Postgraduate Programmes

A postgraduate, or Master’s, degree is an advanced qualification, taken after the student has already finished their undergraduate course, Bachelor’s degree programme (or equivalent).

Unlike most undergraduate degrees, a postgraduate usually lasts only one or two years if the student is studying full-time.  

The three most common forms of postgraduate degrees are:

• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• MA (Master of Arts)
• MSc (Master of Science)

There are also two forms of master’s degrees: taught and research. A taught master’s uses similar methods to an undergraduate degree, such as lectures, seminars, essays, and exams, as well as tutor support. A research master’s involves the close study of one topic through writing a dissertation with a supervisor’s support.

Most postgraduate programmes involve working with other students in lectures and seminars, with coursework to track your progress. There may also be a practical element involved, such as a work practice/ placement/ internship programme, which will help you to experience working in your chosen profession.

Taking a postgraduate degree gives you the opportunity to:

• Improve your job prospects or choose a new direction for your career
• Gain a particular qualification for the job you want, such as a law degree
• Benefit from flexible study – many students study part-time whilst they continue working
• Learn more about a topic that interests you, particularly on a master’s degree
• Begin to build a network of potential contacts through work experience

At LSBF, you can choose from a wide range of master’s degrees, or a combination of a postgraduate programme with a professional qualification.

For the majority of postgraduate degrees, you need to have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent before applying. However, if you did not go to university, relevant work experience is sometimes accepted instead.

Entry requirements can differ greatly between programmes and between institutions, so make sure you check before applying. They can also be different for home and overseas students.

If you are not a native English speaker, you may also need to prove that you can communicate well in written and spoken English before being accepted onto a course.

A common proof of English language skills is one of the international English Tests certificates, those like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and others. Each educational institution has their own requirements with regards to which test is accepted and which mark has to be achieved to satisfy the admissions criteria.

In general, having a postgraduate degree does improve job prospects, but it requires research and careful planning of how you will proceed after you finish the degree.

By studying a postgraduate course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the field you want to work in, and potentially relevant work experience as well. This is helpful to you when applying for jobs, as the employer will see from your CV that you have an active interest in the field and therefore are likely to be a good asset to their business. If you want to pursue an academic career, postgraduate degrees are especially useful, as they show dedication to study – particularly a master’s degree.

Some employers will give employees with a postgraduate qualification a higher starting salary because of their knowledge, and promotion can be more likely.

It is also easier to change your job if you take a postgraduate degree in your new field before applying for jobs – you can gain practical training, as well as demonstrating to potential employers that you are committed to the change.

In effect, taking a postgraduate degree can only be a positive thing for your career. Even if there are no direct benefits at first, you will feel more confident in your job knowing that you have a good background to rely on.

The main difference between an MA and an MSc is the subject matter: an MA stands for ‘Master of Arts’, whereas an MSc stands for ‘Master of Sciences’ degrees.

For example, MA’s use research and essay writing as the main forms of study, with discussions in the classroom and other practical exercises. They are also often focused on specific topics within a particular field, which leads to in-depth knowledge for the student.

MSc’s focus on learning all of the theory behind a topic, reading as widely as possible, and individual research. They tend to give you a good overview and a broad understanding of a general field of study.

An MA is also more likely to lead to a professional career, whilst an MSc tends to give students the experience needed for an academic career.

Most master’s degrees only have a few hours of contact time with a tutor; the majority of the degree is independent study by the student. In general, students take master’s degrees full-time, though part-time options are available for those with work or family commitments. 

Students who study a master’s degree are awarded a distinction, merit or pass when they complete it.