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One-Year Vs. Two-Year Master’s Programmes – Pros and Cons (Part 2)

One-Year Vs. Two-Year Master’s Programmes – Pros and Cons  (Part 2)

In the first part of this article we focused on the one-year Master’s programmes and outlined some of the most common pros and cons that people face when debating which type of programme to choose for their post-graduate degree.

This time, we have the two-year Master's programmes in the spotlight and offer you some food for thought concerning some of the advantages and the disadvantages of this programme.

Two-year Master’s Programmes

Pros: 

Much like the one-year programme but even more so, the two-year Master’s programmes is a great way to wait for the market to stabilise if the current economic situation is not favourable and your peers have a hard time landing good jobs. Additionally, the longer programmes include placements, which are not only a great way to get a sense of the real business environment but can also sometimes lead to employment opportunities right after graduation.

Unlike the one-year programme, the two-year Master’s programmes gives you sufficient time to take all the basic courses you need for completing your degree, plus some extra time which you can use to take advantage of many more electives. Also, even if a course you are interested in is not offered during your first year of studies, there is always the second year! All in all, you have a greater chance of making the most of your post-graduate studies if you choose to do a two-year programme.

Last but not least, if you want to do a PhD, a two-year Master’s programmes gives you more time to get to know your professors and when you apply for a PhD programme you could get better references from your Master’s professors.

Cons:

The main cons of the longer programme are finance-related. Certainly the two-year Master’s programmes is a more substantial investment as you have to pay tuition and living expenses for double the time of the shorter programme. Furthermore, if you leave a job to go back to school, there is again the issue of forfeited salary which, unlike with the one-year programme, will last for two whole years! Some employers may be willing to give an employee a year off from work for studies, but if you choose a two-year programme, it is much less likely that you will be able to go back to your previous job once you graduate.

All in all, neither programme is more appropriate or reasonable. Some of you may realise you can live with some of the cons of one programme because the advantages that go with it are much more valuable. And the opposite applies, too. Whatever you decide, never let the popular choice be your automatic choice; instead, take your personal situation and factors at hand into account when making that choice.

See 5 Ways Master Programmes Differ: MA vs. MSc

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