Masters Applications Masters Course Tutor MSc MA

Masters Applications – University Masters Courses

Why undertake a Master’s?

A Masters course can offer you the chance to pursue further educational and research opportunities that are narrowed down to your interests. You might choose to undertake a master’s in order to boost your CV, train for a PhD, or simply to deviate from your past educational experiences and try something new. Master’s courses tend to last 1-2 years depending on the institution and faculty. In a master’s course you will be able to undertake more independent and focused research under the supervision of an academic knowledgeable in that area. Alongside this, being part of a graduate community can also provide you with connections to leading researchers in the field, new learning opportunities like access to conferences, and good support for potentially publishing your work. In a master’s course you will be able to hone your research skills, become more independent in your work, craft organisation and writing skills, gain greater knowledge of your field of interest, and work towards your target career. Our Masters applications tutors can help you choose and apply for your masters course including preparing for any essays or portfolios.

Applying to a master’s course involves numerous steps, including:

Providing an application form and paying an application fee
Writing a personal statement about how you would be a good fit for the course and university, and also evidencing your accomplishments
Submitting copies of your degree and academic transcripts, as well as your CV
Including academic or professional references to boost your image and confirm your skills
Offering a research proposal or summary of your interests
Contacting academics at the faculty to ask if they would be willing to supervise you should you be successful in your application (this is not always a step you must take; it depends on the faculty)
English language test results (if applicable)
Interviews
Applying for funding

Precisely what you will be asked to submit in your application can vary depending on the course and university you are applying to. In many cases, you will have to meet entry requirements and demonstrate a keen interest in the field, evidencing this in your personal statement and research proposal. It is worth remembering that many master’s courses centre on particular academics and research interests. Therefore, finding a course with members of staff who fit your own interests is very important.

What kinds of master’s course are there?

Master’s courses differ based on length of study, subject, level of independence, and of course, they vary at the modular level. Here are some different kinds of master’s course:

MA (Master of Arts) – taught master’s in the arts and humanities, 1-2 years.
MSc (Master of Science) – taught master’s in STEM subjects, 1-2 years.
MPhil (Master of Philosophy) – research master’s (with some opportunities for being taught) in all subjects. The focus is on individual projects. Often seen as preparation for a PhD. 1-2 years.
MRes (Master of Research) – a research master’s in any subject, with a focus on independent research. 1-2 years.

Taught masters courses tend to take 1-2 years and usually involve completing a dissertation or project (the length of which is decided by the university or faculty). Some master’s are partially taught – again, this is based on the preferences of the university or faculty.

When considering what would work best for you, it might be worth reflecting on your goals. Do you wish to pursue a master’s because you want to work in academia? Or perhaps because you would like to enter a new field, or you already have a keen interest in a particular subject that will flourish in your dissertation or small research projects? Which university suits these factors, and where would you receive the best and most personalised support? It is not just the master’s but the educational institution itself that is significant. Some universities are harder to get into than others, so producing a quality application with a clear passion for your selected master’s course is very important.

Some final notes on Masters Courses & Applications:

Choosing to study at graduate level does require some financial stability, since a masters course and accommodation in the UK are expensive. As such, you should consider what loans are available to you and devote time to applying for funding.
You do not have to be of a particular age to study a master’s. You may have last been in education a long time ago. This is normal and will not impede your application, although you still need to be sure that you are meeting entry requirements.
Having a master’s degree of any kind on your CV can greatly increase your chances in the job market as it displays your research skills, willingness to devote time to learning and enhancing skills, your ability to stay organised, and how you have spent time developing yourself holistically.
You are not restricted to taking one master’s in your life. If you wish you can take many, but not at one time.
Doing a master’s is not just about the course, but about getting involved in graduate life, the place, the opportunities provided to you by the university – especially if you haven’t been there before.
Not all master’s courses require you to have an undergraduate degree in that area (which is great because you have freedom to try out new things) so be sure to choose something that you are confident you will enjoy and that will propel you forwards on your chosen path (e.g. a master’s in media for the media industry, or a master’s as training for a PhD).

How Mayfair Consultants can support you with Masters application tutors:

In addition to masters application advice, we offer careers tutors for students preparing for Interviews across the range of subjects at graduate and postgraduate level including specialist masters such as the MBA. As well as helping with interviews, we will also suggest suitable work experience and placement options as well and further reading. We further offer private tuition for younger students with a budding interest in university entrance and the variety of courses on offer as well as their career options. Many of our fully-qualified tutors have direct experience of the application and interview procedure at particular institutions sector and hold advanced postgraduate degrees (Master’s and PhD) in their subjects.

If you’d like arrange Masters Applications Tutors, help with masters applications or have any questions about our graduate and postgraduate entry services, or tuition at a postgraduate level then please call us on Tel: +44 (0) 207 665 6606 or you can send us an email via our contact form.