Should I Study A Master’s Degree?

This week, the BRICKS team speaks to 5 creatives post-master’s degrees about their experiences studying. 

“Should I study a master's degree?” is possibly one of our most frequently asked questions at BRICKS during open days, panel talks and mentoring sessions. The answer, of course, is complicated – it all depends on what your previous experience is, what skills you’re looking to develop, and what your career or employment goals are for the future.

In the UK (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), 15.1% of fine arts graduates and 15.3% of performing arts graduates continue their studies, with the majority working towards a master's degree. Financially, postgraduates earn an average of 18% more (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) than first degree holders. Choosing whether a master’s degree is the right next step for your creative development – or employment prospects – is a personal decision, but advice from those who have already made this decision can never hurt.

Below, five members of the Learner Platform share their experiences studying a creative master’s degree, how it supported their creative development and employment prospects, and what advice they’d give to their younger selves.