integrated master’s degree program directly after completion of secondary-level education. Integrated master’s degree programs usually last a year longer than it would take to earn an undergraduate degree, and students may have the option to skip the final year and just graduate at bachelor’s level instead.
There is also the option (particularly in countries such as the US) to earn a master’s degree alongside your undergraduate studies. This is called ‘en route’, ‘in passing’ or ‘in course’ and is awarded following the successful completion of coursework and certain examinations.