Online Masters’ Degree: How to Choose the Right One?


Wednesday, 23 September 2020

It can be challenging to choose only one master’s degree when there are so many interesting options available. However, the real challenge is choosing the one that is right for YOU. Depending on your personality, your likes and dislikes, your abilities, and your strengths and weaknesses, there are some degrees that may be the best fit for you. Focus on the following 5 tips that will help you find the right online master’s degree.



Making decisions for life is not something you can take lightly. When you are younger, you may decide that a career in Business or Law, some of the most common paths, is the right for you. 10 years later, you look back and you realize that it was not at all because you find yourself longing for a change. 

Earning an online master’s degree will allow you to have more job opportunities, a higher income and a more comfortable life. Thanks to distance learning, you are able to study and increase your knowledge without quitting your job. 

There are some aspects you should consider when choosing a career path. It is crucial to choose the master’s degree that will allow you to pursue the career you will not only be good at and make a good living out of, but also feel comfortable with. 

What should I study?


This is a very common question among future students. The most popular fields of study for Masters students in South Africa are Engineering, Science, Law, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences. These are broad areas of study that involve many different fields and degrees. 

All these popular degrees may allow you to have a successful career. However, if you aren’t fond of your job, you will be unhappy even though you make a good living out of it.

From a different perspective, if you love what you do but you can barely make ends meet, you will end up as frustrated as if you hated your job.

These aspects are equally important and should be considered as such when choosing a master’s degree.

Other questions students should ask themselves are:


  • Which university is the best?
  • Which specialization suits my needs?
  • How will the master’s qualification improve my career?

How to make the right decision?


Tips that will help you choose the right online master’s degree


1. Choose the Right University
Whether you study online or the traditional way, choosing a well-known institution will go a long way in starting with the right foot. It’s crucial to choose a university that will open doors for you. You should focus on its reputation, its industry connections, and its position in world rankings. 

You need to make sure you choose a university that is accredited. Luckily, there are many universities in South Africa that are internationally accredited and globally competitive, providing postgraduate students with excellent opportunities.

2. Select a Specialization you are interested in
Not only is the university you choose important, but also the specialization of your degree. Whether you are interested in Business, Health, Humanities or Engineering, you need to make out which specialization of that field you prefer because degrees are much more specific than the field in general and there are many options available.

Being passionate about your future career will come in handy when studying because you will enjoy it.  

3. Consider the length of the programme
Master’s degrees, whether it is through online or contact learning, generally go from 1 year, to 15 months or 2 years. It is important to consider the length of the degree because, if the degree lasts shorter than a year, it may not be recognized or respected. 

4. Dig deep into the curriculum
Once you have chosen which degree you want to pursue, you need to dig a little deeper in order to get to know the programme you will be studying before you make the final decision. 

Be aware of the modules you will be taking, their content, the assessment strategies and criteria, etc. You need to get the information that will allow you to feel confident with your choice.

5. Take the Career Prospects into account
Once you finish your degree, you will enter the workforce from a different perspective than you did before. This time, you will be better prepared to compete for different jobs or for promotions because your degree will back you up. 

In sum, choosing a master’s degree is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. That’s why it is crucial that you take all the previous factors into account before making the final decision if you want it to be a fruitful one. 

Where to study?


Top Universities in South Africa

University of Johannesburg




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