Academically, a Master of Science (M.S.) degree is granted by universities or colleges to students who have completed an advanced degree programme. This degree often involves prior study at the undergraduate level (either as a stand-alone bachelor’s degree or in conjunction with another degree). Upon completing an online master’s degree programme, students should understand a field’s theoretical and practical underpinnings and advanced analytical, critical thinking, and professional application abilities.

Types

There are several master’s degrees, but the most common is a master’s degree in a specific field, such as an M.A., an MPhil or a PhD in a particular subject area. These degrees are typically awarded to students who have a bachelor’s degree. A typical course in the United Kingdom lasts one year, but in the United States, it often lasts two years.

2011 indicated that 64% of U.K. universities provided integrated master’s programmes, with the most prevalent being MEng, MSci, and MChem. 9% received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree after the course, and a further 9% were awarded both at the end of the course. Eighty-two% of the respondents received just a master’s degree for the course.

Master’s degrees that don’t need a thesis M.A.s have traditionally been conferred differently than is customary now in the old universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland. The old Scottish universities provide a bachelor’s degree in the Scottish MA. If you hold a B.A. from Oxford or Cambridge, you are eligible for the Oxbridge MA, provided without additional examination. Trinity College Dublin’s M.A. is also granted to its graduates in the same manner.

Master’s degrees are divided into three categories:

This type of degree focuses on research, although it may also include some instruction on research methodologies. MLitt, MRes, and MPhil are a few examples of advanced degrees that are not always research-oriented. There is a difference between the Master of Research (MRes) and the Master of Science in Research (Mbytes, ResMed) degrees, focusing on research methodologies.

For specialised or advanced study, at least one-third of master’s degree programmes require students to complete an extensive dissertation. Stand-alone master’s courses leading to degrees such as an MSc, MA or MRes may also be available.

Although they may incorporate work placements and independent study projects, professional master’s degrees are primarily taught and aim to get students ready for professional careers in specific fields. For certain jobs, you’ll need work experience before you can apply. There are a variety of online master’s degrees with a focus on business and ministry, including the MBA, MDiv, LLM, and MSW. The topic name is usually included in the degree’s name.

Admission

In most cases, admission to a master’s degree requires satisfactory completion of a bachelor’s degree either as a stand-alone degree or as part of an integrated programme of study. Bachelor’s degree with honours is generally required for admittance in nations where this is a regular undergraduate degree. Additional requirements include a personal statement and submitting a portfolio of work for students in the arts and humanities.

Requirements for a Master’s degree

The standards for admission to master’s programmes differ widely. It’s typically required to hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field before applying to a master’s degree programme (though this is not always the case).