Most master’s programs take one to two years of full-time study. One-year programs are common in the UK. Two-year programs are the norm in the US, especially when they include a thesis or internship.
Part-time study stretches the timeline. Many working students take three to four years to finish. Accelerated programs can compress the degree into about a year, but the workload is intense and leaves little room for a job on the side.
Several factors move the finish line. Credit requirements differ by field. A thesis, placement, or capstone adds months. Switching from full-time to part-time mid-program adds more. The advertised length is a minimum, not a promise.
Plan around your real schedule, not the brochure. If you need to keep working, look at accelerated completion programs only if you can handle the pace, and compare affordable online master’s degrees with scholarships to keep costs down over a longer timeline. Whatever you choose, be clear on the skills you will gain for the time you invest.

