How do Masters of Science and Masters of Arts Differ?


Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Considering pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK? You are probably aware that universities in the UK offer Masters of Science (M.Sc) and Masters of Arts (M.A.) but, are you aware of the differences between them? There are some misconceptions associated with them and it is important to clarify their differences so that you make sure you choose the right kind of degree for you. 



First things first: Why is it important to earn a Master’s degree?


Education is never a waste of time. It should be a priority for every person, as it is the tool that allows everyone to keep updated to the current demands and to have a good job with a good income. 

The higher the education you receive, the more chances you will have for better jobs and earnings. 

Research has shown that having a Master’s degree can increase your earning potential up to 28% compared to the salary you earn if you have a Bachelor’s degree. 

Other major benefits of earning a master’s degree are that it allows you to update your knowledge and increase your skills, which means you will have better chances of getting a new job or a promotion when you compete. 

There are many benefits that higher education brings about, but in order make sure you enjoy those benefits, you need to choose the degree that perfectly fits YOU. Your whole decision should not be based solely on financial benefits. There are many factors you need to consider to make a thorough decision, including satisfaction, earnings, job opportunities, your skills, among others.

The decision-making process involves several steps. Before choosing a specific specialization to pursue, you need to focus on the approach that you should take to earn your master’s degree. This means that you should ask yourself:

Is a Master of Science or a Master of Arts the right one for me?


If you’re considering pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK, you’ve probably already noticed that most degrees offered by UK universities are Masters of Science or Masters of Arts. 

Master of Arts

On the one hand, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, the Master of Arts is defined as: “an advanced college or university degree in a subject such as literature, language, history, or social science”. Typically, MA students have studied one or more of these subjects at the undergraduate level and are interested in advancing and deepening their knowledge about the subject through one to two more years of study.

Master of Science

On the other hand, Masters of Science focus on disciplines like Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, Medicine, and some Social Sciences, such as Finance, Psychology, Sociology, and others. To earn an M.Sc. degree, you are generally required to write a scientific thesis, but this depends on the type of study programme. All of this, and much more, could be at your fingertips with two or more years of study in an M.Sc. programme. 

Top 4 Differences between Masters of Science and Masters of Arts

If you are not sure about the differences between them, you’ve come to the right place. Below you will find the main differences between M.Sc and M.A. you should know before applying:

1. Disciplines: The main difference between them is the type of disciplines they focus on.

Masters of Science generally deal with fields that involve Science and Math, whereas Masters of Arts involve creativity, debating and analysis. Some of the subjects that an M.A. may consist of are Creative Writing, Languages, Philosophy & Ethics, Design, Music, etc.

2. Teaching Methodology: Another important difference involves the teaching methodology. 

There are some exceptions, but Master of Arts students generally learn through research, class discussions, and essay writing. 

On the other hand, Master of Science students learn through analysis, lab work, and scientific research. 

While both types of Masters involve practice, the amount of the practice you do depends on your chosen programme and university. 

3. Possibilities for further studies: Whereas Masters of Arts are terminal degrees, meaning they are the highest level of achievement in that field of study, Masters of Science generally prepare you to either work or go on to study at the doctoral level. 

However, not all MSc students end up continuing onto doctoral programmes, and their MSc is still well-respected in their fields. Meanwhile, some MA students also go on to do doctoral degrees, not of Arts but of Philosophy. 

4. Topics covered: Masters of Science will mostly tackle an entire field, whereas Masters of Arts tend to be more focused on a subfield. 

Think what you want to achieve with your Master programme – a slightly more focused overview of a specific topic (MA) or a broader, more knowledgeable understanding of an entire field (MSc).


Other Characteristics of Master's degrees

After mentioning the previous differences, it is important to point out that their names are misleading and to give you a piece of advice: Don’t be fooled by the names of the programmes. 

You can find the same disciplines offered either as a Master of Arts or a Master of Science. Some examples include Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Political Science.

They can sometimes reflect different approaches and focuses, but this is not a rule. 

Make sure you carefully and thoughtfully go through the programmes you are interested in and contact us if you have any further questions as regards the previously mentioned differences or about any other concern you may have. 




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