| Degree | Full Title | Type | Length | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Master of Arts | Taught | 1-2 years | Arts Humanities Social Sciences |
| MSc | Master of Science | Taught | 1-2 years | Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Social Sciences |
| MRes | Master of Research | Taught / Research | 1-2 years | All subjects |
| MPhil | Master of Philosophy | Research | 2 years | All subjects |
| MBA | Master of Business Administration | Professional | 1-2 years | Business and Management |
| MFA | Master of Fine Arts | Taught / Practical | 2-3 years | Fine Arts and Creative Fields |
| MEng | Master of Engineering | Practical | 1-2 years | Engineering and Applied Sciences |
| LLM | Master of Laws | Taught | 1 year | Law |
| MPH | Master of Public Health | Taught | 1-2 years | Public Care and Healthcare Management |
| MEd | Master of Education | Taught / Professional | 1-2 years | Education and Pedagogy |
Education is a long path with lots of forks. Now you are standing at the beginning of another one and need to choose what you should do next after your undergraduate studies. Before you read our extensive list of types of Master’s degrees (there are more than 100 items), let us clarify how they are distinguished.
All the “titles” are divided into two groups: taught and research Master's degrees. The prevailing number are taught and delivered through course-based classes. It means you are required to attend lectures and seminars, do laboratory works or other activities to complete modules. It resembles undergraduate studies. But the story is totally different with the research-based program. You are more independent in your education. As a rule, you set your timetable by yourself and focus your learning abilities on one or several projects. It does not mean you have turned adrift. A supervisor will direct and advise you, but most of the time you will be involved in your own project in a field of study you are specialized in. Research programs are usually more extended in time than course-based.
As a rule, a student is required to complete education on the bachelor’s level to apply for a master’s degree program. But there is also an option to do this right after high school. This is called an integrated master’s degree and lasts a year more than earning an undergraduate qualification. Such a choice is usually available for scientific and technological subjects.
Making a Choice between a Taught and Research Master's Degree
First, determine your career goals and academic interests and then decide what type of Master's degree suits you. If you are on a mission to gain a deeper qualification before starting looking for a job, or there is a specific profession you dream of, pay attention to a taught course. If you see your future in the academic field, or if research skills are vital for your profession, apply for a research-based course. Consider also Ph.D. programs for your scientific career.
Types of Taught Master's Degrees: What You Need to Know
Taught Master’s degrees are one of the most sought-after types of postgraduate qualifications for students, and there are several academic stages most researchers need to complete before they get some sort of progress on their educational journey. A taught Master’s course is beneficial primarily because of the structured learning approach that it offers. You will be introduced to the combined power of lectures, coursework, and seminars to test your knowledge. The title of your program will be based on the subject area that you have selected.
Master of Arts (MA)
The MA degree is what you are awarded with once you become proficient in Arts and Humanities. If you have already studied the basics and need a deep dive into your selected field with a more analytical approach, this one's for you.
- Subjects. Communications, languages, literature, linguistics, education, history, geography, and music.
- Structure. The students will be asked to perform a number of activities: attend lectures, complete assignments, and complete a dissertation that will demonstrate their knowledge of the selected topic.
- Focus. Developing your critical thinking and broadening your overall knowledge about the topic.
- Target audience. Those who are seeking to advance their careers in the creative field or the public sector.
Master of Science (MSc)
You can think of a Master of Science as a direct counterpart of an MA that will be awarded to students who have devoted themselves to the fields of Science and Technology. This field is focused on your understanding of technical aspects and the pursuit of learning based on profound research.
- Subjects. Biology, chemistry, health, engineering, health sciences, environmental studies, and statistics.
- Structure. There is a lot to accomplish once you start to deconstruct what constitutes your MSc degree. The main aspects to focus on are lab projects, tons of practical work, and a dissertation on the selected theme. You will also be attending lectures as a part of the research process.
- Focus. The students will concentrate on solving technical difficulties and applying critical thinking.
- Target audience. If you are determined to get a career in the technology or research field, MSc will be the best bet.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
If you are someone who cannot wait to run their business empire and manage your own enterprise with the use of business essay writing tools and strategies, you will need an MBA degree as a part of the educational process. This is a unique degree mainly because it manages to effectively mix theory with practice and often involves a lot of unconditional extracurricular work such as building connections with other aspiring business owners and networking.
- Subjects. Leadership, finance, marketing, strategy, operations management, and entrepreneurship.
- Structure. Here, you will be subjected to a number of educational approaches and courses that include participating in group projects, various types of internships for people who want to start networking as they study, and active practical work interspersed with lectures and seminars.
- Focus. The focus will be directed toward your decision-making abilities, critical thinking skills, and analytical abilities.
- Extra requirement. Although this may not be true for every MBA program you will encounter, chances are that you will be requested to have at least two years of professional work experience to apply for a degree and demonstrate effective use of essay writing tools for business.
- Target audience. Those who have already demonstrated how well they can manage small businesses but need personal advancement and enhanced managerial skills for their everyday work.
Do you want more details of the MA, MSc, and MBA? They are compared in this video:
Types of Research Master's Degrees: Discover More
Research Master’s degrees are often considered less common than the traditional taught courses. Why are the Master’s degrees so underestimated and why do they seem to have a lack of popularity compared to a taught course? Unlike conventional study programs, the research Master’s degree will require students to write a longer thesis with the help of various writing tools and spend a considerable amount of time conducting independent research, which may not be favorable for most researchers. Below, you will witness the two main types of research Master’s degrees.
Master of Research (MRes)
- Focus. The degree is aimed at helping you establish a solid foundation for your research skills and provide you with thesis and essay writing tools to conduct your research.
- Structure. The program presents a peculiar mix of taught subjects and independent research. However, it should be noted that the emphasis lies heavily on research, and the taught modules will not be the main focus.
- Subjects. Master of Research degrees are available across versatile disciplines, including sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
- Purpose. If you find the idea of a research-related career in the government or specific industries to be particularly appealing, a Master of Research is a necessary component of this career trajectory.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Focus. The student will be required to produce original research and write a thesis that outlines their area of study.
- Structure. Master of Philosophy is an independent course from start to finish, meaning there will be no taught elements in the course.
- Subjects. The benefit of the degree is its availability across a large number of academic disciplines.
- Purpose. Master of Philosophy is often regarded as a foundation for students getting a Ph.D. and provides a smooth transition between the two.
Both degrees are perfectly suited for independent researchers who don’t require constant guidance to complete their projects and are capable of producing original work using additional tools for writing an essay or thesis. The research Master’s degree would not be the most favorable course of action for students who are opposed to the idea of a completely self-directed learning course.
