To take a Masters programme you normally need to have a good undergraduate degree, but not necessarily in the same subject.
A Taught Masters course lasts one year full-time or two years part-time. There is a fixed curriculum, and an exam at the end. You must also produce a written dissertation at the end of the course (an essay often of between 10,000 and 20,000 words). The most common qualifications are an MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science), MMus (Master of Music), LLM (Master of Research)
A Research Masters is a one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) course. It involves working to produce an original study known as a thesis (an essay often of between 30,000 and 40,000 words). For a Research Masters you work largely on your own, with guidance from a supervisor. The qualification is an MRes (Master of Research).
More information about Masters courses in the UK is available on the Prospects website.
