Unsurprisingly, the MSc tends to be awarded on Science Masters. As a general rule this includes most ‘STEM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects. In comparison, you'll usually study an MA in an Arts or Humanities subject.
It’s not quite so simple though. These disciplines tend to award more of their own specialised degrees than the Arts and Humanities.
This is particularly likely to be the case in subjects that relate to chartered professions. Such qualifications often need to be specific degree types that meet accreditation standards.
In Engineering, for example, many students study a four year integrated Masters known as the MEng (Master of Engineering). This is an undergraduate, rather than postgraduate, qualification, but is equivalent to a Bachelors plus a Masters. Some MSc programmes in Engineering are labelled as MSc (Eng) degrees to show that they meet the same accredited standard as an MEng.
Masters-level degrees in Medicine may also form part of a professional qualification pathway, with their own qualifications. Others will be more self-contained ‘academic’ programmes, providing specialist expertise and awarding an MSc.
MSc degrees outside ‘the sciences’
Don’t make the mistake of thinking an MSc is always a ‘hard science’ degree. Universities are free to organise their own qualifications and will often award a Master of Science in other subjects.
If an Arts or Humanities programme includes lots of quantitative analysis and technical expertise, it may award an MSc instead of an MA. Linguistics is a good example. Programmes focussing on the ‘science’ of language systems will usually award MSc degrees.
Other subjects award MA or MSc degrees depending on the focus of a given course. A good example would be an Archaeology degree. A programme focussing on carbon data and excavation techniques would probably award an MSc. One focussing on historical and cultural contexts would probably award an MA.
The same applies across the Social Sciences. Courses that favour quantitative over qualitative analysis are likely to award an MSc qualification rather than an MA (and vice versa).
For example, MSc subjects could include:
What is the difference between an MSc and other degrees
MSc vs MA
The distinction between MSc and MA (Master of Arts) qualifications is relatively recent – in academic terms, at least! As scientific subjects became a staple of university curricula, degrees were named according to their discipline.
Masters degrees in technical subjects, with a basis in mathematical logic and analysis, were labelled as MSc qualifications. Degrees in more qualitative subjects, with a basis in creative practice and / or philosophical analysis, continued to be labelled as MAs.
The difference isn’t absolute and universities are generally free to label their programmes as they see fit.
Both degrees are also completely ‘equal’. Whether you study for an MSc or MA, your qualification has exactly the same academic standing.
Students can also move between the ‘Arts’ and ‘Science’ branches as they complete successive degrees. Provided your degree is relevant, there’s nothing to stop you studying an MSc after a BA or an MA after a BSc.
MSc vs MRes
The main distinction between an Msc and MRes is that an MSc is a taught qualification whereas an MRes is research-based degree.
A taught programme usually involves lectures, seminars and coursework and will end in a final dissertation submission. A research degree on the other hand relies more on your independant research.
There are still likely to be some mandatory teaching on an MRes, but for the bulk of the degree, you'll be working on your own independant research project.
MSc vs MPhil
An MPhil is another kind of research degree, however, unlike an MRes the MPhil is purely research based.
If you're studying an MSc, your course will be structured to include lectures, seminars and coursework and will end in a final dissertation project. An MPhil, on the other hand, only focuses on independant research.
Many students who are enrolled onto an Mphil can transfer to a PhD after a year (if their research meets a particular standard) which is not an option for MSc students. You'll have to finish your MSc degree and then apply for a PhD separately.