What Is the 2nd Highest Degree? Understanding the Academic Degree Hierarchy
By Dr. Aanya Mehta
Research Writer & Professional Business Communicator
If you are asking “What is the 2nd highest degree?”, the simplest answer is usually a master’s degree. In the conventional academic progression of bachelor’s degree → master’s degree → doctoral degree, the doctorate is generally the highest academic degree, while the master’s degree sits immediately below it. Official qualification frameworks in several major education systems reflect this pattern. For example, England places master’s degrees at Level 7 and doctorates at Level 8, while Australia places master’s degrees at AQF Level 9 and doctoral degrees at Level 10.
However, the phrase “second highest degree” needs a little context. Academic systems are not identical worldwide. Some countries distinguish research degrees from professional degrees; others include postgraduate certificates, specialist qualifications, integrated master’s programmes, or professional doctorates. A qualification may also carry the title “Doctor” without necessarily occupying the same framework level as a doctoral research degree. Australia, for example, permits certain Level 9 extended master’s qualifications to use a “Doctor of” title while explicitly classifying them as master’s-level qualifications rather than doctoral degrees.
For students, researchers, and professionals, this distinction matters because degree level influences admission requirements, research expectations, academic progression, career pathways, and eligibility for some doctoral programmes or university positions. A master’s is not simply “another degree after a bachelor’s.” It normally represents advanced study within a discipline and may involve coursework, independent research, a dissertation, a professional project, or a combination of these elements.
The correct answer therefore depends partly on what you mean by “highest.” If you mean the conventional hierarchy of university degrees, the master’s degree is usually the second-highest degree, below a doctorate. If you are comparing professional qualifications, national frameworks, or specialist credentials, you should check the qualification framework and university regulations that apply to your country and field.
This guide explains the hierarchy clearly, compares master’s and doctoral degrees, examines variations across major education systems, and helps you decide what the classification means for your academic or research plans.
Quick Answer: What Is the 2nd Highest Degree?
In the traditional university degree hierarchy, a master’s degree is generally considered the second-highest academic degree, while a doctoral degree—such as a PhD—is generally the highest.
A typical progression looks like this:
- Associate degree or equivalent, where applicable
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics defines a doctorate as the highest award a student can earn for graduate study and describes a master’s as a degree generally completed after a bachelor’s degree.
The same broad hierarchy appears in several formal qualification frameworks. England classifies master’s degrees at Level 7 and doctorates at Level 8. Australia places master’s degrees at Level 9 and doctorates at Level 10. In the European higher education model, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies are commonly described as the first, second, and third cycles respectively.
The important caution is that degree titles and qualification levels are not always perfectly interchangeable across countries or professions. If you are evaluating a specific qualification for admission, employment, immigration, professional licensing, or doctoral study, verify its formal level rather than relying only on its title.
Key Takeaways
- A master’s degree is usually the second-highest conventional academic degree, with a doctorate above it.
- A doctorate, including a PhD and many professional doctorates, generally represents the highest formal university degree level.
- A master’s normally follows a bachelor’s degree and provides advanced academic, professional, or research-focused study.
- Qualification structures differ internationally, so “second highest” should not be treated as a universal title-based rule.
- In England, master’s degrees are typically Level 7 and doctorates Level 8; in Australia, master’s degrees are Level 9 and doctorates Level 10.
- European higher education commonly follows three cycles: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies.
- Students planning a PhD should evaluate not only the level of their master’s degree but also its research preparation, subject relevance, academic performance, and the admission requirements of their intended doctoral programme.
What This Page Covers
This guide explains:
- What people usually mean by the “second-highest degree”
- Where a master’s degree sits in the academic hierarchy
- How master’s and doctoral degrees differ
- How qualification levels vary between countries
- Whether professional degrees change the hierarchy
- Types of master’s degrees and their academic purposes
- How to decide whether a master’s or doctorate fits your goals
Table of Contents
- What Is the Highest Academic Degree?
- What Is the 2nd Highest Degree?
- Understanding the Academic Degree Hierarchy
- What Is a Master’s Degree?
- Master’s Degree vs Doctoral Degree
- How Degree Hierarchies Differ by Country
- Are Professional Degrees Higher Than a Master’s?
- Common Types of Master’s Degrees
- Research Master’s vs Taught Master’s
- How Long Does a Master’s Degree Take?
- Do You Need a Master’s Before a PhD?
- Practical Examples
- How to Decide Your Next Academic Step
- Common Misunderstandings
- Academic Planning Checklist
- How Contentxprtz Can Support Researchers
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About the Author
- Conclusion
Methodology and Academic Sources
Degree terminology varies between countries, universities, disciplines, and professional systems. This guide therefore uses broad academic conventions together with official qualification information from government and public education frameworks rather than assuming that one country’s terminology applies everywhere.
Relevant reference points include the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, GOV.UK qualification-level guidance, the Australian Qualifications Framework, the European Qualifications Framework, and University Grants Commission information on India’s higher education framework.
Students should still check the requirements of the specific university, qualification authority, employer, licensing body, or doctoral programme they are considering.
What Is the Highest Academic Degree?
A doctoral degree is generally regarded as the highest academic degree in conventional higher education.
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics describes the doctor’s degree as the highest graduate-study award and includes research/scholarship doctorates, professional-practice doctorates, and other doctoral degrees within its classification.
Common doctoral qualifications include:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
- Professional doctorates in various disciplines
A research doctorate typically involves advanced work beyond earlier university study and substantial independent research. In many doctoral programmes, candidates must develop an original research contribution and communicate that research through a dissertation, thesis, portfolio, or equivalent scholarly output.
Australia similarly places doctoral degrees at AQF Level 10, its highest framework level, and describes research as the defining characteristic of doctoral qualifications.
This is why a master’s degree is commonly described as the second-highest academic degree: it ordinarily occupies the level immediately before doctoral study.
What Is the 2nd Highest Degree?
The 2nd highest degree is generally a master’s degree when conventional university degrees are ranked by academic level.
A simplified hierarchy is:
| Academic Stage | Typical Qualification | General Position |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate foundation | Associate degree, where offered | Below bachelor’s |
| Undergraduate degree | Bachelor’s degree | First major university degree |
| Postgraduate degree | Master’s degree | Usually second-highest degree |
| Doctoral study | PhD or other doctorate | Usually highest academic degree |
This hierarchy is useful for understanding academic progression, but it should not be interpreted as a global legal ranking for every qualification.
For example, the European Qualifications Framework has eight levels, with Level 8 as the highest. European higher education broadly associates the first cycle with bachelor-level study, the second cycle with master-level study, and the third cycle with doctoral study.
In England, master’s degrees appear at Level 7 and doctorates at Level 8.
In Australia, master’s degrees occupy Level 9 and doctoral degrees Level 10.
These frameworks use different numbering systems, but the progression from bachelor’s to master’s to doctorate remains broadly recognizable.
Understanding the Academic Degree Hierarchy
An academic hierarchy describes the increasing complexity, specialization, independence, and expected learning outcomes associated with different qualifications.
It is not simply a ranking of how “good” one degree is compared with another.
A bachelor’s degree generally establishes a substantial foundation within a discipline. A master’s moves into more advanced or specialized knowledge and may require greater analytical independence. A doctorate normally expects still deeper expertise and, particularly in research doctorates, the capacity to contribute original knowledge.
A useful way to think about the progression is:
Bachelor’s → advanced disciplinary foundation
Master’s → specialization, advanced practice, and/or research preparation
Doctorate → advanced independent scholarship, original research, or doctoral-level professional contribution
The European Qualifications Framework illustrates this progression through increasingly advanced learning outcomes. EQF Level 7 emphasizes highly specialized knowledge and advanced problem-solving in research or innovation, while Level 8 describes knowledge and skills at the most advanced frontier of a field.
The important lesson is that degree hierarchy reflects the expected level of learning, not personal intelligence, professional value, or career success.
Someone with a bachelor’s degree and extensive professional expertise may have substantially more practical experience than a recent doctorate holder. Degree level and professional competence are related in some circumstances but are not identical concepts.
What Is a Master’s Degree?
A master’s degree is an advanced postgraduate qualification normally undertaken after a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent level of prior study.
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics describes master’s programmes as generally requiring one or two years of full-time college-level study beyond a bachelor’s degree, although particular programmes may take longer. It identifies both academically oriented degrees such as the MA and MS and professionally oriented qualifications such as the MBA, MEd, MFA, MSW, and MPA.
Depending on the programme, a master’s may focus on:
- Advanced subject knowledge
- Professional specialization
- Research methodology
- Critical analysis
- Independent investigation
- Applied projects
- Dissertation or thesis research
- Preparation for doctoral study
- Advanced professional practice
Not every master’s degree has the same purpose.
An MBA, for example, is normally oriented toward advanced management and business education. An MSc by Research may place much greater emphasis on independent investigation. An MA may be primarily taught, research-based, or a mixture depending on the institution and discipline.
Therefore, knowing that a master’s is generally the second-highest degree does not tell you everything you need to know about its academic function.
Master’s Degree vs Doctoral Degree
The clearest difference is that a master’s normally develops advanced expertise within an existing field, while a doctorate represents a higher level of academic or professional specialization and often involves a major independent research contribution.
| Aspect | Master’s Degree | Doctoral Degree |
|---|---|---|
| General hierarchy | Usually second-highest | Usually highest |
| Typical entry point | After bachelor’s or equivalent | After bachelor’s or master’s, depending on programme |
| Primary purpose | Advanced knowledge, specialization, professional development, research preparation | Advanced research, scholarship, professional expertise, or original contribution |
| Research intensity | Varies substantially | Usually extensive in research doctorates |
| Typical final work | Exams, projects, dissertation, thesis, portfolio, capstone | Dissertation, thesis, research project, professional doctoral project, or equivalent |
| Independence expected | Advanced | Very high |
| Typical outcome | Subject specialization or preparation for higher study/professional work | Doctoral-level research or professional expertise |
This comparison should be treated as a general framework rather than a universal admissions rule.
Some doctoral programmes admit students directly after a bachelor’s degree. Others strongly prefer or require a master’s. Requirements can also differ by country, field, institution, and the applicant’s research preparation.
The practical distinction
If your goal is to deepen your expertise, change specialization, develop professional skills, or prepare for research, a master’s may be appropriate.
If your goal is to conduct sustained original research, build a research career, or pursue a role for which a doctorate is expected, doctoral study may be the logical next stage.
How Degree Hierarchies Differ by Country
Although the bachelor’s–master’s–doctorate sequence is internationally familiar, national frameworks classify qualifications differently.
United States
U.S. education classifications commonly distinguish bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral or professional degrees. NCES defines the doctorate as the highest graduate-study award and defines a master’s as graduate study normally completed after a bachelor’s.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also separates master’s degrees from doctoral or professional degrees in its education classifications.
This creates an important nuance: professional degrees may be grouped at an advanced level alongside doctoral degrees for particular statistical or occupational purposes.
England
England’s regulated qualification framework places:
- Bachelor’s degrees with honours at Level 6
- Master’s degrees and integrated master’s degrees at Level 7
- Doctorates at Level 8
In this framework, the master’s occupies the level immediately below the doctorate.
Australia
The Australian Qualifications Framework is especially clear:
- Bachelor Degree: AQF Level 7
- Master’s Degree: AQF Level 9
- Doctoral Degree: AQF Level 10
Bachelor Honours Degrees and certain graduate qualifications occupy Level 8.
Thus, a master’s is immediately below the doctorate among these higher-degree categories, although other postgraduate qualifications also exist.
European Higher Education Area
The Bologna Process established a broadly recognized three-cycle higher education structure:
- Bachelor’s studies
- Master’s studies
- Doctoral studies
The European Education Area notes that second-cycle master’s programmes commonly last one to two years, while doctoral study forms the third cycle.
Within the European Qualifications Framework, Level 8 is the highest overall level, with master’s qualifications commonly associated with Level 7 and doctoral qualifications with Level 8.
India
India’s University Grants Commission identifies the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework as a key initiative within the country’s higher-education reforms.
For practical decisions involving an Indian degree—particularly doctoral admission, international equivalence, faculty eligibility, or cross-border study—students should consult the relevant UGC regulations and the receiving institution’s current requirements rather than assuming that terminology used in another country automatically applies in India.
Are Professional Degrees Higher Than a Master’s Degree?
Sometimes professional qualifications complicate a simple hierarchy.
A professional degree is designed primarily to prepare someone for advanced professional practice. Depending on the education system and profession, it may be classified at master’s level, doctoral/professional level, or another nationally defined level.
For example, U.S. occupational education data use a category called “doctoral or professional degree,” demonstrating that professional qualifications do not always fit neatly into a simple bachelor’s–master’s–PhD ladder.
Australia provides another useful warning about relying on titles alone. Certain AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) qualifications can use “Doctor of” titles in designated professions, but the AQF explicitly states that those qualifications remain Level 9 master’s degrees and may not be represented as doctoral degrees.
Therefore:
Do not determine a qualification’s academic level simply because the word “Doctor” appears in its title.
Instead, check:
- The national qualifications framework
- The university’s formal qualification description
- The accrediting or professional authority
- Recognition rules in the country where you intend to study or work
- Doctoral admission requirements, if further research study is your goal
Common Types of Master’s Degrees
The master’s category includes many different qualifications.
Master of Arts (MA)
Often awarded in humanities, social sciences, languages, communication, education, and related fields. Programme structure varies by university.
Master of Science (MSc or MS)
Common in sciences, technology, engineering, social sciences, economics, data-oriented disciplines, and other analytical fields.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Designed primarily for advanced business and management education. MBA programmes may emphasize leadership, finance, operations, strategy, marketing, entrepreneurship, or other management areas.
Master of Education (MEd)
Commonly designed for education professionals, teachers, educational leaders, or researchers in education-related areas.
Master of Research or Research Master’s
Designed with a substantial research component and often chosen by students preparing for research-intensive careers or doctoral study.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Available in some education systems as an advanced postgraduate or research-focused qualification. Its role varies considerably across countries and institutions.
Professional Master’s Degrees
Universities offer specialized postgraduate degrees in fields such as public health, social work, public administration, architecture, engineering, finance, law-related disciplines, design, and professional practice.
The key point is that “master’s” identifies a qualification level or family of qualifications; it does not imply that every programme has identical coursework, research requirements, duration, or professional recognition.
Research Master’s vs Taught Master’s
Students considering doctoral study should pay particular attention to the difference between taught and research-focused master’s programmes.
Taught master’s
A taught programme may emphasize:
- Lectures or seminars
- Structured modules
- Assignments
- Examinations
- Applied projects
- A smaller dissertation or capstone
Research master’s
A research-focused programme may place greater emphasis on:
- Research design
- Methodology
- Literature review
- Independent investigation
- Data collection or theoretical inquiry
- Extended thesis or dissertation
- Academic supervision
Australia’s framework formally recognizes Master’s Degree (Research), Master’s Degree (Coursework), and Master’s Degree (Extended) as forms within the master’s qualification type.
Neither pathway is automatically “better.”
A professionally focused taught master’s may be more appropriate for someone seeking advanced industry practice, while a research-intensive programme may offer stronger preparation for certain doctoral pathways.
How Long Does a Master’s Degree Take?
There is no universal duration.
In the United States, NCES describes a master’s as generally requiring one or two years of full-time study beyond a bachelor’s, although some programmes require longer.
Within much of Europe, second-cycle master’s studies commonly take one to two years and typically represent 60 to 120 ECTS credits, although exceptions exist.
Duration may depend on:
- Country
- Discipline
- Full-time or part-time enrolment
- Prior qualifications
- Coursework requirements
- Research requirements
- Internship or professional placement
- Thesis requirements
- Accreditation requirements
- Integrated programme structures
For this reason, avoid choosing a programme purely because it is shorter.
The more useful questions are:
Does the programme provide the learning outcomes, research preparation, professional recognition, and academic progression you need?
Do You Need a Master’s Before a PhD?
Not always.
A master’s is a common pathway into doctoral study, but it is not a universal prerequisite for every PhD programme.
Some doctoral programmes accept strong applicants directly from a bachelor’s degree. Others require a relevant master’s qualification. Some assess applicants primarily through prior research experience, academic results, publications, research proposals, or demonstrated preparation in the intended field.
Even when a master’s is not formally mandatory, research-focused postgraduate study can help students develop:
- Research-methodology knowledge
- Literature-review skills
- Academic argumentation
- Data-analysis experience
- Proposal-development skills
- Familiarity with supervision
- Independent research discipline
- Thesis-writing experience
Before applying to a doctorate, read the programme’s official eligibility requirements rather than assuming that one pathway applies everywhere.
Practical Example 1: Bachelor’s Graduate Planning a PhD
Situation
A student completes a bachelor’s degree in psychology and wants eventually to pursue a PhD.
Initial assumption
The student believes that because a PhD is the “highest degree,” the most efficient choice is to apply directly to doctoral programmes.
Better approach
First, the student should review doctoral admission criteria.
If the target programmes expect substantial research preparation, a research-oriented master’s may offer an important intermediate stage. It can help the student develop research design, analysis, academic writing, and dissertation experience before attempting a longer doctoral project.
Why this matters
The hierarchy tells the student that a master’s sits below a doctorate, but hierarchy alone does not determine the best route.
Admission requirements and research readiness matter more than simply moving to the highest available degree as quickly as possible.
Practical Example 2: Professional Choosing Between an MBA and a PhD
Situation
A manager with several years of industry experience wants a more advanced qualification.
Confusion
The manager assumes that because a PhD ranks above a master’s academically, a doctorate must automatically be the better qualification.
Better approach
The correct choice depends on the intended outcome.
If the goal is advanced management education, strategic decision-making, professional networking, or broader business expertise, an MBA may align more directly with that purpose.
If the goal is sustained scholarly research into management theory, organizational behaviour, economics, strategy, or another research field, doctoral study may be more appropriate.
Why the revised reasoning works
The “highest” degree is not automatically the most suitable degree.
Qualification choice should be based on purpose rather than prestige.
Practical Example 3: International Student Comparing Degree Titles
Situation
A student receives an offer for a programme with an unfamiliar postgraduate title from another country.
Common mistake
The student tries to rank the qualification solely from its name.
Better approach
The student checks:
- The qualification’s official national-framework level
- Whether it is classified as a master’s, doctorate, or another award
- Entry requirements
- Learning outcomes
- Recognition by the intended university or employer
- Whether it provides eligibility for further doctoral study
Why this approach is stronger
International qualification titles can be misleading when interpreted without their framework context.
The European Qualifications Framework itself exists partly to help make qualifications from different national systems easier to understand and compare.
Practical Example 4: Researcher With a Master’s Preparing for Doctoral Work
Situation
A postgraduate researcher has completed a master’s dissertation and wants to move toward a PhD.
Academic challenge
The researcher understands the subject well but receives feedback that the proposed doctoral project is too broad and the academic argument needs greater clarity.
Better approach
Before focusing only on admission paperwork, the researcher should strengthen:
- The research problem
- Literature positioning
- Research questions
- Methodological justification
- Scope
- Contribution
- Academic language
- Citation accuracy
- Logical consistency across the proposal
If the research has already been developed into a manuscript, professional research paper editing support may help improve language, organization, academic clarity, and presentation while leaving the researcher responsible for the ideas, methods, evidence, and final submission.
Is a Master’s Automatically Better Than a Bachelor’s?
A master’s is a higher academic qualification in the usual degree hierarchy, but “higher” does not automatically mean “better for every person.”
A bachelor’s may be sufficient for many careers.
A master’s may make sense when you need:
- Specialized expertise
- An academic prerequisite for further study
- Research training
- Professional advancement
- Career transition into a specialized field
- Advanced technical knowledge
- Preparation for a regulated profession, where applicable
Before committing to postgraduate study, ask whether the degree solves a specific academic or professional problem.
A qualification should ideally have a purpose beyond simply adding another credential.
Is a Doctorate Automatically Better Than a Master’s?
No.
A doctorate is normally higher in the academic hierarchy, but it demands a different level and type of commitment.
A PhD is particularly appropriate for people whose goals genuinely require sustained research. Depending on the discipline, this may include:
- Academic research careers
- University teaching and research
- Advanced scientific investigation
- Specialist research roles
- Research leadership
- Development of original scholarly expertise
A master’s may be the stronger choice when the primary goal is specialized professional development rather than several years of doctoral research.
The question is therefore not:
“Which qualification ranks higher?”
It is:
“Which qualification matches the work I want to do?”
Common Misunderstandings About the Second-Highest Degree
Mistake 1: Assuming the hierarchy is identical worldwide
Correction: National systems use different framework levels, degree titles, and professional classifications.
Mistake 2: Assuming every “Doctor” title means a doctoral-level degree
Correction: Verify the formal framework classification. Some professional qualifications may use particular titles under specific national rules without being doctoral-level qualifications.
Mistake 3: Assuming every master’s prepares you equally well for a PhD
Correction: Research content varies significantly. Examine the dissertation requirement, research-methods training, supervision, and doctoral progression record.
Mistake 4: Choosing the highest degree available without considering career goals
Correction: Match the qualification to your intended academic, research, or professional outcome.
Mistake 5: Confusing postgraduate certificates with degrees
A postgraduate certificate can be advanced study, but it is not automatically the same qualification type as a master’s degree.
Mistake 6: Assuming all master’s degrees require the same amount of research
Some are heavily coursework-based; others require a substantial research thesis.
Mistake 7: Treating a degree level as proof of professional competence
Degree level demonstrates achievement within an educational framework. Professional capability can also depend on experience, licensing, technical practice, communication, judgment, and continuous learning.
How to Decide Your Next Academic Step
Use the following process before choosing between postgraduate options.
Step 1: Define your goal
Ask what you want the qualification to enable:
- Academic research?
- Career specialization?
- Professional accreditation?
- Promotion?
- Career transition?
- PhD admission?
- University teaching?
- Research publication?
Step 2: Check formal entry requirements
Do not assume that every master’s or doctoral programme accepts the same qualifications.
Review:
- Degree requirements
- Subject prerequisites
- Grade requirements
- Research experience
- Language requirements
- Professional experience
- Proposal requirements
Step 3: Examine the curriculum
A degree title tells you less than the actual programme structure.
Look for modules in:
- Research methods
- Advanced theory
- Statistics or qualitative analysis
- Dissertation preparation
- Professional practice
- Specialist techniques
Step 4: Evaluate the research component
If doctoral study is your goal, determine whether the programme gives you meaningful opportunities to undertake independent research.
Step 5: Review qualification recognition
For international study or employment, check the relevant national framework, university equivalence policy, or professional regulator.
Step 6: Consider time and financial commitment
A higher degree is a major investment.
Consider tuition, living costs, opportunity costs, workload, family commitments, employment, scholarships, and expected outcomes.
Step 7: Choose based on fit, not title
The strongest qualification is the one that provides the appropriate academic level, skills, recognition, and progression for your objectives.
Academic Planning Checklist
Before deciding whether a master’s—the conventional second-highest academic degree—is your appropriate next step, ask:
- Have I clearly defined my academic or professional goal?
- Does that goal actually require postgraduate study?
- Have I checked the qualification’s formal level?
- Do I understand whether the programme is taught, research-based, or mixed?
- Have I reviewed its dissertation or thesis requirements?
- Does it prepare me for my intended doctoral pathway, if relevant?
- Have I checked the admission criteria of potential PhD programmes?
- Is the qualification recognized in the country where I plan to study or work?
- Have I checked professional accreditation requirements where relevant?
- Am I choosing the programme because of its academic fit rather than simply its title?
- Is the study commitment realistic for my available time and resources?
- Have I compared multiple universities rather than relying on one programme description?
- If research is involved, have I considered whether I need stronger academic writing or methodological preparation?
How Contentxprtz Can Support Master’s and Doctoral Researchers
Reaching an advanced degree level does not eliminate writing difficulties. In fact, postgraduate research often demands greater precision in argument, organization, methodology, terminology, citation, and scholarly communication.
Contentxprtz provides academic communication support for researchers who want to improve the clarity and presentation of their own work while retaining responsibility for their ideas, evidence, methodology, interpretation, and final submission.
Depending on the researcher’s stage, relevant support may include:
- Academic editing
- Research-paper editing
- Thesis and dissertation editing
- Language refinement
- Structural review
- Proofreading
- Citation and reference-format review
- Journal-specific formatting
- Clarity checks between research questions, methods, findings, and conclusions
Researchers preparing a manuscript can explore research paper services, while postgraduate candidates working on longer projects may find thesis services or dissertation services more relevant.
Academic assistance should strengthen communication rather than replace the researcher’s intellectual contribution. Researchers remain responsible for their claims, sources, data, methodology, citations, interpretation, and final work. Institutional policies on permitted editing assistance can differ, so university or publisher guidance should always be checked.
Summary: What Is the 2nd Highest Degree?
A master’s degree is generally the second-highest conventional academic degree, while a doctorate is generally the highest.
The familiar hierarchy is:
Bachelor’s → Master’s → Doctorate
Official frameworks support this general progression, even though their numbering systems differ. England places master’s degrees at Level 7 and doctorates at Level 8; Australia places master’s degrees at Level 9 and doctorates at Level 10; and the European higher education system broadly describes bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral qualifications as first-, second-, and third-cycle study.
However, students should not assume that every qualification fits perfectly into a universal hierarchy. Professional degrees, integrated programmes, research qualifications, and national naming conventions can create exceptions.
If you are choosing your next degree, focus on four questions:
- What level is the qualification officially classified at?
- What knowledge or research capability will it develop?
- Is it recognized for your intended career or further study?
- Does it move you toward the goal you actually want?
A degree’s position in the hierarchy matters, but academic fit matters more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the 2nd highest degree?
A master’s degree is generally considered the second-highest conventional academic degree, immediately below a doctoral degree.
The common university progression is bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and then doctorate. This general pattern is reflected in several formal education frameworks. For example, England places master’s degrees at Level 7 and doctoral degrees at Level 8, while Australia places master’s at AQF Level 9 and doctoral qualifications at Level 10.
However, qualification systems differ internationally. Professional qualifications, specialist awards, and integrated programmes can make a simple ranking less precise.
When evaluating a specific degree, check its official qualification framework rather than relying solely on its name.
2. What is the highest degree you can earn?
A doctoral degree is generally the highest academic degree.
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics describes the doctor’s degree as the highest award a student can earn for graduate study. Doctoral classifications can include research/scholarship doctorates, professional-practice doctorates, and other doctoral degrees.
The PhD is one of the best-known research doctorates, but it is not the only doctoral qualification.
Students should also distinguish between a doctoral-level qualification and the use of the title “Doctor,” because title conventions can differ by profession and country.
3. Is a master’s higher than a bachelor’s degree?
Yes. A master’s degree is normally a higher-level qualification than a bachelor’s degree.
A bachelor’s usually provides foundational and advanced undergraduate education in a field. A master’s normally develops greater specialization, advanced professional capability, research competence, or some combination of these.
Within England’s framework, bachelor’s degrees with honours are Level 6 while master’s degrees are Level 7.
In Australia, bachelor’s degrees are Level 7 and master’s degrees are Level 9, with certain honours and graduate qualifications at Level 8.
The exact structure differs by education system, but master’s study generally follows undergraduate degree-level study.
4. Is a PhD higher than a master’s degree?
Yes. A PhD is a doctoral qualification and is generally above a master’s degree in the academic hierarchy.
A master’s normally develops advanced knowledge or professional expertise and may include significant research. A PhD normally requires a substantially more extensive independent research programme and an original scholarly contribution.
This distinction is reflected in qualification frameworks. Australia classifies master’s degrees at Level 9 and doctoral degrees at its highest level, Level 10.
The decision to pursue a PhD should nevertheless depend on your research and career goals rather than the desire to possess a “higher” degree.
5. Do I need a master’s degree before starting a PhD?
Not in every case.
Some universities and doctoral programmes accept qualified students directly after a bachelor’s degree, while others require or strongly prefer a relevant master’s qualification.
The requirements may depend on:
- Country
- University
- Discipline
- Academic performance
- Previous research experience
- Proposed project
- Programme structure
A research-oriented master’s can nevertheless provide useful preparation through research methods, dissertation work, critical literature review, analysis, and academic writing.
Always check the official entry criteria for each doctoral programme rather than assuming a master’s is either universally required or universally unnecessary.
6. Is an MBA the second-highest degree?
An MBA is a type of master’s degree, so it generally sits at the master’s level of the conventional academic hierarchy.
Its purpose, however, is usually more professionally oriented than that of a research master’s. MBA programmes commonly focus on advanced business and management education rather than preparing students primarily for original academic research.
Therefore, an MBA may be considered part of the general second-highest degree category, but whether it is suitable preparation for a particular PhD depends on the doctoral field, research experience, programme content, and university requirements.
Choose an MBA for the outcomes it provides rather than simply because it is a postgraduate qualification.
7. Are professional degrees higher than a master’s?
It depends on the education system and the specific qualification.
Some professional degrees are classified at doctoral or professional-degree level, while others remain master’s-level qualifications.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, uses a “doctoral or professional degree” category in its occupational education classifications.
Australia also demonstrates why titles can be misleading: certain Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) qualifications are permitted to use designated “Doctor of” titles while remaining formally classified as master’s-level rather than doctoral-level awards.
Check the formal qualification level before comparing two professional degrees.
8. How long does a master’s degree usually take?
Master’s duration varies by programme and country.
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics describes master’s programmes as generally requiring one or two years of full-time study beyond the bachelor’s level.
In European higher education, second-cycle master’s studies commonly take one to two years and often represent 60 to 120 ECTS credits.
However, part-time study, professional placements, integrated degrees, research projects, dissertations, accreditation requirements, and national education structures can alter programme length.
Always check the specific university’s curriculum and completion requirements.
9. Is a research master’s better than a taught master’s?
Neither is automatically better.
A research master’s may be more suitable if your main goal is preparation for independent research or certain doctoral programmes. It may offer more intensive experience in research methodology, supervision, data analysis, scholarly writing, and thesis development.
A taught master’s can be more appropriate when your goal is advanced disciplinary knowledge or professional development through structured coursework.
Australia’s AQF, for example, recognizes research, coursework, and extended forms of master’s degrees.
Choose according to your next step. If a PhD is your goal, examine how much genuine research experience the programme provides rather than relying only on the master’s title.
10. Does earning the second-highest degree guarantee better career opportunities?
No. A master’s represents an advanced academic qualification, but it does not guarantee a particular job, salary, promotion, publication outcome, or career result.
Labour-market outcomes vary by occupation, experience, country, specialization, industry, and many other factors. U.S. labour statistics distinguish educational attainment levels in employment data, but education is only one dimension of occupational outcomes.
Before enrolling, evaluate whether the qualification is actually valued or required in your intended field.
For researchers, also consider whether the programme provides the methodological, analytical, and writing preparation required for the next academic stage.
About the Author
Dr. Aanya Mehta
Research Writer & Professional Business Communicator
Dr. Aanya Mehta is a research-oriented writer and professional communicator with a strong focus on accuracy, clarity, and evidence-based insight. Her work combines analytical thinking with accessible writing, helping readers understand complex business topics through well-researched, credible, and practical content.
Conclusion
So, what is the 2nd highest degree? In the conventional academic hierarchy, the answer is a master’s degree.
A doctorate is generally the highest academic degree, while the master’s sits immediately below it. The familiar progression from bachelor’s to master’s to doctorate is reflected across major education systems even though qualification names, level numbers, professional classifications, and admission pathways vary internationally.
More importantly, knowing which degree is “higher” should be the beginning of your decision—not the end of it.
A master’s can be an excellent next step when you need advanced subject expertise, professional specialization, stronger research preparation, or a pathway toward doctoral study. A doctorate may be appropriate when your goals require sustained independent research and doctoral-level specialization.
Before choosing either path, review the programme’s formal qualification level, research expectations, entry requirements, professional recognition, and relevance to your long-term goals.
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