If you’re thinking about studying a Master’s, it’s worth knowing what’s expected of you at postgraduate level. Master’s student, Lucy, shared the key differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Different marking criteria
During your undergraduate degree, you will have gotten used to hearing ‘first’ or ‘2:1’ but at postgraduate level, you’ll be given a pass, merit or distinction for your work.
Also, gone are the days where 40% is the minimum pass rate, in your Master’s study you’ll need to aim for at least 50% to pass!
Independent study
When you first start a Master’s degree, you might feel like you’ve got loads of free time to sit back and relax but it’s actually important to use your free time wisely from the get-go.
You will probably have fewer lectures and content hours at postgraduate level compared to undergraduate. You’ll be expected to do independent research during your free time to get a wider understanding of the topics you’re covering in lectures and seminars.
Longer academic year
Undergraduate students often have long summer holidays but at postgraduate level, you’ll most likely spend the summer working on your dissertation.
As most postgraduate courses are only one year, they often last from September to June or July, so you can fit everything into a year of study.
Wider community
At postgraduate level, it’s less likely you’ll be in a classroom with people who are all the same age and in the same stage of life as you. As a postgraduate student, you’ll meet mature students, students with full-time jobs, children, and people coming from a range of different professional backgrounds.
You’ll also probably be in a smaller group of students. This provides a great opportunity to network and learn from others with different experiences.
Closer relationship with your tutors
A smaller cohort also means more one-to-one time with your tutors. At postgraduate level, you’ll be expected to reach out to tutors when you need support.
Your tutors will be happy to help you and talk about your ideas and work, so make sure you take the time to develop a good relationship with them.