If you want to increase your odds for a higher professional salary or better career options, you know that the decision to get a Masters degree is a great start. But when is the right time to go back to school and what factors can affect your decision?
► Meet top Masters programmes from around the world.
How to know if you’re ready to start a Masters degree
Graduate school studies are worthwhile when you have a clear idea of your desired career path or when the degree will help you pursue a genuine professional passion. Ryan Ye, who completed an MA in Journalism at Hofstra University in the US, explained his decision:
“I decided to pursue my passion and dream career of becoming a sports journalist/broadcaster after graduating with a BSc in biology.”
Your first step is to narrow the focus of your studies and decide on a specialisation. Within the business and management fields, you have many options to consider, like Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, and Management, among others. And these areas can be narrowed down even more.
To decide which degree programme to pursue, look closely at your individual skills, as well as the personal satisfaction and enjoyment you get when you study a particular topic. You can also look at common career paths taken by various programme graduates to see which of them feel right for you.
You want the degree programme you choose to suit your personality and individual strengths for many reasons. First, a Masters degree is a long-term investment of your time and money – not just a qualification to tick off. Done right, it should lead to lasting job satisfaction.
Also read: A Masters Degree, an MBA, or Both? How to Decide
Second, professional success will come much more easily to you if your employment requires a skill set for which you have a natural talent. If you are gifted in interpersonal relations, a people-focused degree programme such as management may be perfect for you. If you are a skilled salesperson with a knack for persuading others, you may go furthest with a marketing degree.
Should you continue in the same field or switch for your Masters?
One way to make the decision of which Masters degree to attain is simply to continue the field of study you pursued while in college. For example, if you chose mostly management or business administration classes for your undergraduate degree, a Masters in Management programme, such as the one at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management (Germany), might be a perfect way to build on what you already know. This is especially true if you had an internship or other hands-on experience that confirmed your interest in that field.
On the other hand, your undergraduate studies may have opened your eyes to the fact that you are more suited to a different field. For example, if you struggled with economics or accounting studies but find yourself fascinated by new technologies or business start-ups, you might want to shift your focus to a less mathematics-intensive programme like the Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
Once you know what you want to study, you then need to decide when to begin your Masters programme. This will depend on a mix of factors. Admission requirements play a role, but personal circumstances – whether you need to save money, travel, or gain work experience first – will usually weigh more heavily.
How to check Masters admissions requirements and plan your timeline
A Bachelor’s degree is a universal prerequisite for all Masters programmes, but some have additional requirements, such as professional experience. For example, the Masters in Finance at London Business School (UK) requires relevant finance experience before gaining entry to the programme. According to the school, students in the programme have five years of work experience on average.
For most full-time programmes, you can plan between nine months and a year to complete the application and for relevant preparation. Luckily, you can begin this process in the final year of your undergraduate studies so that you are ready to enrol after graduation if that is what you decide to do.
Also read: Select a Master's Major That Suits You Best
When is the right time to start your Masters
Along with the requirements of the university you choose, you must look at your own unique situation to determine when to begin your Masters studies.
Why starting your Masters straight after your Bachelor’s can pay off
Many students are eager to plunge into a full-time Masters programme directly after receiving their undergraduate degree, wanting to begin their professional career as soon as possible. This decision has a few added benefits, including keeping your study habits fresh and lessening the risk of never going back to school because you are tied to a full-time job’s commitments. Starting early also means a longer runway to build your professional network – giving you more time after graduation to develop the relationships that matter most early in a career.
In this case, you should start the application process at the start of your final year at college, but only if you are absolutely sure of your specialisation.
Why taking time out before your Masters can be the right call
Some students need a longer break from the demands of studying and want to take a bit longer to decide. Taking a break allows extra time for research to confirm your choice of specialisation. You may decide to get a job to acquire some practical work experience or to save money for the Masters programme or to put toward any debt you acquired with your undergraduate studies. Or you could use the time to travel or explore interests outside of academia. It’s one of the few windows of genuine freedom before work and other adult commitments take over.
This decision has a few potential drawbacks, however. Your study skills may get a bit rusty if you are not actively taking classes. It is also difficult sometimes to spend the time or money going back to get that Masters degree once you are tied to commitments such as a full-time job or family.
It is worth noting, however, that part-time and online Masters programmes have made this less of an obstacle than it once was. Many top schools offer flexible formats specifically designed for working professionals, allowing you to study without stepping away from your career or other commitments entirely.
In any case, if you decide to take some time off after graduation, be sure to start your planning process at least a year ahead of when you want to begin, allowing time to select the right university and complete the lengthy application process.
Also read: Gap Year before Master's Degree Studies: Pros and Cons
How to weigh up the decision of when to start a Masters
Regardless of whether you begin your Masters programme directly after finishing your Bachelor’s degree or whether you decide to wait a while, the timing decision involves weighing deeply personal and unique factors. Weigh the benefits of each option against your individual priorities, like career, education, and family.
Money is also a big factor to consider. You may have acquired debt at the undergraduate level that you want to pay back before you begin, or you may want extra time to save up for the higher degree. Some jobs you take may even offer financial assistance to further your education, so you could explore the possibility of finding an employer to support your Masters studies.
The commitment to Masters degree studies should not be taken lightly as these decisions shape more of your life than just your career. Consider the impacts thoroughly, carefully noting the pros and cons for each. Do not be afraid to discuss your personal situation with an academic adviser at a university you are considering since they want you to enter a programme with confidence and a high chance of success, as do you.
Originally published: 14 February 2017
Updated: 30 September 2026
