There is one thing Masters aspirants cannot complain about: a lack of diversity. If you think that your interests are somewhat eccentric and that there is no corresponding degree for them, then think again. There are many unusual Masters degrees whose mere existence will surprise you.
► Meet top Masters programmes from around the world.
One of the great merits of the Masters degree is that it gives you the opportunity to develop and pursue a career in a field you consider interesting, even if it is a bit unusual. To demonstrate this, we have compiled a list of some of the more unusual programmes out there.
Masters in Imagineering (Breda University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands)
Don’t be fooled by the eccentric name – this is actually a business administration programme designed to introduce students to the concept of the “creative economy” and the creation of value with the aid of imagination. As an ‘imaginneer’, you work on business or product innovation by using the power of imagination. The one-year Masters programme will help you develop the knowledge and skills to shape and change an organisation and learn how to transform a business from a different perspective that veers away from traditional enterprise logic.
Read: How to Choose an International Masters Degree
To put it succinctly, you will learn how to solve problems by using experience and imagination – not only yours but that of everyone within the organisation. The programme consists of three phases: strategic innovation, organisational transformation, and finally, a graduation project.
Masters in Cyberpsychology (Nottingham Trent University, UK)
Cyberpsychology, the study of how humans interact with and around technology, is a relatively new branch of psychology that has received more attention thanks to the technology boom. This branch of psychology has many applications. For instance, it can help to explain modern disorders like online addiction and the negative impact of social media on self-esteem. It also examines the various ways technology affects how we communicate.
The Masters Cyberpsychology at Nottingham Trent University opens up a wide range of possible career tracks. Graduates may work in areas like gaming, social networking, online marketing, and journalism, to name but a few.
Masters in Smart Cities and Urban Policy (École Polytechnique, France)
Here is a programme for those interested in turning booming metropolitan areas into smart and sustainable places. The course deals with trends shaping the 21st metropolitan economies. The programme involves applying advanced quantitative methods to the study of new and transforming metropolitan areas, and - yes, you guessed right, - is designed for students with a strong mathematical background and an interest in economics.
Included in the programme are four to six-month internships. Graduates can find work as managers in various industries such as transportation, energy, environment, or urban and infrastructure management. They can also work as economic advisers and consultants.
École Polytechnique offers many other interesting courses in the field of applied sciences such as the Masters in Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Visual Computing, where participants have the chance to learn about 3D computer graphics, virtual and augmented reality, multimodal interaction, computer vision, robotics, 3D Fabrication, and more.
Masters in Viticulture & Enology (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)
In the incredibly diverse world of Masters programmes there is something for everyone, even for those interested in grape cultivation (viticulture) and wine making (enology). The Masters in Viticulture and Enology at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore builds on Italy’s rich viticulture tradition. The country is now the largest wine producer in the world and boasts the greatest variety in terms of cultivars.
Basics in viticulture and enology are required. For those who want to enrol but don’t have the necessary foundation, the university offers a pre-course named “Viticulture, Enology and Peist Pathology” which takes place three weeks before the start of the programme.
Masters in Yodeling (LUASA)
If you think that a Masters in winemaking is unusual, what about a degree in yodeling, the warbling singing style used by herders? The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (LUASA) (Switzerland) runs a three-year Bachelor's degree and a two-year Masters in Yodeling led by Nadja Räss, a prominent Swiss yodeler. Students will not only improve their vocal technique, but also learn how to start a business teaching yodeling to others.
Read: Specialised Masters: Get the Best of Two Worlds
The singing style, which dates back more than 500 years, was used by herders in the Austrian and Swiss Alps to communicate in the mountains before becoming popular among country and folk music artists.
The programmes featured in this list offer a glimpse of the incredible variety of Masters degrees. Whatever your interests, the diversity of courses has got you covered. All you need to do is find the right one.