Students often find it confusing when it comes to choosing the form of a post-graduate degree. A constant dilemma of whether to pursue by coursework. or research revolves around their mind. True, it’s not a simple decision to come on. to, given the fact that the type of program you choose has the power to dictate how you progress, and lay the path of your entire career. Coming to the point, both coursework and research form of masters. have their similarities and some apparent differences stretching from the duration of the course to the content, assessment, and application process.We have tied up with the Queen’s University of the UK to offer you the best information and help you choose the best option.
What you learn and how you learn
It is essential to have a self conversation with yourself. Ask yourself how you want your Master’s experience to be and jot down your supporting reasons. Travel back to your graduation days – did you enjoy spending your days. on a set timetable? Or did the freedom you had with researching or thesis projects fascinate you? These essential yet straightforward questions will lead you to your answer.
Here’s an anatomy of what you can expect:
Master by Coursework
A master is the best choice for a student who says. “I want to do my coursework to progress in my field of study or add new skills Exercise .”
Usually, this form of the master is more course-based and structured with a timetable of lectures. seminars, and lab sessions covering core modules and electives. Most Master by programs examines students all through the year through predefined assignments, group projects, presentations, and exams.
Many programs conclude with a large-scale project, similar to a thesis but applied in nature. Other programs end with an extensive exam, and some are entirely based on the course, where writers get their degrees after completing all requirements.
If you want to work towards a specific profession and develop a more refined skillset, a master by is usually the best option. However, you may also wish to proceed with a master’s if you want to broaden your horizon of knowledge on a specific subject for your personal development and interest.
For Ryan Richman, the MS in Engineering & Management Systems at Queen’s University was an “easy choice to make.”“I wanted to soak in as many hands-on classroom lectures as possible for my degree, so when I was laid out with the option to research vs. taking additional classes, it was an obvious choice,” said Ryan.
Masters by Research
A master by research is an advanced research-based degree with a substantial emphasis on self-directed work. You will have a few timetabled classes (in fact, none at all!). So, a good sense of self-discipline and working independently is a must in this form. You will be dedicated to completing a single project. The university will assign a suitable supervisor for your extended research to answer your queries and offer support and guidance. Such a program is ideal if you are passionate about extensive academic research, want to progress your research skills, and ultimately focus on a more specialised field of study.It is something that Jacob Davies realised after completing an internship at National Physical Laboratories in 2017.
He stated that he thought he might earn a doctorate and become a professor, but the idea was still foggy. Ph.D. seemed distant, almost unattainable to him even though he did consider that master’s by research opened wider doors to a Ph.D., but he didn’t plan to pursue his doctorate during that time.
Time travel back to today’s date, and Jacob Davies is currently completing his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.
The Application Process
Just like the course content and format, the application process for both types of Masters have some similarities and differences.
- At Queens University, for example, CVs are an essential requirement for all applications.
- Owen McNeill, a Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment Marketing associate of Queen’s University, says that CVs offer an excellent opportunity to collect relevant information that doesn’t surface elsewhere in the application when placed in front of the admission committee.
- He further stated that if someone applies for a research-oriented master’s, his resume must incorporate the number of publications he had if he had a student’s journal.
- Likewise, it must also include the research presented. In addition, if a candidate has any teaching experience, he must also include that in the application as it would prove his potentiality for a teaching assistantship.
- However, if a candidate applies for a master’s by coursework, he must include all his work experiences. It has all the internships, especially if the candidate is a recent graduate.
- Work associations with professional organisations or achievements are crucial to add more distinguishing power to a student’s candidature.
Looking to the future
If you move your cursor up, you will notice that I have mentioned how master by coursework might be more suitable for those with the mindset on a specific career path. At the same time, a master’s by research is for those opting to lay a solid foundation for their research-based career.Jacob Davies is currently pursuing his doctorate and wishes to develop engineering software and continue his research on its benefits.
However, he also has another prominent and profitable path open – academia. Teaching and researching might be a tricky combination, it may require professionals to work till the wee hours of the night, but it allows them to keep their eyes open on the new evolving technique that may better the results.
On the other hand, Ryan Richman wants to continue his career in National Physical Laboratories as a permanent recruit after completing his master’s in Engineering and Management Systems.
Parting Thoughts
If you go with a master’s by coursework, it never means that you can never earn your doctoral degree Ph.D. if that is what you’d like to do. Similarly, a master’s by research does not mean that you can’t have a 9 to 5 mechanical engineering job. So, it’s ideal to look at the college or university website you want to seek admission to and go through their career section. You will get a better idea of their master’s program and their placement facilities. It will help you in the initial stepping stone of your career.
After that, you can decide it yourself. If nothing works out, go with your gut. Whatever may you choose, the career path of the other is always accessible.
Author Bio: Elliza Allen is the director of student enrollment at a reputed college in the UK. He also supervises the coursework writers of Myassignmenthelp.com, which designs college application essays.