How Not To Apply For A Masters

Table of Contents

We like to think we are handing out some really good postgraduate application tips on our blogs, but this isn’t just any post. This post is specifically on how to NOT apply for a Masters.

Copy & paste your personal statement

We’ve all been there, having to write the same personal statement over and over again and it doesn’t get any better. But you shouldn’t copy and paste your personal statement.

Chances are, you may end up applying for more than one Masters, especially at the same university. It means you’ll have to write more than one personal statement. If you want to do it properly, you can copy and paste general parts of your statement about your background, aspirations, interests and other points. But you should tweak them to fit the specific course you intend to join.

You could try to use the same statement, but it would be embarrassing to send a statement that lists the course of a different subject or aspirations for a completely different degree.

Asking for money straight away

We all know there are scholarships and grants up for grabs but one thing you don’t want to do is ask for money straight away. Most of the time, the university can help and it’s okay to ask, but not at the beginning.

If you begin the conversation with the intent to ask about scholarships or bursaries, your application will most likely be immediately declined but what you can do is investigate the funding in parallel with your application.

Applying for various courses at the same time

Technically, you can apply to as many courses as you want as there is no centralised application service like UCAS for postgraduate students. Many postgraduates have expressed the difficulty of applying for different courses at the same time as it requires lots of legwork compared to their undergraduate counterparts. You have to add a more detailed personal statement and discuss why you want to take the course and what it will bring to you. Don’t forget, there is a lot less hand-holding this time around.

Nothing is stopping you from applying for ten different courses, but two or three are more realistic and manageable.

Leave everything until the last minute

Have you ever heard of anything good coming out of something completed at the last minute?

Universities are quite flexible when it comes to postgraduate education – you can even apply a month before the start date. But the application is not something you can do quickly. It takes time and requires a detailed explanation of why and how the course will help your future. Not to mention you’ll also have to sort out funding, accommodation (if applicable) and any other time-sensitive tasks. Rather than applying late, apply a few months in advance.

Applying for the first course you see

Have you ever heard of the idiom “Never buy the first thing you see?” The same thing applies here, don’t apply for the first course you see. Masters are extremely diverse, and in most cases, full of programmes dedicated to specific topics. You have more flexible options available – choices between taught and research.

Instead, make the smart choice by researching some key points such as:

Which universities offer the course you’ll like to undertake

What are the topics of that course

How could that course benefit you

Is it in an area you want to move to

How much is it

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