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 (Opens in a new window), 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 (Opens in a new window) 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.