Types of Master’s Degrees: MA, MSc, MRes, MPhil, and How They Differ by Country

A master’s degree is a graduate qualification between a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate, built on advanced coursework, an independent research project, or both. Master’s degrees can be offered full-time, part-time, and in many fields online. The types of master’s degrees differ in format, purpose, and entry route, and the same degree can be structured differently from one higher education system to the next.

This article explains the different types and titles of master’s degrees, what each requires, and how they differ across the US, the UK, Canada, continental Europe, and Australia.

Principales conclusiones

• There are three main types of master’s degrees: taught, research, and professional. Integrated and conversion programs are variations on the taught format.
• A degree title usually signals the broad discipline or format, although some titles, the MPhil in particular, mean different things at different universities.
• MS and MSc both stand for master of science and are the same level of degree. The US uses MS, while the UK, many Canadian universities, and much of Europe use MSc.
• Most programs ask for a bachelor’s degree, transcripts, a statement of purpose, references, and English proficiency scores for non-native speakers. MBA, creative, and research programs add work experience, a portfolio, or a research proposal.
• A full-time master’s usually takes one year in the UK and one to two years in the US, Canada, continental Europe, and Australia.

What Are the Different Types of Master’s Degrees?

Different master’s degrees fall into three main types:

• Taught master’s degrees are built around structured coursework and usually end with a dissertation.
• Research master’s degrees center on an independent project supervised by an academic, with little or no coursework.
• Professional master’s degrees prepare students for a specific profession, and their titles name that field directly.

Integrated and conversion master’s degrees are variations on the taught format, each with its own entry route.

Taught, Research, and Professional Master’s Degrees at a Glance

The three types differ in how students spend their time, how they are assessed, and where the degree usually leads.

Type	Core activity	Assessed mainly through	Usually leads to	Common titles
Taught	Structured modules: lectures, seminars, assessed coursework	Exams, essays, a dissertation or capstone	Employment, further specialization, in some cases doctoral study	MA, MS/MSc, MSt
Research	Independent project under an academic supervisor, few or no classes	A thesis or dissertation	Doctoral study or research roles	MRes, MPhil (in many cases), master’s by research
Professional	Training for a specific profession, often with practical components	Coursework, projects, and in some fields supervised placements	Entry to or advancement in a named profession	MBA, MiM, LLM, MPH, MSW, MArch, MEd, MFA

Master’s Degree Titles and What They Mean

Degree	Full Title	Type	Typical Subjects
MA	Master of Arts	Taught	Humanities, social sciences
MS / MSc	Master of Science	Taught	Sciences, engineering, mathematics, quantitative fields
MSt	Master of Studies	Taught	Humanities and professional fields (Oxford, Cambridge)
MLitt	Master of Letters	Taught or research	Humanities
MRes	Master of Research	Research	All fields
MPhil	Master of Philosophy	Taught or research	All fields
MEng, MSci, MMath (UK)	Master of Engineering / Science / Mathematics	Integrated	Engineering, sciences, mathematics
MEng (US)	Master of Engineering	Professional	Engineering
MBA, MiM	Master of Business Administration / Master in Management	Professional	Business, management
LLM	Master of Laws	Professional	Law
MPH, MSW	Master of Public Health / Social Work	Professional	Public health, social work
MEd, MAT	Master of Education / Master of Arts in Teaching	Professional	Education, teaching
MArch, MFA, MM	Master of Architecture / Fine Arts / Music	Professional	Architecture, visual art, creative writing, music

Taught Master’s Degrees

Taught master’s degrees are usually the most common format on university course lists. Students complete structured modules through lectures, seminars, exams, and assessed coursework, and in most cases finish with a dissertation, so the program follows the shape of a bachelor’s degree at a more advanced level. UK universities refer to these programs as postgraduate taught (PGT), a term that appears throughout their course listings.

Master of Arts (MA)

A Master of Arts is a master’s degree usually awarded in the humanities and social sciences, including history, literature, languages, education, and communications. In most systems, the title marks a postgraduate degree earned through coursework and a dissertation. Two traditions in the UK and Ireland use it differently:

• Scotland: at the ancient universities of St Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, as well as Dundee, the MA is a four-year undergraduate degree, equivalent to a BA elsewhere in the UK. The postgraduate degree that other universities would call an MA is usually awarded there as an MLitt or MSc.
• Oxford, Cambridge, and Trinity College Dublin: BA graduates are promoted to MA after a set period as a mark of seniority within the university, without further study or examination. At Oxford, this happens 21 terms after matriculation, and the degree is often written as “MA (Oxon).”

In the US, a related title, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS), describes an interdisciplinary graduate program drawing on courses across the humanities and social sciences.

Master of Science (MS / MSc)

A Master of Science is a master’s degree usually awarded in the sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and quantitatively oriented social sciences. On the MS vs MSc question, the two abbreviations describe the same level of degree: MS is the standard form in the US, while MSc is used in the UK, at many Canadian universities, and across much of Europe. Subjects such as economics and psychology sit on the boundary between the two titles, and depending on the university, the same field can lead to either an MA or an MS.

MA vs MS: What’s the Difference?

The difference between a Master of Arts and a Master of Science in the same subject is sometimes substantive and sometimes a matter of institutional habit.

• Where it is real: an MS usually weights quantitative methods, laboratory or technical work, and research design more heavily, and in some fields it carries a larger thesis. An MA in the same area usually leans toward qualitative, theoretical, or interpretive work.
• Where it is habit: one university awards an MA in economics while another awards an MS for comparable coursework. In those cases, the required courses and the final project show where a program sits.

	MA	MS / MSc
Typical subjects	Humanities, social sciences, education	Sciences, engineering, mathematics, quantitative social sciences
Coursework emphasis	Qualitative, theoretical, interpretive	Quantitative, technical, methodological
Research component	Dissertation or final paper, varies by program	Thesis or project, in some fields more research-intensive
Common next steps	Teaching, policy, cultural sectors, doctoral study in the humanities	Technical and research roles, doctoral study in the sciences

The same question arises at the undergraduate level, in comparing a BA and a BS, and the same approach of reading the curriculum behind each label applies.

Master of Studies (MSt) and Master of Letters (MLitt)

Two less common titles appear mainly at UK universities, and both are easier to read once their institutional context is clear.

En Master of Studies is offered mainly at Oxford and Cambridge and is comparable to an MA or MSc, with coursework and a dissertation. At Cambridge, every MSt is a part-time program designed for students who are working full-time, while Oxford offers both full-time and part-time MSt programs, and the mix of taught and research content varies by course.

En Master of Letters is, in Scotland, usually a one-year taught degree in the humanities. It is the postgraduate qualification Scottish universities award where others would award an MA, which follows from the Scottish MA being an undergraduate degree. Where English universities offer the MLitt, it is in many cases a research degree.

Integrated Master’s Degrees

An integrated master’s degree, often described as a four-year master’s degree, combines undergraduate and master’s study in a single program. It is mainly a UK format, common in engineering and the sciences under titles such as MEng, MSci, and MMath. Students apply straight from secondary school, and the final year is taught at master’s level. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, integrated master’s programs usually run for four years, or five with a placement year. In Scotland, where bachelor’s degrees take four years, they usually run for five, as with the MEng at the University of Glasgow.

The closest US equivalent is the accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program, often called a 4+1 or 3+2. Students take graduate courses during their senior year that count toward both degrees, then complete the master’s in a fifth year, which leads to two separate degrees where the UK model awards one. The US MEng is a different degree altogether: a graduate program that at universities such as Cornell takes one year and replaces the traditional thesis with a design project.

Conversion Master’s Degrees

A common question is whether a graduate can get a master’s in anything. In many fields, the answer is yes, through conversion master’s degrees, which are designed for graduates moving into a subject different from their bachelor’s degree. These programs condense the core knowledge of an undergraduate degree in the new field into an intensive course, usually one year full-time or two years part-time.

In the UK, conversion programs exist in fields such as psychology and computer science. Psychology conversion programs accredited by the British Psychological Society, for example, typically take one year full-time and open the route toward professional psychology. Other fields, particularly in the sciences and engineering, usually expect a related bachelor’s degree, since the master’s coursework builds directly on undergraduate foundations.

Research Master’s Degrees

Research master’s degrees are built around an independent project on a single topic, completed under an academic supervisor with few or no classes. UK universities refer to these programs as postgraduate research (PGR). A research master’s program is in many cases the step before a PhD, either as preparation for doctoral study or as a way to test an interest in research before committing to it. The titles in this category reflect how universities structure that preparation.

Master of Research (MRes)

The MRes is research training at master’s level. It combines projects, seminars, and classes in research methods, usually over one year, and is common in the UK as preparation for doctoral study in a specific field.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil varies more by university than any other master’s title:

• Cambridge: most MPhils are one-year programs with taught elements, called “MPhil by Advanced Study.” A smaller number are research-only, called “MPhil by Thesis.”
• Oxford: the MPhil is usually a 21-month taught degree with a substantial thesis, designed in many cases as preparation for doctoral study.
• Elsewhere: the MPhil is in many cases a research degree.

For any MPhil, the program structure gives a more reliable picture than the title. For applicants planning a doctorate, the difference also affects timing. On a one-year program, doctoral applications are in many cases prepared within the first few months of the master’s itself, while a two-year program allows a full year of graduate work to inform them.

Master’s by Research (MSc by Research, MA by Research)

Some UK universities award a master’s degree by research under familiar titles, such as “MSc by Research” or “MA by Research.” The title resembles a taught degree, but the program is almost entirely independent research. The University of Edinburgh, for example, describes its MSc by Research as a pure research degree with no taught elements, usually completed in one year full-time, which many students use as a stepping stone to a PhD.

Professional Master’s Degrees

Professional master’s degrees prepare students for a specific profession, and the title names the field itself. Some function as entry routes into a profession; others deepen expertise for people already working in it.

Common Professional Master’s Degrees

• MBA (Master of Business Administration): advanced training in business and management, usually for applicants with several years of work experience.
• MiM (Master in Management): a business and management degree designed for recent graduates with little or no work experience.
• LLM (Master of Laws): specialized legal study for students who already hold a first degree in law.
• MPH (Master of Public Health): public health training, with specializations such as epidemiology, global health, and health policy.
• MSW (Master of Social Work): professional preparation for social work practice.
• MPA and MPP (Master of Public Administration / Public Policy): management and policy training for government, nonprofit, and international organizations.
• MLS or MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science): in the US and Canada, often required for professional librarian positions.
• MArch (Master of Architecture): architectural design and practice, in many countries part of the route to registration as an architect.
• MEd and MAT (Master of Education / Master of Arts in Teaching): the MEd usually serves educators developing expertise in areas such as curriculum or leadership, while the MAT prepares graduates, including those without an education degree, for teacher certification.
• MFA (Master of Fine Arts): advanced study in visual art, creative writing, or performance.
• MM or MMus (Master of Music): advanced study in performance, composition, or conducting.

Several of these degrees, including those in social work, architecture, and teaching, connect to professional licensing, which is regulated country by country, so the country where a graduate plans to practice shapes which programs qualify.

Executive Master’s Degrees

Executive master’s degrees are designed for experienced professionals, usually mid-career, and run part-time or in short intensive blocks so students can continue working. The Executive MBA is the best-known example, but executive formats also exist in fields such as management, public policy, and healthcare leadership. Entry usually requires more professional experience than a standard MBA.

Master’s Degree Requirements

Master’s degree requirements are set program by program, but most applications are built from the same core elements, and the differences between degree types follow a clear pattern. Grade thresholds, deadlines, and application platforms vary more widely, by country and by university.

What Most Master’s Programs Require

Most master’s applications include:

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, often with a minimum grade (in the US, commonly around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• Transcripts from every institution attended
• A statement of purpose
• Two or three letters of recommendation
• A CV or resume
• English proficiency scores, such as TOEFL or IELTS, for applicants whose first language is not English
• GRE or GMAT scores at some programs, though many make them optional

For US programs, applicants with a degree from another country may also need a foreign degree evaluation to show how their qualification compares with a US bachelor’s.

Additional Requirements by Degree Type

Beyond that baseline, each type of master’s degree adds requirements of its own.

Taught Master’s Degrees

• MA, MSt, and MLitt: in most cases, nothing beyond the standard application.
• MS and MSc: usually a bachelor’s in a related field, with prerequisite coursework such as calculus or statistics at some programs.
• Integrated master’s degrees: secondary school qualifications in place of a bachelor’s, since students enter straight from school.
• Conversion master’s degrees: a bachelor’s in any subject, often with a minimum grade.

Research Master’s Degrees

• MRes, research MPhil, and master’s by research: a strong academic record in the field, usually a related bachelor’s, and in many cases a research proposal outlining the intended project.

Professional Master’s Degrees

• MBA: usually several years of professional work experience.
• Executive master’s degrees: substantial mid-career experience, typically more than a standard MBA expects.
• MiM: designed for recent graduates, so little or no work experience is expected.
• MPA, MPP, and MEd: prior professional experience is preferred at some programs.
• MAT: open to graduates without an education degree.
• LLM: a first degree in law.
• US MEng: a bachelor’s in engineering or a related field.
• MFA, MM/MMus, and MArch: a portfolio, audition, or writing sample.
• MPH, MSW, and MLS: usually nothing beyond the standard application, with related coursework required at some programs.

Work experience requirements also shape timing. In fields such as business, programs expect professional experience first, which is why timing a graduate application is part of the same decision as the degree itself.

How Master’s Degrees Differ by Country

The same degree title can describe programs of different lengths, credit structures, and final requirements depending on where it is awarded.

Country	Typical Full-Time Length	Credit Measure	Thesis Expectations	Common Master of Science Abbreviation
Estados Unidos	1 to 2 years	At least 30 semester credit hours is common	Thesis and non-thesis options	MS
Reino Unido	1 year (taught)	180 UK credits (90 ECTS)	Dissertation or substantial project usually required in taught programs	MSc
Canadá	1 to 2 years; thesis-based programs commonly take about 2 years	Varies by university	Course-based or thesis-based	MSc
Continental Europe	1 to 2 years	60 to 120 ECTS, typically 90 to 120	Required in many countries, including Germany	MSc
Australia	1 to 2 years (coursework or research); typically 3 to 4 years (extended)	Credit points vary by university	Required for research degrees	Varies by university

Estados Unidos

US master’s programs may offer thesis and non-thesis options, depending on the university and department. A thesis involves supervised research, while non-thesis options may involve additional coursework, a comprehensive exam, or a capstone. For students considering a research PhD, a thesis track can provide useful research experience, a substantial writing sample, and a closer working relationship with a supervisor.

Reino Unido

A UK taught master’s usually takes one year full-time, commonly includes a dissertation or substantial project, and is graded differently from a US degree. UK universities usually award it with a Pass, Merit, or Distinction, with Distinction commonly set at 70 percent and above. The one-year format is a core difference between the American and UK education systems. Students planning to move straight into a PhD or employment should check deadlines early, as some applications close before the dissertation is complete.

Canadá

Canadian universities offer course-based and thesis-based master’s programs, with some also offering a major research paper, project, or practicum. A thesis-based master’s centers on supervised research and can provide preparation for students considering a research PhD. The options available differ between universities in Canada and between departments within the same university.

Europa

Most of continental Europe follows the Bologna system, with degrees measured in ECTS credits, but national systems still shape the degree. Germany divides master’s programs into consecutive degrees, which build on previous undergraduate study, and continuing education degrees, which generally require at least one year of relevant professional experience. Every German master’s also ends with a thesis. In the Netherlands, research universities offer selective two-year research master’s programs as preparation for a PhD. Other master’s commonly take one or two years, depending on the subject.

Australia

Within the Australian education system, every master’s degree sits at Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), in one of three forms: coursework, research, or extended. The AQF permits the title Juris Doctor for extended master’s qualifications in legal practice, and certain “Doctor of” titles for extended master’s in medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, optometry, and veterinary practice.

Choosing a Master’s Degree Type

The first question is what the degree should lead to. Students planning a PhD should look for substantial research training, a supervised thesis, and faculty working in their area of interest, the hallmarks of a research university. For a licensed profession, the program should meet the relevant regulator’s educational requirements where the student intends to practice. For other career goals, the skills taught, practical projects, and graduate destinations are a better guide than the degree title alone.

Background then narrows the options. A conversion master’s offers a way into a new field, while an advanced specialist program may require related undergraduate study. A MiM typically suits recent graduates seeking management training, an MBA generally suits applicants with professional experience, and executive programs often expect leadership experience. Part-time and online options may make it easier to study alongside work.

Before committing, students should weigh the total cost, funding, and time away from employment against the opportunities the program opens. It also pays to check whether graduates enter the careers or doctoral programs being targeted, whether the qualification is recognized where it will be used, and whether the study schedule works with the next step.

Plan Master’s Admissions Across Countries

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