When a student successfully completes a course of study proving mastery or a high-order overview of a particular field of study or area of professional practice, universities or institutions will typically offer them a master's degree.A bachelor's degree is typically required for admission to a master's program, either as a stand-alone degree or as a component of an integrated program. Master's degree holders are expected to have in-depth knowledge of a narrow range of theoretical and practical subjects within their field of study, as well as advanced analytical, critical thinking, and professional application skills. They should also be able to solve challenging problems and think critically and independently.

In the United Kingdom, postgraduate master's degrees can either be research degrees or taught degrees that include lectures, exams, and a brief dissertation. The duration of a taught master's program is one or two years of full-time study. The courses focus on a single, highly specialized field of expertise and are frequently exceedingly rigorous and intensive.