Is a Masters worth it?
Deciding whether to take on a postgraduate degree is a big decision. There are a lot of important factors you need to consider. How will it help you boost your employability? Does the career path you’ve chosen require a masters? How will you fund it? And how do you fit it in your life?
Once you have decided to proceed, you need to consider the right institution for you. All these choices can feel overwhelming.
While it is a financial investment, a postgraduate degree can help bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Read on to discover why a masters is worth investing into and how to make it work on your own terms.
A postgraduate degree can be an amazing way to enhance your employability, and build a strong professional network. Studying at this level can be used to specialise your knowledge of concepts you've enjoyed during undergraduate learning, or it can be a route to changing direction and developing expertise in a new discipline. Students completing a masters degree at Heriot-Watt University build the skills needed to succeed in a competitive graduate job market.
How will a postgraduate degree benefit me?
The current job market is competitive and standing out is important. A masters can help you gain real-world skills that employers are actively looking for. At Heriot-Watt, we focus on making sure you graduate ready to join the workforce. We’ve been ranked 1st in Scotland two years in a row for positive graduate outcomes (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024), and we produce the highest percentage of CEOs and Managing Directors in Scotland (Novuna 2025).
With networking opportunities and work experience incorporated into our programmes, you can graduate well connected with real life industry experience. Alongside your programme, you can get involved with peer-led societies, such as the Net Zero Society who run networking events with industry professionals and recently had a field trip to Whitelee Wind Farm.
- For recent graduates If you’ve finished your undergraduate degree and aren’t ready to join the workforce, a postgraduate degree can be a strategic pivot. It gives you more time to sharpen your skills, figure out what you want to do and build industry connections. When future employers ask why you want the job, you can demonstrate your passion and determination to achieve your career goals.
- For professionals If you are already working, taking the step to return to university can be daunting. But it’s also the fastest way to pivot into a new industry, secure a promotion or negotiate a pay rise. You don’t always need an undergraduate degree in the same field to apply for a postgraduate degree. If you have industry experience, that practical knowledge and transferable skills may help you qualify. If you aren’t sure, just reach out to our admissions team to discover what options are available for you.
If you want to work in an industry that requires professional exams or chartership, a masters can be a valuable asset. Many of Heriot-Watt's postgraduate programmes have professional exemptions incorporated. You could gain exemptions while studying, meaning you don’t need to complete these exams after graduation while working full-time. This is appealing for employers because you will arrive qualified, saving them the time and cost of your training.
Heriot-Watt is world renowned. After many successful years in industry, I returned because I wanted to pivot and Heriot-Watt grounds their studies in the real world. You’re not just studying something abstract – you’re building connections and gaining skills you can apply immediately.
On average, adults with a postgraduate degree earn 9% more than those with an undergraduate degree (OECD 2025). Having a masters won’t guarantee employment after graduation. However, the Chartered Institute of Professional Development researched what businesses - large corporations and SMEs - are looking for from their applicants. The report revealed that 57% of employers are mainly looking for degrees or postgraduate qualifications when recruiting staff (CIPD 2022).
How will I fund my postgraduate degree?
Funding a masters is one of the biggest hurdles, however, self-funding is not the only option.
If you live in the UK, you can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee and living cost loan through your respective funding body like Student Awards Agency Scotland or Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The value awarded is between £10,000 and £20,000 depending on where you live. Though for many students, this isn’t enough to cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses. Fortunately, there are several ways to financially bridge the gap.
- Scholarships and Bursaries We offer scholarships and bursaries that you don’t need to pay back. Whether they are subject specific, merit-based or country specific, there are always options worth exploring.
- Part-time work Working a part-time job alongside your studies is a great way to earn extra money and boost your CV. At Heriot-Watt, we host Unitemps, a campus-based job agency. They can help you find flexible, temporary roles on campus in areas like hospitality, events, logistics and administration.
I received the Future Shapers scholarship at Heriot-Watt to help fund my masters, and this gave me the freedom to pursue my interests and make an impact. From research opportunities to outreach work, it’s helped shape what comes next.
Will I have time to commit to a postgraduate degree?
While committing to a full-time degree is a great choice for career development, this isn’t feasible for everyone. That doesn’t mean that you have to miss out. The key is identifying which mode of study works for you and your lifestyle.
- Full-time Going from an undergraduate degree into a full-time postgraduate degree can help you keep momentum. It does require effort, but it is the quickest and most efficient way to graduate. If you studied your undergraduate degree with us, we offer a 20% alumni discount on your tuition fees to make staying on a bit easier.
- Part-time Deciding to study part-time has become increasingly popular for those who have limited flexibility and need to earn while they learn. If you can secure a part-time role within your target industry, your daily work and degree would work hand-in-hand to help further hone your skills.
- Online Flexible online learning is an efficient way to continue studying. Whether you have family commitments, full-time employment or simply prefer the flexibility of online learning, you can tailor your postgraduate degree to your aspirations and timeline. Heriot-Watt has over 8,500 learners currently studying with us online.
Why should you consider studying a masters in Edinburgh?
If you do choose to join us on campus, you’ll be living in one of the most vibrant cities. Edinburgh is currently ranked the 2nd most student friendly city in the UK (QS Best Student Cities 2026) and was the only UK city to be mentioned in Deloitte’s ‘AI-powered cities of the future’ report (Deloitte 2025). Our design, fashion and textiles programmes are based in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. Just an hour from Edinburgh, the campus offers a lively student environment and industry-level facilities.
Our Edinburgh Campus is home to four Global Research Institutes. Each institute brings together leading experts, partners, and stakeholders for academia, industry and government, creating an ideal environment for research and business innovation.
- iNetZ+ – climate change and Net Zero
- Health and Care Technologies – quality of life
- The Lyell Centre – Earth and marine sciences
- The National Robotarium – robotics and artificial intelligence
They are focused on solving pressing global challenges and advancing our ambitious global missions. Having industry and research on our campus’ doorstep can provide opportunities while you study a masters, or even lead to a PhD.
Deciding to commit to a masters is a big decision and there are a lot of factors to consider. Whether you are unsure how to fund it, or don’t know how to make it work with your schedule, there are flexible options available to suit your needs. With industry experience built into programmes, you will graduate from Heriot-Watt with essential skills, inspired to take on the next career step. If you have a desire to upskill yourself, you should apply for a postgraduate degree at Heriot-Watt.
