What should you do after your bachelor's? In case you are looking at additional studies, you have likely heard about master's and PhD. However, the distinctions are somewhat confusing, and you may get lost in trying to know how long it takes, how much it costs, and what each would do to your future employment. It is a massive step, and you do not want to choose the wrong one.  

This guide is here to help. We will simplify the distinction between a master's and a PhD in a very simple and straightforward manner. We will discuss what each of the programs is like, what you will actually learn, and what each degree will open up to you. 

What is the Core Difference Between a Master’s and a PhD?

Both degrees appear to be a step up in your education at first sight. Although that is the case, their intentions are completely different. Consider it not as a question of which is better, but rather which one is more in line with what you want to accomplish.

A Master's Degree: Mastering Existing Knowledge

A master’s degree is designed to give you advanced, specialized knowledge in a particular field. Over one or two years, you’ll take deep dives into specific subjects through advanced courses, seminars, and practical work. The main goal is to make you an expert or a highly skilled professional in an existing area.

For example, a Master's in Computer Science might focus on advanced artificial intelligence techniques, while a Master of Public Health prepares you to manage health programs in the community. It is all about learning and applying what has already been known to solve real-world problems.

A PhD Degree: Creating New Knowledge

A PhD or a Doctor of Philosophy is an enormous research project where you are all about inventing something new. You are not merely going to cross what people have already guessed, but you are on a mission to find an answer to a new question and contribute something new. It is a longer game and typically takes three to seven years.

Coursework is part of a PhD. Rather than wasting time trying to find the answer to an unanswered question and spending years searching the literature, you learn how to conduct research. This training will enable you to be a self-reliant researcher and come up with new projects.

Is a Master’s or PhD Higher in the Academic Hierarchy?

In the structure of higher education, the degrees are organized into cycles. A bachelor's degree is the first cycle. A master leaps to cycle two, i.e.

You have penetrated more deeply into a field.

The final cycle three degree is the PhD, the highest degree you can attain. It is a way of showing that you have not only mastered a subject, but have contributed to it something new and valuable.

Time and Commitment: Master's vs. PhD Length

One of the most practical differences between these two paths is the time you’ll need to invest. The degree of commitment differs significantly, and it can have a severe impact on your daily life and career plan.

How Long Does a Master's Degree Take?

The majority of full-time master's programs are completed within one or two years. Many of them are one-year contracts in the UK, as compared to two years in the US and other countries. 

That reduced time frame implies that you can grab those higher skills and re-enter the job market quite quickly. In case you already have a job, most universities will offer you part-time courses that can be extended to twice that duration, but allow you to continue your studies as you work.

How Long Does a PhD Take?

A PhD is a much longer-term commitment. In the UK and most of Europe, where you typically require a master's first, it is approximately three to four years of good research. The entire process takes five to seven years in the US, where you can jump directly into a PhD with only a bachelor's degree. The reason is that the initial two years are devoted to master's level courses before you get into your own dissertation.

Read more: How Long Does a PhD Take

The Final Project: Master's Thesis vs. PhD Dissertation

Separated in the final capstone project at the end of the program. The workload of both is similar, but the goals and the area of their work are completely different.

The Master's Thesis

A master's thesis is a heavy research paper that demonstrates that you have a grip on the topic. You sink into the literature, apply sound theories, and present a supported argument. In essence, you are demonstrating that you are a professional who can operate within the existing knowledge in your discipline.

Although it is a grave scholarly blow, a master's thesis is smaller. You will be working near an advisor and typically complete it in a couple of months in your last semester.

The PhD Dissertation: A Novel Contribution

A PhD dissertation is a much more ambitious project. It’s a book-length piece of writing based on several years of your own original research. The most important requirement is that it must offer new knowledge to your field. You aren't just summarizing what's known; you're adding to it.

This process is largely independent. Although you have a supervisor to guide you, you are the one who is rolling out the research question, developing the methodology, gathering and analyzing data, and printing your own results. The dissertation is the last stage in that you can run your own research.

Master’s vs. PhD Difficulty: Is One "Harder" Than the Other?

Many people ask whether a PhD is a more difficult master's degree, which is not the right perspective. Each of them comes with its own challenges, and which one is more challenging is a matter of your vibe and work style.

A master's degree can feel intense. You have to take a number of higher-level classes simultaneously, meet deadlines on assignments regularly, and absorb a lot of complicated information in a limited period. The challenge? The structure and the pace.

A PhD’s difficulty comes from its lack of structure and its sheer length. You have been working on one difficult problem that will never have a definite answer. It is not fast, and you will have to experience failures. This requires immense self-discipline, resilience when experiments fail, and the emotional strength to stay motivated without the constant feedback of grades and deadlines. It’s a marathon of intellectual and personal endurance.

Career & Financial Outcomes: Master’s vs. PhD Jobs and Salary

To most individuals, the grad-degree choice is reduced to practical issues: What are the jobs I can take, and how will they impact my paycheck? Both a master's and a PhD can enhance your career, but they are preparing you to work in different positions, and they are not equally paid.

How Will Each Degree Impact Your Salary?

In most cases, a graduate degree increases earning potential than a bachelor's degree. Although certain figures depend on the field, country, and the particular career path, we can consider the average growth in income. The pay difference between a PhD and a master's is usually a little higher than you might imagine, and it is not always as big as you might imagine, particularly when you consider the additional years of study.

Master’s vs. PhD for Industry Jobs

It is at this point that the career paths begin to diverge. Choose a degree that corresponds to the type of work you desire in the university.

In most industries, a master's degree directly enters career development. It is supposed to provide you with niche, practical skills that businesses are seeking. The vast majority of grads are in management or high-tech jobs in engineering, business, public health, technology, etc.

PhDs may create some niche opportunities, particularly in R&D. Tech, pharma, and finance companies use PhDs to lead innovative projects and solve difficult problems.

With that said, there are regular industry jobs that may believe that a PhD makes you overqualified. A boss might be concerned that you are too smart or that you will demand better pay than a master's holder.

Read more: Study phd

Master’s vs. PhD for an Academic Career

When you want to be a university professor or a full-time researcher at a university or research institution, the decision is absolutely clear.

A PhD is an essential requirement for a career in academia. It is constructed in such a way that you can teach at the uni level and conduct your own research and publish.

The academic employment market is hypercompetitive. The right research topic and a supportive supervisor are often the keys to success.

Dedicated websites such as Applykite can be very useful, as they search through university websites, social media of professors, and so on to identify fully funded opportunities that may not be publicized.

A Look at Specific Fields: How Master's and PhDs Compare

The worth and the meaning of a master's and a PhD may appear very different depending on your major. Although the fundamental difference between learning (master's) and producing (PhD) knowledge is the same, the practical career results differ greatly depending on the field. A brief overview of the way these degrees generally work in some of the more popular areas is provided below.

Read more: PhD Application Requirements

The Application Journey: Requirements and Program Structures

After you have a clue of what degree would be suitable for you, the next thing is to know how to get in. The process of application and the manner in which programs are configured may differ significantly.

Do You Need a Master's Degree to Apply for a PhD?

It is a very popular question, and the answer to it is determined by where you intend to study.

• In the United States and Canada, many PhD programs accept students directly after a bachelor's degree. Those direct-entry programs have you doing master-level courses during your first two years before you begin your dissertation research.

• In the UK and most of Europe, you are typically required to complete a separate master's degree first. The subsequent PhD is less time-consuming since it is all about independent research.

Whichever way, it is a very important step to find the right opportunity. In order to make it easier, many students resort to special services. As an example, sites such as ApplyKite can assist you in finding funded Master's, PhD, and Postdoc opportunities by allowing you to filter by position or professor based on your major and location of interest.

What Are Combined Master's and PhD Programs?

These combined programs are typical of the US and are one continuous path to a PhD. You are a doctoral student on the first day. Once you have passed through the first coursework and a qualifying exam (typically after two years), you will usually pick up a master's degree on the way as you dive into your PhD research. It is a good choice when you are certain that you are ready to invest in a PhD.

So, Which Path Is Right For You? A Final Checklist

Whether to pursue a master's or a PhD is a rather individual decision, and there is no correct answer. It is all about what you are passionate about, where you want to be in the future, and the type of impact you want to create.

At this point, you may have a better idea, but here is a brief checklist to make you think it through.

You should consider a Master’s degree if:

• You want to gain specialized skills to advance in your current profession or pivot to a new one.

• You prefer a structured learning environment with clear coursework and deadlines.

• You want to get an advanced qualification in a shorter amount of time (1-2 years).

• Your goal is to become a senior practitioner, manager, or specialist in your industry.

  
  

You should consider a PhD if:

• You are a researcher and you want to contribute new knowledge to your sphere.

• You want to be a university professor, a leading researcher in the academic world, or a head scientist in a high-tech firm.

• You are very self-motivated and like to dig deep on a single issue over a long period of time.

• You desire the most academic title and to be regarded as a top professional.

In the end, both directions are exciting experiences that lead to incredible personal and professional development. You have time, you need to consider what really interests you, and you need to believe that you will make the right decision about your future.

Read more: Study master

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Master’s degree cost compared to a PhD?

A master's is generally more expensive initially, and the majority of people finance it themselves. PhD programs, however, are generally funded. They pay tuition and provide you with a stipend to allow you to work part-time teaching or research.

What is better, a second Master's degree or a PhD?

This depends on your goal. A second master's can be useful if you are making a significant career change to a new field. However, if your goal is to become a top-level researcher or an academic, a PhD is the necessary and more valuable degree.

Can I work while studying for my degree?

It is common for students to work part-time while completing a master's degree, especially if the program is designed for working professionals. PhD programs are typically a full-time commitment. The research and teaching responsibilities often require more than 40 hours a week, making it difficult to hold an outside job.

What are the main differences between a bachelor's, vs. master's, vs. a PhD?

Think of them as stages. A bachelor's is a general foundation in a subject. A master goes further and develops specialized skills in a single niche. A PhD challenges you to create new, original knowledge in that niche through research