meaning of phd and bsc

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - what do they all mean?

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD (and more) are abbreviations of British degrees.

They reflect the specific level and discipline of a qualification achieved at university.

While most courses are conducted on a full-time basis, there are options for part-time, distance learning and other flexible learning arrangements.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most common qualifications and ones that Aberystwyth University offers.

• BA = Bachelor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• BSc = Bachelor of Sciences;
• BENG = Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Robotics and Physics);
• LLB = Bachelor of Law.

Achieved after 3 to 4 years of study. The extra year (for a 4 year course) can be from a year studying abroad or a year working in industry.

Integrated-Masters:

• MARTS = Masters of Arts;
• MBIOL = Masters of Biology;
• MCOMP = Masters of Computer Science;
• MENG = Masters of Engineering;
• MMATH = Masters of Mathematics;
• MPHYS = Masters of Physics;
• MSCI = Masters of Sciences and Humanities.

4 years course (3-year Bachelors, 1 year Masters) that enables you to secure a loan for the full duration rather than having to fund a Masters degree separately.

• MA = Masters of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• MSc = Masters of Sciences;
• MBA = Masters of Business Administration;
• MPhil = Masters of Philosophy: Advanced research Masters degree;
• MRes = Masters of Research: Contains some taught and research elements;
• LLM = Masters of Law.

Achieved after graduation from Bachelors level, usually 1-2 years duration.

• PhD = Doctor of Philosophy: for a range of disciplines.

Achieved after graduating from Masters level, usually 3-8 years duration.

A wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Further-Research courses – across the Arts and Sciences – are available at Aberystwyth.

What does BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, DPsych, PGDip mean after a therapist’s name?

These letters refer to the therapist’s professional qualifications.

• BA  – Bachelor of Arts (BA or AB) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts and sciences. A Bachelor of Arts is generally completed in three or four years, depending on the country and institution.
• BSc  – A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years.
• MA  – A Master of Arts (MA or AM) is a master’s degree in the field of humanities and social sciences awarded by universities in many countries.
• MSc  – A Master of Science (MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master’s degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree.
• PhD  – A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., DPhil) is the highest university degree that is conferred after a course of study by universities in most countries. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. As an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are usually required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a thesis or dissertation, and defend their work against experts in the field.
• PsyD  – Like a PhD in Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) prepares trainees to practice psychology in a wide range of clinical settings. A PsyD, however, focuses more on clinical practice and less on research.
• PGDip  – A postgraduate diploma (PgD, PgDip, PGDip, PG Dip., PGD, Dipl. PG, PDE) is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma.

MA, MBA, BS, MS, MSW, PhD, PsyD: What Does it All Mean?

The benefits of college degrees, be it associate, B.A., M.A. or Ph.D level, have been touted and restated many times. Despite rising costs, the investment continues to be valuable one for a wide variety of people. That said, back it up a little bit: just what do all those different degree acronyms mean? Beyond that, what differentiates, say, a B.B.A. from a BSN?

To help answer those questions we put together the following list of definitions for what each degree acronym stands for as well as explanations of the meanings behind all the different terminology.

Associate Degrees

An associate degree is typically completed in two years of full-time study, but may take longer for part-time students. These undergraduate programs can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, technical colleges, and some universities. In general, associate degrees fall into three different categories: Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.).

Associate degrees are a great fit for career-oriented students who want to enter a technical or vocational trade that requires some post secondary education. Along with often being the quickest and cheapest route to a formal degree, an associate program can also be a stepping stone to a four-year degree. Many schools offer students the option to apply credits earned from an associate degree, which is generally 60 semester credits, towards a bachelor’s degree.

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A.A. Associate of Arts

The associate of arts is a basic-level undergraduate degree granted upon completion of a two-year program, usually at community or junior college, technical college or trade school. As such, these are typically a jumping off point towards pursuing a full bachelor’s degree.

A.S. Associate of Science

Similar to the A.A., the associate of science degree is the culmination of a two-year academic program. The A.S. is usually awarded to junior college students enrolled in science or tech-related programs.

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Bachelor’s Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is the most popular post-secondary degree option, and typically seen as the standard for employment in most professional fields. In most cases, a bachelor’s program takes four years of full-time study to complete. However, some majors may take longer, or schools may offer accelerated programs allowing students to finish their degree in less time.

The two most common types of bachelor’s degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.). There are a number of other options, though, that coincide with more specific major fields, such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Generally, a bachelor’s degree consists of 120 semester credits, with half being made up of general education or liberal arts courses. The other half is typically filled with courses geared toward a student’s particular major.

B.A. Bachelor of Arts

The usual degree path for majors in liberal arts, humanities or social sciences such as English, creative writing, fine arts or political science. A B.A. is typically awarded upon completion of a four-year undergraduate program at a traditional school or university.

B.S. Bachelor of Science

The bachelor’s typically awarded to undergraduates in science and technical fields.

B.F.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts

Awarded to majors like art history, theater, film studies and photography.

B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration

A business-oriented bachelor’s path, typically associated with management, accounting, marketing, etc.

B.Arch Bachelor of Architecture

A bachelor’s degree geared towards the architecture field.

BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A degree path oriented towards the technical and hands-on training necessary to obtain a nursing license.

B.E. Bachelor of Engineering

Concentrates on engineering fields like electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer engineering.

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Master’s Degrees

Master’s degrees are graduate-level programs that typically take two years of additional full-time study after completion of a bachelor’s degree. Because most graduate students are already working professionals, many colleges and universities offer part-time or flexible master’s degree programs. These allow students to maintain their career while completing the degree at their own pace, but generally take longer than two years of study.

In order to apply for a master’s program, students usually must already possess a bachelor’s degree. Most students choose to pursue a master’s degree in order to advance in their chosen profession or enter a field that requires a high level of education. Many programs fall into one of two categories: Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.). The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is another popular option.

M.A. Master of Arts

The basic graduate-level degree granted to grad students in fields in the humanities, social sciences or fine arts.

M.B.A. Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration is the master-level degree granted upon completion of a business administration or management-oriented program. In contrast to an M.A., M.B.A. programs are typically oriented around subjects more narrowly tailored towards business operations like accounting, marketing and analysis.

M.S. Master of Science

Typically awarded to graduate students in scientific or technical fields.

M.S.W. Master of Social Work

Similar to the M.B.A., the Master of Social Work is narrowly defined master’s degree focused on social work. M.S.W. programs may adhere to either a clinical track or practice track. The clinical track is oriented towards working with patients, while the practice track focuses on politics and policy as well as management.

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Doctoral Degrees

A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree awarded by universities, and can take anywhere from three to eight years (or more) to complete. Some doctoral programs require students to already have a master’s before enrolling, while others can be started directly after completion of undergraduate study.

There are many different types of doctoral degrees, but the most common is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Depending on the specific degree awarded, earning a doctorate can qualify graduates to teach at the university level, or work in a position that requires extensive training and education. Psychologists and medical doctors are two examples of professionals who must hold doctoral degrees in order to become licensed to practice in their field.

Ph.D Doctor of Philosophy

Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t a degree for philosophers exclusively. A Ph.D is the doctorate-level degree granted in a variety of different disciplines. These are typically research-intensive programs pursued by those who’ve already acquired bachelor’s and master-level credentials in their field of study.

Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology

The Psy.D.is similar to a standard doctorate degree, but granted specifically for students pursuing psychology practice.

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What do these letters stand for?

There are two parts; one can classify the educational level of the degree: “B” stands for bachelor’s degree; “M” stands for master’s degree; and “D” stands for doctoral degree. The second part denotes the discipline of the degree, like “S” for science, “A” for arts, or “Ph” for Philosophy.

What are the distinctions between arts and science degrees?

Depending on the school you attend and the kind of courses you take, you could earn an arts degree or a science degree. Typically, an “arts” degree means that you focused on a wide area of learning and discussion, while a “science” degree implies a deep, technical understanding of your subject.

What kinds of designations exist for doctoral students?

The highest degree you can earn in most liberal arts disciplines is a PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy. However, clinical and counseling psychologists earn a PsyD, Doctor of Psychology nomenclature; medical students earn M.D. degrees and law students can earn J.D. (Juris Doctor) degrees.

What about some of the other specialized degrees?

Distinctive nomenclature are named after applied disciplines, include Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctor of Social Work (DSW), Master of Education degree (MaEd), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

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Difference Between Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate

Jennifer Finetti Aug 12, 2022

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As a high school student , you’ve probably started thinking about college. Maybe you even started to do research and narrow down your options. You may have come across the following terms: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees.

So, what is the difference between undergraduate and graduate and postgraduate?

Read on to learn more! 

What is an undergraduate degree?

After students finish high school, they get an undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree refers to either a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. When people talk about going to college or university , they are talking about getting an undergraduate degree.

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How many years is an undergraduate degree?

There are two levels of undergraduate degrees: associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. An associate degree requires 2 years to complete, and typically is earned at a community college . A bachelor’s degree requires completion of four years of study.

Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree can either complete their entire degree at a four-year college or university OR they can attend a community college for their first two years, and then transfer to a university for their final two years.

What is a graduate degree?

After a student gets their undergraduate degree, they have two options. They may either get a job or continue with their studies. If they choose to continue with their studies, they pursue a graduate degree.

A graduate degree is any degree that is above a bachelor’s degree. This includes a master’s degree or doctoral degree . Master’s degrees take around 2-3 years to complete. Doctoral degrees take around 5-6 years.

Graduate degrees are typically more narrowly-focused than an undergraduate degree. This enables students to dive more deeply into their specific career interest, gaining the knowledge and expertise needed in their chosen field. Oftentimes, a student must have a graduate degree to get a job. Somebody seeking a career as a clinical social worker, must have their Master’s of Social Work.

You don’t have to get a graduate degree right after you finish your undergraduate degree. Many students take a break after their undergraduate degree and decide to work or travel instead. It’s common to see mature students in their late 20s and 30s (and even older) who decide to go back to school to get a graduate degree later in life.

To get accepted into graduate school, you must have a bachelor’s degree. This means that you must graduate from a 4-year undergraduate college or university. A student can only pursue a graduate degree if they already have a bachelor’s degree.

What is a postgraduate degree?

Students get confused with the term “postgraduate degree.” There actually isn’t a real difference between the two. Postgraduate is used interchangeably with graduate. Like a graduate degree, postgraduate refers to the range of higher degrees past the undergraduate degree. This includes both master’s degrees and Phds .

Difference between undergraduate and graduate and postgraduate

Undergraduate degree programs and graduate degree programs are very different from one another. Undergraduate programs help students gain basic knowledge in a major , or even in a few majors. Students must take a variety of courses, and not only courses relating to their major. They usually spend the first few years fulfilling general course requirements.  

Graduate programs are very different. You go to graduate school to learn something very specific. So, all the courses you take relate to your field of study.

Another big difference between the two is switching majors. In undergraduate programs, students aren’t always sure what they want to major in . Even if they choose a specific major, they may end up changing it. Undergraduate programs allow students to switch majors. It is also fairly easy to transfer to another school for any given reason.

Because graduate programs are so specific, it’s not easy to switch your field of study. You would have to fulfill new requirements and go through the application process all over again.

Another big difference is class size. Undergraduate classes tend to be much larger than graduate classes. In graduate programs, class sizes are much smaller.

Because of the difference in class size, teacher-student interaction also differs. In undergraduate programs, there isn’t much room to interact with your professors. There are also fewer opportunities to participate in class.

Graduate programs are more intimate and thus, more dynamic. Students have more opportunities to participate in class discussions. They also have more opportunities to work with their professors.

To get accepted into an undergraduate program, students must take the SAT or ACT . Other requirements include a minimum GPA , letters of recommendation  and personal statements . Colleges and universities all have their own requirements.

Many graduate programs require students to take an entrance exam such as the GRE, or specialized entrance exams for law school or medical school. Not all graduate programs require an entrance exam, so be sure to check the requirements for the program you are applying for.

Graduate programs also typically require that certain undergraduate classes be completed prior to applying, so you’ll want to check to be sure that you have completed any required courses. Sometimes graduate programs will allow you to complete missing prerequisites while enrolled in your graduate degree program.  

Final thoughts

Whether you have already started your bachelor’s degree or you’re still in high school, it’s nice to get an idea of what your options are. This can help you plan the classes you want to take in college or university and make the most of your degree.

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Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

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• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

• A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
• A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

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• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

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Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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What qualification levels mean

England, wales and northern ireland.

There are 9 qualification levels.

Entry level

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels - 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

Entry level qualifications are:

• entry level award
• entry level certificate ( ELC )
• entry level diploma
• entry level English for speakers of other languages ( ESOL )
• entry level essential skills
• entry level functional skills
• Skills for Life

Level 1 qualifications are:

• first certificate
• GCSE - grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
• level 1 award
• level 1 certificate
• level 1 diploma
• level 1 ESOL
• level 1 essential skills
• level 1 functional skills
• level 1 national vocational qualification ( NVQ )
• music grades 1, 2 and 3

Level 2 qualifications are:

• CSE - grade 1
• GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
• intermediate apprenticeship
• level 2 award
• level 2 certificate
• level 2 diploma
• level 2 ESOL
• level 2 essential skills
• level 2 functional skills
• level 2 national certificate
• level 2 national diploma
• level 2 NVQ
• music grades 4 and 5
• O level - grade A, B or C

Level 3 qualifications are:

• access to higher education diploma
• advanced apprenticeship
• applied general
• international Baccalaureate diploma
• level 3 award
• level 3 certificate
• level 3 diploma
• level 3 ESOL
• level 3 national certificate
• level 3 national diploma
• level 3 NVQ
• music grades 6, 7 and 8

Level 4 qualifications are:

• certificate of higher education ( CertHE )
• higher apprenticeship
• higher national certificate ( HNC )
• level 4 award
• level 4 certificate
• level 4 diploma
• level 4 NVQ

Level 5 qualifications are:

• diploma of higher education ( DipHE )
• foundation degree
• higher national diploma ( HND )
• level 5 award
• level 5 certificate
• level 5 diploma
• level 5 NVQ

Level 6 qualifications are:

• degree apprenticeship
• degree with honours - for example bachelor of the arts ( BA ) hons, bachelor of science ( BSc ) hons
• graduate certificate
• graduate diploma
• level 6 award
• level 6 certificate
• level 6 diploma
• level 6 NVQ
• ordinary degree without honours

Level 7 qualifications are:

• integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering ( MEng )
• level 7 award
• level 7 certificate
• level 7 diploma
• level 7 NVQ
• master’s degree, for example master of arts ( MA ), master of science ( MSc )
• postgraduate certificate
• postgraduate certificate in education ( PGCE )
• postgraduate diploma

Level 8 qualifications are:

• doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy ( PhD or DPhil )
• level 8 award
• level 8 certificate
• level 8 diploma

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Types of university qualifications and degrees explained

Types of qualifications available at huddersfield, undergraduate qualifications (level 6), postgraduate qualifications (level 7 and level 8), types of university degrees.

Combine subjects, take a placement year, learn online or even while you’re working – study in a way that suits you.

• Bachelor’s Degrees

Integrated Master's Degree

• Degree apprenticeship
• Distance Learning
• Taught Master's Degree
• Research Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree is available either full-time or part-time, usually three years (full-time) often with the opportunity of a placement year.

The BA and BSc are two of the most common types of Bachelor’s degrees. However, there are also a number of subject specific qualifications, most of which can be studied at Huddersfield.

One year full-time so you can build on a foundation degree or HND qualification and go on to degree level.

Some courses combine undergraduate and postgraduate. Meaning you’ll study for four or five years with a placement.

Distance learning

Study from wherever you are using online learning tools and learn at your own pace, part-time or full-time.

Degree Apprenticeship

Paid for by your employer, this is hands-on learning in an industry setting. Learn more about Degree Apprenticeships.  

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What's the correct way of writing a higher education title (MSc or M.Sc.) [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Should I write “PhD” or “Ph.D.”?

I see that PhD is written PhD while the undergraduate degree is written B.Sc.

What's the reason for this?

Should I write the Master of Science MSc or M.Sc.?

Is Scott Aaronson's CV inconsistent listing his degrees as "B.Sc." and PhD"

• abbreviations

• 1 You will find that PhD Ph.D. BSc B.Sc. MSc and M.Sc. are all found. The question linked to handles this for PhD/Ph.D. but the answer covers the rest. The only thing to add to it is to be consistent, so PhD and BSc or Ph.D. and B.Sc., but not one form together with another in the same piece of writing. –  Jon Hanna Commented Feb 3, 2013 at 1:29
• @JonHanna Thanks. Reason for asking is that this looks inconsistent (B.Sc. + PhD) scottaaronson.com/vita.pdf –  Niklas Rosencrantz Commented Feb 3, 2013 at 1:59
• I agree. If they were to ask the same question here, I'd advise them to pick on or the other unless they had a good reason for being inconsistent (I can't imagine one, but it's good not to assume). –  Jon Hanna Commented Feb 3, 2013 at 14:27

This is strictly style manual stuff. American English generally prefers using periods with abbreviations, and British English generally prefers to omit the periods. Both are "correct", but which one is acceptable is a matter of who is accepting it. It's not grammar or spelling, merely a punctuation convention.

I always omit the periods for academic degrees. If a publisher wants the periods, it has copy editors that can insert them. If it's for your university, check the university's style manual. If there's no manual that you must use, be consistent about including or omitting the periods. It's strictly personal preference unless otherwise indicated, or unless doing it one way or the other causes confusion.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged abbreviations or ask your own question .

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Understanding the Full Form of BSc and MSc: Unraveling the Meaning

Table of contents, full form of bsc and msc, unraveling the meaning, differentiating bsc and msc, career opportunities, choosing between bsc and msc, introduction.

Acclimating to the higher education system, particularly for international students, can be a daunting task, especially when trying to decipher the numerous abbreviations and acronyms. Terms like BSc and MSc, representing Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, respectively, are just a few examples.

Understanding these terms is crucial as they signify different levels of academic achievement, with BSc being an undergraduate degree and MSc a postgraduate degree. In this article, we will unravel the meanings of BSc and MSc degrees, explore the differences between them, and discuss their career opportunities. Whether you're considering pursuing a BSc or an MSc degree, this article will provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision and thrive in your academic journey.

Understanding these terms is crucial as they signify different levels of academic achievement, with BSc being an undergraduate degree and MSc a postgraduate degree. In countries like Finland, Denmark, and Norway, an MSc is a combination of taught and research degree, which is awarded after two years of study following a BSc.

In contrast, in Germany, the equivalent of an MSc in the field of social sciences and humanities is known as Magister Artium (MA), a degree that traditionally required five years of study. However, the journey doesn't stop at understanding these terms.

The ultimate goal for most international students is not just to adjust and manage, but to thrive and excel in their academic journey. And to do this, understanding the 'hidden curriculum, the unspoken rules of how institutions operate, is equally important. Universities, such as the University of Maryland, have taken steps to help students navigate these complexities by providing glossaries that define various academic terms and offices. Remember, every academic journey is unique, and while it may be challenging, it is a chance to grow, adapt, and ultimately, thrive in a new environment.

BSc and MSc degrees, often the stepping stones to a prosperous career, carry their unique significance. The former, an undergraduate degree, caters to scientific and technical subjects, laying a robust foundation for students in their chosen disciplines.

Contrastingly, the MSc, a postgraduate degree, offers students the opportunity to specialize in a particular field, bolstering their knowledge and expertise. Take, for instance, the inspiring journey of Mamadou Safayou Barry, who cycled 4,000km across West Africa, braving extreme conditions and political unrest for a chance at Al-Azhar, his dream university, known for its influence in Sunni Islamic learning.

Such is the allure of postgraduate education. Universities across continents are recognizing this and taking initiatives to increase engagement with international students and provide them with equal opportunities, as seen in the example of the seven Irish universities.

They offer refugees a chance to rebuild their lives through education and find meaningful work. In a significant move, the European Commission has unveiled a blueprint for a European Degree, aiming to create a voluntary joint program between universities from different European Union countries.

This joint degree will be recognized across the EU, breaking down legal and administrative barriers and fostering international collaboration in education. Such degrees are not confined by geography. For instance, the online MSc Global Environment and Sustainability from the University of London can be pursued from anywhere in the world, making quality education more accessible and affordable. In conclusion, both BSc and MSc degrees offer unique opportunities for students. While a BSc degree builds foundational skills, an MSc degree takes it a step further by honing expertise in a specific area, preparing students for the challenges of the global workforce.

BSc and MSc, both rooted in the scientific domain, offer distinct learning experiences and opportunities. A BSc degree, typically spanning three years, provides a comprehensive understanding of various scientific disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science.

Conversely, an MSc degree, a two-year program, offers a more focused learning experience with specialized courses and research opportunities in a particular scientific field. However, the decision to pursue either degree extends beyond their basic structural differences.

For instance, an MSc degree, especially in fields like foreign policy or security, can be particularly appealing for those interested in specialized roles. Furthermore, a recent study analyzing a decade of UK Labor Force Survey data highlighted the varying economic benefits of Master's and PhD degrees, which could be a crucial consideration for prospective students.

The choice between a BSc or an MSc also depends on one's career aspirations. For those inclined towards research, an MSc program could offer valuable opportunities to delve deeper into their chosen scientific field.

On the other hand, a BSc degree, despite common misconceptions, provides a robust set of skills applicable across various domains, fostering critical and analytical thinking. It's also important to consider current trends in the academic job market. With increasing competition, postgraduate education, such as an MSc, can bolster chances of securing better employment. Recent news reports have highlighted the significant increase in stipends for Master's students, making it a more viable option. Ultimately, the decision between a BSc and an MSc degree should be an informed one, considering all factors, including personal interest, career goals, and economic prospects.

A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree often serves as a stepping stone, leading to entry-level roles across multiple sectors, and forming a bedrock for additional learning. Conversely, a Master of Science (MSc) degree equips graduates with advanced knowledge and capabilities, paving the way for specialized, higher-paying roles in their chosen fields. Despite the challenges faced by recent graduates, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, data indicates that higher education continues to yield positive outcomes, with a majority of graduates finding their roles meaningful and aligned with their future plans.

This is further reinforced by the Office for Students in England, which monitors and ensures the quality of higher education, highlighting the importance of degree completion, ongoing learning, and progression to high-skilled employment. Furthermore, it's worth noting that visiting universities on postgraduate open days can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the course, the university, its support network, and funding opportunities. The choice between a BSc and an MSc degree ultimately depends on individual career aspirations and the level of specialization desired in the field of study.

When weighing the options between a Bachelor's of Science (BSc) and a Master's of Science (MSc) degree, it's essential to reflect on your career ambitions and personal interests. A BSc degree offers a comprehensive exploration of various scientific domains, perfect for those with a wide array of interests.

On the contrary, an MSc degree allows for a more focused study, enabling you to gain profound knowledge and skills in a specific area of interest. Bear in mind that your chosen Master's doesn't necessarily have to align with your undergraduate degree.

It's perfectly acceptable to pursue an entirely different field that piques your interest. It's also beneficial to visit universities on postgraduate open days for a broader perspective on the course, university, support network, and funding.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and you can always seek advice from your tutors and lecturers during the application process. Recent statistics reveal a slight decrease in the completion rate among arts and cultural programmes students in 2022 compared to 2021, but it's still higher than the 2017-2020 period. Interestingly, women have consistently shown a higher completion rate than men, although the gap has been narrowing down for the second consecutive year. In the end, the choice between a BSc and MSc degree largely depends on your personal and career goals, so take the time to make an informed decision.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between BSc and MSc degrees is crucial for international students. A BSc degree provides a foundation in scientific and technical subjects, while an MSc degree allows for specialization in a specific field.

Both degrees offer unique opportunities for students to thrive. A BSc degree builds foundational skills, while an MSc degree hones expertise for the global workforce.

The choice depends on personal interest, career goals, and economic prospects. Universities are taking initiatives to support international students.

Joint programs foster collaboration in education. When deciding between a BSc and an MSc degree, reflect on career ambitions and personal interests. Visiting universities and seeking advice can provide valuable insights. International students can excel with perseverance, adaptability, and informed decision-making. They can make meaningful contributions to society in their chosen fields.

Take the first step towards your future success. Apply now and join the University of Limassol to shape your career and make a meaningful impact on society.

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BSc, MSc, PhD vs. B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D

ODO prefers Ph.D. over PhD in US English. But at the same time, there is no B.Sc. and no M.Sc. entry in OED, which leads me into thinking that there is a mismatch: Ph.D. is typically written with periods, but MSc and BSc without in the US English. Am I right? Which forms are most widespread in the US? And in the UK?

• american-english
• british-english
• abbreviations

In the US, the Associated Press style uses periods: B.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.D. , etc. However, other sources may use a different style, (e.g. PhD).

B.Sc. and M.Sc . are not the usual degree abbreviations in the US. Instead use B.S. and M.S.

• 2 To complete the answer, add that in British usage, no periods: PhD, MSc MA BSc BA and so on –  James K Commented Mar 24, 2018 at 23:29

You must log in to answer this question.

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Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc) Degree

College degree finder, what is a bachelor of science, bs or bsc degree.

A Bachelor of Science Degree, most often abbreviated as a BS or BSc Degree, is an undergraduate science-focused degree that takes 3-5 years to complete. This timeline varies based on the school’s BS or BSC degree requirements, degree area of focus, student needs, and any previously earned transfer credits.

In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Science is given for the completion of undergraduate studies in mathematics, engineering, computer science, physical sciences, economics, and related fields. The BS or BSc degree designation is less common within the areas of business, nursing, medicine, law, hospitality, and architecture.

• Difference Between a BS and BA Degree
• Most Common BS and BSc Majors
• Average Salary of Bachelor’s Holders
• Careers That Require a BS or BSc Degree
• Featured Schools That Offer Bachelor’s Degrees

History of The Bachelor of Science

Global bachelor of science requirements.

• Completion Lengths Around the World

What Is the Difference Between a BS and BA Degree?

The BS Degree or BSc Degree centers around science-related disciplines, majors, and subject areas like biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and computer science. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on liberal arts studies (common BA majors include English language and literature, communications, humanities, music, and art).

Earn Your Bachelor of Science Degree Online. You May Qualify For $6,095 in Grants!

Most Common Bachelor of Science Majors

What is considered a “science” or an “art” may vary from university to university. For example, one university may award an economics degree with a BA designation while another might award it with a BS. In general, there are several majors that are almost always sciences and thus granted a Bachelor of Science, BS or BSc Degree.

Common BS or BSc Majors

• Biochemistry
• Earth science
• Social science
• General science
• Mathematics
• Sport/exercise science
• Computer science
• Engineering

National Average Salary Figures of Bachelor’s Degree Holders

• Average Median Annual Salary: $60,112 (associate degree: $42,588)
• Median Usual Weekly Earnings: $1,156 (associate degree: $819)
• Unemployment Rate: 2.7% (associate degree: 3.6%)

Careers That Typically Require a Bachelor of Science Degree

Healthcare careers.

Physical and Earth Sciences Careers

Architecture and Engineering Careers

Computer and Information Technology Careers

In 1860, the University of London became the first school to award the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Prior to this, nearly all bachelor’s degrees were given the Bachelor of Art (BA) designation, for all subjects.

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a public research university specializing in social sciences, applies the BSc designation to degrees earned in almost all subject areas, even those that would traditionally merit the BA designation stateside. In contrast, Oxbridge and Russell Group universities almost always award a BA, even in subject areas that would be considered sciences in the United States.

BS Degree Requirements Around the World

Today in the United States there is close to a national consensus as to which subjects are a Bachelor of Science and which are a Bachelor of Arts. Outside the U.S., however, there are many differences.

Outside of the U.S., BS and BSc degrees vary in their requirements, naming conventions, and duration. This changes based on where the degree is earned. Below we provide an in-depth look at the differences in BS and BSc degree programs and designations around the world.

The United Kingdom and the Republic Of Ireland

In Britain and Ireland, as in the U.S. and Canada, a Bachelors of Science is given upon the completion of an undergraduate program in a field of science. The time period for finishing the degree may vary by country, subject field, and school.

In both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, there are two types of Bachelor of Science degrees: BSc and BS or BSc (Hons) and BS (Hons).

The BSc or BS is given for completion of an “ordinary” undergraduate program while the BSc (Hons) or BS (Hons) is given for honour’s-level program. Earning an honour’s level degree means the students have shown superior academic performance (as opposed to accepting a “pass” grade). In some cases, it also means they finished an extra year of honour’s studies.

In England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, an honour’s degree can be done in three years. Though today there are a few accelerated honour’s programs that can be finished in just two years.

In Scotland, students graduate from high school a year before students in most other countries. Scottish college students need to complete a foundation year of college studies. This is known as the “First Year”. The First Year brings the completion period for a Bachelor Science degree in Scotland to four years.

The Republic of Ireland

Ireland offers two Bachelor of Science degrees, the BSc Ordinary which can be completed in three years and the BSc Honours which is given after four years of study.

European Union and Affiliated Countries

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) system was received into Europe in 2002. Before then, higher education schools in European countries offered a single post-secondary education program that combined modern Bachelor’s and Master’s curriculum. Students who completed the program were given the doctorandus degree.

Today, most European colleges, universities, and academies offer the full equivalent of a BSc or MSc, but these differ from country to country.

In Germany there are two types of higher education schools: Universitten and Fachhochschulen.

The University offers more general studies and is focused on science and theory. The Fachhochschulen, or University of Applied Science offers more specialized training and career-focused classes. These two degrees are equal to each other.

Over the last decade, like most other European countries, German countries have transitioned to the Bachelor’s/Master’s system. They now offer both the BSc and MSc degrees.

Earning a BSc in Germany takes six to seven academic semesters or 3 to 3.5 years. During this time, students are required to earn between 180 and 210 ECTS credits. ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It is a standard system for comparing the academic performance of higher education students throughout Europe.

Czech Republic

While a bit behind the curve, the Czech Republic is now adopting the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) system. Universities and higher education schools in the Czech Republic now offer BSc (Bc) and MSc (Mgr/Ing) degrees equal to those offered by their European counterparts.

Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

The Bachelor of Science (abbreviated BSc) in Australia can be finished in three years. Students who want to earn a BSc (hons.) can do a fourth year of Honours studies. To gain acceptance into an Australian PhD program, students must either earn a BSc (hons.) or a traditional BSc and MSc.

New Zealand

The process for earning a BSc in New Zealand is similar to that in Australia. However, to earn an Honours degree in NZ there are often more postgraduate demands based on the field of study and school. Often students who have shown strong academic performance through their undergraduate studies will be invited to extend their education an additional year. This additional year will focus on research and will qualify them to enter a PhD program.

South Africa

As is the case in Australia and New Zealand, the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in South Africa can be finished in just three years of full-time study. The BSc Honours (a postgraduate degree) requires four years of full-time study. To be given the BSc (hons.), students must keep a high GPA and show superior academic performance. The BSc (hons.) degree is required to enter MSc or PhD level studies.

South America

In Argentina, and a few other countries in South America, universities offer a single undergraduate program. It is given as a professional licensure within a specific discipline or field of study instead of as a degree. These programs take five to six years to complete and include a 1-2 year professional training period. They are considered equal to a combined BS/MS degree.

Unlike bachelor’s programs offered in other countries that may emphasize liberal arts education, bachelor’s programs in Argentina almost always focus on a specific field or discipline.

Once students complete about 80% of their total coursework they can start their mandatory professional training period. This is similar to a residency or apprenticeship program in the United States. Once that is finished, students are given a degree that designates them to be “Licensed in” their subject of study.

Following the completion of their professional licensure program, students may return to complete a more traditional master’s degree. This will require an additional 2 to 3 years of coursework and training. Some professionals, like engineers or medical doctors, will have even more education requirements to complete.

Global View of Average Bachelor of Science Completion Lengths

One of the biggest differences in Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs throughout the world is the time for completion. Below are the countries that have schools offering BS or BSc degrees, along with their typical completion period. We have also noted variations in the typical time required to complete a BS.

Bachelor of Science Degrees That Take Three Years

Below is a list of countries where a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree takes an average of three years to complete:

Bachelor of Science Degrees That Take Four Years

Below is a list of countries where a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree takes an average of four years to complete:

Bachelor of Science Degrees That Take Five Years

Below is a list of countries where a Bachelor of Science (BS) take an average of five years to complete. Often five-year BS degrees require four years of standard bachelor’s coursework plus a year of research and presentation of an original thesis.

• BLS.gov salaries of bachelor’s degree holders

Featured Schools that Offer Bachelor Degrees

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Types of college degrees.

• Associate Degrees
• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
• Bachelor's Degrees
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Master's Degrees
• Doctoral Degrees (PhD)

Guides, Infographics, Rankings

• Guides and Articles
• Education Infographics
• College Rankings

• Masters vs PhD – Differences Explained
• Types of Doctorates

The decision of whether or not to pursue a Masters or PhD (or both) after you complete your undergraduate studies is not necessarily a straightforward one. Both are postgraduate degrees but are different in terms of the academic experience and the career paths taken afterwards.

In short, a Masters degree involves a year of study, primarily through taught lectures and a final dissertation research project, whilst a PhD (also referred to as a doctorate degree) is a three-year commitment of independent research on a specific subject.

There’s more to it than that, however – read on for more information.

What Is a Masters Degree?

A Masters degree is the next level of education after the completion of an undergraduate degree, commonly known as a Bachelors.

These degree levels are often referred to in terms of cycles so that a Bachelor’s is a first-cycle degree, a Masters is a second-cycle and finally, a PhD is the third-cycle of higher education (and the highest).

Masters degrees demand an intense period of study, usually centred around a core series of lectures and taught modules, coupled with coursework assignments and exams, followed by the completion of a contained research project usually taking students 3-4 months to complete.

These types of degrees are attractive to recent graduates who want to delve deeper into their specific field of study, gaining some research experience and more specialised knowledge beyond what an undergraduate degree can offer.

Equally, some pursue a Masters degree program in a subject that is only tangentially related to their Bachelors degree, helping them gain a broader depth of knowledge.

These degrees also serve as a significant stepping stone for those already in employment who want to progress their current career development and earn a higher salary. They can also be an excellent method for helping in changing careers completely by learning new skills and subject knowledge.

What Is a PhD Degree?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic degree that can be awarded and is the third and final cycle in the progression of higher education.

A doctoral degree is earned on the basis of producing a significant, independent and novel body of work (a Thesis) that contributes new knowledge to a particular research topic.

These are research degrees that are a significant investment of a candidate’s time, resources and energy and are all but a pre-requisite for anyone considering a career in academia, such as eventually becoming a professor.

There are some exceptions to this, such as those with a medical background who may earn an MD (Doctor of Medicine), which is the equivalent of a PhD.

Doctoral degrees can also have a significant positive impact on career development outside of academia, especially in fields such as engineering, business and finance that have a high demand for highly qualified and capable people.

A graduate student engaged in PhD study is commonly known as a PhD student, PhD candidate or doctoral student.

What are the Benefits of a Masters Degree?

There are several reasons one might consider doing a Masters degree rather than a PhD in their graduate education. These include:

• It takes approximately a third of the time to do compared to a doctorate degree and costs less too.
• It’s a good way to differentiate yourself from those that hold only an undergraduate degree without having to commit to a substantial research degree.
• The end goal is more career-focused as opposed to research-focused. For example, it is practically an ‘easier’ route to changing or progressing your career if that aligns with your professional goals.

What are the Benefits of Doing a PhD?

You may continue on into a doctoral program after a Masters or you may even dive straight in after completing your undergraduate studies. So, what are the advantages of completing this third-cycle?

• You’ll have developed a wealth of transferable skills at graduate school, such as effective communication of complex concepts, multi-tasking time-management and the ability to adapt to and solve unexpected problems.
• A doctorate helps to establish you as an expert within your chosen subject area; your work will hopefully have furthered the knowledge in this.
• It will open up career paths and teaching positions within academia that may otherwise be very difficult to get a hold in (although these career paths will still be very competitive).
• You can add the title ‘Dr’ in front of your name!

Which Degree Is More Impactful: A Masters or a PhD?

On paper, the answer should be clear: A doctorate degree is the highest degree you can earn, so has more impact than a Masters, which in turn has more impact than a Bachelors.

The reality is that the size of the impact (if any) really depends on the subject area and the career path you choose (if the measure of impact is how it positively improves your career prospects, that is).

For someone with aspirations of becoming a professor, a PhD will be of greater value than a Masters alone.

Equally, it’s also possible that someone with a PhD entering a different field or one that doesn’t require a PhD may find that their degree has no bearing on their career or in some cases may even be seen as a ‘negative’ with a concern of the person being ‘over-qualified’ for a position. There are many scenarios in which professional experience would be more valuable to an employer than a doctorate degree.

Check out the links below to our interviews with Prof. Debby Cotton and Dr Nikolay Nikolov to read their experiences of when a going through a PhD program has had a clear benefit (Prof. Cotton) and when it hasn’t been helpful (Dr Nikolov).

Do You Need to Have a Masters to do a PhD?

This really depends on the university, department and sometimes even the project and supervisor.

From a purely application process perspective, some institutions may formally require you to hold a Masters degree relevant to the subject of the PhD project before you can enter their doctoral program.

In another scenario, most universities are unlikely to accept candidates that were awarded below a 2:1 (in the UK) in their undergraduate degree but may consider someone who has ‘made up’ for this with a high-grade Masters.

Lastly, some universities now offer PhD programmes that incorporate an additional year of study in which you would complete a Masters degree before carrying directly on into a PhD project. As you’d expect, even if a university doesn’t formally require you to hold one, a Masters degree can help separate you from other applicants in being accepted on the project.

Check out our detailed guide to doing a PhD without a Master’s .

Why Do a Masters before Your PhD?

Even if you don’t need to have one, it could still be beneficial to begin your postgraduate study by doing a Masters first before you embark on your doctorate journey.

As mentioned previously it’ll help you stand out from applicants that don’t have one, but beyond that, it’ll give you a taster of what research life could be like, especially if you stay at the same university and department for your PhD.

The one-year commitment (in the UK at least) of carrying out a Masters first, and in particular your research project, will help you better understand if this is truly something you want to commit the next three or more years to.

You’ll learn some of the skills of independent research, from performing detailed literature searches to more complex, analytical writing.

At the end of it, you should be in a stronger position to consider your options and decide about whether to continue into a PhD at graduate school.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Masters Degree?

In the UK, a full-time Masters degrees take students one calendar year to complete: The programme of study usually starts in September, the final research project the following April and final project viva around August. Part-time degrees are usually double the time.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

In the UK, most PhD projects take 3-4 years to complete , as reflected by the majority of funded projects offering stipends to cover living expenses of about 3.5 years.

For many reasons, projects may end up taking longer to complete, however. This might be because of difficulties in collecting enough data, or if the project is being done part-time.

Which One is More Expensive to Do?

As you’d expect, as a PhD takes three times as long to complete as a Masters degree, it will cost you more to do as far as university fees are concerned.

Another thing to consider is that many PhD projects come with some level of funding equivalent to a low salary, which may cover the cost of tuition fees and living expenses, whilst it is usually more difficult to obtain funding for Masters study.

Conversely, a Masters graduate may progress into a higher (versus PhD funding) salary sooner whilst a PhD student will endure three years of a comparatively low income.

A Masters vs a PhD: Conclusion

If you’re considering continue further graduate study after your undergraduate degree, the question of doing a Masters vs a PhD is likely to come up. They are both considered an advanced degree, each with their own advantages.

There are benefits to doing either of these graduate programs or even both of them; your decision here can be easier if you have an idea of the career you want to follow or if you know you have a love for research!

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Medical Degrees Explained (MBBS, MBChB, BMBS)

Every article is fact-checked by a medical professional. However, inaccuracies may still persist.

In the UK, there are a confusingly large number of primary medical qualifications, each having their own letters at the end of the medical degree.

You may have come across a few of these terms: MBChB, MBBCh, MBBS, BMBCh, BMBS, MBBChir…

In this article, I’m going to explain what each of these terms stands for, whether there’s any difference between them and if it should matter to you if you’re applying to medical school.

INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE:

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery is the primary undergraduate medical degree awarded by medical schools in the UK.

It’s essentially the standard medical degree that direct school leavers can study at university and then leave as a doctor.

Historically, it was actually two separate undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Surgery.

However, modern medical schools combine these programs into one degree, but the title still reflects the old division.

There are lots of different abbreviations for the course depending on which medical school awards the degree:

MBChB, MBBCh, MBBS, BMBCh, BMBS, MBBChir…

However, they are all pretty much equivalent and all allow a graduate to work as a doctor in the UK.

I personally graduated from the University of Leicester with an MBChB.

Medical school took me 5 years to complete and once I’d graduated I could immediately start work in the NHS as a junior doctor.

MBChB stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It is the primary undergraduate medical degree awarded by the majority of UK medical schools. All medical schools in Scotland award MBChB in addition to most English universities, although other abbreviations can be used.

MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It is the primary undergraduate medical degree awarded by UK medical schools and is a common abbreviation for the degree. It generally takes 4-6 years to complete and allows a graduate to practice as a doctor internationally.

There is no difference between the awards of MBBS and MBChB. They are both abbreviations for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree awarded by UK medical schools. Depending on which medical school awards the degree determines what abbreviation is used for a doctor’s post-nominal title.

An MBChB is not a Master’s degree but rather an undergraduate medical degree. You do not need to have completed any form of higher education before enrolling in a medical school to undertake an MBChB, also known as a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.

Which Medical Schools Award Which Degree Titles?

What abbreviation a medical school uses for their medical degree is generally determined by the historical development of the qualification.

If you want to become a doctor, this shouldn’t have any bearing on which universities you choose to apply to.

The only difference is what set of letters you’ll have after your name on formal documents.

Although MBChB is the most commonly used abbreviation across the UK, MBBS is most commonly used internationally.

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery is the medical degree awarded by any country that follows the medical traditions of the UK, so these abbreviations are reflected in awards from many Indian, Malaysian and Kenyan medical schools as examples.

Is MD The Same As MBChB?

The MD degree (Doctor of Medicine) is a very different qualification depending on if you get it in the UK or the US.

In the US, the Doctor of Medicine (abbreviated M.D., from the Latin Medicinae Doctor) is their primary medical qualification.

It’s equivalent to the UK’s Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.

However, the comparison is complicated by the fact that you can’t study medicine as an undergraduate in the US.

Whereas in the UK you can go straight from school to medical school, in the US you have to complete a pre-med undergraduate degree before you can start studying medicine.

If you have an MBBS or MBChB from the UK, after taking a specific exam you can work in the US as a doctor however- you don’t have to go back to university (or college) to get an MD.

An MD degree in the UK is actually a postgraduate degree that you can only complete after having worked as a doctor for a few years.

It’s a research degree that involves writing a thesis and completing a viva exam, equivalent to a PhD.

This means an MD from a British university ranks higher than a US MD, but it isn’t a primary medical qualification.

Can Doctors Complete A PhD?

To confuse matters, doctors can also choose to pursue a PhD.

The process of a doctor completing a PhD is exactly the same as that for non-medical professionals completing a PhD.

They have to prepare a research proposal, conduct research and collect results, write up a thesis and then defend it at a viva voce (a sort of spoken examination where you defend your methods and results).

The only difference is that after completing the PhD they won’t have the new title of Dr conferred upon them- as they already were doctors!

In some medical specialties, a PhD is almost a necessity to become a competitive enough applicant to secure many of the top jobs.

If you want to be an expert surgeon in one of London’s top teaching hospitals, you’ll almost certainly need a PhD just to put yourself on par with the other candidates.

Final Thoughts

I’ve got to admit, even as a medical professional all the different terms and shortenings used for doctors can get confusing.

However, almost across the board, the differences in undergraduate medical degrees from UK universities aren’t relevant to your future practice as a doctor.

Whether you’re an MBBS, MBChB or BMBS, you’ll start work as a junior doctor in the NHS in exactly the same manner as any other newly qualified doctor.

What Is A Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship? (UK Full Guide)

What Is The UCAT? (Complete Exam Guide)

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What is the difference between a PhD degree and a DSc degree?

Some universities that offer a DSc as the doctoral degree, while most of them also offer a PHD degree in science. What are the differences these degrees in terms of academic standing? What are the pros and cons?

• 1 Can you give a clue to what DSc stands for? Doctor of Science? –  André Kleinschmidt Commented Jul 2, 2015 at 8:40
• A PhD. should be awarded for philiosophising (a thought pattern, an addition to knowledge) in a field of knowledge –  user43552 Commented Oct 31, 2015 at 5:19
• After reading all that has been said here I am still confused and as such, honestly think there should be a global conference( like the Bologna Process) on the renaming of academic degrees, particularly Doctorates. The academia world must then call 'a spade a spade' on all five continents. My reasoning is: PhDs should only be awarded to the Arts,Humanities and Social Sciences. ScD/D.Sc./Sc.D(Doctor of Science) to Physical sciences and the Engineering fields. Until this happens there would be confusion- which to my mind is ironic! –  user56214 Commented Jun 6, 2016 at 8:05
• academia.stackexchange.com/questions/48184/… –  user58572 Commented Jul 26, 2016 at 7:28

4 Answers 4

It depends on the university and the country.

In England, a PhD is typically awarded for a thesis and oral examination of the thesis, usually followed by implementation of corrections to the thesis, the requirements for which are specified during or just after the oral exam. It's often done soon after a Masters, which is done soon after a Bachelors, so a fairly large proportion of PhDs are awarded at the start of one's academic career. Whereas a DSc is awarded for a portfolio of work, (in some cases submitted together with an over-arching critique of that portfolio), and thus is more likely to be awarded later in an academic's career.

Nominally, a PhD is a doctorate in philosophy, but is typically awarded for pretty much any subject. There are some who argue that philosophy of knowledge always form part of these studies, regardless of the subject. I occasionally use this line to try to inspire students, myself. A DSc is a doctorate in science, and is not awarded for literature, law, divinity, or music, each of which has its own dedicated higher doctorate.

The DSc is a higher doctorate than a PhD, in England. In some other countries, they're equivalent.

Both get the honorific title doctor.

A good summary of the differences between Ph.D. and the "Doctor of Science" family of degrees (D.Sc./Sc.D./etc.) can be found in Wikipedia .

In essence, different countries have different views due to their historical development, which generally fall into two clusters:

• Doctor of Science is equivalent to Ph.D.
• Doctor of Science is a sort of super-Ph.D.

In general, much of the world seems to be slowly standardizing around Ph.D. as a universal term, though given national pride and the traditions of academia, it might never congeal completely around a single interpretation of the terms.

In the United States, the Doctor of Science is identical to the Doctor of Philosophy except that it's awarded only in the natural sciences, and only by a few universities. Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards both degrees, for instance, and the curriculum is identical. (MIT doctoral graduates in the physical sciences and engineering can choose either degree title once all the requirements have been met. Those in the social sciences and biology don't have the option of choosing the Doctor of Science, however; they all get the PhD.)

In the United Kingdom and some other countries, the Doctor of Science is a "higher doctorate" awarded after submission of a portfolio of published work -- typically around 80-120 journal articles. It signifies a much higher level of accomplishment than the PhD, and it's usually awarded to researchers relatively late in their careers. There are equivalent higher doctorates in other fields of study: Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Divinity, etc.

• Thank you! As I recall from my time studying for my Scientiæ Baccalaureus degree at MIT 1980-84, MIT only offered an ScD. I wonder if they later "threw in" the PhD so graduates could choose, thus avoiding having to explain the difference to the less sophisticated, or am I simply mis-remembering? I found this current official explanation helpful: "The PhD and ScD degrees are awarded interchangeably by all departments in the School of Engineering and the School of Science except in the fields of biology, cognitive science, neuroscience, medical engineering, and medical physics." (j.mp/2QaNbUj) –  tbc0 Commented Mar 13, 2020 at 19:42

The Doctor of Science Degree is purely a research degree that extends well beyond what is formally required for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree. Extensive publication of research is a prime prerequisite for the D.Sc. Degree, not merely the completion of a dissertation. A dissertation plus an extensive port folio of research publications add-up to qualify a candidate for the Doctor of Science Degree. Usually the D.Sc. Degree is inter-disciplinary, such as a combination of research in history, economics, and political science or government, which gears the candidate for inter-disciplinary publication.

• 2 What country are you referring to here? –  jakebeal Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 20:41

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Marcy Antonio, PhD, MPH, BSc

Public Biography Dr. Marcy Antonio is a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Information at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Marcy’s research in health informatics and public health is informed through her sixteen years of working in the community, where she provided assistive technologies for people living with a disability. Throughout her career she has applied an interdisciplinary, multisectoral lens in developing strategies that can address the complexity of structural inequities. She has built collaborations across policy, research and the community so that findings can be translated back to populations who continue to be hidden and experience unjust outcomes. Marcy has over twenty peer-reviewed journal publications two have been recognized by the International Journal of Medical Informatics’ annual review. In 2020, her paper on ‘Is patient portal research attuned to health equity: a scoping review’ was awarded one of the top three articles of the year in the Special Section on Ethics in Health Informatics. In 2022, her paper on ‘Toward an inclusive digital health system for sexual and gender minorities in Canada’ received notable mention for addressing bias, equity, and literacy in the Special Section on Inclusive Digital Health. The paper she is presenting on today is based on her doctoral dissertation research that explored the role digital technologies play in supporting illness and social connectedness for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.