The choice of either a taught or research masters program represents a very important decision for any prospective postgraduate student. Knowing the difference between taught and research masters will help you to understand which option is most beneficial to your education and career goals. This article examines the differences between these two types of masters degrees in detail so you can make the right choice.
Understanding Taught Masters
What are Taught Masters Degrees?
Taught masters degrees (also known as postgraduate taught programmes) are structured postgraduate programmes where the learning on the taught programmes emphasizes particular skills and knowledge through taught courses and in-course referral – completing a taught masters programme requires attending lectures and seminars and writing assignments. The structure of taught masters is very similar to undergraduate programmes and involves learning from lecturers as well as engaging in the taught modules.
Structure of Taught Programs
The structure of taught programs typically consists of a number of taught modules that are delivered via lectures, seminars, and tutorials, these taught modules mostly aim to give students a broader view of the subject area. An important part of completing a taught masters is the dissertation, which gives students the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge they gain through the program to undertake a specific research project under the supervision of a member of the staff. This is often the first time students have had the opportunity to complete an independent study that gives them the chance to focus in depth on a subject that they are interested in.
Length and Content Of the Course
In most instances, the duration of study for a taught masters is one year for full-time study. The course content of a taught masters usually enables students to develop a general knowledge of the subject area and of specialized topics. Taught masters primarily build a base of knowledge or skills. Therefore, the content of the taught masters was intended to facilitate professional practice, or it might allow future characterisation of study such as a PhD. Study of taught or research masters will have implications for your future professional, academic and practical characterisation.
Research Masters
What is a Research Masters Degree?
A research masters degree (more commonly known as a Master of Research, or MRes) is a postgraduate degree that develops research skills. A research masters typically has components of independent research (and/or contributes original research) rather than delivered modules, as would also be seen in a taught masters degree. Therefore, the research masters may be an important and suitable means of preparing for a PhD: helping students develop the research skills and knowledge that they will need.
Research Programs Structure
Research master’s programs generally follow a structure whereby there is a substantial research project culminating in a dissertation or thesis that the student produces. The student is supervised by a supervisor who is a trusted advisor throughout the research process. Although there may be some taught courses or modules to further develop specific research skills, the main focus of these programs is the independent study and experiential learning of research. The latter having a very different feel and value add than a taught master’s program.
Length and Concentration on Research
The length of a research masters is typically one year (and full-time.) Like taught masters, research masters involve independent research for the most part, allowing students to focus on one specific area of their research. your choice between taught vs research programs can forward your academic research or career path. The skills you develop in a research masters program will certainly serve you well in a successful PhD program.
Taught vs Research: The Differences
Teaching Methods and Learning Styles
The differences between a taught and research masters are considerable in terms of teaching methods and learning styles. Taught masters will typically use lectures, seminars, and coursework to transmit information and assess your understanding. To complete a taught masters typically it will involve actively engaging with taught modules. Research masters are then mostly focused on and independent way of study, the designing and carrying out of a research project, and critical analysis of the literature. This process is student led learning (with supervision).
Evaluation and Assessment
Assessment for taught masters programs typically takes the form of written papers, examinations, presentations and dissertations. As such, the assessment evaluates a student’s understanding of the taught material, but it also assesses their general ability to apply the knowledge they have learned. In research masters programs, evaluation is based on the research project and is more tightly focused on the research project in the area of methodology, findings and quality of the dissertation. The ability to design and carry out independent research and provide original contribution as an evaluative process is also essential for grading within a research masters.
Career Outlook and Opportunities
There are distinctions between potential career outlooks and opportunities that are associated with a taught or research masters. A taught masters will prototype the student for possible professional occupational roles. If you complete a taught masters, you will have increased your chances of attaining a better job in select professional occupations. A research masters will often be a prelude toward studying a PhD or to a career in academic research. The difference between a taught and research masters will create different kinds futures that graduates are prepared for.
Deciding Between A Taught Masters Or A Research Masters
Thinking About Your Future Career
Whichever way you approach the decision to proceed with either a taught or research masters, it is especially important to think about your longer-term career plans. Completing a taught masters will often enable you to more directly enter a career pathway and will provide you with a lot of the practical skills and knowledge to partake in the labor market. Research master’s, though, may act as more conducive to entering a career in academic research as well as more niche and technical areas, especially in relation to your plans to pursue a PhD.
Tuition Fees and Funding Sources
When weighing the decision of a taught vs research masters, tuition fees and funding sources can have a significant impact on your decision. The cost of studying a taught or research master’s degree can vary significantly from institution to institution and program to program. Research masters programs may provide more opportunities for funding via research grants or assistantships, while students studying for a taught master’s often lean towards scholarships, loans and self-funding. Therefore a not-so-quick search for options is recommended.
Learning Styles & Interests
Knowing your interests and learning styles are important when deciding on a taught or research masters. A taught masters consists of lectures, structured learning and coursework and suits those who enjoy a structured student experience. A research masters will be more suitable for you if you are interested in doing your own research while being an independent learner, because you can advance your learning experience and research skills.
Postgraduate Taught vs Research – Making the Right Decision
Pros and Cons of Taught Masters
Taught masters are structured, with a defined learning environment, learning outcomes are clearly defined. As alligned to didactical forms of education you should also have the benefit of learning through a wide range of taught modules, seminars and assessment tasks when completing taught master’s programs. A potential downside could be that your research project may be reduced in size and depth compared to a research masters. The difference between a taught master’s and a research master’s will have an impact on further career paths and PhD aspirations. Depending on career aspirations it might be a more suitable stepping stone.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Masters
Research masters programs give you a comprehensive experience of independent research including the opportunity to develop considerable advanced research skills and to contribute to knowledge in your discipline through original research. This experience is very useful if you intend to continue on to a PHd. A potential disadvantage of the research masters is the less structured environment for your learning and research and less taught courses when compared with a taught masters. You should reflect on your preferred style of learning before deciding on a taught or research masters, as the difference between a taught and research masters is large.
Tips for Choosing a Program
Choosing a program requires some thought about your career goals, learning style and financial situation. Do you want to be in a syllabus-driven program where decent issues are taught to you through modules, or do you want to be in a more independent program that is research-driven? You can find faculty and research opportunities in different masters programs and emphasis. Being able to talk to alumni of each program or currant students is also very helpful. The process of thinking about will I do a taught masters vs research masters is an involved decision-making task and it is important to pick the one that is a better fit for you.