masters degree job prospects

Last Updated on December 15, 2022

5 Ways A Master's Degree Will Boost Your Job Prospects

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Masters Degrees, Employment and Earnings

Postgraduate study can be a great opportunity to gain advanced training, new skills and in-depth subject knowledge. But will it make you more employable?

And will a Masters degree help you find a better job? Or earn a higher salary?

On this page we’ve examined the facts and figures relating to postgraduate employment, using data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to look specifically at the job prospects of Masters students in the UK. We’ve also looked at HESA’s data on postgraduate earnings.

Elsewhere in this section you can read more about the value of postgraduate study, including advice on employer perspectives and tips for making the most of your Masters.

Will a Masters make me more employable?

Top 50 Paying Careers with a Master's Degree - BestMastersPrograms.org

A Masters degree is a qualification to be proud of, whatever your plans. But, for most students, it’s also a big investment of time, effort and, of course, money.

So, the likelihood is that you want to know if a postgraduate degree will be ‘worth it’.

Some students do study a Masters purely for the love of their subject. And that’s as good a reason for postgraduate study as any. But it’s probably not going to apply to most of the people reading a guide to postgraduate employment.

The good news is that research suggests further study does have a career benefit. Graduates with a Masters degree appear to be more employable. Many also go on to earn more over their lifetime.

Higher overall employment for postgraduates is obviously good news if you’re considering a Masters degree. But it doesn’t mean that a Masters will automatically boost your employability on its own.

You’ll need to make sure you think carefully about your reasons for postgraduate study – and that you’re able to ‘sell’ the value of your qualification to employers.

Masters Degree Job Prospects

Employability data for UK postgraduates

One of the best sources of employment data for postgraduate study in the UK is the Destinations of Leavers From Higher Education Longitudinal Survey, produced by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

This survey asks leavers from different academic years what they’ve gone on to do. The most recent edition of the survey asks people who left higher education in 2012-13 what they were doing in the winter of 2016-17.

This data is historical, but it can be a good indicator of employability and career prospects for future postgraduates – like you!

StatusGraduatePostgraduate
Work81.3%83.1%
Work and study5.4%5.2%
Further study7%5.2%
Unemployed2.4%1.7%
Information in this table is based on data derived from the 2016-17 Longitudinal DLHE Survey, conducted by HESA. It reveals the destinations of UK university graduates after three and half years.

As you can see from this table, both graduates and postgraduates enjoy high levels of employment three and a half years after leaving education, with postgraduates almost 2% more likely to be in work than those with a Bachelors degree.

Of course, this doesn’t seem like a particularly wide margin. But the real difference in employment between graduates and postgraduates comes in the kind of work they do, which is what we’ll look at shortly (spoiler: postgraduates are more likely to be in a professional role than their graduate counterparts).

How do you make the most of a Masters?

A Masters degree is about more than a qualification – or another three or four letters after your name. There’s a lot you can during and after your course to get the most out of it. For more advice, take a look at our guide to making the most of your Masters.

Will I find a better job with a Masters?

Knowing that a Masters degree could make you more employable is one thing. But will the job you get with a Masters be any better than the opportunities available to you with a Bachelors degree? In short, will a Masters degree boost your career prospects?

Again, the good news is that postgraduates do tend to enter higher level positions.

Figures from the DLHE Longitudinal Survey indicate that postgraduates are around 12% more likely to be in a professional role. These roles are also more senior than those held by first degree graduates.

Postgraduate employment in 2016-17

The following table compares the percentage of 2012-13 UK graduates and postgraduates in professional roles after three and a half years. Professional roles are generally held to be those for which more advanced training is necessary or beneficial. They are a good hallmark of graduate employability.

PositionGraduatePostgraduate
Managers, directors and senior officials6.2%9.9%
Professional occupations47.4%68.3%
Associate professional and technical occupations28.5%16.1%
Total82.1%94.3%
Information in this table is based on data derived from the 2016-17 Longitudinal DLHE Survey, conducted by HESA. It reveals the destinations of UK university graduates after three and half years.

As you can see, a Masters degree or other postgraduate qualification can have quite a striking effect on the level of employment you’ll be in a few years into your career:

  • The chances of you being in a ‘professional occupation’ (rather than a less senior associate role) are just over 20% higher if you have a postgraduate qualification. In other words, a Masters means you’re more likely to be in a job with greater professional competency and responsibility.
  • You’re nearly 4% more likely to hold a managerial role with a postgraduate qualification.

This is backed up by the UK Government’s Graduate Labour Market Survey (GLMS), which found that high skilled employment rates among postgraduates aged 16-64 was 77.8% in 2017, compared to 65.5% among graduates. For those in the 21-30 age bracket, meanwhile, postgraduates are 16.1% more likely to be in a highly skilled job than graduates.

Another thing to bear in mind is career satisfaction. According to the DHLE Longitudinal Survey, postgraduates are 3.5% more likely to be satisfied with their employment than graduates (and 3.4% less likely to be unsatisfied).

Is there a benefit to studying a Masters abroad?

Many students choose to combine further postgraduate training with an opportunity to study abroad. Reports suggest that this brings extra benefits.

One of the most important has been an investigation by the Erasmus+ programme. This is a set of funding schemes set up by the European Commission to support study mobility. Its 2016 report (PDF) highlighted the career prospects of participating students.

Though it does not distinguish between study levels, the Erasmus report suggests employers do value international experience:

  • Those who have studied abroad are half as likely as their non-mobile counterparts to be unemployed
  • Erasmus students are almost 10% more likely to be in a management position five to ten years after graduation

Of course, some of the advantages of studying abroad are clear without this data.

The added benefits of studying winemaking in France, or international law in the Netherlands, for example, are quite obvious.

More general advantages include useful language skills, experience of living and working in important international marketplaces and evidence of your willingness to adapt to new challenges.

What salary do Masters graduates earn?

We’ve established that a Masters could make you more employable and help you find a better job. But will you actually achieve a higher salary with a postgraduate qualification?

Again, research suggests that a Masters degree may do more than improve your job prospects. UK studies appear to show that people with postgraduate qualifications tend to earn significantly more across their lifetime:

  • A 2015 report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (PDF) found that postgraduates earn around 9% more than graduates over the course of a lifetime.
  • A 2013 report by the Sutton Trust (PDF) also found that students earn more with a Masters degree. Their ‘postgraduate premium’ amounts to approximately £5,500 in extra earnings per year. This results in more than £200,000 of added lifetime earnings projected over a typical 40-year career.

These figures are encouraging, but they are mainly projections. They predict earnings, rather than measuring them.

Thankfully the increasing popularity of Masters study means more specific data is becoming available for graduates in the UK.

How much do postgraduates earn?

The most recent version of the DLHE Longitudinal Survey gives data for workers who earned a postgraduate degree in 2012-13.

This doesn’t cover salaries for more recent postgraduates, but it can tell you what people with a Masters go on to earn after a few years in work.

Key findings from the Longitudinal DLHE reveal that:

  • 91.7% of postgraduates earn over £21,000
  • The median salary for postgraduate degree holders is £32,000
  • Workers with a postgraduate degree are more likely to be earning salaries over £27,500 (compared to workers with undergraduate degrees only)

These figures apply to salaries for workers with a Masters degree (or above) in the UK, three and a half years after graduation.

Salary data for Masters graduates

The following table provides more detailed information on earnings with a Masters degree (or above). It compares the percentage of graduates and postgraduates within different salary bands:

Annual salary (£)GraduatePostgraduate
Less than 15,0004.6%1.4%
15,000 – 17,4996.5%1.8%
17,500 – 19,9997.9%2.4%
20,000 – 22,49912.5%5.1%
22,500 – 24,99911.1%5.3%
25,000 – 27,49915.5%11.2%
27,500 – 29,9998.3%9.2%
30,000 – 32,49911%13.8%
32,500 – 34,9993.5%5.3%
35,000 – 39,9997.3%13.4%
40,000 – 44,9994.4%10%
45,000 – 49,9992.8%6.1%
50,000 or more4.6%15%
Information in this table is based on data derived from the 2016-17 Longitudinal DLHE Survey, conducted by HESA. It reveals the destinations of UK university graduates after three and half years.

This data indicates that postgraduate qualifications appear to provide a significant earnings boost once students have been working for a few years.

Of particular note is the fact that the largest group of postgraduates (15%) earned the highest salary band (£50,000 or more).

The UK Government’s Graduate Labour Market Survey (GLMS) reaffirms the findings in this report. Among the working age population (16-64 year olds), the median salary of a postgraduate in 2017 was £39,000, compared to £33,000 for a graduate. Among 21-30 year olds, the median salary for postgraduates was £28,500, with graduates earning a median salary of £35,000.

Postgraduate employability worldwide

This page focuses on postgraduates in the UK, but data from the OECD reveals similar patterns in other countries. In terms of the OECD average, postgraduates are 5% more likely to be employed than graduates, while people with a Masters or Doctoral qualification earn around 27% more than graduates.

Where can I find data on postgraduate employability and earnings?

As postgraduate study has become more popular, increasing attention has been paid to its benefits – particularly in the UK.

This means that data on career prospects and earnings with a Masters degree is now available from various sources.

The following is a quick guide to some of the main sources of information on postgraduate employment and earnings – including those we’ve used on this page.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

HESA is the largest and most comprehensive provider of information on the outcomes of university study in the UK. This includes information on what students go on to do, the kinds of jobs they end up in and how much money they earn.

HESA operates on a not-for-profit basis as a higher education charity, but the data it collects has an official status and is used by various groups, including the UK Government.

There are two main HESA publications that cover employment data for postgraduates:

  • The Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey is an annual survey of university graduates in the UK. It collects information on the activities of students six months after completing their degrees. Find out more about the DLHE.
  • The DLHE Longitudinal Survey is a second phase of the main DLHE. It collects further information from graduates three and a half years after leaving university. We’ve used the DLHE Longitudinal data for the tables on this page. Read more about the Longitudinal DLHE.

The Graduate Labour Market Survey (GLMS)

The Graduate Labour Market Survey is an annual survey compiled by the UK Government using data from the wider Labour Force Survey (LFS). It takes a different approach to the HESA reports mentioned above, in that it assesses the current employment and salary status of all graduates within a certain age range – not just those who graduated in a particular year.

It’s possible to filter the GLMS data by ‘recent’ graduates – those in the 21-30 age bracket – and the entire working population, which makes it somewhat easier to get an idea of what people are doing in the first few years after leaving universitiy.

Other surveys of postgraduate careers and earnings

Along with regular data collection, recent years have seen specific surveys carried out by organisations seeking to understand and review postgraduate study.

Three of the most important are:

  • The Postgraduate Premium – This report was published (PDF) in 2013 by education charity The Sutton Trust. It assesses social mobility in the UK and USA, focussing on the value and accessibility of postgraduate study.
  • The Independent Review on Social Mobility and Child Poverty – Sometimes referred to as the ‘Alan Milburn report’, this publication (PDF) was presented to the UK Government in 2012. It also assesses the benefits of postgraduate study and the case for widening participation in Masters-level training.
  • Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators – This report gives an impression of the state of education across the world, with details on postgraduate earnings, country by country.

Using this information

The information on this page is based on the datasets and reports listed above. We’ve picked out some of the most important points to give you a general idea of the value of postgraduate study.

Sadly, we can’t predict the benefit of a specific Masters degree in a specific subject to a specific student in a specific career. We’re pretty good at helping people find Masters degrees, but, well, we’re not magical.

Why Study a Masters Degree?

Different students have different reasons for studying a Masters. But most do so in the hope that postgraduate study will improve their career prospects.

You might have a specific job in mind – such as an academic role, for which a Masters degree is often the next step. Others return to postgraduate study to boost their career progress or switch career paths.

Of course, employability isn’t the only reason to study a postgraduate degree. Many students enjoy the chance to pursue their undergraduate subject at a more advanced level. There’s also nothing to say you can’t follow a subject you love and enhance your job prospects.

This page presents an overview of some of the main uses for a Masters degree, both professional and academic. It also offers some advice on evaluating your own reasons for postgraduate study – and making sure your decision is the right one.

Studying a Masters for the right reasons

Whatever your goals, it’s important is that you consider your reasons for postgraduate study carefully.

Spending another year at university can seem appealing if you’re not yet sure what you want to do after you graduate. But don’t assume that you’ll automatically make yourself more employable by doing so.

Equally, you should remember that following an academic career path can be challenging. You’ll need to complete a PhD after your Masters, meaning at least four years more study. In most cases you’ll also need to spend time on a postdoctoral research project (a ‘Postdoc’) before securing a permanent job.

Reflecting on your decision making

There are plenty of people out there who can help you evaluate your postgraduate plans. You could (and should) consult your current university’s careers advisory service. You can also take advice from your lecturers or talk to friends, family and fellow students.

But the person who really knows the most about your decision, is you. So take some time to reflect on your own decision and your reasoning.

Should you study a Masters?

Here are some good questions to ask yourself before you commit to a Masters.

  • Are you passionate enough about your subject?A Masters won’t just ask you to tackle more complex material. It will also challenge you to take more responsibility for the way in which you do so. Even a taught program will involve lots of independent reading and preparation. This means that you’ll need to be self-motivated and enthusiastic about what you’re studying.If you’re considering postgraduate study as a ‘stopgap’ or ‘plan b’, think carefully about how you’ll cope with these expectations of you.
  • Are you ready for another year (or more) of university study?If you’ve just finished three years of undergraduate work, you might have some understandable ‘study fatigue’. Remember that you don’t have to begin your Masters immediately after your Bachelors.A period in work could help you take a break from studying and reflect on your goals. You might even put yourself in a better position to afford a Masters. (You can always come back and study part-time, or via distance learning).
  • Can you afford it?The cost of a Masters varies. Some subjects are more expensive than others. Some courses don’t charge fees. But, whatever and wherever you study, you’ll need to pay living costs. You may able to cover these through funding or work. But you should still bear in mind that postgraduate study represents at least another year of ‘missed’ full-time earnings.A Masters can have value, but it’s never entirely ‘free’. Make sure you know how you’re going to cover your costs in the short term and that your qualification will be worth it in the long term.
  • Are you studying the right qualification?Postgraduate study is very varied, with various types of Masters degree and other qualifications. Some develop academic expertise. Others have more obvious professional and vocational applications. Some include lots of research. Others are much more applied.Review all the options available to you and pick a course that fits your interests and goals.
  • Are you putting off a bigger decision about your future?This one calls for some honesty. Choosing to stay on for a Masters because you aren’t yet sure what you want to do for a career isn’t actually the worst thing you can do. (Provided you’ve thought about the questions above). You’ll pick up an additional qualification, develop transferable skills and potentially open the door to further academic training.But you should be clear with yourself if this is part of your reason for studying a Masters. Don’t try to convince yourself a Masters in medieval history is vital to your professional aspirations if it isn’t. And don’t coast into training for an academic career when, deep down, you know you really hate writing essays.

Asking these questions should help you reflect on your decision making and think about what you hope to get out of a Masters degree.

But you shouldn’t take the self-interrogation too far. Masters degrees have lots to offer. We should know – we’ve been helping students find them for over a decade.

If you’re satisfied with your answers, you can be confident that a Masters degree could be a great choice for you too.

Speak to other students

One of the best ways to reflect on your reasons for postgraduate study is to speak to other students about their own decisions. Why not ask some of the postgraduates at your university about their plans? You can also get in touch with current postgraduate students via communities like the postgraduate forum.

Postgraduate study for employment

Evidence suggests that a Masters degree may increase your employability and lifetime earnings.

Completing a postgraduate course is also an impressive achievement in itself. It demonstrates your ability to tackle complex material and complete more challenging assessment tasks.

Some Masters courses also enhance academic undergraduate degrees and ‘focus’ them towards specific professions. For example, a Masters in Marketing or Journalism could be an excellent way to capitalise on your skills as an English or History graduate.

But don’t assume a postgraduate qualification will automatically make you more attractive to employers.

Unless your degree relates to a specific career path, you‘ll need to consider how you’ll ‘sell’ your Masters to employers.

‘Improving’ bad results

A postgraduate qualification can help enhance an existing degree, but it won’t necessarily compensate for or ‘hide’ a poor undergraduate result. Prospective employers will look at all your relevant qualifications and experience, not just the most recent.

Do some jobs require a postgraduate qualification?

Some professions will only admit candidates with very specific qualifications. These are often earned through specialised postgraduate study.

In Education, for example, many prospective teachers study a postgraduate teaching qualification after their undergraduate degree. Other candidates qualify through other routes, including vocational training.

International qualifications

If studying abroad, make sure you investigate employment criteria in the country you plan to work in. Professional qualifications gained in one country may not automatically be recognised elsewhere, though options may exist to convert or accredit your existing training.

In other subjects, such as Law, specific Masters programs exist to help candidates gain advanced skills and specialisations. However, these will not necessarily replace the normal professional training and qualification process.

The best way to find out if a postgraduate qualification will help you enter a specific profession is to speak to careers advisors. Or, if possible, contact relevant recruiters and employers. You will usually find that many pathways exist into a profession. These may include postgraduate study, but won’t necessarily be limited to it.

Will a Masters make you more employable?

Research suggests that postgraduate qualifications can improve your job prospects and earnings. For more information, see our guide to Masters study and employability.

Postgraduate study as professional development

Not all students begin a postgraduate course immediately after an undergraduate degree. Many return to university later in their careers to gain new skills or retrain for a different job.

Masters study is particularly suited to this approach, with opportunities to study part-time or even do so remotely.

Many postgraduate courses are also specifically designed for professional training.

Some are conversion courses that open doors to new vocations such as teaching or law.

Others focus on specialised skills such as digital marketing and graphic design. These can help established professionals ‘upskill’ as their role evolves.

When to consider postgraduate professional development

Returning to university may seem like an odd decision if you’re already in work. But postgraduate study can be an excellent ‘career move’.

Here are some situations in which studying a Masters (or similar qualification) might be useful to you:

  • You want to switch careers – If you’re looking for a new professional challenge, you’re probably not alone. It’s increasingly common for people to change careers during their working lives. You might be responding to changes in your current field, or looking to fulfil a longstanding professional goal.If so, a postgraduate course could help you retrain. Some programmes are designed for exactly this purpose. Conversion courses are popular with applicants applying to work in law without existing training. Various teacher training courses also exist for people wishing to enter education.
  • You want to boost your current care – If you’re working in a fast-moving, high-skilled profession, you may want to update your training from time to time. This will help you stay abreast of new developments or technologies that can impact or enhance your role. A digital marketer, for example, might want to develop skills in social media management.Lots of postgraduate courses exist to provide this kind of training. Many are shorter PGDip or PGCert programs that can be studied part-time or through distance learning. This means you may be able to enhance your career without taking a break from it.
  • You want to move into a management role – Postgraduate training can be a great way to prepare yourself for a more senior role in your current organisation or profession. This doesn’t always mean studying a dedicated management programme (such as an MBA). A postgraduate course could simply help enhance your practical expertise and be the final thing your CV needs to really shine.Taking the time for further study in your profession or field also demonstrates the seriousness of your aspirations – and your commitment to them.
  • You want to move into an academic role – Not all university academics spend their entire careers within the ‘ivory tower’. Many actually come from professional backgrounds, such as business or journalism. Your first-hand experience in one of these fields could make you a great teacher and researcher. But you’ll also benefit from understanding your subject from an academic perspective.A Masters will help you do this – and perhaps even prepare you for a PhD.

Interested in returning to postgraduate study?

You can read more about courses designed for professionals in our guides to different types of Masters degree. Or, if you’re specifically interested in continuing professional development why not visit our sister-site, FindCPD.com?

Masters study as preparation for a PhD

A taught Masters can provide an excellent bridge between undergraduate study and PhD research. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that PhD programs will expect applicants to have a Masters degree.

Requirements may differ between subject areas and between different research projects. Studying a Masters degree before a PhD is more common in Arts and Humanities subjects than in Science disciplines. There’s no hard and fast rule though.

The best way to find out if a specific PhD program requires a Masters is to contact the university in question. They may be able to tell you whether a Masters would help prepare you for a program or improve your chances of acquiring a funded position.

The benefits of studying a Masters before a PhD

If you are considering a PhD, it’s better to think about the possible benefits of a Masters, rather than simply viewing the degree as a possible obligation.

Studying a Masters will enhance your general subject knowledge and provide you with the chance to tackle advanced independent research-projects on a smaller scale. This can help make the transition into a PhD research project easier and more enjoyable.

A Masters degree can also help you ‘test the waters’ before you commit to further postgraduate training. If you decide that an academic career probably isn’t for you, it’s better to find that out on a Masters (and come away with a worthwhile qualification) rather than realise it after you’ve already begun a PhD.

Your Masters, what next?

Studying for a Masters degree is your gateway to securing a job, career progression or continuing your education through PhD study

Jobs for Masters graduates

In 2016/17, the most popular jobs for postgraduates were in:

  • business, HR and finance
  • education, such as secondary and higher education teachers
  • healthcare, such as nurses and physiotherapists
  • management.

Although the skills you’ll gain from a Masters can be applied to a range of jobs, some industries specify the need for a certain postgraduate qualification. For instance, to become a solicitor you’ll need a Legal Practice Course (LPC) qualification, and it’s likely you’ll study for a postgraduate course in teaching (PGCE) if you’re embarking on a teaching career.

Postgraduate qualifications are also needed in specialist professions, including the roles of archivist, psychotherapist and epidemiologist.

Be aware that, in the current job market, academic Masters graduates typically compete with first class Bachelors degree holders for jobs. However, having a Masters in a vocational subject serves as a great advantage, particularly in the following areas:

  • engineering
  • radiography
  • social work
  • surveying
  • town planning.

Applying for graduate jobs

Generally, employers won’t have separate job application systems for undergraduate and postgraduate candidates. Because of this, you can look for jobs in the same place as those with a first degree. This includes:

  • online jobs boards
  • Prospects’ graduate job search
  • sign up to Prospects job alerts
  • through a recruitment agency
  • through social media, such as LinkedIn
  • trade publications.

If you have your sights set on working for a specific company that isn’t advertising vacancies, you may consider sending them a speculative application to enquire about possible opportunities.

Employers may also choose not to distinguish between Bachelors and Masters graduates when recruiting. They may favour your maturity compared with first-degree graduates, but you’ll have to highlight this and the skills you’ve developed through your Masters in your cover letter, explaining why these make you a favourable choice for the position you’re applying for.

To increase your chances of landing a job, make sure you emphasise the experience you’ve gained directly from your Masters, including any research placements you’ve carried out.

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Studying for a PhD

For many students, a Masters is a stepping stone towards a career in academia. A PhD will take years of research and analysis to complete – it’s a long and difficult process that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

According to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2017 survey, by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 8.1% of postgraduate leavers in 2016/17 went on to further study, with a further 3.1% working while studying. Of these graduates, 60.8% were studying a PhD. A research Masters (MRes) is often seen as the PhD’s precursor, with 37.2% of graduates who do an MRes going onto some form of further study.

For the first time from 2018/19, if you’re a UK national living in England you can apply for a PhD loan, up to the maximum amount of £25,000, to support your studies. The loan isn’t means tested, meaning you can borrow anything up to the maximum amount regardless of your financial background, and you’ll be required to pay it back at a rate of 6% once you’re earning more than £21,000 per year.

It’s important to consider the pros and cons of PhD study before you apply. While the qualification will help you develop your critical thinking, research and analytical skills and become a recognised expert in your field, your work/life balance is likely to suffer and employers may view you as overqualified – or under experienced – for a position, especially if you’re moving away from your field of research.

Whatever you decide, make sure you’ve made an informed decision based on thorough research. For more information, see PhD study.

What do Masters graduates do?

With Masters degrees in the UK so highly regarded by international students and employers, Masters graduates are advantaged in the jobs market.

According to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey, 90% of the 44,109 Masters leavers in 2016/17 were in work or further study six months after graduation. Of those who were in a job in the UK, 87.8% were doing a professional or managerial job.

DestinationPercentage
Working78.7
Studying8.1
Working and studying3.1
Unemployed5.2
Other4.8

Destinations of Masters graduates

Type of workPercentage
Teaching and educational professionals10.5
Business, research and administrative professionals7.2
Business, finance and related associate professionals5.3
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals5.3
Health professionals5.0

Microbiology

AuthorAGCAS editorsPostedJuly, 2019

Employers value the scientific, analytical and problem-solving skills developed by microbiology graduates

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

  • Academic researcher
  • Biomedical scientist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Clinical research associate
  • Clinical scientist, immunology
  • Food technologist
  • Medicinal chemist
  • Microbiologist
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Research scientist (life sciences)
  • Technical brewer
  • Water quality scientist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

  • Ecologist
  • Environmental engineer
  • Forensic scientist
  • Marine biologist
  • Physician associate
  • Science writer

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don’t restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience in a laboratory is useful if you’re thinking of a science-based career. Some degree courses include a year’s work placement undertaking scientific research in industry, a government research laboratory or another relevant organisation.

Some companies provide funding to support research work in laboratories over the summer. Contact your careers service for information on these opportunities and other internships. Also, contact local hospital laboratories to find out about work experience or work shadowing opportunities.

Membership of a relevant society or professional body such as the Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM) or the Microbiology Society provides valuable networking opportunities and access to grants and free or discounted conference attendance.

Typical employers

Microbiology overlaps with other areas of biology such as genetics, molecular biology and immunology. This means there are opportunities for a microbiology-related career in a wide range of sectors. Typical employers include:

  • healthcare organisations such as the NHS and private hospitals
  • public health organisations such as Public Health England
  • environmental organisations
  • industry – food and drink, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, toiletries, water and biotechnology companies
  • forensic science laboratories
  • publicly funded research organisations
  • higher education institutions.

Skills for your CV

Studying microbiology helps you to develop a variety of subject-specific skills. These include the ability to:

  • employ a range of investigative, recording and analysis techniques
  • prepare, interpret and present data, using statistical programmes, qualitative and quantitative techniques and spreadsheets
  • conduct literature searches and critically evaluate information
  • undertake practical laboratory investigations in a safe, responsible and ethical manner
  • apply scientific thought, rationales and approaches.

You also develop other more general skills, including:

  • teamwork and the ability to work on your own initiative
  • a flexible approach to work
  • problem-solving skills
  • communication
  • time management and organisational skills
  • the ability to evaluate your own performance and that of others.

Further study

Some microbiology graduates go on to further study at Masters or PhD level in subjects such as:

  • biochemistry
  • bioinformatics
  • biotechnology
  • environmental microbiology
  • genetics
  • medical microbiology
  • molecular biology.

In some cases this can lead to a career in academia or in government research.

If you want to work as an NHS healthcare scientist in microbiology, you’ll need to undertake further training via the NHS Scientist Training Programme, which includes study at Masters level in clinical science (infection sciences).

It’s also possible to proceed to a graduate-entry programme in medicine.

Some microbiology graduates choose to diversify by studying subjects such as computing, science communication and journalism. You can also choose to take further study in areas such as marketing, finance, business, teaching and law.

What do microbiology graduates do?

Fewer than half of microbiology graduates enter employment within six months of graduation, while over half go on to further study or combine work with further study.

Graduates enter a range of science and technician roles, while many that undertake further study choose to specialise in a particular area of microbiology.

DestinationPercentage
Employed37.2
Further study46.2
Working and studying6.1
Unemployed5.5
Other5

Graduate destinations for microbiology

Type of workPercentage
Technicians and other professionals20.3
Retail, catering and bar work18.7
Science professionals14.9
Business, HR and financial11.8
Other34.3

What Can I Become with a Master’s in International Business?

An International Business degree is ideal for students who want to develop a global mindset and  understand different business management practices.  If your goal is to improve the performance of businesses competing in a rapidly changing global marketplace, a Master’s in International Business will expose you to ideas that will help you face international challenges more successfully.

With the massive growth of international business, there is a huge demand for individuals with in-depth knowledge and understanding of global markets. Let’s look at some of the best International Business jobs.

Popular countries to study International Business degrees

If you haven’t decided where to study yet, you should know that popular study abroad destinations for International Business degrees are: 

  • Masters in International Business in France 
  • Masters in International Business in Finland 
  • Masters in International Business in Spain 
  • Masters in International Business in the UK 
  • Masters in International Business in Italy 

Here is a list with the most common jobs for International Business graduates and the average annual salaries you can expect to earn:

1. Management Analyst/Consultant – 65,900 USD/year

You will help organisations solve any type of issue and provide advice on growing revenues and improving business performance. The essential tasks of a management analyst or consultant are:

  • Identifying issues and analysing possible solutions for them
  • Presenting findings and recommendations to clients
  • Assisting clients with implementing the suggested solutions

2. Sales Manager – 68,900 USD/year

You’ll be responsible for coordinating sales teams, for making sure the company reaches the sales target and for promoting the products or services provided by the company. Your duties will include:

  • Setting a clear sales quota and developing training programs for the sales team
  • Monitoring and analysing the sales figures and performance
  • Finding potential customers and looking for new business opportunities

3. International Trader – 78,900 USD/year

International traders are also known as commodities and securities traders deal with advising corporate clients on various matters related to international trade and investment opportunities. Your main activities will include:

  • Assessing clients’ financial abilities and suggesting investments
  • Offering consultancy in terms of securing capital, real estate and international business strategies

4. Financial Controller – 82,200 USD/year

You’ll manage everything that concerns the financial reporting of a company: accounts, transactions, payroll, preparation of taxes. Financial controllers collaborate and communicate with all the departments of a company and need to have a holistic understanding of the entire business. Main duties include:

  • Creating and maintaining the company’s accounting system
  • Finding methods to improve financial reporting
  • Processing and recording transactions
  • Collecting debts

5. Business Development Manager – 71,900 USD/year

You’ll combine strategic analysis with marketing and sales techniques to help a company grow and increase its revenues. Business development managers usually focus on establishing new partnerships and increasing sales from existing accounts. Expect the following activities:

  • Defining organisational strategic goals
  • Negotiating and closing business deals
  • Retaining existing accounts by presenting new solutions and services to clients
Group of people discussing during a business meeting

6. Mediator/Arbitrator – 51,700 USD/year

As a mediator, you’ll work with different governments, companies or individuals who cannot reach a mutual agreement regarding a difficult situation. Their dispute might can be caused by factors like conflict of interest, financial transactions, and many others. Your main tasks are:

  • Evaluate the dispute/conflict and understand what caused it
  • Identify strategies, policies, or tools that can be used to resolve the situation
  • Help both parties understand, accept, and implement a solution that’s mutually beneficial

7. Marketing Executive – 59,000 USD/year

As a marketing executive, your main goal will be to increase the company’s profits. You’ll be responsible for creating promotional strategies that highlight the benefits of your company’s products and services. Some of the main tasks are:

  • Manage, develop, and oversee the progress of marketing campaigns
  • Identify and (re)define audiences based on research and data analysis
  • Create detailed financial and statistical reports

8. Supply Chain Manager – 81,600 USD/year

As a supply chain manager, your will ensure that all the products required by your clients are available. You’ll also be responsible for limiting costs and reducing waste where it is possible. Here are other responsibilities:

  • Organise schedules and assign tasks in a manner that improves productivity
  • Search for methods and/or tools that optimise the product delivery systems
  • Create, maintain, and expand collaborations with current and new clients and suppliers

9. External Auditor – 55,000 USD/year

External auditors evaluate the accounting records or different organisations and establish if they meet the legal and accounting standards. As an auditor, you will look for missing data or statements, sums that don’t add up, or other information that might indicate an error or a fraud. Some of the most common tasks are:

  • Plan financial auditing processes
  • Evaluate risk management strategies and offer suggestions
  • Report all the errors and inconsistencies found during an audit

10. Compliance Officer – 67,900 USD/year

Compliance officers make sure their organisation doesn’t break any current laws, regulations, or licensing agreement. You’ll be responsible for researching and staying up to date with the latest changes that might impact the company or its business transactions. Typical tasks include:

  • Evaluate and develop risk management strategies
  • Conduct periodic internal audits to verify if procedures are properly implemented and followed
  • Oversee the investigation and all activities related to compliance issues

International Business degrees open the door to various careers in management

International Business studies provide you knowledge about world cultures and societies. Combining this knowledge with valuable management skills will make you stand out on the job market, as employers worldwide are looking for experts who can successfully manage multiple markets.

A Master’s programme in International Business also qualifies you for more prestigious job opportunities, such as the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You can even get into teaching at university level, get involved in research work, or even land jobs in governments and multilateral organisations.

Masters in Engineering Management

An Overview of the degree

Masters in Engineering Management, abbreviated as MEM is a specially designed degree for the engineering graduates to build the link between engineering, technology and management.

‘Engineering Management’ is the name used as the course is mainly related to managing and optimizing the output of engineering processes using the tools of business management.

The degree is popular among the engineering graduates who want to get a higher management role in their company’s hierarchy.

Why should I apply to Masters in Engineering Management?

Known famously as the ‘Engineer’s MBA’, the MEM degree is the perfect match for the engineering graduates who want to give a jump to their monotonously moving career path.

The degree is associated with management of engineering process, thus making a good use of the engineering knowledge of the students.

The core curriculum for MEM covers marketing finance, intellectual management, and management law. The degree helps the candidate to acquire the perfect blend of engineering and management skills.

There are certain problems which require a good knowledge of engineering and good management skills to be solved.

Problems related to planning, scheduling, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling the process requires an efficient MEM to be solved efficiently as he has the managerial skills as well as the complete knowledge of the process.

The program is a great platform for those young or experienced engineering graduates who want to take technical management and leadership role in the big technical firms.

The MEM degree, as mentioned, again and again, is designed to optimize the technical processes, which makes it stand out among the available management degree for engineering graduates.You can Watch our Detailed Video on

Everything You Need to Know about Master in Engineering Management

 What do I need before I join MEM?

As mentioned above, Engineering Management is a degree for the engineering graduates.

So, it is expected that the student has appropriate knowledge of his engineering field. The students from science and mathematics field can also join this program but they need to develop the basic skills of engineering.

Also, introductory knowledge of management and business laws is a good advantage to have if you are willing to pursue this degree.

MEM V/S MBA

As its name suggests, it is an engineering degree and this program is designed to enrich the blend of advanced technical courses with core business courses and considered as best fit for today’s technology companies with a core curriculum in economics, operations, and marketing.

MEM gives you an advantage of business acumen in strategy, marketing, and finance much similar to MBA with technical background and knowledge as well.

While MBA gives only the business administration and marketing and leadership aspects and this program is designed to cover the wide variety of business aspects like accounting, operations, organizational behavior, economics, finance, and leadership etc. It does not specifically focus on technology either its focus on core business and marketing concepts.

What is Master of Engineering Management programs consortium (MEMPC)?

The MEM consortium is a highly selective and elite group of professional graduate programs to provide the right programs for the right candidate.

MEMPC members work as a consortium to provide guidance to high potential students to enlighten their right blend of technical and management to improve them and make them capable to lead companies of the generation ‘Z’.

The list of MEMPC members are:

  • Cornell University
  • Dartmouth College
  • Duke University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Northernwestern University
  • Purdue University
  • TUFTS University
  • University of Southern California

Want to know which college is the best fit for you to do MEM?

 MEMPC Mission

“The master of engineering management (MEM) consortium is a dedicated group of highly selective and forward thinking professional graduate programs devoted to providing the right program for the right students”.

Elective Courses

The MEM candidates need to go through a number of compulsory engineering management subjects related to professional engineering stream, they also need to select some major choice subjects from their own engineering stream as a part of postgraduate engineering studies.

Apart from this, certain numbers of electives need to be completed. Some electives available are:

  • Accounting for Managers
  • Corporate Finance
  • Organization Design and Behavior
  • Marketing Management
  • Organization Information Systems
  • Operations Management
  • Industrial Financial Decisions
  • Leadership in a Global Environment

Duration of MEM degree

There are many universities which offer part time MEM engineering program which ends in three to nine months.

However, a full time program in any reputed university takes close to 12 to 15 months for completion.

The period may include compulsory internships or projects. In general, the duration remains in the above mentioned range in most of the universities.

 Admission requirements for MEM

The admission requirements for Engineering Management are almost similar in most of the universities. They are:

  • The student should be fluent in English and should hold a valid TOEFL or IELTS score for non-native students.
  • The student should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM discipline.
  • Some schools demand GMAT or GRE scores while they are waived in case of candidates with hefty work experience.
  • Letter of Recommendation are compulsory in some of the colleges.
  • Most of the colleges demand a Statement of Purpose and few essays on the specific topics mentioned.
masters in engineering management admission requirements

Admission process

There is a two-step process for applying to a MEM Program.

  • A first selection is made based on the evaluation of your application and supporting documents.
  • The pre-selected candidates will then be invited for a face-to-face or Skype interview.
  • Selection is done on the basis of the overall profile including Global Admission test score, extracurricular and previous work experience (if any).
  • The student should have strong ambition to rise up the managerial hierarchy and strong willingness to learn new skills.
  • The candidate should have a fixed motive for applying for this program.

Do I need GRE/GMAT Score

Mostly, the GMAT/GRE test score is compulsory. It may be waived off for candidates with more than three to five years of work experience in some universities.
A valid TOEFL or IELTS score for English proficiency assurance is required.

Class Profile

  • Average GRE Quantitative: 161-167
  • Average GRE Verbal: 152-157
  • Average GRE Analytical Writing: 3.5-4.0
  • Average Work Experience: 2.5 years
  • Average Age: 24 years
  • Women: 26%

Jobs after Masters in Engineering Management

After completing the MEM degree, the candidate can be hired as an Application Engineer, Associate Marketing Manager, Automation Engineer, Business Analyst, Client Services Analyst, Clinical Specialist, D Director of Business Strategy etc. Some of the companies hiring MEMs are: Consultant Firms: Accenture, Deloitte, Capital OneTech Giants: Google, Microsoft, Cisco, AppleFinancial Service sector: BNP Paribas, Citi Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, State Street Corporation.

masters in engineering management jobs

Average Masters in Engineering Management Salary

The average salary for the students from some type Business Schools after completing the MEM degree was around $90,000 per annum. The figures mainly fluctuate depending on the firm and the cities.

Ranking of Top Colleges

The course is offered in several top universities across the globe and that makes it difficult to determine the ranking of the business schools for this course. In no particular order, given below are some of the top universities offering MEM programs.

S.NoUniversity NameProgram NameCountry
1McGill UniversityMaster in Manufacturing managementCanada
2University of Ontario Institute of TechnologyEngineering ManagementCanada
3Lambton CollegeQuality Engineering ManagementCanada
4University of OttawaMaster Engineering ManagementCanada
5University of WindsorMaster of Engineering ManagementCanada
6University of AlbertaDegree of MEng in Engineering ManagementÂCanada
7University of WaterlooManagement EngineeringÂCanada
8McGill UniversityMaster in Manufacturing managementCanada
9Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and LabradorMaster of Engineering ManagementCanada
10Carleton University, OntarioMaster of Applied Science in Technology Innovation ManagementCanada
11Tshingua UniversityMasters of Engineering ManagementChina
12Rwth Business SchoolM.SC. Management and engineering in technology, innovation, marketing and entrepreneurshipGermany
13National University of SingaporeExecutive Masters in Systems Engineering & ManagementSingapore
14University College LondonMaster of Systems Engineering ManagementUK
15Kings College LondonMSc in Engineering with Business ManagementUK
16University of ManchesterMSc in Engineering Project ManagementUK
17Brunel University LondonEngineering Management MScUK
18Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
19Stanford UniversityMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
20Cornell UniversityMasters of Engineering ManagementUSA
21Columbia UniversityMSc Management Science & EngineeringUSA
22Duke UniversityMasters of Engineering ManagementUSA
23Dartmouth CollegeMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
24Johns Hopkins UniversityMaster of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
25Northwestern UniversityMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
26Purdue UniversityMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
27Tufts UniversityMaster of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
28University of Southern CaliforniaMaster of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
29University of California IrvineMaster of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
30Georgia Institute Of Technology(Not Confirmed)USA
31University Of California-BerkeleyMaster of Information Management and SystemsUSA
32University Of MichiganMS in Engineering ManagementUSA
33University Of Wisconsin-MadisonMS in Engineering ManagementUSA
34Univ Of Illinois At Urbana-ChampaignMaster of Science in Technology ManagementUSA
35Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteMasters in Systems Engineering & ManagementUSA
36Pennsylvania State UniversityMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
37Texas A&M UniversityMaster of Science in Engineering Systems ManagementUSA
38Ohio State UniversityMaster’s in Engineering ManagementUSA
39University Of IowaMaster of Engineering in Engineering ManagementUSA
40Northeastern UniversityMaster of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
41Lehigh UniversityM.Eng. in Management Science and EngineeringUSA
42Arizona State UniversityMaster of Engineering in engineering managementUSA
43University Of PittsburghMaster of Science in Information ScienceUSA
44North Carolina State UniversityMasters of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
45University Of Nebraska-LincolnMaster in Engineering ManagementUSA
46Oklahoma State UniversityMaster of Science in Engineering and Technology ManagementUSA
47Kansas State UniversityMaster in Engineering ManagementUSA
48Wayne State UniversityMaster of Science in Engineering ManagementUSA
49Iowa State UniversityMaster of Engineering in Engineering ManagementUSA
50Univ Of Massachusetts At AmherstMaster of Engineering ManagementUSA
51University Of FloridaMasters in Engineering ManagementUSA

For reference, we have shared links to MEM program listed on the official sites of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University. You can check them out here –

1.Massachusetts Institute of Technology MEM Program
2.Cornell University MEM Program
Confused about which school would be a better fit for your career?

What Can You Do With an Master in Economics?

An economics degree will boost your employability in many areas, regardless of the industry you work in. There is strong demand for highly numerate graduates throughout the global labor market, and the widely transferable analytical and problem-solving skills developed by economics students means that careers in economics are extremely wide ranging and diverse.

Below are a range of popular economics careers, with details on what to expect and the skills you’ll need. For more advice on getting a graduate job.

What can you do with an economics degree?

Common career paths for economics graduates include:

  • Economist
  • Financial risk analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Financial planner
  • Accountant
  • Economic researcher
  • Financial consultant
  • Investment analyst
  • Actuary
  • Public sector roles

While some choose to continue to study economics at graduate level (e.g. a Masters in Economics), this is not a necessity to find a good graduate job. This shouldn’t deter you from further study if you’re aiming at highly specialized roles (such as becoming a professional economist), but it’s useful to know that economics careers in finance and other sectors are widely available to those with just a bachelor’s degree. See below for more common careers in economics.

Professional economist careers

As a professional economist, you’ll be involved in researching and analyzing economic data, issues and trends. For the majority of economist careers, you’ll need to study economics at postgraduate level to gain the specialist skills required. To be a professional economist you’ll also need to be confident in producing economic forecasts and reports to present to clients (individuals, companies, financial organizations and public bodies) and to advise on policy and/or business strategy accordingly.

Possible employers include local and national government, public and private banks, insurance companies, think-tanks, large multinational companies, financial consultancies, accountancy firms and local authorities. A sound awareness of current affairs and economic contexts is essential in these roles.

Economics careers in banking

Banking careers are very popular with economics graduates, offering scope for high earnings and have a high demand for economists. Graduates with a background in economics are particularly valued for roles in financial control, financial planning, risk analysis, data analysis and consultancy. With a focus on keeping the financial requirements of clients and businesses on track, banking careers are largely concerned with advising and providing services for a range of banking clients and consumers.

Economics careers in accountancy

To become a qualified accountant you’ll need further professional qualifications, but many accountancy roles are available to those who studied economics. In accounting roles you can work across multiple industries, focusing on monitoring the financial situation of an organization, business or individual. Careers in accountancy typically focus on recording, classifying, interpreting and communicating financial data.

These careers require strong analytical skills, mathematical proficiency, computer literacy, an understanding of all elements of company finances, and the ability to contextualize the data collected. Economics graduates are often able to make sense of complex data sets and identify the root of financial problems, making them good matches for accountancy roles.

Economics careers in business and financial consultancy

Economists and economics experts are at the heart of the business world and financial consulting. Economics graduates may find positions in large and medium-sized organizations where economic research is required. The role of an economic researcher requires in-depth knowledge of economic theories and models, thorough analytical and problem-solving skills and mathematical ability. Financial consultants in the area of economics would fill similar roles but may work for multiple clients instead of just one organization, producing reports and advising on business strategy. Up-to-date industry knowledge and awareness of corporate finance is essential in these roles.

Economics careers in the public sector

Those who study economics will be valued in all areas of public and private spending, including roles within pricing and risk analysis, financial consultancy and economic planning. Economist careers in the public sector are often involved in public taxation, transport, commercial and waste services, energy and other forms of government spending. Thanks in large part to the most recent global recession, and the tightening of economic regulation by governments across the globe, economics students are currently seeing an increase in demand in this sector.

Actuarial and data analysis careers in economics

An actuary is a business professional whose role is to evaluate and advise on the impacts of financial risk and uncertainty. Using knowledge of both business and economics, actuaries provide reports and devise strategies on how to lessen these risks. Most entry-level job roles in this field are within pensions and insurance, but later on you may have the opportunity to move towards areas including banking, investment and healthcare. Actuaries should be skilled in mathematics and compiling statistics, but also able to communicate complex data effectively to non-experts.

Alternative economics degree jobs and careers

With a background in economics it seems anything is possible. Other common economics careers and roles include auditor, stockbroker, insurer, business manager, retail merchandizer, pricing analyst, statistician, financial consultant and salesperson.

But what can you do with an economics degree if none of the above appeals to you? Well, you may want to also consider these broader options: business intelligence, international development, human resource management, IT, journalism, law, management, market research, politics, public relations, social research and taxation. Or, you could even become an entrepreneur and start your own business!

Career opportunities after a maths degree

Mathematics offers a huge variety of career opportunities.  It is important to plan ahead and know about your options.

The following guide is designed to help you navigate through the maze of career options that exist for maths graduates.  Each of the pages below offer an insight into relevant careers for maths graduates, including a description of career, the skills required, the pros and cons, as well as useful links.

Possible career choices:

Accountancy & Professional Service

The Actuarial Profession

Banking – Investment Banking

Banking – Retail Banking

Computing & IT

Engineering Sciences

General Management

Operational research

Postgraduate Study – MSc & Taught Courses

Postgraduate Study – PhD

Statistical research

Teaching

 Accountancy & Professional Services 

Got a passion for business?  A career in accountancy and professional service is a fantastic way of using the skills you’ve picked up during your degree. The industry is huge, offering variety and great career prospects.  

 The Actuarial Profession

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical modelling to predict future events that will have a financial impact on an organisation.  The actuarial profession offers a highly mathematical career, in a rapidly expanding field.  

 Banking – Investment Banking

Investment banks offer financial advice and services to large corporations, governments and high-net-worth individuals.  A career in investment banking can be highly lucrative and fast paced.  

 Banking – Retail Banking

Retail banking covers the activities of the main high street banks; that is, providing financial services and products to individuals and businesses.  There are a huge variety of jobs in retail banking, many of which are customer facing and allow you to utilise your maths degree.

 Computing & ICT

ICT is now a huge industry, providing huge opportunities for maths graduates.   If you’ve got a nack for computers then a career in this industry could provide you with the perfect opportunity to apply your maths degree.

 Engineering Sciences

Applying your mathematics skills to solve real-world, physical problems is incredibly rewarding.  Engineering offers such a career.  The breadth of the engineering industry, and therefore the career possibilities, is huge; every modern man-made object will involve some level of engineering.

General Management

A natural leader?  If you have a flair for management and organising resources then you should consider a career in management.  There are a huge variety of roles on offer with countless organisations and businesses.

 Operational Research

Operational research is the science of improving efficiency and making better decisions.  In an operational research career you will be able to use your advanced mathematical and statistical knowledge to improve the operations of organisations.

 Postgraduate Study – MSc & Taught Courses

Whether you want to further you knowledge in a particular field, gain professional qualifications or to change your field of study; there is a qualification for you.

 Postgraduate Study – Phd

Studying for a PhD in mathematics offers the incredible opportunity to make an original contribution to mathematics.  A PhD is also a prerequisite for a career in academia and research.  

 Statistical research

In a world surrounded by data statisticians are highly sought after to analyse and make sense of it, to provide usable information to businesses and governments.

 Teaching

A career in teaching offers unparalleled job satisfaction.  With a huge shortage of maths teacher in the UK, the government is offering substantial rewards for maths graduates to enter the profession.  Click below to find out more:

Other Careers:

The list above is only a selection of the many careers open to maths graduates. 

Top 10 Career Options After a Master’s Degree in Finance

Finance is a rapidly growing industry, especially since a good finance department is a necessity in all organisations. The fast growth and huge amount of job opportunities in the field have led to more and more people steering towards a career in finance. While some might stop at a bachelor’s degree in finance, acquiring a master’s degree can help you achieve more senior positions and higher wages. Let’s take a look at what your career options after a master’s degree in finance look like.

Why study a master’s degree in finance?

  • Specialised focus: Pursuing an undergraduate finance degree will help you gain skills that are extremely relevant in today’s global business scenario. Moving on to a master’s degree in finance will allow you to focus on a specific area that will grant you access to an array of career opportunities.
  • Booming industry: There is a large number of jobs available in finance, hence there is a high demand for finance professionals who excel in their field of work. Moreover, careers in finance are known to pay well, making it a lucrative career choice.

10 career options after a master’s degree in finance

  • Financial analyst: These professionals are responsible for collecting and analysing financial data, creating financial models for effective decision making, studying market trends and making forecasts based on financial analyses.
  • Investment banker: This role involves responsibilities such as providing assistance to clients for mergers and acquisitions, helping clients raise capital, either by issuing debt or by selling equity, and advising clients on potential and profitable investment opportunities.
  • Accountant: The job responsibilities of an accountant include compilation and analysis of account information for preparing asset, capital and liability account entries. Additionally, they are also required to document and recommend financial transactions.
  • Trader: Traders usually specialise in a single type of financial instrument, such as stocks, debts or commodities. However, they could also work in different markets at the same time and execute trades in various instruments, such as bonds, commodities, equities and foreign exchange.
  • Financial examiner: Professionals in this role are responsible for ensuring that the operations of financial institutions, such as banks and security firms, are compliant with laws and regulations. They are usually hired by government agencies or insurance firms.
  • Insurance specialist: As an insurance specialist, you will be required to decode complex insurance laws and policies, act as an advisor for issues about insurance eligibility and coverage and ensure its compliance with laws and regulations.
  • Portfolio manager: Mainly responsible for creating and managing investment allocations for clients, portfolio managers also take up the responsibility of determining the risk level of a client depending on their risk preferences and the market situation.
  • Financial advisor: These professionals advise clients on issues such as investments, taxes, insurance, mortgage and estate planning.
  • Actuary: An actuary is responsible for assessing the probability of a situation and the financial repercussions it might have.
  • Finance manager: A financial manager is responsible for monitoring accounts, reviewing the financial reports of an organisation, making financial forecasts and preparing activity reports. Additionally, they can also take on tasks such as analysing market trends for potential business opportunities and identifying methods to increase profits.
PositionAverage salary*
Financial analyst€48,188
Investment manager€67,500
Accountant€38,084
Trader€56,570
Insurance specialist€27,998
Portfolio manager€64,678
Financial advisor€40,311
Actuary€66,234
Finance manager€63,879

*Average salaries in Germany as advertised on Payscale.

Finance has become an increasingly popular choice of study for many, given the varied range of job opportunities and high remuneration. Hence, more and more institutions are offering professional finance courses for students to make it big in the industry. Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) is a renowned business school that provides affordable courses and world-class education, including an MA in Finance and Investments. The course focuses on equipping students with skills that are most relevant to today’s finance and investment sector, as well as teaching students how to implement theoretical knowledge to practical situations. So hurry and sign up for the course now!

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