Can I get my master’s degree online?

Yes, you can. Online master’s degrees are available across a wide range of subjects and are offered by many UK universities, including those with strong academic reputations. If the degree is awarded by a recognised, accredited institution, the qualification itself is the same regardless of whether you studied on campus or remotely.

Postgraduate study in the UK is growing. According to HESA’s 2023/24 student statistics, postgraduate taught qualifications became the most awarded type of higher education qualification in the UK in 2023/24, surpassing first degrees for the first time on record. The demand for master’s level study has never been higher.

This guide addresses the most important questions people have about online master's degrees, including their respectability, employer perceptions, and potential for further study.

Can I get a master’s degree online?

Yes. A growing number of UK universities offer full master’s degrees entirely online, covering subjects from business and law to psychology, public health, and data science. You study at your own pace, access materials digitally, submit work online, and receive tutor support remotely.

The key thing to check is whether the university awarding the degree is properly accredited. In the UK, universities must be granted degree-awarding powers by the government. You can verify whether an institution is officially recognised through the Office for Students register.

Some professional master’s programmes also carry accreditation from relevant bodies. A law degree might be accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, an HR master’s by the CIPD, or a psychology programme by the British Psychological Society. If professional accreditation matters for your career goals, check whether the online programme carries it.

Find out more about master’s degrees available through Arden University.

Is an online master’s degree respected?

This is the question most people searching this topic are really asking. The honest answer is: it depends on who is reading your CV and what the qualification is. But for the large majority of employers and academic institutions, a master’s degree from an accredited UK university is respected, regardless of whether it was studied online or on campus.

Here is why. A degree certificate from a UK university does not say how you studied. It shows the qualification, the level, and the awarding institution. Employers and admissions panels see the qualification, not the delivery method. If the institution is recognised and the programme is legitimate, the qualification has the same standing.

The stigma around online degrees has reduced significantly over the past decade. The pandemic accelerated this shift, as online study became the norm for millions of students at every level. Employers in most sectors are now accustomed to candidates with online qualifications and do not treat them differently to those with campus-based ones.

Where you may encounter more scrutiny is in highly competitive academic environments or in professions that require specific practical training. A research-heavy institution may take a more traditional view when assessing doctoral applications. Some clinical and regulated professions have strict criteria about what counts as a qualifying programme. Outside of these areas, the delivery method is rarely a significant factor.

What matters most to employers is the institution’s reputation, the relevance of the subject, and what you can demonstrate you know and can do. These are the same things that matter for an on-campus degree.

Can I do a PhD with an online master’s degree?

In most cases, yes. A master’s degree from an accredited UK university, whether studied online or on campus, meets the entry requirements for a PhD programme at most UK institutions. Universities assess doctoral applicants primarily on the merit of their research proposal, their academic performance at master’s level, and their fit with the department’s research interests.

That said, some highly competitive research programmes at leading universities may look closely at the institution and the specific programme you studied. If your goal is a PhD at a top research institution, it is worth checking their entry criteria and, if possible, contacting the admissions team to discuss your background before you apply.

For most doctoral programmes, and particularly for professional doctorates, an online master’s degree provides a fully credible foundation. The key is to perform well and produce work that demonstrates your research ability at master’s level.

Will employers respect an online master’s degree?

For the vast majority of employers in the UK, yes. Here is what the data tells us about postgraduate qualifications more broadly.

According to the DfE Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2024, postgraduates in the UK have an employment rate of 90%, compared to 87.6% for graduates with a first degree. Postgraduates are also more likely to be in high-skilled employment (79% vs 68%) and earn a higher median salary (£47,000 vs £42,000). A master’s degree, however you study it, carries a genuine labour market advantage.

From an employer’s perspective, an online master’s degree also demonstrates something beyond the academic content. Completing a degree while working full time shows employers that you are self-disciplined, motivated, and able to manage competing demands. These are qualities that many employers actively look for.

The people most likely to question an online degree are those who studied before online provision was widely available and who apply their own experience as a benchmark. This group is becoming smaller. Hiring managers in their 30s and 40s today are far more likely to be familiar with and comfortable about online qualifications than those a generation older.

If you are ever asked about your mode of study in an interview, be straightforward. Explain that you studied online while working, and frame it positively. Most interviewers will see this as a sign of commitment rather than a red flag.

Discover online postgraduate degrees at Arden University

At Arden University, all of our master’s programmes are available entirely online, studied at your own pace and around your existing commitments. Our degrees are awarded by an accredited UK university and carry the same standing as any other master’s qualification.

Whether you want to advance in your current career, switch direction, or build the foundation for further academic study, an online master’s from Arden gives you a route to get there without giving up your job or your life. Find out more about how online learning works at Arden, or explore our full range of master’s degrees to find the programme that is right for you.