---
title: "Master of Science"
chunk: 4/4
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Science"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T04:20:20.343874+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

== United Kingdom ==
The Master of Science (MSc) is typically a taught postgraduate degree, involving lectures, examinations and a project dissertation (normally taking up a third of the program). Master's programs usually involve a minimum of 1 year of full-time study (180 UK credits, of which 150 must be at master's level) and sometimes up to 2 years of full-time study (or the equivalent period part-time). Taught master's degrees are normally classified into Pass, Merit and Distinction (although some universities do not give Merit). Some universities also offer MSc by research programs, where a longer project or set of projects is undertaken full-time; master's degrees by research are normally pass/fail, although some universities may offer a distinction.
The more recent Master in Science (MSci) degree (Master of Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge), is an undergraduate (UG) level integrated master's degree offered by UK institutions since the 1990s. It is offered as a first degree with the first three (four in Scotland) years similar to a BSc course and a final year (120 UK credits) at master's level, including a dissertation. The final MSci qualification is thus at the same level as a traditional MSc.

== United States ==
The Master of Science (Magister Scientiæ) degree is normally a full-time two-year degree often abbreviated MS. It is the primary type in most subjects and may be entirely course-based, entirely research-based or (more typically) a combination of the two. The combination often involves writing and defending a thesis or completing a research project which represents the culmination of the material learned.
Admission to a master's program is normally contingent upon holding a bachelor's degree. Progressing to a doctoral program may require a master's degree. In some fields or graduate programs, work on a doctorate can begin immediately after the bachelor's degree. Some programs provide for a joint bachelor's and master's degree after about five years. Some universities use the Latin degree names and due to the flexibility of word order in Latin, Artium Magister (AM) or Scientiæ Magister (SM or ScM) may be used in some institutions.

== See also ==
Master of Science in Accounting
Master of Science in Administration
Master of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Corporate Communication
Master of Science in Economics
Master of Science in Engineering
Master of Science in Finance
Master of Science in Foreign Service
Master of Science in Information Systems
Master of Science in Information Technology
Master of Science in Management
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Project Management
Master of Science in Systems Management

== References ==