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Posted Nov. 12, 2025

Master of arts degree or MSc: choosing the right postgraduate path

Choosing the right postgraduate path isn’t easy. Many prospective postgrads are surprised by the sheer volume of postgraduate courses and qualifications available both at home and overseas – our database alone contains 30,000 programs! Comparing postgraduate course types can help you narrow things down with your background and career goals in mind.

In this blog post, we compare two of the most popular postgraduate degrees. So, is a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) the right next step for you?

Areas of interest

One area where a Master of Arts (MA) and a Master of Science (MSc) differ drastically is in the disciplines they cover, a fact that can help you decipher which degree type is right for you pretty quickly!

MA degrees typically revolve around humanities, social sciences, arts, education, languages and communication, with some business or social research fields also covered. In comparison, MSc students would have an interest in natural sciences, engineering, technology, economics, psychology, quantitative business or finance.

Put simply, MAs hone in on the more creative side of these subject areas, while ensuring a conceptual understanding and theoretical framework that consolidates knowledge at a much higher level. MSc degrees are different, with a focus on evidence, analysis, technical and quantitative skills, and research throughout the syllabus.

Learning style

Aligning your postgraduate degree with your desired learning style is another must for any prospective student, and it’ll ensure you really make the most of your time at university. Again, an MA and MSc differ in this area too.

With a Master of Arts, students grow their knowledge through essays, seminars, discussion, reflective practice and project work. MSc students on the other hand are more data driven, with lab work, research, experiments, technical reports and statistical modelling all vital aspects of their education.

Assessment methods

It should come as no surprise that these differing learning and teaching styles mean varying assessment methods.

Coursework, essays, presentations and dissertations are just some of the practices used to demonstrate understanding on MA courses. With MSc courses, it’s the examinations, practical projects, lab reports and quantitative dissertations that are the deciding factors during the assessment process.

Entry requirements

While applying for an MA is typically seen as much easier and less strict than the criteria for MSc courses, it is important to note that the entry requirements for each individual course vary. Please check the course material for further details.

Career goals

When picking the perfect masters program, it is essential that you consider not just your immediate ambitions but your longer term career goals. We’ll let Open University explain more about your options after graduating with an MA degree:

“Studying Arts and Humanities provides graduates with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations leading in many career directions. Employers in all fields value applicants who can deal competently with large amounts of complex information and turn it to good use. In addition, problem solving and effective communication and presentation of ideas and arguments are skills that can be used in a variety of functions…”

Data, tech and scientific industries offer homes for MSc graduates possessing the right skills, with careers with a technical edge often the ideal paths.

Search for your MA or MSc course

Whether you’ve decided a Master of Arts or a Master of Science is right for you, you’re exactly where you need to be to find the perfect course. Search our database to get started.

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Master of Arts (MA) - The Complete Guide

Masters of Science (MSc) - The Complete Guide

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