Direct comparison
Bachelor’s vs master’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is the undergraduate first university degree; a master’s degree is a postgraduate qualification taken after the bachelor’s.
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Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Bachelor’s degree | Master’s degree |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Undergraduate — the first university degree. | Postgraduate (graduate) — taken after a bachelor’s. |
| Typical length | 3–4 years full-time (4 in the US, often 3 in the UK). | Usually 1–2 years full-time. |
| Entry requirement | A secondary-school qualification. | A completed bachelor’s degree, often with a minimum grade. |
| Depth of study | Broad foundation, then growing specialisation. | Narrow, advanced and highly specialised. |
| Common types | Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc). | MA, MS/MSc, and professional degrees like the MBA. |
| Independent work | Some projects; a dissertation in some programmes. | Usually a substantial dissertation, thesis or project. |
| US credit load | About 120 semester credit hours. | Commonly 30–60 credit hours. |
| Where it leads | Employment or entry to postgraduate study. | Advanced careers or a step toward a doctorate. |
| Ladder position | Above associate, below master’s. | Above bachelor’s, below doctorate. |
Choosing between them
For most students the question is not bachelor’s or master’s but bachelor’s then, perhaps, master’s — the bachelor’s is the gateway, and the master’s is an optional next step. A master’s deepens expertise, can open more advanced or specialised roles, and is sometimes required for particular professions or for doctoral study. Whether it is worth the additional time and cost depends on career goals and the field, since some careers reward a master’s strongly while others value experience or the bachelor’s alone.
Common questions
FAQ
Do you need a bachelor’s degree before a master’s?+
Yes, in almost all cases. A completed bachelor’s degree is the standard entry requirement for a master’s, often with a minimum grade and sometimes relevant experience. Exceptions are rare and usually require substantial equivalent qualifications.
How much longer is a master’s than a bachelor’s?+
A bachelor’s typically takes three to four years; a master’s usually adds one to two more years of study on top of it. In the UK, a taught master’s often takes a single intensive year, while in the US two years is more common.
Is a master’s degree always more valuable than a bachelor’s?+
Not automatically. A master’s deepens expertise and is needed for some professions and for doctoral study, but its value depends on the field and career goals. In some careers experience or the bachelor’s alone is sufficient, so the extra time and cost should be weighed.
