Masters degrees are most often awarded at postgraduate level from universities around the world. At this level, students gain a broader insight into their chosen area of study along with valuable analytical capabilities. Studying abroad increases the value of your experience further, as it introduces an understanding of the international context.
Length of Master Studies
The most common types of masters degrees are the Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Science (MSc). As with most masters these are awarded after one to two years of study at postgraduate level. In some cases a master degree can be awarded for a longer period of study of four or five years. This is common within the field of engineering for example in many countries influenced by the Germanic system.
In some places masters degrees are also available as undergraduate degrees. This is for example quite common at Scottish universities.
Masters Degree Study
The masters degree often but not always requires a certain amount of independent research and a dissertation or thesis. The teaching within master degree programs can be course based, research based or as is the case with most - both. The layout of the program will largely depend on its aim - to prepare you for a future career or for further research. A master degree can also be called a magister from the Latin for master (teacher). In the old French system, the corresponding postgraduate degree was a DEA.
European Standardization (Bologna Process)
The Bologna process has largely standardized the organization of both bachelor and masters degrees throughout most of Europe. Where differences were very common before, masters degrees today largely conform to the definition of a postgraduate degree lasting one to two years. Exceptions are still degrees within specialist fields such as engineering and law where a masters degree denotes a single qualification lasting through four to six years of study.
Admission to Masters
Admission to a masters degree at postgraduate level requires at least a bachelor degree. Which type of bachelor is required differs - in some cases a degree in the exact field or one closely related is required. In other cases, you may gain admission with any bachelor degree with good marks.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master's_degree
