He’s right, actually. Have you ever heard the term, “The mad scientist?” Too much of continuous study, research, critical thinking and going beyond one’s own mental capacity all the time can create mental stress. I have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and began a PhD but had to stop for a while because I was developing uncontrollable panic attacks out of nowhere. Way too much brain activity and exhaustion.
In the UK a Masters is typically 1 year of study full time, or 2 years part-time. In the UK there are Universities that offer "Integrated Masters" degrees. Which are 4-year undergraduate degrees (3 years undergrad and 1 year postgrad). So they take the same time in the UK. [Personally, I'd go for an undergrad degree. then a Masters.. as you get 2 degrees rather than one).
I know this is an old comment, but the funding situation in the UK means that a separate masters is quite hard to pay for due to the quite lacking loans available. Whereas integrated masters come under undergrad funding.
Where I did my undergrad in the USA a Masters was required to enter the Ph.D. program. There were generally two types of Masters. The first type was a course only Masters where one course was a very focused, small, research project generally assigned by the course instructor. There is no thesis required. The Course only Masters was a 1-2 year program. The other Masters was a research based Masters that included about half course work and about half research and generally took two years The course based Masters was considered a terminal degree. The Ph.D program also had a course work component that generally took about two years with around a third to half the course work in other departments. The course work helps to prepare the student for the Ph.D. candidacy exam which is often a combination of 2-3 days of written exams followed by an oral exam. Passing the candidacy exam generally involved having a comprehensive knowledge of the literature in the study area as well as a very broad background in the subject area. Once the candidacy exam is passed you move on to writing your thesis proposal in which you define your proposed Ph.D. research project. I have heard of universities that required you to submit two thesis proposals which you then defended. After you successfully defend your proposal you start your actual research which takes anywhere from 2-4 years. So you are looking at a 4-6 year Ph.D. program. This style of Ph.D. produces a graduate with a much broader knowledge base than the 3 year research only Ph.D. done immediately after a bachelors degree. As far as choosing which degree to do depends a lot on what your field is and what your employment goals are. In many science disciplines a Masters is pretty much the entry level degree. So a course work only masters may be your ticket to get a basic industrial job. Similarly, if you are targeted at academia or advanced research a Ph.D. will be required and you may also be required to have a Masters to get into some Ph.D. programs. In the latter case you want to do a research based Masters. As Andy said, time doesn't matter that much when you are 22 or 23, although a typical US Ph.D. program will likely take you until you are 28-30 to complete. Personally I did a research based Masters followed by a Ph.D. I was just shy of my 30th birthday when I turned my successfully defended Ph.D. thesis in to the graduate school. I did work for a couple of years after completing my bachelors before going back to grad school. I was 34 when I was hired as an assistant professor and in my mid 40s before I was promoted to full professor.
Thank you! This has really helped me. Currently finishing up an undergrad and not entirely satisfied with the experience I had. Been offered a masters at a great uni and this has made me feel confident about accepting. I don’t necessarily want to progress to a PhD but I want to feel confident and advance my knowledge a little further 👍
In behavioral neuroscience programs in the US a MS is given en route to getting the PhD. I took two years for my MS and then another 5 years to get the PhD. But everyone got the masters first.
Everyone in your program or in your field? I'm looking into a similar field (computational neuroscience) and trying to decide which makes sense. If I get the masters as part of the PhD that's a point in favor of the doctorate
@@najarvis hi there! I meant everyone in my field that I knew about. Typically, behavioral neuroscience programs are coadministered or administered entirely by psychology departments. And currently a masters degree is always required on the way to a PhD. There’s probably exceptions somewhere, but I don’t know where that is. Computational neuroscience is really fascinating and the rules might be completely different as I don’t know too many Psych Dept’s that offer computational neuroscience outside of Carnegie Mellon. i’m sure there’s others. Overall, If a MS degree isn’t required for computational neuroscience PhD, getting a masters degree is maybe a time suck but it will at least make you more marketable to a PhD program if that’s your ultimate goal. I’m sorry if I’m not helping or telling you anything you don’t already know! Lol
@@dychejs No, that was very helpful. Thank you! It does seem like not too many places offer it because it is a newer field, so I may end up doing a separate program and just tailor it to computational neuroscience.
Thanks Andy! I think all prospective graduate students should watch this video. I really appreciate the honesty of the points you make. Keep up the great work man!
Speaking of how things drastically change, my MEng qualification is actually soley research based, and you actually require an honours degree to qualify for a Masters qualification.
I am in my late 20s and considering quitting my job to go back for masters because I don't feel like working in the industry is for me. I don't have a specific project idea to work on but here's where I'm hoping that I can figure it out while doing my masters. Then even if I didn't figure it out, I could still work as a research assistant to a professor where I assume that I will slowly have ideas of my own and then eventually start working on it? ( Read from someone else that this is what it's like for them ) Hope I don't come off as naive. I just find the idea of reading papers comfortable, coming up with ideas and I think I'm down for that as a living.
In social science, where I'm studying, it takes statistically 4 years on average to complete. The institutionnal time they tell you say it's two years but it's not really what it really takes if you have to work at the same time (i.e. pay for your school, your rent, etc.). It also doesn't take into consideration if you are having personal problem in your life but that applies to phd also I guess.
I like your videos, and I watch your channel contents constantly. However, this one I don't agree with completely! My master was research hell! it took me 3 years with difficulties with my advisor. In the university where I did my MS, Master and PhD are doing pretty much the exact same thing except master takes 2-3 years and PhD takes 4-6 years.
I question the comprehensiveness of the pay scale comparison. I would love to hear others' thoughts. Why I question it is that I'm not sure if only starting salaries are compared. From me looking at positions seeking senior or well-experienced PhDs compared to Masters, it seems like there is a significant pay difference, like 2 to 3 times as much. Obviously, career progression depends somewhat on the individual, but it still seems that there may be more career advancement opportunities as a PhD than there would be as a MS. For example, leading large scale efforts in your field. Love to hear everyones thoughts.
Thanks for the video. Would you also consider sharing your opinions about the differences between the research done by master students and that done by PhD students?
Ok, here in the United States a PHd is all about money for the higher learning institution. It's not all about "research" here. You will get inundated with courses that should have been given during the Master's Degree. The only thing that should happen at this level is research ONLY, and then submitting a dissertation that should take no longer than two years.
Maybe the most important difference is also that a PhD is a proper job, with an added degree as a benefit, while during your Master's you won't earn any money. It's work vs school.
My masters degree in data analytics really helped me get a job in finance. I wasn't having much luck with just a bachelor's. I thought about maybe doing a PHD, but I decided I'm happy at work and I am going to focus on paying off my student loans and saving for a house.
My msc in education took 12 months full time, taught with 15000 word research. Loved it so much iv returned on a phd .... 7 weeks in and questioning if a career in research is really want to do eek!
Informative video Andy! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm looking for a fast track MSc/PhD in environmental assessments marine/terrestrial EIA related. (Environmental Impact Assessment). The course must be UK based. Hoping that some of your 'followers' can advise or provide relevant institution/course information. I have loads of experience (and funding) though stumbling on speedy alternatives. Best regards, Dean.
I am just starting with my MSc (Thesis)- Chemical Engineering at University of Saskatchewan under very highly reputed Distinguished Professor. I am confused between continuing my Masters (2.5 yrs) and then work in industry to gain some more industrial expertise and then going for PhD or going directly for Direct PhD(4 yrs) . I have 1.4 yrs of work exp in Chemical Industry and another 6 months during my internship. I also have 4 months of Research Experience during my research internship. Since working as research student will be a different and new experience for me so I was bit anxious and nervous for choosing PhD. I am fearing that, If I don't go for Teaching line then will my fields be restricted and can only go for R&D jobs which are very hard to find in Canada or Can I still join Industry as process engineer or product engineer?
I am currently doing my master's program, and I will be done next year. In the U.S is around 1-3 years even. I am thinking about my Ph.D., and I found out a certain university I searched is the first in the U.S to obtain a doctoral degree in 2 years. I will definitely keep this in mind. I feel it would be very challenging, but I like my major area. I will keep this in mind.
At US universities the minimum residency requirement for a Ph.D. is often two years following a Masters. However, almost no one can complete a Ph.D. in that time. You will likely be looking at more like 4-5 years as a Ph.D. student.
Good info Andy! I went work experience route with practical engineering qualifications for a couple decades, during which, picked up Health & Safety qualifications with UK level 6 Diploma in OSH, which gave me direct entry onto a 18mth MSc in Disaster Management & Sustainable Development. World-wide, employers want rid of OSH professionals despite the public face of wanting it, so am considering an MLitt, which is a research Master's degree, which is issued by a limited number of UK universities, and can be topped up to PhD. So I'm at that crossroads atm
Can you post a video (or just a response here) discussing how to reach out to universities that you are interested in completing a PhD with? I have a BA and 2-3 years experience but can't climb the ladder any further without a degree. I want to get an mpa or dual mpa & masters because the programs are great - they teach you a lot about what to expect outside academia and without this it would be hard to navigate the professional world in the future - but ultimately I want to earn a PhD because I want to join a research team / think tank. I am confident I have the skills and grit needed for a PhD, so no problem there. But, I do want to use my PhD as the launching pad for whatever I do afterwards and therefore I have a specific research area in mind (I can create any number of research topics and have no lack of inspiration here either, so no lack of direction or specificity). So now that I'm confident in my interest area and the degree path I want to take, how do I go about reaching out to universities? Basically, my goal is to check in with them to see if they're interested in my research topic (or something similar, you understand!) and to see what my options are. Can I start my research as soon as I get to campus or do I have to wait until I earn my MPA/masters? How much information about my research topic do they need when I apply? Is there a risk of my topic being stolen if I apply to more than one university? Are they even interested in answering these types of questions to someone who has not applied to their program yet? What is appropriate at what stage!? So many questions!
It depends a lot on where you want to do your Ph.D.. In North America, you would contact individual faculty that you would like to work with. Getting into a Ph.D. program in North America is 100% dependent on finding a faculty member who is willing to take you on as a student.
@@koalatheworld well medical MSc from what I understand are different because they are “part time” - i.e. you work while working towards the Masters. I am referring to pretty much all other fields where a full time Masters course is 1 year. I think your case is the exception not the rule.
@@Omar-kw5ui ALMOST all MSc can be completed full time or part time time depending on situation! If you are an international student, you are not allowed to study part time. Mine is FULLTIME TWO YEARS PROGRAMME from a TOP BRIT UNI. Since you are not British, I would appreciate if you could stop giving fake info. You sound like those arrogant smart alec.
@@koalatheworld I have done two masters at red brick British universities - each took 1 year. I've never heard of masters taking 2 years other than part-time although I don't deny they exist. I'd agree with Omar on this one.
I may be mistaken when I say this, but I believe there are degrees higher than traditional PhD's. Stuff ranging from the so-called ''higher doctorates'', in some English-speaking countries (Australia included) to ''Habilitation'' in Germany, ''Livre docência'' in Brazil etc.
My own experience for philosophy: the master's degree (at least in my case of a MA degree) is the graduate level coursework, and the PhD is the dissertation. As of now, I'm working on my master's.
Masters can be a variety of short hands depending on the field. MA for master of arts, MS for masters of science, ThM for master of theology for seminaries, etc. Similar for doctorates but in general the shorthand PhD is for doctor of philosophy and MD is for a doctor of medicine.
Hi Andy, thanks a lot for the motivating videos, I just got a question. Do you have any clue or information regarding getting qa / qc positions in pharma or food industry. I am post doc just trying to transition ing me to something similar. Please let me know if you have any information. Thanks Anitha
At 15:20 there are other ways to challenge yourself that do not require such an investment of your personal time. I think people should choose between a M Res or PhD don't do both.
Hi Andy, could you do a video talking about how much the reputation of the supervisor, of the department and of the university where you do your PhD matters towards later trying to climb up in Academia, or getting an industry job at a top company (eg Google/Microsoft/DeepMind for tech/science people). Thank you very much for the awesome video xx
You don't need a PhD for Google and Co. You need to be a hack and if you want to get a great career you must be a narc just like Mr. Window... and his greatest for fake enemy Mr. IPhone. Period.
In Latin America we have 4 years Bachelor degree(no thesis just courses), 2 years Licenciatura (thesis and specialty courses), 2-3 years masters and then 3 to 4 years PhD...
What country are you talking about? Mexico: Licenciatura - BS or BA (4 ~ 5 year(thesis or not thesis-depends on the school )), MS(master - 2 years) , PhD 3 to 5 years
I think that your analysis and comments--except for your comments on academia in broad strokes which I too have experienced repeatedly--might be provincial; how much of your comments on PhD's come from your experiences in Australia and from the class of sciences that might have significant differences from, for example, the social sciences?
Sorry Andy, but you are not quite well informed. The argument between MS and Ph.D. is often dictated by the major. For example, in education the BS is the terminal degree but if you want to make more money then you can obtain your Masters. If you want to be a principal of a school, you almost always need a Ph.D. or an ED. If you are an engineer, then your terminal degree is the B.S. and a MS is offered for those looking for a bit of career advancement. A Ph.D. in engineering is almost solely found in those seeking a college professorship position. In Chemistry, my field, the B.S. is essentially worthless and relegates you to being a technician. Most use the B.S. as a jumping stone to other degrees such as medicine or law. The MS is a degree that allows a bit of independence making you either a well trained technician or a poorly trained researcher while the Ph.D. is considered the terminal degree. What this means is that the argument between a MS or Ph.D. is more dependent upon your major and your professional goals which changes from one discipline to another. It is not as nearly cut and dried for all as you suggest.
Thank you! You reminded me of the Sorting hat from harry potter lol. Now I'm making that decision for myself but in philosophy, I think that makes an important difference with what you expose because in technology you can test your answers with some empirical experiment or an industrial product. It's hard to imagine how one can see concretely an achievement, whether it's on Masters or Ph.D., in philosophy. Well, that's what I'm trying to figure out to make my research question.
Hey Andy, I have a question for you. Do you think it would be fine to major in two different majors for masters and phd. For example, for my masters I did business journalism and for my phd, I'm planning to study business administration. Do you think that would be okay if I wanna be an expert in the future?
I love your videos...so much needed during the current time of covid and lockdown. Can we have a video from you about the career prospects after a master's?
@@abbiecolosimo3720 You're right, I for one got a 2:1 GPA, my mentor got a first class honours (distinction equivalent), he went straight into the Greenwich PhD program.
I am 17 years old. My dream since i was 7 is to become a doctor and become super rich. However, i realised after reading a book called Rich dad poor dad that this is not the path for wealth, but this did not stop me from finding another reason to pursue medicine my dream. I have decided i want to make an advancement in medicine by a phd which i will probably do in my 30s or 40s depends on how fast i can get rich. I am starting my bachelor in September at egypt my home country really excited for it since i have been in kuwait for 16 years with occasional holidays in egypt. I will start learning german from now to prepare for doing the phd in germany. I believe i have now begun with the end in mind.
I am not entirely sure I am prepared to embark on a journey to obtain a PhD. If I am not sure I am willing and able to do that, would you argue that doing a master's first is a better way to test the waters?
Master's is definitely a great way to test the waters. You'll get the same research experience with a Master's just on a shorter time scale and with less work and exams (PhD has comprehensive exam).
I did an MSci in Developmental Biology, which was an undergraduate Masters. I've just started my PhD in Developmental Biology and I'm scared! Even though I'm in the same lab as my MSci final year!!
Hmmm PhD in Electrical engineering or Masters??? I think masters is reasonable to pursue. But then I think maybe I should go all the way?? Most recent work I've done is a Engineer lvl 4 at Siemens Healthineers. I feel I would get sharper with a masters for sure.
I will have to disagree about choosing masters or PhD because nowadays, the latter is so competitive and most programs require masters to guarantee being enrolled in PhD program. Also, age is not a factor, in fact the older you are the better in terms of having work experience and life experience. Last thing I want to mention, Master's study is full of formative and summative feedback in every assignment throughout the courses and in the dissertation.
It’s interesting to listen to how things work around the world. In Finland, it is almost assumed that if you go to university, you do a master’s. This is because education is free. So there’s no chance you’ll be choosing between a master’s and a phd if you want a phd. You just won’t be accepted into a phd program without a master’s.
In some countries you can do a professional PhD….. essentially meaning you can do a lot more coursework that relates to your particular profession and then marry that together with a substantial piece of research….
Terminal masters degrees in non-professional fields (ie areas other than social work or business) are almost always a terrible investment because of the tuition/foregone income component. Masters programs are huge cash cows for universities. Sure, you might land a decent pay bump with the extra credential but very very rarely does that actually pay off down the line. If you love a field enough to want the masters, you love it enough for a phd. Period. Nobody should have to pay to learn about stuff they truly love. Grad school is the best and worst years of your life. Priceless but don’t give it away.
In the UK a masters takes one year and two years part time if that’s how people wanna do it in terms of everything else generally coursework with a piece of research at the end pretty much like a bachelors degree…..