is msc and phd the same

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

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - what do they all mean? Two Masters' students at graduation.

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.

is msc and phd the same

The Savvy Scientist

The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

Masters vs PhD: Which is Right For You?

is msc and phd the same

PhD or Masters? It’s a tricky choice to make! There’s no one simple answer as both can be great choices and there are several angles to consider. In this post we’ll look at the differences between the two and compare various factors to consider when deciding between a Masters vs PhD.

Note – This post was a reader request. If you’d like me to cover any particular topics let me know here .

Key Differences Between a Masters and a PhD

Before we delve into the details of what factors to consider in your decision, here is a brief summary of the main differences between Masters and PhD programmes:

  • Typically 1 year long (in the UK)
  • You’re part of a cohort with course mates studying the same things as you
  • There are different types of Masters: MRes, MSc, MEng etc. Sometimes they’re fully “taught” (i.e. all lectures and exams). Other times they’re “research” (lectures and a research project) or a mixture of both. Look at the syllabus of Masters courses you’re considering for details
  • They cost money – unless you manage to secure a scholarship
  • 3-4 years long in the UK (and longer elsewhere)
  • Always involve a significant research component: that’s all they are!
  • Typically you’re not part of a cohort, the exception are CDTs (details here )
  • Although PhDs cost money, it is not normal for STEM PhD students to personally pay for a PhD. Usually you’ll get funding which covers the fees plus pays a nice tax-free stipend. See my whole analysis of how PhD stipends compare to grad salaries

Factors to consider when deciding between a Masters and a PhD

Now let’s dive into some specific comparisons of a Masters vs PhD:

  • Financial cost
  • Potential salary boost
  • Opportunity gain
  • Opportunity cost

Masters vs PhD Cost

How much does a masters degree cost in the uk.

For Masters courses in the UK there are typically both tuition fees and bench fees. Bench fees are for covering costs involved with practicals and research experiments, including consumables and training.

In the UK, if you’re a home student you’ll often pay upwards of £11,500 for tuition fees. Overseas students may get charged £21,800 or higher. Bench fees can vary a lot, typically they may be around £5000.

The course page will usually list the cost of the Masters pretty clearly, see this example from Bristol:

is msc and phd the same

In addition you will have living costs on top of these fees. You’ll therefore have to budget for all of this ahead of starting the Masters unless you’re planning to work while studying. If so, here are some ideas I put together for ways to make money as a student .

There are sometimes bursaries and scholarships available for Masters students so do look at your options. The university website should list the main funding options available to you. However in my experience the majority of Masters students tend to self-fund or take out a loan.

How much does a PhD cost in the UK

In theory a PhD would incur bench fees like a Masters. Yet unlike with Masters degrees, it is pretty rare to self-fund a PhD, at least in the sciences. Instead it is normal for prospective PhD students to try and secure funding.

Usually PhD students will only embark upon a project once funding has been secured for the duration of the project: often 3.5 years.

Typically a PhD student will secure funding both to pay for the university fees, plus a stipend to cover their living expenses. For the 2021/2022 academic year a typical annual PhD stipend is £15,609 per year outside of London, or £17,609 per year in London. To be clear: this is money you get paid for doing the PhD, not that you have to pay! On top of the stipend all other costs relating to the PhD also get covered by the funding body.

If you want to find out more about PhD funding, see my separate relevant posts here:

  • How to Find PhD Funding in the UK
  • PhD Student Salary in the UK: Comparing a PhD Stipend to a Grad Salary

I lived pretty comfortably on this kind of amount of money in London, so it’s certainly possible!

Masters vs PhD Potential Salary Gain

If you’re considering a Masters or PhD to help you climb the career ladder more quickly, you may be wondering how much they could each boost your salary.

Whether or not a Masters or PhD is worth it for the potential salary gain really depends on what job you’re looking to go into. Generally, yes, the more highly qualified you are the more money you may be able to earn:

is msc and phd the same

If you’re looking to boost your earning potential, from these US figures someone with a Masters could expect to earn approximately 18% more than someone with just a Bachelors degree. Furthermore, someone with a PhD may be able to earn 43% more than just a Bachelors. Therefore, on average PhDs earn 21% more than people with a Masters. There are loads of caveats though and this figure isn’t really comparing a like-for-like situation.

As a rule of thumb: if you’re going into a technical job, especially one requiring specialist knowledge you pick up from your studies, then you’re more likely get rewarded for your extra degree(s). Also notice how in the above figure across all workers the unemployment rate is lowest for those with PhDs. The unemployment for those with a Masters vs a PhD is 73% higher.

For certain companies and roles the more highly qualified you are the more they’ll reward you with a higher salary. Other companies, especially ones which wouldn’t utilise the skills from your degree, won’t pay you any higher than someone with a Bachelors degree.

There may be certain professions where getting a Masters or PhD are really beneficial for boosting your salary but I’d urge caution if this is your primary motivation for earning one of these degrees. This is especially true if you consider that instead of earning an extra degree you could spend your time gaining work experience on the job.

Consider looking up different potential employers you may be interested in working for to get a sense of whether your extra qualifications could secure you a higher salary. If the company is transparent with sharing salaries for different pay grades then you may be able to find details on their website. If not I suggest looking on glassdoor .

Masters vs PhD Opportunity Gain

What opportunities open up to you by doing a Masters vs a PhD? How beneficial could either be for your career? We’ll consider categories:

Technical knowledge

  • Lab experience

Independent thinking & problem solving

Student life.

The obvious benefit to doing either degree is that you’ll gain expertise and knowledge in a certain technical topic. Not only may this be interesting to you in its own right but the degree can be used to demonstrate your technical know-how for your upcoming career. Either degree could help with your career prospects and enable you to potentially expand your horizons and go and work abroad. Though this depends a lot on your field and specific situation!

There is a quite obvious tradeoff between breadth and depth of technical knowledge between a Masters vs PhD.

A Masters degree is considerably shorter than a PhD, therefore your opportunity to pick up deep technical skills across the period of the programme is likely to be lower.

However, it is worth noting that Masters courses involve lectures, whereas in the UK PhDs don’t. Therefore it may actually be the case that with the Masters you’re picking up knowledge more quickly than the PhD. This does of course depend a lot on the skills you want to learn and how you work. Plus, you can sometimes go to lectures if you want as a PhD student. I’d say this one is a draw.

Practical lab experience

If you do a Masters involving a research project you’ll likely spend at most 4-6 months of the year in the lab. With a PhD you’ll spend considerably longer!

In the first year of a PhD you can try out different things and with the following years of a PhD you’re learning things at a much deeper level than a Masters. Though again, this depends quite a bit on what you’re trying to learn and why. For a lot of purposes you may gain enough practical experience in just a Masters project.

With either degree I think you’ll have ample opportunities to pick up new skills and challenge yourself to think independently.

A Masters is usually a little more like a Bachelors degree. By this I mean, besides your research project, the course leaders will be setting pretty well defined questions which often come with relatively well defined answers. When it comes to conducting research (for either degree) you’ll of course be answering questions for the first time and usually this will require some problem solving.

Compared to a PhD project a Masters research project is much smaller in scope and well defined. Plus, you’ll typically be paired with a more senior lab member (PhD student or postdoc) which doesn’t often happen for PhD students. There are also sometimes group projects for Masters degrees which adds another useful skill to the mix.

A PhD is the ultimate test of independence and problem solving. A lot of us see this as a fun challenge but bear in mind the importance of having a supporting supervisor. I wrote a separate post about choosing a PhD project and supervisor .

Masters Networking Opportunities

One perk of a Masters degree compared to a PhD is that you’ll always have a group of course mates with you. Not only can this be reassuring and give you social opportunities, it also means that you can network with like-minded individuals who are interested in the same topic as you. It is very easy to see how this could lead to starting a company with a course mate or business relationships later in your career.

PhD Networking Opportunities

PhDs on the other hand may be more solitary. It really depends on the group and department you join. If you join a small group with very few other PhD students it could be a much less exciting, and potentially more difficult, environment to be doing research in. Plus less people to bounce ideas off of and network with.

Some departments are very good at putting on social and networking events for their PhD students. Others less so. My PhD involved working in two different departments and each took very different approaches. One department had an annual research day and several parties throughout the year specifically for their PhD students. On top of that were lecture series’ plus Christmas and Summer parties for the whole department. The other department organised practically nothing.

PhDs do afford you more time to build connections with other researchers in the department and collaborations with other universities and institutions. In my PhD I spent time working with two other research groups in London (at UCL and the Royal Veterinary College) as well as the Natural History Museum. I doubt I’d have formed these connections through doing a Masters.

Whether it be a Masters or PhD, remember that you’ll be a student again. Therefore for either degree you can attend all student events on campus, join clubs and societies at the students’ union which could bring with it many opportunities to enrich your life. Of course a PhD gives you more time to enjoy these benefits!

Whichever degree you decide to go for, see my post about making the most of opportunities !

Also if you’re interested, I wrote: Do PhD Students Have a Social Life? Sharing My Experiences Making Friends and Avoiding PhD Loneliness

Masters vs PhD Opportunity Cost

The main opportunity cost I can think of for either is the length of time that they take. If you’re trying to decide between a Masters or PhD, or perhaps even aren’t sure about doing either, I suggest thinking about what you’d otherwise be doing and what you’d like to do afterwards.

There is no getting around the fact that a PhD takes longer to complete than a Masters. Maybe that extra time spent deep in research is well spent, or maybe you’d be better off just doing a one year Masters degree and using that remaining time to progress a career in industry, start a business or make the most of some other opportunities.

It will come down to why you’re interested in doing either degree in the first place and what you’re hoping to do with your life afterwards.

If you enjoy research but are worried that a PhD would take too long, I don’t think you should worry too much. Firstly, I think enjoying research is reason enough to do a PhD. Secondly, in comparison to your whole career a PhD doesn’t really take up much time.

I don’t think that the time you’ll have spent doing a PhD would ever meaningfully take away from other things you could do with your life:

is msc and phd the same

See my whole post about how long a PhD takes .

Masters vs PhD Difficulty

How hard is a masters.

I can’t speak for all Masters courses! How difficult you’ll find a Masters will depend a lot on the specific course and how different the topic is to your undergraduate degree. Of course if you’re jumping to a different field than your undergraduate degree you’d expect to find the Masters challenging!

What I can say is that there can be a lot of content to try and cram in during a one year Masters. The pace can be fast and there isn’t much time for you to digest the content before getting assessed on it. You have to be able to learn quickly and juggle lots of things going on at once, with regular assessments throughout the year. This is all in stark contrast to the PhD where you’ll usually have ample time to ensure you understand a concept well and there are few formal assessments to deal with.

How difficult is a PhD?

A PhD involves working independently on your own project for the whole duration of your studies. With this comes having to solve problems yourself and find the motivation to keep going with the project for several years. There is a component of luck as to how your project pans out but it is safe to say that a lot of people do go through difficult parts of their PhD related to these issues.

There are very few formal assessments throughout a PhD. Typically at around 9-12 months in, then 18-24 months in there are intermediate checkmarks and then the big one, the viva, right at the end. On the upside this means that you don’t need to worry about getting assessed on assignements or exams like with the Masters, but on the flip side it can be difficult to figure out how well you’re doing.

From what I’ve observed, some people who have difficulties during the project often face them because of a poor relationship with their PhD supervisor. I personally didn’t find my PhD hard, but that in part comes down to enjoying the content, having good supervisors and treating it like a 9-5 job. No you shouldn’t need to dedicate all your evening and weekends to it, and it doesn’t need to be a hellish experience.

Yes this is anecdotal but I also worked with many other postdocs and PhD students who shared their experiences with me. Also check out the PhD Profiles series for more insights.

See my much longer analysis about PhD difficulty here: How Hard is a PhD?

Masters vs PhD: What did I do?

My own path from undergrad to PhD was made slightly more simple because I did a combined four-year undergraduate engineering degree which took me straight to a Masters qualification (MEng). Even so, I still wasn’t exactly clear on whether I wanted to a PhD or what topic it might be in. Therefore after graduating I worked for a few years whilst also putting out applications:

is msc and phd the same

This gave me an opportunity to build up my experience and work in different fields, all while getting some more research outputs which were useful for PhD applications. If you want to read more about my journey, check out my PhD profile here . While you’re there, look at other PhD students’ journeys in the other PhD Profiles too.

Whether you should do a Masters or PhD really comes down to: why are you interested in further study?

I would urge caution in getting extra degrees just to try and boost your salary. There are cases where this can pay off but consider what other work experience you could be getting outside of the university. A Masters for example will typically cost you money, whether it be eating up savings or through a loan, so do think carefully if you’re doing the degree for financial reasons.

If on the other hand you’re motivated to take on either degree because you’re interested in the topics and simply want to learn then go for it!

A Masters can be a nice introduction to a field, especially if you’re transitioning from a different Bachelor’s degree. Having lectures covering a wide variety of topics can get you up to speed and you can spend a few months on a research component if that’s what you fancy.

If you actively enjoy doing research and like the idea of spending three or four years exploring one topic then doing a PhD could be a nice option. Though I would suggest that for many people a PhD may be overkill and that for most career purposes a masters is probably enough!

If you’re wondering whether or not you need a Masters to do a PhD, see my separate post exactly about that topic here: Do You Need a Master’s To Do a PhD? TLDR: No you don’t necessarily need one in advance, and CDTs are another option to consider which combine the benefits of both . See details about CDTs here . If you are interested in research, and already know what kind of topic you’d like to spend several years studying, then I’d consider applying for a PhD without a Masters.

I know it can be difficult making these choices. Remember though that you don’t need to rush your decision. There is nothing wrong with working for a few years then coming back to do a Masters or PhD. That is what I did!

It might feel like you need a clear plan but you really don’t so please don’t let it stress you out too much! Whatever you decide I wish you all the best for your career.

I hope this post has been useful if you’re trying to decide between a Masters vs PhD! If you have any other questions, feedback or suggestions be sure to let me know and I’ll try my best to help.

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4 Comments on “Masters vs PhD: Which is Right For You?”

Great article! I completed my MEng in Mechanical from Cardiff in 2018 and am now looking for an Industrial PhD (I think it’s also known as an EngD or DEng?). As I’d like to pursue an academic role in future but after a PhD I’d like to go into industry to really test the knowledge I gain (or maybe start a company).

I’d like to learn more and become a specialist who really understands and grasps all aspects of Mechanical Engineering. Plus, I really like the calculation side of things, but have had difficulty finding jobs, so I think a PhD would be a significant benefit to me. Though, I found it interesting that you state that having a PhD doesn’t increase salary expectations necessarily; I thought salary rise would be a bonus (from other articles) but I guess this depends on the companies that appreciate PhDs and whether you apply to the right ones.

Do you have an article showing how to make your PhD applications stand out?

Keep it up!

Kind regards, Y

PS Just a minor detail the last section on which is right for you (first line) has a typo: Masters of PhD… should be Masters or PhD.

Thanks very much for your comment and for pointing out a typo! Hey, mech eng MEng and Cardiff, nice! Yep I’ve known people doing EngDs and they look like a nice option.

As per the bar chart in the article, on average a PhD leads to higher salaries but in the article I wanted to temper salary expectations and make it clear that it is not necessarily a great idea to do a PhD if earning more money were the main motivation: not only may a PhD prove frustrating if someone doesn’t actually enjoy the research but it’s also pretty inefficient since in a lot of cases simply spending those 3-4 years gaining experience in a job could likely lead to equivilant or larger promotions over that period. Yeah it really depends on the company and industry. As per the article you could have a look at the companies advertising positions in a subfield of mech eng you’re interested in and check the candidate requirements and associated compensation to get a sense of what a PhD could add.

An article I’m actually currently drafting for June is about how I managed to get a PhD scholarship which includes lots about making your application stand out, so I suggest check back later in the month!

Best wishes and good luck,

By the way I forgot to add that each candidate in the PhD Profiles series answers the question of what made their PhD application stand out, you can find the series here: https://www.thesavvyscientist.com/category/phd-profiles/

Thanks Jeff, I think I’ve got a lot of research to do as I’m quite open as to what I want to apply to. After reading your profile I think I have a similar interest in the medical field as I did a placement at Olympus medical and really enjoyed it. Plus working with professional engineers to a specific deadline is quite fun. I might choose to go a similar route to you by emailing the scientists/engineers who are running the PhD(s) I’m interested in and getting work experience until I’m certain of the topic I want to explore. There’s just so many options! Thanks for writing these blogs! Kind regards Yusuf

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Master’s vs PhD — These are the Main Differences

Updated: July 18, 2022

Published: October 31, 2019

Master’s-vs-PhD---These-are-the-Main-Differences-

The consideration between earning a master’s vs PhD is not always an easy choice. While many careers and personal aspirations may be complete with just an undergraduate degree (Associate’s or Bachelor’s), a lot of people continue their higher education to obtain graduate degrees. These include a master’s and/or a PhD.

Neither a master’s degree nor a PhD is considered to be a walk in the park. Therefore, it’s useful to understand why you would earn either and then decide how far to go.

is msc and phd the same

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Definitions: master’s vs phd.

Bost a master’s and PhD are defined as postgraduate degrees, but they require different commitments and styles of learning.

1. Master’s Degree:

Mostly all master’s degrees will require the completion of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree to enroll. They generally all share the same common requirement for a thesis or dissertation to graduate.

Earning a master’s degree through a taught program will result in the completion of a Master of Art (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). For those who earn their master’s degree through research, they will earn a Master of Research (Mre), in a tailored field of study. There are also degree-specific master’s programs like Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Education (M.Ed).

After earning a master’s degree, the next step is a PhD, which entails both working and performing research at an institution. A PhD is an abbreviation for “Doctor of Philosophy.” It is the highest academic degree one can achieve. As such, it is a time-consuming pursuit that requires a lot of studying and research.

You may be wondering, “Do you need a master’s to get a PhD?”

Technically, the answer is not always. Some students skip a master’s and go straight for their PhD, but they may lack research experience. While it could save money, the transition between a bachelor’s and a PhD is incredibly sharp. It may be harder to complete a PhD without the experience from a master’s.

Yet, some institutions may allow for the possibility to earn both your master’s and PhD in conjunction with one another. This will alleviate the transition between skipping a master’s and going straight to earning a PhD.

Should You Get a Master’s or PhD?

There are many considerations to factor when deciding between a master’s of PhD. For starters, it’s useful to consider the amount of time it will take, the cost, and the benefits and disadvantages of each. It is also of utmost importance to explore your own personal goals and reasons for wanting a graduate degree.

If your desired career of choice requires a PhD, like becoming a university professor, then you have your answer. If you want to start a business and benefit by networking while in school, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) could be a good idea. Consider what you want to pursue as a career and find out the requirements first.

Another useful thing to note is that a master’s degree can be used for a shift in careers. For example, if you attended college and earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities, but now you want to pursue science, you can still earn your master’s degree in a scientific discipline. On the other hand, a PhD is tailored to your field of study and specialty, so it will require that you are sure of your direction when you first earn your master’s degree.

Length of Time

A typical master’s degree program takes about two years full-time. However, there are accelerated programs that can be completed in just a year or so.

A PhD, in general, requires five to six years of studying, teaching, and research. However, it may even take some students up to eight or nine years to graduate. With this significant investment in time, it’s necessary to know if a PhD is right for you before starting.

The cost of both programs varies by institution and enrollment status of part-time versus full-time. However, since a PhD takes longer to complete, it will end up costing more. With that said, if you look into your return on investment, a PhD could end up yielding a higher salary, and therefore end up “costing less.”

Additionally, there is also the possibility of being paid to complete your PhD. Some students may receive an academic stipend, a university fellowship or apprenticeship or a reduced fee to earn their PhD while completing research (or teaching) at an institution. It’s also possible to get financial aid through a scholarship or grant.

As tuition rates continue to rise, it’s useful to look into alternative institutions for affordable education. For example, the University of the People offers a tuition-free master’s program in Business Administration and Education. This means you can study 100% online and graduate for less than the cost of most programs.

Weighing the Benefits

When comparing the two degree types, here are some benefits of each:

  • Career-oriented
  • Can open the door for more job opportunities
  • Costs less than a PhD
  • Takes less time than a PhD
  • Helps you stand out from those with only an undergraduate degree
  • You can perform research in your field of choice
  • You become an expert in your field
  • The prefix Dr. is added to your name
  • You can teach in academia at the highest level

Required Commitment and Reasons to Pursue

Both a master’s and a PhD require a huge amount of hard work and utter commitment. You must be dedicated and motivated to complete either degree. Since most careers only may require a bachelor’s degree, having a master’s or PhD will set you apart from the competition. However, this should not be the sole reason to pursue either.

You may be wondering why would you earn either degree. Here’s a look at some motivational factors:

Reasons to Study for a Master’s

  • Your career requires it (see next section)
  • You want to advance your subject knowledge
  • You want to experience graduate school and network with peers

Reasons to Study for a PhD

  • You want to contribute new research to your field of choice
  • Your career requires a PhD
  • You want to earn the title of Dr.

Careers in the medical field often require a PhD

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Required degrees by career.

Most people are motivated to pursue higher education because their desired careers require they do so. Here, we will break down those fields that require the completion of a master’s degree as it’s high on the list of reasons why to get one.

  • Education Administration: To work as an administrator in an educational institution, you need to hold an advanced degree. A Master’s in Education (M.Ed) will provide you with the necessary knowledge and required skills to succeed in the field.
  • Executive Level Business: A Master’s in Business (MBA) will not only place you ahead of the competition to land high-level positions in the field of business, but it can also be the jumping off point for becoming your own boss.
  • Environmental Science: With issues in climate change and technological advancement, careers in Environmental Science are growing. As with most scientific careers, it requires a master’s degree where you will learn Applied Ecology, Environmental Policy, Environmental Chemistry, and more.
  • Mental Health: To become a licensed practitioner and assist in mental health counseling, you will continue your education through a master’s degree in the field.
  • Physical Therapy: Employers of physical therapists often prefer them to obtain a master’s degree in the discipline as the field is highly specialized.

Of course, some careers require a PhD. These careers are easy to spot because they have the prefix Dr. in front of them or the suffix like J.D. (Juris Doctor). To become a lawyer, doctor of medicine, veterinary medicine or psychologist/psychiatrist, you must obtain a PhD in the respective field.

Salary Differences Between Master’s and Ph.D. Graduates

According to a study performed by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce , the overall evidence shows that the higher the degree you have, the higher your salary potential. However, the differences vary by subject level and field.

In general, the expected lifetime earnings of those with each degree level is as follows:

  • High School Diploma: $973,000
  • Bachelor’s Degree: $1.3 million
  • Master’s Degree: $2.7 million
  • Doctorate Degree: $3.3 million

The Bottom Line

Aside from the financial cost and length of time, the opportunity to earn a master’s and a doctorate degree can offer several benefits.

However, it is an undertaking that requires a lot of dedication and motivation on behalf of the student. As such, it’s important to perform research on your desired career’s requirements, as well as your personal interest in pursuing either a Phd vs master’s.

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Which research degree should I do—MSc, MD, or PhD?

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  • Shehan Hettiaratchy , research fellow
  • Division of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA

Got a career or related problem that needs answering? Can't find the right person to point you in the right direction? Log on to the Advice Zone ( www.bmjcareers.com/advicezone ) for reliable medical careers advice. You can post a question or see if one of our 300 advisers has already answered a similar question. Here is a selection of questions and answers posted on the site.

You should think carefully about what kind of research degree you want. If you want only a taste of research or are doing it only to improve your chances at a specialist registrar interview, go for the MSc. This is usually a one year taught course with an experimental project and is a good way of learning the basics of science. If you wish to do more detailed science and are considering a career in academic medicine, then think about a PhD. This will mean more time commitment (at least three years) and more intellectual commitment. The compromise degrees are the MD or MS. These usually require two years of work and therefore permit more in-depth research than the MSc. The MD or its equivalent is popular among medics. When deciding which degree to go for you should check all the various regulations and also the fees that may be entailed.

At the end of the day the choice is up to you. The key questions are: why are you doing research and how much time and energy do you want to commit to it?

is msc and phd the same

is msc and phd the same

  • Integrated Masters with PhD – Explained
  • Types of Doctorates

An Integrated Masters with a PhD (iPhD) is a four-year postgraduate level programme that combines a one-year Masters course with a three-year PhD course. They allow students to familiarise themselves with their chosen topic, research methods and academic writing techniques before embarking on their own independent research project. An Integrated Masters with a PhD is particularly popular with international students and students who initially lack specialised knowledge or research skills.

Introduction

An Integrated Masters with PhD, also commonly referred to as either just an Integrated Masters degree or an Integrated PhD, offers a relatively new way to undertake postgraduate training. They maintain the depth and focus of a conventional PhD but offer a more comprehensive doctoral training experience.

Due to their growing popularity, both the number of universities offering these newer forms of PhD and the number of students applying to them has steadily increased.

This page describes what Integrated Masters with PhDs are, who they are for, their advantages and disadvantages, how they differ from conventional PhDs and how they are structured in terms of programme, eligibility and costs. This page is for you if you are considering applying for an integrated course, or simply want to know more about them.

What is an Integrated PhD?

An Integrated PhD is a four-year postgraduate programme. They involve undertaking a one-year Masters degree (MRes or MSc) in your first year, followed by a three-year PhD programme in your second to fourth year. Although the courses run back-to-back, a student can only progress to the second year if they show satisfactory performance in their first year. The one-year Masters and the three-year PhD are considered separately in terms of qualifications; therefore, a student who completes an Integrated PhD will receive both a Masters degree (MRes or MSc) and a PhD as opposed to a single postgraduate qualification.

The aim of an Integrated PhD is to provide a structured approach to doctoral studies, combining advanced PhD research with formal teaching in relevant subjects, research methods and communication skills.

As Integrated PhDs are relatively new compared to more regular doctoral pathways such as stand-alone or MPhil-upgraded PhDs, some professors informally refer to them as ‘New Route PhDs’.

Difference Between Integrated PhD and Regular PhD

The most significant difference between an Integrated PhD and a regular PhD is the addition of the one-year Masters degree at the beginning of the programme. This results in an Integrated PhD typically lasting four years, as opposed to the three years as with regular PhDs.

Integrated PhDs are structured in such a way that they provide students with a broader range of foundational skills than a regular PhD. The first year introduces you to a combination of taught elements, practical experience and advanced research skills. In a regular PhD this mode of teaching is missing as it is assumed you already have this level of knowledge.

The last significant difference between the two types of doctoral programmes is the ‘group’ aspect associated with the Integrated version. Since the Masters programme also includes other students enrolled in Integrated PhDs, you will have a small cohort with whom you will work closely alongside during your studies.

Who are Integrated PhDs suitable for?

Integrated PhDs can be an effective pathway for any student, but they stand out in two situations:

Scenario 1: International Students

The Higher Education system differs across countries , although not by a large amount, enough to where an unfamiliar student may struggle, especially when working independently. An Integrated PhD allows you to adapt to the UK education system by offering a more guided and hands-on approach to your learning and research process before you embark on your three-year research project.

It also has visa benefits. If an international student seeking a Masters degree in the UK already knows they want to follow it up with a PhD, enrolling in an Integrated PhD will save them from having to leave the country and re-apply for a visa after completing their initial postgraduate degree.

Scenario 2: Lack of undergraduate research experience or a relevant Masters degree

An Integrated PhD is useful for students who have academic abilities but lack the necessary background to be considered for a standard-route PhD. This usually occurs under one of three scenarios:

  • The applicant is currently an undergraduate student or only holds a Bachelor’s degree,
  • The student has a Masters degree, but in a subject only loosely related to the discipline they wish to pursue at doctoral level,
  • The student has a relevant Masters degree, but the programme lacked a research focus, leaving the student with underdeveloped research skills.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Integrated PhD

The advantages of an Integrated PhD are strongly linked to the international and inexperienced students they cater for. They offer students an effective means of gaining more confidence, knowledge and research skills in their field before starting a doctorate, and also provide visa benefits to international students who will be undertaking prior postgraduate study.

Integrated PhDs also enable students the possibility of receiving funding for the Masters phase of their programme, as will be explained in more detail in the ‘Funding Opportunities’ section.

Integrated doctorates have no obvious disadvantages, but are generally not suitable for those who already have a Masters degree or well-developed research skills in their chosen field. For these students, the additional costs and duration of an Integrated PhD can be avoided by opting for a traditional PhD for which they will already be suited for.

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

The programme of study is naturally divided into two parts, the first for your Masters studies and the second for your PhD studies.

Your Masters studies will usually be divided into 180 module credits, half of which will focus on taught components and the other half on research components.

The modules will be tailored to your course, but they will include a variation of:

Taught modules:

  • Subject-specific module – You choose one or two modules from a predefined list of topics within your subject area. Your selection should reflect the research area you want your PhD to focus on.
  • English and Communication – Academic language and communication skills will be taught to prepare you for the ‘writing-up’ phase of your doctorate. A common misconception is that this module is similar to the English language requirement tests required to apply to a iPhD. In reality, the module will focus on learning how to critically evaluate research sources, write abstracts, literature reviews and conclusions, communicate in lab-based environments and present to audiences.
  • Research Techniques  – You’ll receive in-depth training to familiarise you with the different research methods and analytical techniques available to modern researchers.
  • Research Proposal Development  – You’ll work with your intended PhD supervisor to prepare a research proposal for your three-year PhD research project.

Research Modules:

You will carry out one or two small laboratory research projects under supervision for practical experience.

Integrated PhD in UK - Lectures and Lab Work

If you complete these modules with satisfactory performance, you will be awarded a Masters degree and will be considered for the following three-year PhD programme.

Each university has its own process for making this consideration, but most invite you to an interview with the supervisor you wish to conduct research with. The interview is used to confirm that you have acquired the specialised knowledge and research skills expected at masters level, and beyond that of someone capable of completing doctoral study.

If your interview goes well, you will be enrolled in your PhD programme. From this point on, your path will be the same as a regular PhD student. During your doctoral phase, you will conduct independent research and laboratory work for two years, followed by a final year of writing up and formally submitting your findings as a thesis. Your thesis, expertise and research competence will be assessed in an oral examination known as a viva. Upon successful completion of your viva, you will be officially awarded a PhD, and your studies will come to an end.

It should be noted that aside from the above, your university may offer optional modules which can equip you with a wide range of transferable skills.

Eligibility

Entry requirements for an integrated masters degree in the UK will vary from university to university, but the typical requirement is an Upper Second Class (2:1) honours Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted.

If you are an international student and English is your second language, most universities will require proof of your English language proficiency through an exam certificate. It’s best to check directly with the universities which certificate types they accept, but the most common English language qualification requirement is an IELTS certificate, with a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each category.

The typical annual tuition fee for an Integrated PhD in the UK is £4,712 per academic year for home/EU students (or £2,356 for part-time study) and £19,596 per academic year for international students (or £9,798 for part-time study).

As with all doctoral programmes, there are likely to be additional costs associated with your studies, such as bench fees for lab work, travel costs for collaborating and potential write-up fees for students who need more time to submit their thesis. You can get more information about these additional costs on our cost breakdown page .

Funding Opportunities

You can obtain funding for Integrated PhDs in the same way as for regular PhDs. Funding is usually provided by one of the seven UK Research Councils  and research charity organisations such as the  Wellcome Trust ; grants, scholarships and funded opportunities can be found directly in our searchable database .

Funding can either be partial (tuition fees only) or full (tuition fees and living costs). Most funding providers also cover the tuition fee for the Masters degree programme due to being integrated with the PhD, however, you should confirm this on a case-by-case basis.

As with regular PhD funding, the fully-funded opportunities are generally limited to home and EU students.

It’s also worth noting that PhD programmes which include an integrated Masters degree are eligible for a Doctoral Loan , even if you already have a postgraduate Masters degree from a previous university. Applications for Doctoral Loans must be made directly to Student Finance England and you must first be registered for a full doctoral degree. Due to application restrictions, you won’t be able to apply for a separate Postgraduate Masters Loan for the integrated Masters phase of your degree.

Availability

You can search for Integrated PhDs in three ways:

  • Our Search Page  – Search for the term ‘Integrated’ in our  comprehensive database of STEM PhDs .
  • University Search Pages – Universities advertise their Integrated PhDs on their postgraduate search pages. You can find them by searching the name of the university followed by “ search postgraduate courses ” directly in Google.
  • Funding Body Websites – Funding bodies which provide studentships for Integrated PhDs sometimes advertise the positions on their website. A list of the most common funding providers can be found here: PhD Studentships .

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Study: Same genes that made gorilla penises small may make men infertile

Zoom image: Gorillas share a common ancestor and over 98% of their DNA with humans. A new University at Buffalo-led study has found the genetics behind their abnormal genitals and sperm holds answers about infertility in men. Photo: Randy

Gorillas share a common ancestor and over 98% of their DNA with humans. A new University at Buffalo-led study has found the genetics behind their abnormal genitals and sperm holds answers about infertility in men. Photo: Randy

UB researchers identify 109 new candidate genes for human male infertility by analyzing gorillas’ unusual reproductive system

By Tom Dinki

Release Date: May 14, 2024

Vincent Lynch.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Despite their formidable bodies, male gorillas are lacking in one particular area of their anatomy.

They have the smallest penises and testes of all apes, and produce a low amount of sperm that neither swims fast nor binds easily to eggs. In fact, their reproductive system may be functioning at the lowest level possible for a mammal.

With gorillas sharing a common ancestor and over 98% of their DNA with humans, the genetics behind their abnormal genitals and sperm might hold answers about infertility in men. 

A University at Buffalo-led research team has found that, indeed, some of the same genes whose mutations gave rise to a low functioning male gorilla reproductive system may also be responsible for human male infertility.

In a study published Thursday (May 9) in eLife , researchers identified 109 reproductive-related gorilla genes that are often mutated when present in infertile men. There are likely even more yet to be identified.

“We have a set of genes that are involved in sperm biology and have the signatures of harmful mutations when in gorillas. We can then look at those same genes in infertile men and see if they have mutations,” says the study’s lead author, Vincent Lynch, PhD, associate professor of biological sciences in the UB College of Arts and Sciences. “Here the gorilla genome essentially acts as a discovery tool for finding candidate genes for human male fertility that we previously wouldn't have been able to identify.”

Gorillas lack sperm competition

Male gorillas’ small genitals and low sperm count can be attributed to their polygynous mating system. The alpha male silverback’s intimidating figure gives him near exclusive access to the females in his group, so his sperm doesn’t compete with other males’ sperm within the female reproductive tract.  

“There are two ways to compete for mates: You can either use your body or your sperm,” Lynch says. “Most mammals use a combination of both. Gorillas use only their bodies,”

This lack of sperm competition likely led to the evolution of small testicles with few sperm-producing cells, as well as structurally abnormal and immotile sperm. These kinds of harmful gene mutations would normally be deleted from a population through what’s known as purifying selection, yet sometimes purifying selection is so relaxed that mutations become fixed within a species over time.

The UB-led research team wondered if identifying relaxed genes in gorillas could lead to identifying genes crucial to human fertility.

Infertility affects approximately 5-7% of couples worldwide, yet the underlying genetics are not well understood. For one thing, there’s roughly 22,000 genes in a single person. Even if a mutation is found in one of them, it’s hard to know whether it’s impacting the ability to reproduce.

“So rather than looking at all of a man’s genes for rare mutations, you could look at only those genes whose gorilla counterparts cause abnormal sperm biology,” says Jacob Bowman, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in Lynch’s lab and the study’s first author.

‘Relaxed’ gorilla genes are often mutated in infertile men

First, researchers used models powered by UB’s Center for Computational Research (CCR) to search for signatures of relaxed purifying selection in a dataset of over 13,000 genes across 261 mammals. Five hundred and seventy-eight, or 4.3%, of these genes showed such signatures in the gorilla lineage.

To determine which of these relaxed gorilla genes impact male fertility, the team deleted them in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.

“Most of the genes that are important for reproductive biology are conserved across many different species, including Drosophila , and you can do these loss-of-function experiments at scale in Drosophila in a way that you can't in other organisms,” Lynch says.

Suppressing these genes in fruit flies confirmed that many of them are crucial to male reproductive function, including 41 genes not previously associated with male fertility. 

Next, researchers compared the relaxed gorilla genes to a genomic database with 2,100 infertile men, from those with low sperm counts to no sperm. In total, they found 109 of the relaxed gorilla genes were significantly enriched for loss-of-function mutations in infertile men, indicating these genes are likely associated with human male infertility. 

“Just a few years ago, there weren’t enough sequenced genomes and computing power to conduct these kind of studies,” Lynch says. “As science collects more genetic data, we’ll have a better understanding of why infertility happens.”

Other contributors represent the University of Arizona; the University of Münster (Germany); the University of Lisbon (Portugal); and Gulbenkian Science Institute (Portugal).

Media Contact Information

Tom Dinki News Content Manager Physical sciences, economic development Tel: 716-645-4584 [email protected]

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May 13, 2024

Class of 2024: Former VCU men’s golfer prepares for Ph.D. program

School of medicine graduate student sachin kumar kempelingaiah reflects on taking another swing and following a new passion., share this story.

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By Anthony DePalma School of Medicine

When Sachin Kumar Kempelingaiah arrived in the U.S. in 2017, his goal was to become a professional golfer. A native of the Caribbean island Trinidad and Tobago, Kempelingaiah came to VCU on a golf scholarship and rarely missed a tournament while he earned bachelor's degrees in biochemistry and biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. But when a back injury during his senior year derailed his athletic career, he leaned on his other passion: science.

"I still played a few tournaments here and there, but it just wasn't at the level that I had been able to previously perform at," Kempelingaiah said. "I realized I wouldn't be able to go professional at this point, so I decided I needed to do something else."

That "something else" became graduate school. Kempelingaiah will graduate from the School of Medicine in May 2024 with a master's in biochemistry, and he's thrilled to remain under the mentorship of Can E. Senkal, Ph.D. , as he begins working toward his Ph.D.

Same drive, new turf

As an undergrad, Kempelingaiah learned about autophagy, the process by which a cell breaks down and destroys old, damaged or abnormal proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm. Eager to learn more, he connected with Senkal, an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , and volunteered in his lab on the MCV Campus for about a year.

Alongside Senkal and a graduate student, Kempelingaiah learned more about cellular mechanisms and how a research lab operates. Using cancer models, Senkal and his team study the cellular roles, metabolism and regulation of sphingolipids, lipid signaling molecules that tell the cell whether or not to reproduce. The goal is to identify cancer-specific dependencies in the sphingolipid metabolic network and develop mechanism-driven therapeutics for cancer.

The environment of Senkal's lab inspired Kempelingaiah to apply to the M.S. program, and he officially joined his mentor's lab. His thesis work examined sphingolipids' involvement in ferroptosis, an intracellular iron-dependent form of cell death, within cancer models.

"I love having the opportunity to learn and discover in the lab, and perhaps even be a part of testing something new," Kempelingaiah said. "And I've really learned at an exponential rate in this master's program."

Kempelingaiah is grateful for the opportunity to stay at the School of Medicine for his Ph.D., where he'll dig deeper into his sphingolipids research and continue fostering the relationships he's built at VCU.

"VCU is pretty well known for their sphingolipid research, and I wanted to stay a part of that research because there are a lot of interesting things happening in the field," Kempelingaiah said.

A photo of a man swinging a golf club with grass flying up around him.

‘A team player’

Kempelingaiah attributes much of his success as a graduate student to the work ethic he developed by playing golf, noting the years of training and dedication to the sport it takes to be successful.

"I think that's the same thing in the lab environment," Kempelingaiah said. "You're not always going to get the results you're hoping for, so you have to put in the work to actually understand what it is you're trying to do and keep on trying."

Senkal echoed that sentiment. He noted other transferable skills, such as Kempelingaiah's attention to detail, that are especially critical in science.

"I think the skills he practiced throughout his time playing golf really helps him with research," Senkal said. "In the lab, he's persistent, friendly and always willing to help others out. He's a team player."

As for his lifelong passion, Kempelingaiah will always be a golfer. He still plays from time to time, with less back pain after a few years of not pushing himself as hard.

"I take it much more easily when I'm on the course," he said. "And I still have a blast."

This story was originally published on the VCU School of Medicine’s news site.

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Opportunities For Africans

INTERACT-Africa PhD and MSc Scholarships 2024/2025 for Africans.

Application Deadline:   23rd June, 2024 EAT 

INTERACT-Africa is an Intra-Africa Academic mobility project funded by the European Union (EU). The project focuses on Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology, with emphasis on conversion of organic waste to valuable bioproducts for transitioning into environmental sustainable and socially inclusive economies.

INTERACT-Africa  aims at :

  • Promoting inclusive learning mobility opportunities by enhancing capacity building of HEIs by focusing on training and education in green Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology aimed at developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing sustainable practices
  • Fostering entrepreneurship and support the establishment of green technology businesses in Africa by providing mentorship, access to funding, and technical support to aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups working in the field of green Chemistry, Biology and Information technology
  • Facilitating networking and knowledge sharing among businesses to promote innovation and sustainable economic growth through provision of internships, cooperative education programs, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Scholarship Period

INTERACT-Africa is offering 28 postgraduate scholarships for the degree seeking mobility. 5 scholarships for the PhD and 23 for Masters programmes.

  • For PhD students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 36 months.
  • For MSc students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 24 months.

Eligibility criteria

  • The candidate must meet minimum requirement for admission into Masters and PhD programmes as stipulated by the host University Senate/regulating body.
  • Provide proof that the candidate is a national of and residence of an eligible country.
  • Student beneficiaries must be of African nationality and residing in Africa at the time of application.
  • All interested candidates must submit a research concept paper in the intended area of study (1 page, Times New Roman, single spacing).
  • Applicants will not be allowed to participate in the mobility without an admission letter from the host university.
  • Applicants to declare not to have already benefited from a previous student scholarship under the projects selected in the framework of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme 2022-2027.
  • Applicants to commit not to benefit from another EU funded scholarship scheme to implement the same activity during their Intra-Africa mobility period.
  • Provide motivation letter reflecting innovative technologies in climate change and mitigation.
  • Recommendation letters and/ reference letters (two). One from an academic advisor or professor/lecturer.
  • Applicant must be willing to study not in his/her country but within the eligible countries
  • Provide proof of Special needs where applicable
  • Applicants from Non – – English level B2 Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or its equivalent is mandatory to study in the institutions that use English as the language of instruction.
  • To study at Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (IFA-YANGAMBI), French level B2 or its equivalent is mandatory
  • Tuition fees and research costs for the duration of the study.
  • Comprehensive health and accident insurance cover
  • Monthly stipend/allowance of Euro 1,230 per month for PhD and 890 per month for the Masters.
  • PhD students will receive a monthly stipend of 1230 Euros. This also includes (1) travel cost to and from the host institution, (2) Visa costs, and (3) settling allowance.
  • MSc students will receive a monthly stipend of 890 Euros. This also includes (1) travel cost to and from the host institution, (2) Visa costs, and (3) settling allowance.

Language of instruction

  • The language of instruction varies with the project hosting institution/country i.e., English for Moi University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Addis Ababa University and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
  • French for Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (IFA-Yangambi) University

How to apply for the scholarship

Eligible candidates interested in these programmes are invited fill the online scholarship application form using the link  https://form.jotform.com/241243838123048 For more information visit  https://interactafrica.mu.ac.ke/ . Note that each applicant is advised to apply concurrently to the host University for admission. The scholarships will only be awarded to candidates with admission letters from the host university.

Application deadline

The programmes are scheduled to start in August/September/October 2024. The deadline for application is  23rd June, 2024 EAT  by  midnight . Motivational letters should be addressed to:  Lead Coordinator, INTERACT-Africa Project,  Moi University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya,  [email protected]

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the INTERACT-Africa PhD and MSc Scholarship

is msc and phd the same

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COMMENTS

  1. BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD

    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 ...

  2. Master's vs PhD

    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 ...

  3. Masters Vs PhD: The Difference Between Masters & PhD/Doctorates 2024+

    Some graduate programs provide a formal plan of study for completing a Masters and PhD at the same time. These programs are referred to as dual degrees, joint degrees, or master's and PhD combined degrees. ... (MA), a Master of Science (MSc), or a Master of Research, (MRe). This type of degree program is much like an undergrad program ...

  4. Masters vs PhD

    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).

  5. The Difference Between Masters and PhD Study

    Course structure. The most obvious difference between a Masters and a PhD in terms of overarching course structure is length. Whereas a Masters is completed in 1-2 years, a PhD will usually take 3-4 years (if studied full-time) or 5-6 years (if studied part-time). 3-4 years may sound like a long time, but by the end of a PhD you'll not only ...

  6. Masters vs PhD: Which is Right For You?

    If you do a Masters involving a research project you'll likely spend at most 4-6 months of the year in the lab. With a PhD you'll spend considerably longer! In the first year of a PhD you can try out different things and with the following years of a PhD you're learning things at a much deeper level than a Masters.

  7. Does 'graduate program' mean MSc or Ph.D.?

    The definition does not vary across countries, but the question whether a Master's program is normally entered after a Bachelor's, or instead of pursuing the same, may depend on the country, on the century, and indeed on the actual program. By now, international student mobility programs have gradually pushed Master's programs in most countries to become graduate programs (see "Bologna process").

  8. Master's vs PhD

    2. PhD: After earning a master's degree, the next step is a PhD, which entails both working and performing research at an institution. A PhD is an abbreviation for "Doctor of Philosophy.". It is the highest academic degree one can achieve. As such, it is a time-consuming pursuit that requires a lot of studying and research.

  9. Which research degree should I do—MSc, MD, or PhD?

    The compromise degrees are the MD or MS. These usually require two years of work and therefore permit more in-depth research than the MSc. The MD or its equivalent is popular among medics. When deciding which degree to go for you should check all the various regulations and also the fees that may be entailed. At the end of the day the choice is ...

  10. Joint Masters and PhD Programs

    Dual masters and PhD programs in Education could bridge courses in constitutional law with organizational theory. Students analyze theories, techniques, and methods of comparative and international education while they study civil procedure, contracts, and legal analysis. Penn State University Law (PSL) and the Higher Education (HI ED) Program ...

  11. MPhil vs MSc

    An MSc is a Master's degree short for Master of Science. Like an MPhil, they're typically undertaken shortly after completing an undergraduate course such as a Bachelor's degree. While MPhil courses are available in nearly all fields, MSc's are exclusive to STEM-based subjects, such as engineering, physics and maths.

  12. Integrated Masters with PhD

    The terms 'Integrated Masters with PhD', 'Integrated Masters' and 'Integrated PhD' all refer to the same research degree. Although these terms can be used interchangeably, we will refer to them as 'Integrated PhD' from this point onward to avoid any potential confusion. ... (MRes or MSc) and a PhD as opposed to a single ...

  13. What's the correct way of writing a higher education title (MSc or M.Sc

    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. -

  14. What is the difference between a master's degree and a Ph.D.?

    A Master degree is usually just an additional year or two of education where you take more graduate level classes. What you learn is kind of up to you and in many cases it's just a resume builder. A Ph.D. is effectively an entry level job and it takes 5-7 years.

  15. american english

    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.

  16. What is the Difference Between an MA and an MSc?

    MSc programmes will generally involve more contact hours than MA programmes. MA students can expect to attend three to five hours of timetabled activity per week, whereas those studying an MSc in a Social Science will have closer to 10 contact hours per week. An MSc in a 'hard' science (such as Chemistry or Physics) will often require ...

  17. Transition from MSc to PhD? Or finish MSc and get a PhD?

    I recommend the first option if you don't want to waste time. If you start a PhD and decide against it, you can always Master out. If you graduate with a Masters, starting a PhD will normally take the same amount of time as if you didn't have the Masters. 1.

  18. Different schools for Masters and PhD? : r/GradSchool

    In the US many students skip the Master's degree and join a PhD program that is typically 6 years. If you come in with a Master's degree the PhD theoretically takes less time, like 4 years. So 2+4 is still 6 to get the PhD. If you get a PhD at the same school I don't see how anyone could really judge it as any different that someone who spend ...

  19. This mother delivered a baby and a PhD dissertation on the same day

    This mother delivered a baby and a PhD dissertation on the same day

  20. How is it possible to do a master's and PhD program at the same time?

    Since nobody mentioned it yet, the situation in the UK is similar to that of the US - a Bachelor's degree is enough to get you into a PhD programme. The "classical" PhD here is a 3 year position, the students enrol into a Masters (by research) programme and turn in a transfer request after a year, entering the PhD programme proper.

  21. Study: Same genes that made gorilla penises small may make men

    We can then look at those same genes in infertile men and see if they have mutations," says the study's lead author, Vincent Lynch, PhD, associate professor of biological sciences in the UB College of Arts and Sciences. "Here the gorilla genome essentially acts as a discovery tool for finding candidate genes for human male fertility that ...

  22. Desperately need some career advice: MSc to pharma or PhD first

    For that you need a PhD or if you envisage a life away from the bench by your late 30s (which is almost mandatory) an MBA. Anyone I met in my career who didn't have a PhD I always wondered what had gone wrong, as will any HR. It's shit of course, but that's life. If you have any interest whatsoever in the business side do the MBA. If not PhD.

  23. Protecting deep-sea dwelling skates in an Australian toothfish ...

    PhD student Colette Appert, based at the University of Tasmania, is investigating the survival rates of skates accidentally caught on longlines in the Heard Island and McDonald Island toothfish and icefish fishery. ... Colette was awarded a Student Research Grant from the MSC's Ocean Stewardship Fund ... During the same voyage we tagged 21 ...

  24. Class of 2024: Former VCU men's golfer prepares for Ph.D. program

    "I think that's the same thing in the lab environment," Kempelingaiah said. "You're not always going to get the results you're hoping for, so you have to put in the work to actually understand what it is you're trying to do and keep on trying." Senkal echoed that sentiment. He noted other transferable skills, such as Kempelingaiah's attention ...

  25. Will getting a Bsc,Msc & PHD at the same University increase ...

    Very likely not at all. It's generally good advice not to get all 3 at the same university. A much better tactic would be to get your undergraduate and Masters at the University and become well known to the faculty. Then go somewhere else for a PhD. And hope for a lucky break of an opening that you can apply for.

  26. INTERACT-Africa PhD and MSc Scholarships 2024/2025 for Africans

    For PhD students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 36 months. For MSc students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 24 months. Eligibility criteria. The candidate must meet minimum requirement for admission into Masters and PhD programmes as stipulated by the host University Senate/regulating body.