What you should be aware of during your degree if you might want to do a Master's
If you’re thinking about a Master’s, it’s smart to start planning while you’re still doing your undergraduate degree. You don’t need to have your whole life mapped out, just a bit of forward thinking will make the process less stressful and much more effective.
1. Admissions often look for a strong academic record. Aim to keep your grades competitive, especially in modules related to your intended Master’s subject.
Action: Prioritise key modules, seek feedback on assignments, and use office hours to discuss your work with academic tutors.
2. Even for taught Master’s degrees, research experience, lab work, or project coordination can make your application stand out. Skills like literature searching, basic statistics, report writing, and presentation ability are valuable.
Action: Apply for research assistant roles, volunteer on projects, join module research components, or undertake a dissertation topic that feeds into your intended master’s area.
3. Good academic references matter. Start building rapport with lecturers and supervisors early so they can write informed, personalised references when asked.
Action: Attend seminars, participate in discussions, and ask for feedback so staff know your work and motivations.
4. Postgraduate study can be costly. Explore funding sources well in advance: university scholarships, departmental awards, government postgraduate loans, external trusts, and paid roles (e.g. part-time lab work). Deadlines vary, so don’t leave research to the last minute.
Action: Make a simple spreadsheet of funding options with deadlines and eligibility criteria.
5. A compelling personal statement explains why you want the programme, how your background prepares you, and what you plan to do next. It takes time to draft and refine and admissions panels notice clarity and genuine fit.
Action: Draft early, get feedback from tutors or careers services, and tailor each application to the programme.
6. Conferences, societies, and departmental events help you meet potential supervisors, collaborators, and mentors. These contacts can also lead to research opportunities or jobs after graduation.
Action: Join relevant student societies and follow academics whose work you admire.
If you’re considering a Master’s in Psychology (or another field), feel free to ask about applications, funding, dissertation ideas, or balancing study and work.
— A Psychology MSc Student, University of Reading
1. Admissions often look for a strong academic record. Aim to keep your grades competitive, especially in modules related to your intended Master’s subject.
Action: Prioritise key modules, seek feedback on assignments, and use office hours to discuss your work with academic tutors.
2. Even for taught Master’s degrees, research experience, lab work, or project coordination can make your application stand out. Skills like literature searching, basic statistics, report writing, and presentation ability are valuable.
Action: Apply for research assistant roles, volunteer on projects, join module research components, or undertake a dissertation topic that feeds into your intended master’s area.
3. Good academic references matter. Start building rapport with lecturers and supervisors early so they can write informed, personalised references when asked.
Action: Attend seminars, participate in discussions, and ask for feedback so staff know your work and motivations.
4. Postgraduate study can be costly. Explore funding sources well in advance: university scholarships, departmental awards, government postgraduate loans, external trusts, and paid roles (e.g. part-time lab work). Deadlines vary, so don’t leave research to the last minute.
Action: Make a simple spreadsheet of funding options with deadlines and eligibility criteria.
5. A compelling personal statement explains why you want the programme, how your background prepares you, and what you plan to do next. It takes time to draft and refine and admissions panels notice clarity and genuine fit.
Action: Draft early, get feedback from tutors or careers services, and tailor each application to the programme.
6. Conferences, societies, and departmental events help you meet potential supervisors, collaborators, and mentors. These contacts can also lead to research opportunities or jobs after graduation.
Action: Join relevant student societies and follow academics whose work you admire.
If you’re considering a Master’s in Psychology (or another field), feel free to ask about applications, funding, dissertation ideas, or balancing study and work.
— A Psychology MSc Student, University of Reading
(edited 1 month ago)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Got 2:2 - Is it over?
- What sort of unis could I target for Masters?
- Engineering vs. Medicine: Stuck Between Dreams and Expectations
- Is a psychology degree worth it?
- Pursuing a master’s degree with a Background in Frontend Development
- Psychology students!!
- Undegrad to Masters to PhD - What's the Difference?
- PhD straight after MSc?
- Reapplying for LSE + Imperial Maths and Finance
- Integrated masters with or without a placement?
- Cambridge dilemma - Medicine to MPhil?
- Career Opportunities
- Engineering Meng vs Beng
- Is a business computing bachelors degree worthless
- Is Law really worth it??
- Is it possible to be a patent attorney with just a Maths degree?
- Long shot - questions about studying nutrition and/or dietetics
- MSC nursing or BSC nursing
- Becoming a Secondary Biology teacher
- Is a Language degree worth it?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 6 months ago
Which Reading University Accommodation is Best for Me?Last reply 7 months ago
what’s the biggest room I can get in the University of Reading?Last reply 8 months ago
Will a Master’s Actually Boost Your Career? Let’s Chat About ItArticles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
