What Can You Do With a Master of Arts Degree?

A Master of Arts (MA) is a postgraduate degree that can deepen your knowledge of a subject in the humanities, social sciences, and arts. Through an MA degree programme, you can gain important knowledge and skills for various careers. These include education, art and design, journalism and communications, and human services. You may also qualify for more senior roles because many employers prefer advanced education. Outside your career, you may experience personal growth and acquire lifelong skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving.

Explore the many benefits of pursuing MA degrees. Learn about the different specialisations in which you can earn a MA, the advantages of a postgraduate degree, and the job outlook for graduates.  

What is a Master of Arts degree?

A Master of Arts (MA) degree is a postgraduate degree focusing on a specific concentration within the liberal arts or humanities, such as English, philosophy, or art. Earning an MA usually takes one to two years. 

Since the MA is a taught degree, the MA programme structure focuses on modules in the form of lectures, courses, and seminars. Instructors typically guide students through coursework, and it's a less independent programme of study than research degrees. 

In addition to taking advanced courses in your subject area that may include seminars, discussions, and academic research and writing, your programme may also expect you to complete a thesis, final project, or research project, depending on the type of programme.  

Master of Arts degree specialisations 

Other master's degrees—like particular Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees —prepare you to pursue specific career paths or industries. A Master of Arts may also prepare you for a designated career path, but you'll likely gain valuable and versatile transferable skills. 

Some common subjects that you might explore as part of your Master of Arts degree include:  

• Art history

• Journalism and mass communication 

• Languages (classical languages, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, etc.) 

• English 

• Education and various topics within the topic of education, like educational psychology  

• History

• Political science

• Sociology

• Philosophy

• Religion 

• International affairs

• Comparative literature  

Take a closer look at some common MA fields of study and where they might lead your career.   

Education 

Many people who earn their MA degree often work in teaching and education. In some cases, teachers or those working in education will seek an MA in Education or an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) to expand their career choices. It's also a great option for people with bachelor's degrees in other topics who would like to transition to teaching. People who earn this degree typically work as:  

• Art educators/teachers 

• History teachers 

• Principals and school administrators 

• Educational consultants 

• Curriculum developers

Art and design 

While the MA degree is more about liberal arts than fine arts, you can earn an MA in art and design. You could also pursue a related MA focusing on more creative subjects like art history, art and design, art therapy, publication, and design. This type of master's degree can help you hone your talents and may lead you to one of these careers:  

• Art teacher

• Animator

• Graphic designer

• Museum director 

• Design education 

• Retail development 

• Set design 

• Exhibition and event organisation 

• Museum curator 

• Museum educator 

• Art therapist  

Languages 

Earning a master's degree in languages and cultures can open up opportunities in any field where overcoming language barriers is essential for effective communication. You might find jobs in both the public and private sectors, such as:  

• Translator 

• English as a foreign language teacher  

• Foreign correspondent  

• Researcher

• Educational consultant 

• Manager of research and development within an educational institution 

• Linguist 

• Foreign service officer

• Healthcare interpreter 

Journalism and communications  

An MA degree in journalism or communications can help you advance your career or lead to opportunities in journalism, advertising, public relations, new media, and mass media. Some potential jobs in these areas might include:  

• Podcast creator or producer 

• Staff writer 

• Fashion publication editor

• Copywriter

• Broadcast journalist

• Event manager 

• Public relations manager 

• Advertising manager

• Social media specialist

• TV or film producer

• Digital marketer 

Public policy

If you’re interested in serving others, you may choose a Master of Arts that can lead to a career in public policy. You might select a degree specialisation like sociology, social sciences, counselling, or human services. This can lead to careers like:  

• Civil servant

• Policy and engagement manager for a government body

• Local councillor 

• Democratic services officer 

• Senior business consultant 

• Public policy consultant 

Advantages of a Master of Arts degree

Getting your MA can help you advance your career or enter a new field. The benefits of earning this degree include career advancement, specialised knowledge, and skills development.

Career advancement 

Many people get a Master of Arts degree to help advance their careers. Whether aiming for a promotion or seeking a leadership or management role, a master’s degree can be essential—or a way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. 

For example, if you’re interested in a career in arts management, earning an MA in Arts Management can position you as a highly qualified candidate for curation, business, and beyond positions. 

Specialised knowledge in a field

You should advance your knowledge in a particular field, not because you're aiming for a promotion, but because you want to be better at your job. You may learn about new technology or methods that are prevalent in your field now compared to when you first started or earned your bachelor's degree. With the MA degree, you can contribute more to your job or even offer your skills and knowledge as a consultant.

Gain experience  

Listing the MA degree on your CV demonstrates your educational and experiential qualifications to potential employers. Completing a MA programme requires a blend of practical and classroom experiences. You will have your portfolio to showcase your work and details on how your practical experiences have prepared you for the position you are applying for. Employers likely feel confident in hiring MA graduates as they know the applicant is equipped with both the skills and experience to do the job well.  

Job outlook 

MA degree graduates are, and will continue to be, highly valued in the UK economy for several reasons. First, those who study arts, humanities, and social science are highly employable due to the versatility of skills graduates of these types of degrees hold. Employers value employees with critical technical skills; however, more and more employers seek candidates with strong personal workplace skills such as collaboration, creativity, communication, and independence. In fact, a report conducted by The Guardian found emotional intelligence and change management among the top skills, according to career experts [1]. 

In addition to the variegated skill set graduates possess, the sectors that commonly employ MA grads are often amongst the fastest growing. These sectors range from creative industries to information and communication. The demand for creative individuals to fill roles in these industries is rising. According to the UK government, roughly 2.4 million jobs were filled in the UK creative industries in 2023, up six percent since 2019 [2].

The UK economy increasingly needs individuals who can solve problems in creative and innovative ways, and those who pursue degrees like the MA are situated to fit these growing needs as versatile and highly-skilled individuals of the arts.  

Continue exploring Masters of Arts degree options

Earning your MA online offers an efficient way to move forward with your career goals. Online master’s degree programmes allow you to advance your career flexibly and easily. 

Whether seeking new career opportunities or specialised knowledge, discover how earning a master’s degree online from a leading university on Coursera can align with your life and goals. Explore the many online master’s degree programmes available on Coursera and enroll today.