Can I do my masters in something totally different than my bachelors degree?

ayush sharma

Economics Undergrad Student || dep. Marketing Head at Enactus ARSD

Well, it's a matter of choice. Institutes generally do not restrict students to apply from different backgrounds for any program. For example, you can do a master in management (MIM) after an engineering degree and still unlock quality job roles. The most common examples are MBA graduates. Usually, not many students we see from BBA pursue MBA programs. However, students from all fields pursue MBA to get some specific benefits in the job market. And it goes for academic programs too. Institutes offering masters in engineering, data science, CS also allow students from completely opposite backgrounds to apply for admission.

The limitations here are specialized programs. These courses are designed to offer you a more solid knowledge in your masters. For example, if you check MIT specialized engineering masters, it asks you for specific subjects. It's not uncommon to find these programs at a quality institute. But rest assured, these are targeted courses by specific kinds of students. Once you have obtained a degree of your choice and start working, you may come across some challenges or, say, professional opportunities that will require an extra set of skills. Then you will be set to pursue a specialized program. Or if you prefer to start with it.

It is, however, advised to pursue a masters relevant to your current degree. It's not like you have to pursue the same subject. Mastering in a relevant subject can be a different specialization. For instance, you can opt for data management masters with a data engineering degree. It's only logical to enhance your current skills instead of learning new ones.