Which Master? Postgraduate Taught vs Research (Differences)

Author: Claudia Civinini — Last update: 11 August 2023

For students finishing a bachelor’s degree, the question of what to do next can be rather daunting. Even if you have figured out what discipline you’d like to specialise in, it’s easy to get lost in the wide range of Master’s degrees available (and their acronyms!).

In this article, we will talk about two types of Master’s degrees: Taught Masters and Research Masters.

Taught Master’s degrees are the norm everyywhere; research Master’s degrees (often abbreviated as MRes, "Master of Research") are mostly found in the United Kingdom, although you can find them also in the Netherlands, Spain or Italy.

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💡 Taught Masters vs Research Masters:

There are many types of Master’s degrees, and most of these are Taught Masters. In the United Kingdom, such programmes are also called postgraduate taught or PGT for short. They typically require completing a set number of modules and a thesis (also called dissertation), plus sometimes work experience through a placement. The type of dissertation you will undertake will depend on the type of Master’s degree you are enrolled in, and might for example include your own small research project. Most postgraduate taught degrees have these elements of independent work and research to varying extents.

In contrast, a Research Master’s degree will focus on, you guessed it, research. In the UK, such programmes are also called postgraduate research or PGR (although this term may also refer to doctorate programmes). Rather than attending classes every semester and completing module assignments, you will need to focus on an independent research project – under supervision, of course. The course will still include a few taught modules, most often on research methodologies, but it will require you to work independently for most of the time.

Master’s degrees in the UK are usually one year full-time or two years part-time, but in other countries the duration may differ.

Remember: A final dissertation will be compulsory for all Master’s degrees. However, a dissertation for an MRes will typically be longer than that for an MA or MSc.

Typically, Research Masters will lead to an MRes degree. At some universities, however, you'll instead be awarded an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) or MLitt (Master of Letters). For more information, have a look at our detailed glossary.

🤔 Is a Research Master’s the same as a PhD?

No, a Research Master’s degree is not the same as a PhD. Although for both degrees you will need to complete a dissertation based on an independent research project, there are notable differences:

The first difference is the duration: A Master’s degree will typically last one to two years, while a PhD usually takes up about three to five years. The research project you’ll undertake during a doctorate degree will therefore be longer and broader than one you would pursue in a Master’s degree.
As a PhD student, you’re expected to publish research papers in journals before you are awarded your degree. MRes students might occasionally do that during or after their studies, but it’s rarely obligatory.
As a PhD student, you’ll most often be expected to take on other duties, such as teaching.

If you wish to pursue doctoral research and a career in academia, a research Master’s degree could be a great option for you as it will allow you to get to grips with and gather valuable experience and training on independent research early on in your studies.

👀 Overview: What’s the difference?

There are a few differences between Taught Masters and Research Masters, and not all of them are obvious.

The table below outlines some of the main elements to consider when choosing which of the two degrees to pursue after your Bachelor’s degree:

Differences	Taught Master’s degree	Research Master’s degree
Schedule	Fixed and structured	Flexible
Agenda	Often ca. 2/3 taught courses, ca. 1/3 research project or dissertation	Mostly independent research, but could have a couple of taught modules as well
Focus	Broader understanding of a particular discipline	Deeper insight into a specific subject or issue
Degree awarded	Typically Master of Science (MSc), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), etc.	Typically Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Master of Letters (MLitt)
Suitable for	Students that want more advanced knowledge on a specific discipline before entering the job market or pursuing academic research.	Students that prefer working on an in-depth research project and are interested in staying in academia.

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🏛️ Which should you choose?

The choice between a taught Master’s and a research Master’s depends on a few factors.

First of all, do you enjoy research more than coursework? Then an MRes may be more suitable – but remember that any Master’s degree, especially an MSc, will have a research component.
Then, it’s crucial to understand how you like to work and study. Do you particularly enjoy working independently? Perhaps then you can consider an MRes. In a taught Master’s, you’ll have a more solid structure, timetables and regular deadlines to keep you on track, but these may not be as readily available during an MRes, so consider which environment you are more likely to thrive in.
Another important consideration is what you want to do after your Master’s degree. If you want to enter the labour market immediately, and you are not particularly interested in focusing on research training, then perhaps a taught Master’s degree is more suited.

💸 Is there a difference in fees between Taught and Research Masters?

No, normally, you won’t find a huge difference in tuition fees between taught and research Master’s degrees. Only in some instances, Postgraduate Research Masters tend to be cheaper.

📝 Can I do a PhD after taking a Taught Master’s Degree?

Yes, you can pursue a PhD after any type of Master’s course, provided that you have a degree in a relevant subject. All taught postgraduate degrees involve some independent work and research, especially for your dissertation, which will prepare you for further research should you choose to pursue a PhD.

Some taught Masters require more independent research work than others, particularly when it comes to the dissertation after completing the taught modules. Consult the curriculum or ask admissions staff to get a better idea of what to expect.

While a taught Master’s degree won’t prevent you from doing a PhD further down the line, it’s vital that you have a good idea of what requirements you will have to fulfil in order to be admitted to the PhD, and how you can best prepare.

If you already have a clear idea of what field you’d like to conduct your doctoral research in, you could take advantage of the joint Master’s – PhD programmes on offer at some universities.

These four-year programmes – also called “combined” or “integrated” degrees – offer the chance to complete a Master’s degree in the first year and to progress seamlessly to PhD research in the next three.

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Claudia has many years of experience as a reporter and writer on international education and student mobility. Originally from Italy, she holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Genova; a Graduate Diploma in Education, Secondary Education and Teaching from the Australian Catholic University; and a joint MSc in Educational Neuroscience from UCL and Birkbeck, University of London. Claudia has previously worked as Chief Reporter for the English Language Gazette, as Senior Reporter for the PIE News (Professionals in International Education), and as Reporter for Tes.