What Master's degree should I do?
Choosing the right Master’s degree can define your career direction and earning potential. From MiM and MBA to specialised MSc and LL.M programmes, this guide helps you identify which option best aligns with your goals and background.
First: Do you need a Master's?
Before deciding which Master’s degree to choose, it is worth addressing a more fundamental question: should you pursue one?
A Master's makes sense if you:
- Need a specific qualification to work in your target field (finance, marketing, data, sustainability, etc.)
- Want to pivot into a different career paths
- Are hitting a salary ceiling — senior roles require postgraduate qualifications
- Want to fast-track into leadership or strategy roles
- Are targeting competitive sectors like consulting, investment banking, or tech
- Plan to pursue a PhD or academic career
A Master’s degree can be transformational — but only if it is strategically aligned with your career goals. According to data from the UK Department for Education (2024), Master’s graduates earn on average 23% more than those with only a Bachelor’s degree five years after graduation. However, this varies significantly by field.
Which Master's matches your career goal?
The most effective way to choose your Master's is to work backwards from the job you want. Here’s a breakdown of the most common paths.
If you are targeting consulting, general management, or business strategy, you are choosing between two main degrees: the Master in Management (MiM) and the MBA.
The MiM is for recent graduates with little or no work experience. It covers strategy, finance, marketing and operations, and launches you into your first professional roles. The MBA is for professionals with 3–7 years of experience who want to move into senior leadership.
At EDHEC Business School: The Master in Management offers four specialised tracks: Business Management, Finance, Data Science & AI for Business, and Global Economic Transformation & Technology (GETT). For experienced professionals, EDHEC offers a Global MBA and an Executive MBA.
If you are targeting investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, or financial analysis, an MSc in Finance is the most direct route. These programmes are typically one year, highly quantitative, and carry strong recruiting pipelines into financial services.
At EDHEC Business School: You can choose from several specialised one-year MSc programmes — Financial Engineering, Corporate Finance & Banking, International Finance, Accounting & Finance, and Climate Change & Sustainable Finance (Double Degree with MINES Paris-PSL). Alternatively, the MiM Finance track offers a two-year academic journey combining finance specialisation with broader business education.
Demand for data and AI talent is growing fast, and a dedicated Master's is one of the clearest ways to break into the field — even without a computer science background. Companies are not just hiring engineers; they want people who can bridge data and business strategy.
At EDHEC Business School: The MSc in Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence and the MiM Data Science & AI for Business track both provide strong foundations in data, machine learning and AI. The MiM track focuses on applying these skills in a business context, ideal for those who want to lead data-driven teams rather than pursue purely engineering roles.
ESG and sustainability roles are among the fastest-growing in the job market. An MSc in Environmental or Climate-focused disciplines positions you for roles in climate finance, ESG consulting, renewable energy, and sustainability strategy.
At EDHEC Business School: The MSc in Climate Change & Sustainable Finance is a double degree delivered in partnership with Mines Paris-PSL, one of France's leading engineering schools. EDHEC also offers an MSc in Sustainable Business Transformation for those focused on corporate sustainability from a management perspective.
If you are interested in brand strategy, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, or growth, a specialised MSc in Marketing is the most direct route. These programmes combine strategic thinking with practical tools — from brand positioning to performance analytics — preparing you for fast-moving, competitive markets. Marketing today blends creativity with data. Companies look for graduates who understand both storytelling and measurable impact.
At EDHEC Business School: You can choose between two specialised one-year programmes — MSc in Marketing Management and MSc in Marketing Analytics, both ranked in the Top 10 worldwide by QS (2025). Both programmes are open to students from a range of undergraduate backgrounds, including business, humanities, and social sciences.
If you want to launch your own venture, join an early-stage startup, or drive innovation inside an established company, a specialised Master’s in entrepreneurship gives you the tools to turn ideas into viable businesses.
These programmes focus on opportunity identification, business modelling, financing, growth strategy, and innovation management. They are designed for students who want hands-on exposure to venture creation and the realities of building and scaling projects.
At EDHEC Business Shcool: The MSc in Entrepreneurship & Innovation is a one-year specialised programme designed to develop entrepreneurial thinking and practical venture-building skills. It prepares graduates to launch startups, join innovative companies, or contribute to transformation projects within larger organisations.
If you want to work in media, entertainment, or the arts sector, you need more than creative talent. You need to understand strategy, financing, audience development, and global market dynamics. A specialised master’s in creative industries allows you to combine business expertise with cultural environments.
This path suits students who want to build careers in production companies, cultural institutions, entertainment firms, or creative entrepreneurship — while developing structured management skills.
At EDHEC Business School: The MSc in Creative Industries, Entertainment & Arts Management bridges business skills with the cultural and creative sectors — useful if you are targeting roles in media, entertainment, or the arts industry.
An LL.M (Master of Laws) is the standard postgraduate qualification for law graduates looking to specialise, and it's increasingly available to non-law graduates through conversion routes — particularly in areas like compliance, international law, and tech regulation.
At EDHEC Business School: The LL.M. in Law & Tax Management is distinctive in that it combines legal expertise with business and tax strategy, which is well-suited to careers at the intersection of law and business.
The difference types of Master's degrees explained
Not all Master's degrees are structured the same way. Understanding the different formats will help you choose the right learning experience for your goals.
Taught Master's (MiM, MSc, MBA, MA, LLM)
The most common format. You follow a structured programme with lectures, coursework, internships and examinations, usually finishing with a dissertation or final project. The duration is typically one to two academic years, full-time or part-time. This format suits those who want applied knowledge they can take directly into employment.
Integrated Master's (MEng, MPhys)
Four or five-year programmes combining undergraduate and postgraduate study in one. Common in STEM fields.
Executive Master's (EMBA, Executive MSc)
Designed for mid-to-senior professionals with significant work experience. Classes are scheduled around full-time employment — evenings, weekends, or intensive blocks. More expensive, but highly career-focused and immediately applicable.
Research Master's (MRes, MPhil)
Research-focused, with minimal taught content. You work independently on an original research project under academic supervision. These programmes are typically stepping stones to a PhD.
Which Master's fits your undergraduate background?
Your existing degree creates a foundation. Here is how to think about progression from each major undergraduate field.
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You studied Business or Economics
A specialist MSc (Finance, Marketing, Operations) deepens your technical expertise in one area. The MBA makes more sense later in your career once you've accumulated management experience to bring into the classroom. If you're considering pivoting into tech or consulting, an MSc in a technical subject can be more valuable than another generalist business degree.
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You studied a Humanities or Social Science subject
You have more flexibility than you might think. Strong analytical and communication skills are genuinely valued. Business-focused programmes like the MiM or MSc in Marketing are accessible, and some MSc in Finance or Data Science programmes have conversion pathways for candidates with strong maths.
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You studied STEM
You are well-positioned for technical Master's programmes and also attractive to business schools. The combination of technical and business skills — for example, MiM Data Science & AI for Business or an MBA — is highly sought after in consulting, tech, and finance. An MSc in a different STEM discipline is also a common and effective pivot.
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You studied Creative subjects
Commercial positioning matters. An MSc in Creative Industries or MSc in Marketing can help translate creative skills into roles with clearer career ladders and salary progression. An MBA or MA in Arts Management is worth considering if leadership in the cultural sector interests you.
How to make your final decision
Step 1 — Start with the job, not the degree.
Find three job listings for the role you want in five years. What qualifications are required? Is a Master’s essential or merely preferred? Let the market guide you.
Step 2 — Pick the right institution for your field.
A school with strong sector-specific rankings and recruiter relationships in your target industry will generally serve you better than a generalist university with a higher overall ranking.
Step 3 — Talk to people already in the role.
Use LinkedIn. Contact professionals who hold the qualification you’re considering. Ask whether they’d choose the same programme again — and whether it directly led to their current role.
Step 4 — Consider timing.
Starting immediately after your Bachelor’s maintains academic momentum. Waiting a few years adds professional context and often increases the return on investment — particularly for an MBA.
Not sure which EDHEC Master's Programme is right for you?
EDHEC Business School offers a wide range of Master’s programmes in Management, Finance, Data Science and Entrepreneurship. Our four-minute quiz assesses your background and career goals to identify the programme most likely to help you succeed.
Take our 4-minute quiz to find which Master’s degree best matches your ambitions:
FAQs
A graduate degree (also called a postgraduate degree outside the United States) is any academic qualification pursued after completing an undergraduate Bachelor's degree. The term "graduate" refers to the fact that you have already graduated from your first degree and are now continuing to a higher level of study.
The main types of graduate degrees include:
Master's degrees — Typically 1-2 years of study involving coursework, exams, and often a dissertation or final project. Common examples include MiM (Master in Management), MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science), MBA (Master of Business Administration), LLM (Master of Laws), and MEng (Master of Engineering). These are professional or academic qualifications that deepen expertise in a specific field.
Learn more about the different types of Master's degrees in business.
Doctoral degrees — The highest level of academic qualification, usually requiring 3-7 years of original research. The PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common doctoral degree. PhDs require candidates to make an original contribution to knowledge in their field through extensive research and a thesis defence.
In the UK, Australia, and many other countries, the term "postgraduate degree" is more commonly used than "graduate degree," but both refer to the same concept — any qualification undertaken after your undergraduate Bachelor's degree.
Graduate degrees differ from undergraduate degrees in their depth of study, level of independence expected, and specialisation. While a Bachelor's degree provides broad foundational knowledge, graduate degrees allow students to develop advanced expertise and research capabilities in a specific area.
In most cases, you can continue in the same field or switch through a conversion programme. Humanities graduates regularly enter business or marketing Master's programmes. STEM graduates are welcome in finance and data programmes. Entry requirements vary by school and programme, so always check specifics before applying.
A Master in Management (MiM) is designed for recent graduates with little or no work experience. It provides a broad business education and prepares you for your first professional roles.
An MBA is designed for professionals with typically 3–7 years of experience, and focuses on leadership, strategy, and career acceleration.
At EDHEC, the MiM offers four specialised tracks, while the MBA and Executive MBA are built for mid-career professionals targeting senior positions. Find out more.
First, you must hold a recognised undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Then you apply and secure admission to an accredited university. During the programme, you complete coursework, exams, and sometimes a dissertation. Many master’s degrees also include group projects or internships. Finally, you graduate once you pass all required academic components.
Yes. Many universities offer online postgraduate programmes that combine academic rigour with flexibility. EDHEC Online delivers postgraduate programmes designed for career growth, so you can gain recognised credentials without relocating.
- Choose your programme and check entry requirements.
- Prepare supporting documents (transcripts, CV, personal statement).
- Secure references if required.
- Submit your online application before the deadline.
- Attend an interview if applicable.
If you wish to pursue an EDHEC Master's degree, you can start your online application here.
For more information on how to apply for an EDHEC Master's degree, follow our guide.
