Both Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) are master’s degrees that are frequently encountered by those who have completed the undergraduate program, especially those who plan to continue their education abroad. Aside from the obvious difference in the departments they contain, let’s compare Master Of Arts with Master of Science.
Master Of Arts vs Master of Science: Key Differences and Program Eligibility
Why is a master’s degree necessary?
Master’s programs, which are necessary to specialize in a subject and are considered an important step towards academics, are highly demanded abroad, primarily in England, Canada, Dubai, and the United States, in terms of the education they offer.
In order to enrich your resume, take your education to a higher level or give a new direction to your career, you can improve yourself in a field related to your undergraduate education or in a different field where you are suitable for the program.
England, which is one of the countries where thousands of students from different nationalities lineup every year to study at one of the best universities in the world, has managed to become the focus of students with its master’s programs lasting only 1 year and has proven this with the achievements it offers after education. For example, the country has made a name for itself with its history, quality of education, vibrant life, and diversity of international students, which draws attention to its close location, part-time work permit during education, and +2 years afterward.
Master Of Arts vs Master of Science: What’s the difference?
The differences between MA and MSc are as follows:
For those who ask what a Master of arts means, know that it is a graduate program aiming to specialize in analysis, creativity and discussion on subjects within the scope of Geography, History, Philosophy, Humanities, Theology, Music, Linguistics, Communication, English, and Education. You can easily tell from the given name.
On the other hand, Master of Science is the general name of the degree given to graduate programs that include exact sciences such as Mathematics, Engineering, Information Technologies, Medicine, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Geology. In addition, Finance, Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Management can be offered at universities as MSc programs. According to the field of study, in MSc programs, it is generally expected to prepare a thesis before graduating.
Other differences include:
1. The contents of the courses taken in the program
2. Entry requirements
3. Job prospects
4. Subdisciplines
5. Different research and thesis topics
You learned what MA means and what MSc means, which are the most common abbreviations when it comes to graduate education abroad. Now you have the information to easily answer when they ask what is the difference between MA and MSc.
What is an MSc (Master of Science)?
If you are planning to do a master’s degree abroad, you will need to choose one of the Master of Science programs with a long list of departments, but first of all, it is useful to learn exactly what Master of Science means.
The abbreviation of Master of Science, which is one of the most popular master’s degrees offered worldwide, referred to as Magister Scientiae in Latin, is frequently on the pages of universities with the expressions MSc, Sc.M, M.S, and S.M.
A full-time Master of Science program can be completed in 2 years in most European countries, depending on the country and the education you have taken in the field you choose, while a Master Degree can be taken at the end of 1 year in all programs in the UK and some of the programs in the United States.
Laboratory studies, analyses, evaluations and scientific research are at the forefront. Those students who successfully complete any of the departments listed below increase their career options and earnings by having an MSc Degree at the end of their education.
– Digital Health,
– Digital Marketing Management (Digital Marketing Management),
– Information Technology,
– Engineering,
– Clinical Psychology,
– Computer Animation and Visual Effects,
– Cyber Security (Cyber Security) and similar departments are in the category of Master of Science degree.
What is an MA (Master of Arts)?
If you are searching for graduate education programs abroad, you must have noticed that the websites of universities mostly include Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees.
Students who graduate from master’s programs by studying theory-based education in the above-mentioned fields, which is called MA, abbreviated as Master of arts, possess an MA Degree.
MA Degree programs are offered as work-based learning (Research-based), or a combination of both, and can be completed in 1 year or 2 years in total. In business and research-based programs, it is given as Work-based in the first year and Research-based in the second year.
Master of Arts programs go through education periods that require less research than MSc programs or that you have to present a small project according to your field.
– Design Management,
– 3D Computer Animation (3D Computer Animation),
– Advertising,
– Architecture,
– Fashion Design,
– Internal Design (Interior Architecture),
– Music Business Management
– Digital Effects,
– Students who graduate from many discussion and research-based learning-oriented master’s programs such as Directing Film and TV (Film and Television directing) can obtain a Master of Arts Degree, increasing more career alternatives and transitioning to business areas where they will earn more.
Programs Eligibility for Master Of Arts vs Master of Science:
Universities determine the language proficiency exam scores themselves and these language score levels vary according to MA and MSc programs.
In addition to academic success, having a good level of English is one of the most important conditions for being accepted to graduate programs. There are many language proficiency exams with international validity. While the UK, from the most preferred countries for postgraduate education abroad, generally requests IELTS scores, the USA requires TOEFL results, but alternatively, it can accept tests such as IELTS.
While England generally does not accept students with an IELTS score below 6.0, it can provide an advantage to reserve their place at the university by accepting those whose English level is below the expected score on a conditional basis.
Students who have not yet completed their university education can get conditional acceptance by applying early and can present them to the university after graduation by taking the average diploma grade with their transcripts. Again, the GPA score (diploma grade) requested may vary according to MA and MSc programs.
Thus, you will have time to collect the necessary documents and get the language proficiency certificate. Apart from the language proficiency certificate, your diploma grade, transcript, work experiences, references to the professor you took the course during your university period, and your extracurricular interests are also important for being accepted to the master’s program. It should also be noted that for some departments, work experience or portfolio may be requested for entry to foreign master’s programs.