Hello- I guess it depends what you want to do it in and what you want to do it for- if for a PhD then it's pretty much essential (with some exceptions), but I think employers do look at favourably at candidates with an MA as well as undergrad degree. My MA cost a huge amount (had to take out a loan of around £8000 at high interest) but as I'm now doing a funded PhD I think it was worth it. If I wasnt though, I'd be very poor and not particularly happy! Not sure if that helps in anyway, but I think it really depends what you want to do with it...