5 Reasons Why I Decided to Study a Masters Degree

Yes you read that title correctly. I am heading back to uni to study a masters degree (who would have thought it). Next month I will be returning to RGU to embark on a new academic journey this time studying MSc Digital Marketing.
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I still can’t quite believe I have enrolled to study a masters degree. There was a time when I never even thought I would get into uni never mind be studying a postgrad! Back when I was in 5th year at school and it was getting to that time when everyone was deciding what they wanted to do next I always knew I wanted to go to uni. However, in 5th year I failed every exam. I remember crying to my mum - my uni dreams had been crushed. I still had 6th year to redeem myself but I knew there was no chance of me getting all the entry grades required for uni in one year when I had just done so terribly. Anyway in 6th year I managed to get 2 higher grades I got a B in Art and a C in Biology. This was enough for me to get into college.

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So I studied NC Fashion and Design at North East Scotland College here in Aberdeen. When I finished this course the HND available at NES College was Textiles and I didn’t want to do that as I preferred the more design part of the course. So, that’s when I decided to move away from my home town to Glasgow because Glasgow Kelvin College offered a Fashion Design and Manufacture with Retail course which was much more appealing to me.

Two years in Glasgow saw me graduate from college with A’s in both graded units and an unconditional offer to study Fashion Management at RGU back in Aberdeen entering straight into 3rd year. Finally I had made it to uni! Two years at RGU studying Fashion Management and I graduated this summer with a first class degree including an A for my dissertation which was a study of the phenomenon of the fashion influencer within the North East of Scotland. Proof your school grades aren't the be all and end all. I may have taken an alternative route to get to uni but I worked hard and it all paid off in the end. So what next? For me postgrad study was the answer.

Here are the 5 reasons why I decided to study a masters degree.

​​1. To Clarify My Career Path
At the end of my undergrad course I was still unsure which path I wanted follow with regards to my career. My undergrad gave me lots of options of where to go next but I still couldn't decide. I enjoyed the marketing and PR aspects of my course therefore digital marketing seemed like a natural next step for me and I hope by studying this masters course it will help me clarify the direction I will be striving for in my career.
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2. Funding
If it wasn't for SAAS funding I would not have been able to study a postgrad course. SAAS (Students Award Agency for Scotland) supply funding for undergraduates in Scotland which means Scottish students can go to uni in Scotland for free. Students are awarded 4 years of funding (the length of an undergrad course) to pay for their course fees and they can also apply for a student loan to help with the cost of living whilst at university. Students don't have to pay back the fees but the student loan has to be repaid. A small percentage is taken from the graduates wage once they earn over a certain amount (full details can be found on their website). Anyway up until a couple of years ago SAAS did not fund post grad study. Now they pay your postgrad uni fees in the form of a student loan. That means SAAS have paid my uni the fees and the amount will be added onto my student loan and I will pay a small amount back at a time.

3. The Experience
I really enjoyed studying at university and RGU so when the option of returning to uni became available I thought why not? Many people don't enjoy the uni experience and can't wait to get a job but for me it was the other way round. I enjoy learning new things and the social aspects of going to uni and I'm excited to return next month.

4. Skill Development
By studying a masters I will learn new and valuable skills which will benefit me in industry. I also hope this masters will help me further develop skills I have already gained from my undergrad course. RGU courses offer valuable links to real industry experience which sets you up with skills for the real world of work.

5. Better Options
Lastly, the most obvious reason most people study a postgrad is to better their options. The job market is really tough so I hope by studying a masters degree it will help me when it comes to finding a job. My skills will be more specialised and hopefully my masters will provide a useful stepping stone to my dream career.

​So there you have it. A very long post so I thank you if you are still reading!