How do you decide if a master's course is for you?

What made you realise you wanted to do a masters?

Any advice for undergrads thinking about doing one....?

Do you need it for your career?
if you're doing it out of interest or for personal development, how interested are you in the subject and does the masters give you what you want?
Do you have the time to make the best of it?

My decision to embark upon further study stemmed from my immense interest in the subject, the reputation of the course (and of the institution), my love for challenges and my ultimate goal to secure a career in academia

Having said that, postgraduate courses also serve the purpose of making your CV stand out in a competitive job market, so it's definitely an option worth considering even if you don't want to do a PhD etc (especially if you enjoyed your undergrad course)

The Master's program I went through focused upon an area most undergraduate degrees don't focus upon, provided the opportunity to get qualified for a professional certificate, and learn about a few others. The program also provided a fast track method for another professional qualification. It is in a field that is becoming increasingly relevant.

Most of my classmates did it for their careers, although some aren't in the same field anymore. In a way, the Master's program was tailored as an extension of their undergraduate degrees. Having a Master's degree does open up a few more doors for a employment, and typically ensures a faster track for promotion when compared to a Bachelor's.

I took the program out of interest, although having the backup options built in didn't hurt in choosing it. I ended up in a PhD program after the Master's finished. The degree may become useful in the future, but it depends on whether I wish to pursue a career in industry, corporate, or stay in academia.

Sorry why the quote? Not sure if you have a question or what it is? I was advising the op of questions to ask themselves when thinking about whether or not to do a masters degree

- You will be shelling out alot of money for your masters unless you have a wealthy family make sure you'll get a good ROI

Alternatively, understand your chosen field in advance. A Masters isn't necessarily about earning more money - there are still relatively few fields for which a Masters is essential, although this may be on the increase (I haven't seen any stats on it).

If your Masters isn't about making more money (highly unlikely in my field, which financially rewards professional experience and seniority rather than qualifications), make sure that you can get what you want from the course. If you're doing it for the joy of learning - which *is* an option even if you don't have a rich family - pick a course which really rings your bell. If you want to be more employable (there's a difference between earning power and employability), make sure there's a genuine need for people with that specialism. In my field it's easy to choose the "wrong" Masters and not use it once you've graduated.

Ultimately it's buyer beware. Unis will sell you the Masters courses they run and not necessarily the ones which might be the best for your personal situation or aspirations.

its been a plan of mine to go on to my masters and then stop there
has anyone got any advice on what a masters degree is like whilst studying? ie workload? etc