Postgraduate education. MS, MA, MPhil, MBA, PhD – what's the difference?

Postgraduate education opens the door to deeper specialization, an academic career, or a change in professional direction. In this guide, we explore the difference between taught and research tracks, explain the main degree types — MSc, MA, MBA, and MPhil — and help you choose the right next step with confidence.

Postgraduate education refers to professional or academic training that starts after earning a bachelor's degree. Programs range from Master's degrees that take one to two years to doctoral PhD research that takes 3-5 years. Students who complete these programs can progress towards more specialised professional expertise.

In addition to a Bachelor's degree, some programs require specific work experience or special entrance exams. MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs are one example of a program that may accept students who have substantial professional experience in the field but do not hold a bachelor's degree.

What are the differences between the various forms of postgraduate education? Find the answers in this article

Research and taught postgraduate programs

One of the main distinctions between postgraduate programs is whether they are taught or research-based.

The taught track is comparable to pursuing a bachelor's degree in that you attend lab classes, seminars, and lectures, finish homework, and typically work on a thesis or independent project. Programs for taught master's degrees, like MSc or MA, typically last 12 or 24 months and include coursework and tests. In the United Kingdom, the majority of taught master's programs are one-year courses with a 10,000–20,000 word final dissertation. Master's programs typically last two years in other countries, like the US or Canada, giving students a little more time for coursework or internships. Admission requirements for Master's programs vary by university, but generally speaking, you need a good overall grade for your bachelor's degree, which is equal to a B average in the US or a 2:1 with honours in the UK.

The postgraduate research track is built around independent work. Under the supervision, students concentrate on a research project rather than completing an impressive array of course modules. Typically, a research-focused Master's degree includes a brief Research proposal, which is a draft plan of your research paper that asks what, why, and how you want to conduct your study and what sources and methods you plan to use. You then devote a full-time period of one to two years to writing your research paper.

Since you won't have a weekly lecture schedule like students on a teaching track, it's critical to maintain internal motivation and the ability to work independently while studying on a research track. Generally speaking, admission to research programs necessitates strong academic standing and a feasible research project that you can complete; this should be clear from your research proposal – otherwise, it will be extremely challenging to find a supervisor and gain admission to such a program.

What is the difference between an MA, MSc, and MBA?

An MSc is among the most widely awarded postgraduate degrees. An MSc is typically a Master's taught degree program, though some universities offer research-based MSc courses as well. You can earn an MSc if you specialise in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) or other technical fields. However, if the curriculum emphasises quantitative research, an MSc may also be offered in business, economics, or the social sciences.

Work experience is typically not required, in contrast to MBA programs. In the US, depending on the field and institution, standardised tests like the GRE may be necessary for admission to Master's programs. In Europe, however, these tests are rarely necessary for admission to Master's programs; Instead, language tests, motivation letters included with your application, and grades from your prior educational level are sufficient.

You will be well-versed in your field if you have an MSc. In certain professional fields, a Master's degree is necessary for practice or career advancement, so many students seek a degree to increase their competitiveness in the job market. Examples include fields like clinical psychology, where professional certification frequently requires a Master's degree, specific engineering specialities, and social work in North America (the US even has a separate MSW qualification, Master of Social Work).

With an MSc degree, you can also work in engineering, data analytics, research and development in industrial labs, education, and many other settings and professions.

Master of Arts (MA)

Of the two most popular degrees, the Master of Arts (MA) is the second most popular. Gaining more in-depth, specialised knowledge in your field of study is the basic objective of both an MA and an MSc. Additionally, an MA degree potentially increases income and job opportunities.

Master's degrees are available in many different fields:

These examples demonstrate the variety of Master's programs that are available, though the precise title (MA or MSc) may occasionally vary depending on the program. As an illustration of the distinction between quantitative and qualitative research methods, economics and management, for instance, may be offered as MA programs at one university and MSc programs at another.

Philosophy Master (MPhil)

This postgraduate degree, which is solely focused on research, is more uncommon. Its name does not necessarily refer to the academic discipline of philosophy; rather, the word "philosophy" in the title honours philosophy as a field of study that has played a significant role in the history of Western universities. From the humanities to the natural and technical sciences, an MPhil can be earned in a number of fields. Although it is lower in the hierarchy than a PhD, an MPhil is typically regarded as a more advanced degree than a Master's degree. Developing strong research skills and preparing for a doctorate are the primary objectives of an MPhil.

Typically, MPhil programs do not include lectures, in contrast to MSc or MA programs. Students spend their time in close cooperation with a supervisor on a particular research project. Depending on your area of expertise, you will perform experiments, fieldwork, or archival research, evaluate the results, and then write a dissertation. A typical MPhil dissertation is between 30,000 and 40,000 words, depending on the university. You may occasionally need to take research methods modules as part of the MPhil track. You typically take an oral exam (viva) on your thesis at the end of the program, which is comparable to a doctoral dissertation mini-defense.

The MPhil degree is used in one of two ways by universities. First of all, it can be a degree in and of itself for students who wish to obtain experience in conducting serious research. Second, a lot of people use it as a first step to get accepted into a PhD program. In the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth nations, a new doctoral student can enrol in an MPhil program and, if their results are satisfactory, be "transferred" to PhD status after a year or two. Some students choose to enrol in a Master of Philosophy program in order to evaluate their research aptitude and interest prior to pursuing a PhD.

Typically, two years of full-time study are required for the MPhil program. Having a bachelor's degree with good grades is a requirement for admission. The standard may often be marginally higher than that of Master's programs that are taught. You might need to find a supervisor who is willing to oversee your project and submit your application and research proposal, just like in PhD programs. To be admitted to an MPhil program in some countries, you must already hold a complete Master's degree, so always check the requirements of specific universities and nations.

Because of its specificity, an MPhil degree is unlikely to be particularly sought after by employers when it comes to career prospects. Those seeking employment in fields like think tanks, non-governmental organisations, research centres, and political and business expertise—where supplementary research abilities are highly valued—may find this degree useful.

Master of Business Administration, or MBA

A Master's degree intended to impart management and leadership abilities in the business world is the Master of Business Administration. The interactive and hands-on teaching methods used in MBA programs are well-known. One unique aspect is the case study approach, where students examine actual business projects and talk about their outcomes and solutions. Group projects, presentations, discussions, and active participation are frequently incorporated into the curriculum. The foundational courses and courses in accounting, finance, marketing, economics, management, organisational behaviour, and strategy are taught first in the curriculum. Students can later customise their education to fit their interests by selecting elective courses. Numerous programs offer internships, including those abroad, and project work for major corporations.

An MBA focusses on improving business decision-making abilities rather than learning new information. A final project or business plan competition, as opposed to a research thesis, is frequently how programs conclude. Additionally, the applicant profile for MBA programs is different. The average candidate is a young professional in a well-paying job. Some years of work experience is a requirement for the majority of prestigious programs. Applicants to the Columbia Business School, for instance, typically have five years of work experience. Some schools do not accept applicants without work experience.

Admission requirements also include the outcomes of specialised management tests, like the GMAT or GRE. Top programs demand high test scores. Although MBA programs occasionally waive the exam for highly experienced applicants, generally speaking, a strong test score improves your application. Writing a few essays about your leadership experience, career goals, and reasons for wanting an MBA are typically required in order to be admitted into an MBA program. You will also typically need to obtain recommendation letters from your supervisors. In order to assess your communication abilities and potential, many MBA programs also conduct interviews.

MBA programs are among the priciest graduate-level educational options. The cost of a two-year MBA program in the United States can range from $100,000 to $200,000. A two-year MBA program at Columbia Business School in New York, for instance, costs about $170,000. Such schools at Stanford and Harvard have similar tuition ranges.

Doctorate (PhD)

In most academic disciplines, this is the highest degree available. Having a PhD indicates that you are an academic unit with the most recent information and abilities in your field. A doctoral student spends three to five years researching a novel scientific question, culminating in a defended doctoral dissertation. Postgraduate education at the doctoral level is nearly exclusively focused on research. The word "philosophy" in the title has historical roots, just like the MPhil, even though a PhD can be earned in practically any field, including physics, literature, economics, and more.

A doctoral program aims to prepare you for a career as a scholar and researcher. A PhD has historically been seen as a route to teaching and an academic career. A doctorate is now frequently needed for many research jobs, including analyst at a think tank or scientist in a research lab.

Not every graduate of a PhD program goes on to work in academia. As a matter of fact, there are currently far more PhD graduates than there are academic openings, and many of them go on to work in other fields. In light of this fact, contemporary doctoral programs are increasingly promoting the acquisition of additional relevant skills.

But the ability to do original research is what a doctorate degree is all about. There is a common saying that a Master's degree makes you an authority in your field, but a PhD makes you an innovator in that field. In contrast to a Bachelor's or Master's degree, there isn't a set curriculum that requires you to learn and retain a lot of information written by other researchers. Rather, you collaborate with one or more academic supervisors to examine an unresolved research problem. Throughout the program, you will be required to review academic literature, develop hypotheses, gather and analyse data, or create theoretical models, and finalise a doctoral dissertation (thesis), typically ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 words. The dissertation must include novel interpretations or conclusions that are suitable for publication.

Program finding is based on your unique objectives and situation. Now is the perfect time to consider postgraduate studies if you already hold a Bachelor's degree. A good education is a surefire way to integrate into a new country and one of the most significant social ladders.

Numerous academic opportunities are available in our Freedom Degree Database. When someone wants to study abroad but is not a student at-risk, do we support them? Of Course! If you agree with our principles and are prepared to contribute to the project, our consultants will guide you through every step of the planning process. In addition to increasing your own chances of getting in, you will also benefit academics and students from at-risk groups, for whom all of our services are still provided at no cost.