 The German "Meister" qualification for a master craftsman is neither a degree nor is it comparable to the academic master's degree.It, however, qualifies the holder to study at a University or Fachhochschule, whether the "Meister" holds the regular entry qualification (Abitur or Fachhochschulreife) or not.Postgraduate master's degrees in Ireland can either be taught degrees involving lectures, examination and a short dissertation, or research degrees.