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• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on June 1, 2023.

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 step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

• Computer Science
• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

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Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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

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.

What is the difference between a postgraduate taught master’s and a postgraduate research master’s?

Pgce, mres, ma, msc or phd if you’re considering postgraduate study, use this guide to learn the difference between the kinds of postgraduate degrees on offer.

Richard Carruthers

Postgraduate courses come in many formats, ranging from vocational diplomas and certificates through to master’s and doctoral qualifications.

The two most common categories of postgraduate study are postgraduate taught (PGT) courses and postgraduate research (PGR) courses.

As you shop around potential postgraduate courses, you may also come across the PGCE, the LLM, the MRes, the MPhil and the PhD.

But what is the difference between all these acronyms?

Below is a guide explaining the differences between all the postgraduate degrees on offer, including how the application process varies between them.

Postgraduate taught (PGT) courses

Postgraduate taught courses are sometimes called level 7 qualifications and are one of the most common kinds of master’s degrees. When people refer to master’s courses, they usually mean a postgraduate taught course.

These courses are typically one year in duration if studied full-time, or two years if studying part-time.

The course will usually comprise several months of taught classes, much like undergraduate study, followed by an intensive independent research project for the final few months.

These courses have highly specialised content, making them great launchpads for careers where specialist knowledge is required. They are also often used as a stepping stone to more advanced research degrees.

What’s the difference between an MSc and an MA?

Postgraduate taught courses will usually lead to either an MSc or an MA qualification, depending on the subject you choose.

An MSc stands for a “master of science” and will focus on advancing a particular aspect of scientific research across the sciences, engineering, mathematics or a similar field that involves logic, scientific research or numbers.

An MA refers to a “master of arts”, and covers postgraduate taught degrees in the arts and humanities, such as literature, languages, history, cultural studies and some social sciences.

Applying for a postgraduate taught course

To apply for a postgraduate taught course, you will normally be asked to provide transcripts showing your academic performance on your undergraduate degree, a personal statement and a CV.

Your CV should focus on your educational achievements and interests and discuss any project work that shows you have the technical and academic skills needed to be a successful and independent postgraduate student.

Your personal statement can be tackled in a similar way to a cover letter, where you introduce yourself and convey your interest, enthusiasm and motivation to study the subject. It is also advisable to tailor your statement to each course you apply for and to explain your interest in some of the modules offered by that specific course.

It can also be beneficial to demonstrate some thought around where the course will lead you in the future, whether that’s into a new career or towards further study.

With postgraduate taught courses, you often won’t have to submit a research proposal for your research project as part of your application, as the taught elements of the course are meant to help inform your research proposal.

However, some postgraduate master’s courses may ask for you to submit a research proposal or at least have an idea of the topic you want to do your master’s dissertation on, even if this changes later.

Applying to master’s courses is generally done through a decentralised system, meaning you apply individually to each course and university. Each institution will set different entrance and application requirements. Check the exact requirements your course is looking for, and get in touch with the institution’s postgraduate admissions office with any questions.

What are MRes and MPhil degrees?

The MPhil stands for “master of philosophy”. The MRes course option, which is relatively new but has grown in popularity in recent years, stands for a “master of research”.

Much like postgraduate taught courses, both the MPhil and the MRes are technically classified as level 7 qualifications, and typically take one year to complete.

The main difference between an MRes or MPhil and a postgraduate taught course is that MRes and MPhil courses place much more focus on individual research, with as much as 60 per cent to 100 per cent of either degree consisting of a personal research project.

Given the heavy research focus, MRes and MPhil courses tend to contain fewer taught classes, but you will usually receive training in research techniques. As a result of the research focus, an MRes or an MPhil may help prepare a student for a doctoral programme (PGR) or a career that requires specific research skills and techniques.

Applying for an MRes or MPhil course is very similar to applying for a postgraduate taught course, but you may be asked to submit a research proposal as part of your application, so it’s important to have an idea of the kind of research project you would like to pursue.

Doctorate courses

Postgraduate research (PGR) courses are sometimes called level 8 qualifications and usually refer to doctorate courses.

These courses take about three to four years of full-time study to complete, but the exact duration of a doctorate course depends on whether you get involved in teaching, how long your research takes to complete and how long it takes you to write your doctorate thesis.

Successful PhD candidates are awarded doctoral qualifications such as doctor of philosophy (PhD) or doctor of engineering (EngD), depending on their field of research.

Research is the core component of a PhD programme, and you will be expected to produce original work on a specific subject topic, usually in the form of a thesis.

Doctorate qualifications are often a prerequisite for a career as a university academic, researcher or scientist in industry.

Applying for a doctorate (PhD) programme

To apply for a doctorate degree, you’ll need to submit a personal statement and a CV, both providing evidence of your academic experiences and passion for the subject.

Some PhD programmes will expect you to have already completed a postgraduate taught programme, but this isn’t always essential.

For a PhD, you may also be asked to submit a detailed research proposal outlining a specific research question you would like to address, the subject area you will work in, and the approach you would take to solving this.

Your proposal should demonstrate your current knowledge and discuss how your research idea could develop or challenge existing knowledge. You should also mention the potential significance of your research and why it would be a useful contribution to your chosen field.

Usually, you will be expected to apply individually to each PhD programme you’re interested in. Places will usually be dependent on your academic achievements, but also on the funding available in your chosen university department and whether the university can provide an appropriate supervisor.

If you’re considering applying for a PhD, it may be worth contacting academics individually to discuss whether they’d be interested in supervising you and asking about any funding opportunities.

Other postgraduate courses

Aside from the categories discussed above, there are many other classifications of master’s degrees, including postgraduate diplomas and certificates.

Often these lead to a vocational qualification that is used to gain entry to a specific profession.

Examples include the postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE), which leads to a career in teaching, the graduate diploma in law (GDL) or master of law (LLM), which opens the door to the legal professions, or the master of business administration (MBA), which is a common choice for business professionals looking to gain entry to C-suite positions.

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Masters vs PhD: Which is Right For You?

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:

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:

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:

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:

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

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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?

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Mphil vs msc: the differences explained.

MPhils and MScs are both highly regarded in the world of academia, as well as in the workplace. The type of masters degree you opt for will depend on the subjects available to study, your preferred study mode and assessment methods.

Whether you choose to study an MPhil vs MSc may also depend on your career aspirations, each type is better suited to particular career paths. Additionally, some industries may favour one type of masters over another. 

An MPhil can often lead students towards academic careers, whereas an MSc is often more suitable for industry-led careers – although both are incredibly valuable qualifications and will increase your employability wherever you ultimately want to end up.

This article explains the main differences between an MPhil and MSc. So, if you’re wondering which of these masters degrees is right for you, you’re in the right place.

What is an MPhil?

The abbreviation ‘MPhil’ stands for ‘Master of Philosophy’ and the qualification itself is an advanced postgraduate research degree. It is considered an advanced postgraduate degree because the research involved goes further than that of an ordinary masters degree (MA or MSc) and it is often used as a stepping-stone to studying a PhD . 

In fact, students often enrol on an MPhil prior to undertaking a PhD to gain additional research experience and skills. And in the case of some PhDs, studying an MPhil is a necessary requirement and can be an integrated part of the PhD itself.

With an emphasis on independent research, an MPhil is considered to be the most advanced postgraduate research degree before a PhD. It takes less time to complete as a standalone course than a PhD. 

Most MPhils take two years of full-time study, rather than the three-four years of study required by a PhD. The finished research project (dissertation) is also shorter than that of a PhD (around 60,000 words versus 80,000 words). 

The primary purpose of an MPhil is that it helps students learn basics of research and acquire new techniques, preparing them for an array of academic and career opportunities.

What is an MSc?

The term ‘MSc’ stands for ‘ Master of Science ’ and this is a postgraduate-level qualification in a scientific, mathematical or technology-based subject. 

In the UK, an MSc usually takes one year of full-time study or two years part time, and is studied after the completion of an undergraduate degree, usually in a similar STEM-related field. In Europe and the United States , MSc degrees often take a minimum of two years to complete on a full-time basis.

MSc degrees are usually taught-based rather than research-based, as their scientific focus lends itself to lab work, seminars, workshops and face-to-face peer and lecturer interaction.

As such, an MSc will include similar teaching methods to an undergraduate degree, however students are expected to work much more independently than they did during their BSc and will be encouraged to develop their own ideas during assignments and when writing their dissertation.

Most MSc programs will require a qualification of 2.1 or higher at undergraduate level.

An MSc usually covers STEM subjects , as well as medicine and healthcare. Examples of subjects studied as an MSc are:

Science – including Biology , Chemistry and Physics

Engineering

Mathematics

Some social sciences can also be studied as an MSc as well as an MA, for example:

Anthropology

Sociology  

MPhil vs MSc: the main differences

Subject areas

MSc degrees tend to focus on the sciences. MSc students can choose from a wide range of topics including Biochemistry , Natural Science and Geology .

Whilst an MPhil can be studied in all subject areas, it is most commonly studied in the arts, humanities and social sciences as it can generally be considered to be an in-depth research program into a topic that concerns humankind as a whole.

Length of study

The length of time it takes to study an MPhil vs MSc can vary depending on the institution and the individual courses, but typically in the UK an MPhil takes two years to complete and an MSc takes one year of full-time study.

Length of study will aslo vary depending on whether you study full time or part time, with part time MPhils and MScs taking longer to complete. 

When considering an MPhil vs MSc one thing to consider is whether you want to study a taught or research masters program . 

An MSc is typically a taught masters degree which means there is more contact time, lab work, seminars and workshops. This means more direct interaction with the teaching staff and student cohort. 

An MPhil is likely to be more research-based with a greater focus on independent research. Teaching staff will still be on hand to offer advice, answer any queries and help with research and dissertation.

Academia vs career

An MPhil is often considered to be a stepping-stone to studying a PhD, whether it’s studied as part of an integrated MPhil and PhD course or even as a standalone postgraduate qualification. MPhils are often the course of choice for those interested in pursuing academia further. 

Being more industry-focussed, an MSc is often intended with a career as the next step. For example, an MSc in Biomedical Engineering is highly specialised for a career in this field, whereas an MPhil in Human Sciences offers a much broader subject scope with higher potential for transferable skills. 

Another main difference between MPhil and MSc degrees is their popularity. MSc degrees are more popular and widely available than MPhil degrees, with considerably more students choosing MSc and MA degrees over MPhils. 

Learning styles

MSc degrees typically focus on theoretical and practical aspects of study, whereas an MPhil typically only focuses on theoretical aspects and includes extended independent research. It is unlikely that an MPhil will involve much practical study, such as laboratory work, but this is much more common in MSc programs. 

Assessment methods

Because an MPhil is research-based and an MSc taught-based, the assessment methods used for these two types of masters programs are different. While an MPhil is mostly assessed with an extended thesis (around 60,000 words) and a viva , an MSc is assessed through a series of exams, coursework and a dissertation (around 40,000 words).

This is important to consider when weighing up whether to study an MPhil or MSc, as the assessments are a huge part of the process that you’ll have to commit to.

Country of study

An MPhil isn’t offered worldwide, in fact it’s mainly offered at UK universities. Although it is also available in Australia and New Zealand. You can’t study an MPhil at European universities, but it is a recognised qualification under the European Bologna Process.

A popular choice of masters program in the UK, an MSc is a widely available qualification at other countries around the world, including mainland Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia. The MSc is a standard masters qualification recognised around the world.

So, if you intend to study abroad, or work abroad after graduating, an MSc could be a more suitable choice. 

Is an MSc equal to an MPhil?

Both the MSc and MPhil are Level 7 postgraduate qualifications. The main difference is that an MPhil is considered a more advanced masters degree than MSc and MA , as it prepares students for more advanced PhD research skills and is the highest level of masters program that you can study before doctoral study. 

As an MPhil typically takes two years to study full time in the UK, whereas the MSc takes just one year of full-time study, an MPhil could be regarded as higher ranking as it takes twice the amount of study time.

MPhil vs MSc: the main similarities

There are several key similarities between the MPhil and MSc.

Both an MPhil and MSc degree are postgraduate Level 7 degrees. All Level 7 qualifications are suitable for those seeking to attain a qualification and knowledge above undergraduate degree level (Level 6). 

Although an MPhil is often the route to PhD study – especially when taken as part of an integrated PhD – both qualifications can be used as a route to study a PhD program.

An MPhil and an MSc both teach students research and academic skills.

MPhil vs MSc: summary

Which is better, mphil or msc.

Both an MPhil and an MSc are Level 7 postgraduate qualifications demonstrating excellence in academic progression. However, an MPhil is the most advanced masters degree ranking above an MSc and MA in terms of academic achievement. An MPhil is considered a step between taught masters degrees and a PhD. 

This doesn’t mean that an MPhil is the right choice for everyone as it depends on personal choice and preferences such as career goals, study paths, preferred study methods, chosen subject, country of study, etc.

Both postgraduate qualifications are highly regarded, an MPhil is a good choice for those embarking on an academic research career and an MSc is good for industry-profession careers.

Is an MPhil better for getting into a PhD program?

An MPhil is considered the most advanced masters degree, providing a similar skillset to a PhD and a more refined research experience than an MSc or MA degree. This makes studying an MPhil an excellent way to prepare for PhD study.

At most UK universities it is possible to upgrade an MPhil to a PhD partway through studying MPhil if you decide at this stage that you want to continue down the academic pathway further.

It is not mandatory to do an MPhil prior to a PhD, although it is an excellent way to improve your independent research and analytical skills before embarking on the Level 8 qualification.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, although both the MPhil and MSc are Level 7 postgraduate qualifications, they are suited to different individuals. Study an MPhil if you want a career in research or academia or are considering progressing onto a PhD and want to make sure your research skills are on point. 

If you’re keen on pursuing a career in industry after your masters degree, an MSc is an excellent choice. With a study time of half the length and a research project that’s around 30% shorter, by studying an MSc you will still achieve a masters-level qualification that expands your knowledge and skills set as well as enhance your CV with less time investment.

Whatever option you choose, MPhil vs MSc, postgraduate study is a great choice for students worldwide.

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Master of Science – What is an MSc?

What Is An MPhil Student? A Definition

Master of Arts (MA) – The Complete Guide

MA vs MSc – What’s the Difference?

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Sep. 6, 2022

The difference between an mcs, mscs and phd in computer science, while all teach computer science concepts, mcs, mscs & phd degrees have key differences. learn about cs programs & which degree can help advance your career..

Advancing your career in computer science—or a related field like software engineering, product management, cybersecurity, or IT—may require an advanced degree to help you reach your full potential in the field. In researching degree options, you’ll have to consider a few different types of graduate degrees: Should I pursue a master’s vs a PhD? Which will best meet my needs: a MCS vs MSCS degree?

Because the duration, cost, prerequisites and curriculum requirements for each degree program can vary, it is recommended that you research and choose the degree type that best aligns with your personal career goals and aspirations. Whether your goal is to advance your career within private industry (for example, a publicly-traded tech company), to advance within academia and research/R&D, or to pursue a combination of both, there is a degree that is right for you.

What is a Master of Computer Science (MCS) Program?

An MCS (or MSE, MCIT, and other topical variations) is a professional, non-thesis master’s degree program in computer science, software, and tech/IT that emphasizes hands-on, real-world experience and projects in a practical industry context for career advancement. These degree programs are designed to develop your practical skills in computer science, software engineering, data engineering, algorithms, big data, cybersecurity and more, preparing you to work in a variety of industries and companies. Because the primary focus of these programs is to help you advance or change careers in industry, a thesis or research component is not required.

For example, in Rice's online master's in computer science program, we tailor a curriculum to help students advance careers in big tech and high-growth digital jobs across industries, from healthcare to energy to professional services. Students are expected to both design and implement complex software systems, both individually and within a collaborative team setting. Students will also learn how to effectively communicate their ideas and solutions to clients and stakeholders, furthering their potential to land lucrative careers in a professional setting.

The required 30 hours of coursework for Rice’s Online Master of Computer Science program typically takes part-time working professionals about 2-3 years to complete (on-campus students often complete full-time in about 1 year).

Master of Computer Science Career Opportunities

From AI and robotics to computer architecture and networks, a Rice Online MCS degree offers ample opportunity for specialized skill development. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , MCS graduates have found career opportunities with top technology companies where they can earn a median salary of $126,830 per year. Master of computer science careers are lucrative and ever-growing and are projected to continue expanding at an above-average rate through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . That means an MCS degree can not only offer a career return on investment in a shorter timeframe but also paves a shorter pathway to your ultimate computer science career goals when compared to other advanced degree programs.

Master of Computer Science Program Requirements

To increase your chances of acceptance into a master's like the MCS@Rice degree program, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree (preferably in a STEM/technical field), programming experience, and a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. GPA exceptions may be granted with competitive GRE scores. Your degree isn’t necessarily required to be in computer science. MCS requirements include programming experience in conventional languages, statically typed languages, data structures and basic algorithms, along with basic discrete math and Boolean logic skills. MCS Admissions accepts and reviews applications on a rolling basis.

What is a Masters of Science in Computer Science?

An MSCS is a graduate research degree that requires a thesis or research component. It prepares students to progress in academic research (as a "gateway" to a PhD) or industry. It’s common for an MSCS to require an engaging course load, but also a body of independent research, a thesis, and the defense of that thesis to a panel of Faculty experts.

The course work covers many of the same core concepts that are taught in an MCS program--for example, advanced math and programming skills, along with problem-solving, data engineering with big data, and more. But in an MSCS program, graduate students will focus deeply on a particular topic or area of research in completing their research or thesis requirement. Conversely, an MCS program will culminate with a capstone course or a practical way to apply concepts learned to real-world, industry context. In this way, MCS students may be better equipped to build a well-rounded portfolio for job interviews.

Career Opportunities With a Master of Science in Computer Science

An MSCS degree balances the theory and practice of computer science to prepare students for either professional industry or academic research paths. An MSCS degree can prepare students for a range of career opportunities in areas such as research and development (R&D), innovation hubs or labs, teaching, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for educator positions range from $80,000 to over $100,000 , and the median pay for computer and information research scientists is $131,490 .

Opportunities in both of these areas are growing faster than average. That means an MSCS degree can provide a higher career return on investment for research-oriented students who are primarily interested in academic pursuits and educating others in the industry.

In addition, the MSCS can be a valuable stepping stone to pursuing a PhD degree in a more advanced field.

MSCS Degree Requirements

Each MSCS program will have varying requirements for admission. The MSCS requirements for applications usually include a Bachelor of Science degree in a related STEM field. A computer science degree is often not required, but some programming knowledge and math skills are recommended.

While completing the MSCS degree, students are often expected to conduct an independent research program and demonstrate professional skills in both oral and written communication within the field of computer science. Additionally, it is typical for MSCS students to defend their academic thesis no later than 4 years after beginning the program.

What is a PhD in Computer Science?

A PhD in computer science is required for those who wish to become Professors of computer science in an academic or research setting. This degree program requires upwards of four to six years of study and includes an intense research period with a thesis combined with advanced coursework. It is an ideal choice for those who want to pursue advanced research in computer science, and even teach what they’ve studied to other students and colleagues in the industry.

Potential career paths for PhD graduates include:

• Computer Science Professor
• Computer Scientist
• Principal Investigator (PI)
• Lead, Research & Development (R&D)

Doctorate programs in computer science often include a rigorous course load, along with a thesis and final oral defense. Some PhD programs offer financial aid or partial scholarships, while some are fully funded.

Career Opportunities With a PhD in Computer Science

The primary objective of a Computer Science PhD program is to launch a doctoral candidate further into groundbreaking computer science research, publishing and teaching, usually in a university context. Often, PhD recipients work at universities, thinktanks, nonprofits or government, putting their considerable depth of expertise to work in developing innovative solutions and shaping policy. Research and development (R&D) functions or innovation labs in companies across industries employ computer science PhDs, as well.

Doctoral Requirements for a PhD in Computer Science

PhD students are expected to demonstrate an expert-level understanding of theory and core concepts across a variety of computer science sub-disciplines. Students should be able to problem solve by combining knowledge from different sources and specifically exhibit deep knowledge in their primary research areas. Students are also expected to conduct independent research where they will identify and pose a research problem within computer science, place that problem in context within the established research and literature of the field, and conduct an independent investigation that leads to credible scientific results--then defending those results. PhD students often serve as teaching assistants alongside lecturers or full professors of computer science.

Requiring a lengthy time commitment, PhD in computer science programs often require 90+ hours of required coursework and at least one 500-level research project. A bachelor's or master’s degree is a pre-requisite for acceptance into the PhD program. A background in computer science is preferred, but may not be mandatory.

Additional Computer Science Programs

Other advanced degrees in computer science are also available to strengthen your knowledge and advance your career. For example, there is a Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT), as well as other specializations in Computer Science such as cybersecurity and bioinformatics. Certificates in computer science and other specialty areas can be earned through platforms such as Coursera, including those offered through online Rice courses .

Choosing The Right Computer Science Degree

Despite their similarities, understanding the differences between master's and PhD programs—and between an MCS and an MSCS—can help you decide which program is best for your career goals and professional objectives. The table below lists many of those differences:

Differences Between Advanced Computer Science Degrees

Choosing an MCS program is about more than just the difference between master’s and PhD programs.

Begin Your Computer Science Career

Apply to an advanced Computer Science degree program today to set yourself up for a successful education that aligns with your computer science career goals. Our MCS@Rice program is nationally ranked with world-class faculty who can help you customize your degree and enhance your computer science skills.

Get More Information

Sign up to receive more information on how the MCS@Rice program can help you broaden your career options. Connect with an Enrollment Coach today.

By submitting your information, you agree that Rice University and others working on its behalf may contact you via phone, email and/or text message. You may opt out at any time.

Guide to Masters degrees: MA, MSc, MBA, LLM, ... - Glossary

Author: Claudia Civinini

Claudia has many years of experience as a reporter and writer on international education and student mobility. Originally from Italy, she holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Genova; a Graduate Diploma in Education, Secondary Education and Teaching from the Australian Catholic University; and a joint MSc in Educational Neuroscience from UCL and Birkbeck, University of London. Claudia has previously worked as Chief Reporter for the English Language Gazette, as Senior Reporter for the PIE News (Professionals in International Education), and as Reporter for Tes.

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MA, MSc, MRes, PhD, Eng D... different types of postgraduate courses

targetjobs editorial team

Last updated: 25 Jan 2023, 13:36

If you're at a crossroads between employment and further study, take the time to consider the huge variety of postgraduate courses on offer.

From one-year taught courses to three-year research PhDs, choosing the right postgraduate course can give you the edge in a jobs market already crowded with first degree holders. Find out what's available, what's involved and which type of course will best suit your needs. When weighing up the pros and cons of going into work or further study remember that you need not limit yourself to just one of the two.

Take a look at the lists below to find a qualification and a study method that works around you...and your career. Once you've short-listed your favourites, it's a very good idea to have a chat with potential employers to find out how they view the qualification, or even the university, you are considering. Your main options are:

Taught courses

Master of arts (MA) or Master of science (MSc)

• Taught courses most commonly come in the form of a masters degree
• One to two years full time
• Two to three years part time
• Includes seminars, lectures, tutorials, project work, oral work, some research, a thesis/dissertation and exams. The balance between these varies.

Research degrees

Doctorates (PhDs)

PhDs can be started immediately after your first degree or a masters course. It’s more common for students of sciences than arts to start a PhD straight after an undergraduate degree. They involve research into a chosen topic under the supervision of an experienced academic.

• Three to four years full time
• Four to six years part time
• Considered very intellectually challenging
• Includes a thesis of around 100,000 words and usually an oral presentation.

An EngD (engineering doctorate) is an alternative to a PhD for students looking for a career in engineering. Like those studying for a PhD, EngD students will conduct in-depth research. However, they will also spend up to 75% of their time gaining direct experience in the industry by working for a company.

Masters programmes by research (including MSc, MPhil, MRes)

These are known as MRes (master of research), MPhil (master of philosophy), MSc by research or MA by research. Put simply, these are masters programmes that rely heavily on your own private research, supervised by an experienced academic.

• Two to four years part time
• Usually involves training in research methods, but less teaching than a taught masters
• Similar in structure to a doctorate, only shorter
• Includes the production of a thesis and usually an oral presentation
• Good preparation for a PhD
• Fees usually lower than for taught masters.

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What is an mphil.

Looking to get stuck into your studies with an undergrad and a postgrad rolled into one?? The MPhil is the perfect course for you to take!

While an MPhil may not turn you into a modern-day version of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates (no, not the footballer) or Confucius, it will give you a fantastic degree in some of the best subjects that universities can offer.

An MPhil will also massively improve your student CV as well, and make you an even more desirable candidate for employers.

The MPhil stands for Master of Philosophy. The MPhil is an advanced postgraduate degree, which is a mixture of both taught subjects and researched subjects that conclude with a monitored thesis project.

Generally, the MPhil is used as a way of gaining entrance to a normal PhD programme. The MPhil degree is considered a research degree, like an MRes degree .

As this is a research-based degree, does that mean that only Russell Group universities offer the MPhil? The Russell Group of Universities are a collection of research-based universities. Despite this, they are not the only universities in the UK that can offer an MPhil degree for students.

That isn’t to say that Russell Group Universities don’t offer them! Most universities in the UK, as long as they offer postgraduate study, will likely offer the MPhil as a degree type. You’ll need to check the individual universities to see which will offer you this path.

What subjects can I study in the MPhil?

The MPhil is unique in that it is rewarded in all academic subjects. Although a lot of postgraduate research programmes offer this, it also suffers from the drawback of not having the discipline in the title.

There are different types of MPhils as well, which are occasionally offered in Arts and Humanities subjects. The MPhil is a somewhat general postgraduate degree and can support anyone in any academic discipline.

An MPhil is not just for Philosophy, despite its name. While you can study an MPhil Philosophy, you can also look for an MPhil in Law, MPhil Management, MPhil Economics or even MPhil Finance.

What is the difference between an MPhil and a PhD?

The MPhil is a Master of Philosophy, a research degree that focuses on possibly gaining entry to a PhD in the future and is relevant in all subject areas.

A PhD is the highest degree honour that a university can offer. While a PhD has elements of research, it’s mainly a theoretical degree. A PhD is a Doctorate degree awarded by universities and means that people can now refer to themselves as ‘Doctor’ within their research field. An MPhil is a two-year course (sometimes three). The MPhil is seen as the opening to a further PhD degree and is seen as a great way to gain entry to a better qualification.

How long does an MPhil take?

In the UK, a MPhil is usually two years, when it is studied as a full degree. If studied part-time, it can take four or five years.

MPhil vs MSc: what’s the difference?

The MSc is a theoretical degree, whereas the MPhil is research-based. While both are postgraduate degrees and both are generally studied after a bachelor’s degree, the MPhil and the MSc are both separate in other respects.

For instance, the MSc is a Master of Science. This is a course that covers mainly scientific studies, engineering and medicine, among others. Meanwhile, the MPhil itself covers a number of different academic disciplines.

How much is the MPhil?

The MPhil is typically around £5,000 for a full-time degree and around £3,000 for a part-time degree. Although, prices depend on where you're studying.

There is, however, funding available for those who require it. Various bursaries , grants and scholarships are available for students.

What countries offer the MPhil?

Unfortunately, the MPhil is not very well represented throughout the world. The MPhil is most common in the UK, as doctoral study is research-based and is a great pathway into a PhD, as a result, other countries do not offer the MPhil.

That being said, countries like New Zealand and Australia also offer degrees for students as well. American universities do not offer an MPhil degree, they offer a PhD, however, their students transfer to the final stage of the programme, which is called ABD (which stands for All But Dissertation).

What is MPhil Cambridge?

An MPhil is a little different at the University of Cambridge . At Cambridge, the MPhil is a degree that is studied between nine and twelve months, whereas the MPhil by Research degree is studied all year round. They both still work in the same way as a normal MPhil, in that they serve as an entry point to full PhDs and introduce you to research skills and specialist knowledge.

What is unusual, however, is that the Cambridge MPhil must be made to continue into a PhD. Oxbridge has a tendency to do things a little differently from other universities, so a supervisor must also be identified before you can study for your PhD.

What level is the MPhil?

In most universities, an MPhil is seen as a Masters-level degree. The UK National Qualifications Framework (NQF) identifies a general MPhil as being a Level 7 qualification, which is similar to an MA, MSc or an MRes.

The MPhil is a great degree to study if you’re looking to go on and study a PhD at university. It is also a great way to expand your knowledge in a certain subject.While many go onto a PhD, lots of students don’t and instead use the MPhil as a way of showcase their knowledge on their CV.

How old do you have to be to study an MPhil?

The age isn’t important when studying an MPhil. The barrier to studying an MPhil degree is that students must have an undergraduate degree before they can study it.

With this in mind, you will likely be22 to 23 before you can start studying your MPhil. This will mean that students will need to be mature students when they study the degree, but the actual age is not a requirement when applying, just that you have an undergraduate degree.

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M.Sc Ph.D Integrated Course, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Scope & Career

• What is M.Sc Ph.D

M.Sc Ph.D is a three to six years-long dual degree programme that combines MSc and P.hD. This integrated course rewards a student with a double degree. A M.Sc. is a postgraduate degree in science discipline. Candidates who have completed a B.Sc. are eligible for enrolling in M.Sc. While a PhD is a doctoral level research degree programme. Candidates who have completed 10+2+3+2 or 10+2+4 level course are eligible for enrolling in the Ph.D. course. The multi-disciplinary curriculum covers the core and elective course modules. M.Sc. Ph.D integrated course is designed to fulfil the requirements of a modern researcher of familiarity with the experimental and theoretical fields.

What is M.Sc. Ph.D full form?

M.sc ph.d highlights, m.sc. ph.d fee structure, why choose m.sc ph.d, m.sc ph.d eligibility, m.sc. ph.d. skills, m.sc ph.d admission process, m.sc ph.d entrance examinations, m.sc. ph.d. cut off, m.sc ph.d syllabus, m.sc. ph.d. specialisations, what after m.sc ph.d dual degree, career opportunities after m.sc ph.d dual degree, top private m.sc. ph.d. colleges, top government m.sc. ph.d. colleges.

M.Sc. PhD stands for Master of Science- Doctor of Philosophy. It is an integrated programme designed by combining postgraduate degree M.Sc. and doctoral degree Ph.D. It involves advanced courses, foundation courses, and research work. Students are rewarded with M.Sc and Ph.D degrees on completion of the one-degree program.

This M.Sc. Ph.D dual degree program consists of two semesters, and for the first two years in each, students are dedicated to pursuing some small research projects. They are given a choice to select their guides and laboratories during this period. The next 4.5 to 5 years of the candidate's educational journey revolves around research. M.Sc Ph.D integrated course is ideal as it spares additional years for those students who pursue both M.Sc and Ph.D separately.

M.Sc.-Ph.D dual degree program fee structure varies significantly across government and private-run institutions. The fee structure at public institutions fluctuates between Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 2.38 Lakhs per academic year. The fee structure at private institutions fluctuates between Rs. 2.60 Lakh to Rs. 11.20 Lakh per academic year.

On average, top institutions like IIT-Bombay charges Rs. 50,000 per academic year, IIT- Kanpur charges Rs. Thirty-six thousand per academic year, and IIT- Kharagpur charges Rs. 12,000 per academic year. Other than the tuition fee, these charges often include the library fees, hostel charges, campus development charges, museums/ art visits, and incidentals. Public colleges typically charge a lower fee.

It is an integrated course of Master of Science with Doctorate of Philosophy ideal for students with scientific vigour for theoretical knowledge and research.

Depending on the choice or interest, students can choose a specialisation that edges their research-oriented skills and aids them in constructing a career in this field. M.Sc Ph.D integrated course is an ideal programme for students with an inclination towards advanced research in fundamental sciences.

M.Sc. Ph.D dual degree is a program explicitly designed for students who choose to pursue a research-oriented career.

The M.Sc-Ph.D integrated degree program involves research work, foundation courses, and advanced courses that rewards students with both the M.Sc and Ph.D course programs simultaneously on completion of one program.

Students who complete the M.Sc+Ph.D integrated degree course will be paid a stipend for their fellowship associated with the institution.a

The Master of Science with Doctorate of Philosophy degree program typically includes writing a thesis or dissertation in the M.Sc period.

The M.Sc course program is designed for those students with a want to involve themselves in scientific research & theoretical knowledge with specialisations in the field of interest.

Students with an M.Sc+Ph.D integrated degree course can get an average starting pay package of INR 26,000/- to 30,000/- per month, depending on the job profile and employment area.

The institutions like Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar , University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata IIT, Kharagpur , offer the M.Sc+Ph.D integrated course.

The eligibility criterion for the M.Sc Ph.D integrated degree is similar to various integrated programs in other disciplines. The following candidates are eligible for an M.sc Ph.D course -

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology or Chemistry or Pharmacy or Biology or Mathematics or Agriculture or Veterinary Sciences or Physics as applicable to individual disciplines, under the 10+2+3/4 system, can apply to this program.

Candidates with BE or B. Tech degree programs who qualify in the Mathematics or Mathematical Statistics paper in the JAM entrance exam can apply for the Mathematical Sciences.

Students with BE or B. Tech degree programs who qualify in the Biotechnology paper in the JAM entrance exam can apply to the Biological Sciences.

Candidates who have cleared JEST are eligible to apply for an M.Sc Ph.D integrated degree.

Candidates who seek admission for M.sc Ph.D integrated degree at IISc should qualify in the JAM Entrance examination.

Additional Criteria Requirements

The minimum eligibility criteria for admission in M.Sc. Ph.D integrated degree program is an aggregate of 55 percent to 60 percent and above or equivalent grade in the Bachelor’s degree.

The minimum eligibility criteria for SC/ST candidates are relaxed to pass class over the first class in the qualifying examination.

Departmental specifications require an eligibility criterion of subjects at the Bachelor's or 10+2 standard levels. To deem eligible for certain institutional departments, candidates must ensure that these requirements are met.

Final year graduates - students appearing for their final year qualifying examination and awaiting the results are also eligible to apply. However, this sect of students should have met the eligibility criteria for the award of the qualifying degree, including all the entrance examinations, dissertation projects, and viva-voce at the time of admission.

Candidates who pursue M.Sc. Ph.D. integrated course develop following skills over the period of time being enrolled in the dual degree integrated programme.

The admission procedure for M.Sc. Ph.D. dual degree program consists of a written test - Entrance examination. Candidates need to qualify in the written entrance test. Qualified students will be called for final selection. Qualified students will have to complete a six-year course. Upon successful completion, students can successfully start with their course program.

Aspirants must appear for an entrance examination to get admission into M.Sc. Ph.D integrated course there are various institutions-based entrance examinations for the M.Sc. Ph.D dual degree program. However, the top four entrance examination are as follows:

M.Sc Ph.D Entrance Exam

Admissions to M.Sc. Ph.D. programmes are provided on the basis of candidates performance in the entrance examination or merit of previously passing examinations. Several institutions conduct their own entrance examination to provide admissions while the rest accept the scores of national and state level entrance examinations. We have provided below details of major M.Sc. Ph.D. entrance examinations.

JEE Advanced: JEE Advanced is also known as Joint Entrance Examination Advanced. It is a national level entrance examination famous for providing admissions in engineering colleges. JEE Advanced score is valid for admissions in technical and architectural courses.

BITSAT: BITSAT stands for Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test. BIT SAT is a university level entrance examination conducted to provide admissions in various academic courses running in college.

AP EAMCET: AP EAMCET stands for Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture and Medicine Common Entrance Test. It is a state level examination conducted to provide admissions to eligible candidates in academic courses of engineering, agriculture and medicine disciplines.

KIITEE : KIITEE stands for Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination. It is a university level entrance examination conducted to provide admissions to various academic courses running in university.

CUSAT CAT : CUSAT CAT stands for Cochin University of Science and Technology Common Admission Test. It is a university level examination conducted to provide admissions in various academic disciplines running in Cochin University.

Cut off is the minimum requirement of percentage, marks or scores acquired by candidates in the previously passing examination or entrance examination. Cut off is released every year by colleges to provide admissions. Those who secure more scores or higher rank than cut off or equivalent to it are eligible for further participation in the admission process and get themselves enrolled in the respective course and college.

Popular Engineering Colleges in India

We have provided below a list of popular engineering colleges. Aspirants who want to enroll in an engineering programme may check out the admission criteria and other details of these colleges.

Top Ph.D. Colleges by Location

There are plenty of Ph.D colleges in India . Candidates seeking admission in Ph.D. course may check top colleges offering the course in various locations with the assistance of table provided below.

The syllabus of integrated M.Sc. Ph.D integrated course may vary from college to college. After completion of a B.Sc. in any specialisation relevant to physics, chemistry, mathematics or biology, candidates can enroll in M.Sc. Ph.D. programme. We have provided below the syllabus of integrated M.Sc. Ph.D. depending on specialisations.

M.Sc. Ph.D Mathematics Syllabus:

Syllabus for Semesters 1 and 2

Syllabus for Semesters 3 and 4

M.Sc. Ph.D Chemistry Syllabus

Aspirants may check M.Sc. Ph.D. Chemistry syllabus provided below. The M.Sc. Ph.D. syllabus may vary from college to college. The M.Sc. Ph.D. syllabus combines the major subjects of both the course M.Sc. and Ph.D.

List of Electives for Chemistry

M.Sc. Ph.D Physics Syllabus

If you are willing to enroll in the M.Sc. Ph.D. integrated course with the specialisation in Physics. Then, you may check the syllabus provided below. It could vary from college to college. We have listed the majority of M.Sc. Ph.D. dual degree program in Physics subjects in the syllabus provided here.

List of Electives for Physics

There are numerous M.Sc. Ph.D. specialisations. The academic fee may vary depending on the specialisations offered in the MSc. Ph.D. Individuals may opt for a M.Sc. Ph.D. in any relevant specialisation after successful completion of B.Sc. We have listed below the major ones:

After receiving M.Sc. Ph.D dual Degree students have a plethora of options to choose that caters their education. In addition to campus placements, students are offered the roles as Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, or Professor at reputed institutions of their choice. Institutions often offer full-employment right after they complete their internship with the firm.

M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree offers students to experience innovative learning with outstanding knowledge. M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates are educated in sharing techniques and practical execution of ideas at a more significant level. As mentioned earlier, M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates can opt for their dream career in pots such as ONGC (Chemist Post), NTPC (Chemist), IOCL, BPCL, and more.

M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates are eligible to apply for the UPSC Geo-Scientist post for the Geological Survey Department. The job openings at the Geological Survey Department for scientist posts are available in the departments like ISRO, BARC, DRDO, and some more. For foreign universities, examinations like TOEFL and GRE are compulsory.

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Private Sector Career Options:

M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates have career scope in famous private firms such as IOCL inclusive of Japanese and German universities, Asain Paints, CIPLA, and ONGC. Several other companies such as Walmart, Fuzzy Logics, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and Dunia Finance offer a pay package of Rs. 20 Lacs per annum to M.Sc.-Ph.D graduates.

Government Sector Career Options:

M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates hold a massive career scope in government sectors as follows:

Research or Scientists:

The candidates must qualify the CSIR NET Exam to get the Scientist or Researcher Position in any of the below-mentioned institutions.

• Nuclear Science Centre, New Delhi
• Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
• Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata

Officer Jobs Profiles

Career prospects for M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates in India’s prestigious Government Organisations are:

• Bharat Petroleum
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

Assistant Professors

Career prospects for M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates as Assistant Professors at India’s Top Most Universities. Qualified candidates can apply for the Direct Recruitment process for the job profiles Assistant Professors or Lecturers in any reputed Indian University. However, the pay package depends on the candidate's skills and academic background. Candidates are hired on higher salary packages. Candidates need to qualify the UGC NET Exam to deem eligible to apply for the Lectureship Jobs in any reputed Indian University.

Railway Officer

There are various employment posts for qualified M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates in Indian Railways. Candidates can opt to employ in the following positions:

• Trainee Officer
• Honoring Visiting Specialist
• Project Associate
• Junior Research Fellow
• Deputy Country Representative
• Associate Analyst
• Research Associate
• Associate Software Engineer

Other Government Organisations

Below is a list of a few government organisations that offer other various platforms for M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates such as Universities, Ministries, and Banks.

• Wildlife Institute of India
• Punjab Agricultural University
• State Bank of India, SBI
• Regional Centre for Biotechnology, RCB
• Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, IACS
• Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
• ICMR - National Institute of Cancer Prevention
• Bank of India
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HAL
• CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology
• National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, NIBMG
• Ministry of Agriculture & Welfare Affairs
• Central University of South Bihar
• Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
• National Seeds Corporation Limited
• National Payments Corporation of India, NPCI
• Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited, IFFCO
• Central Silk Board

Salary Prospects

There are numerous universities that offer various academic courses in disciplines of science. But, there are only a few colleges that offer M.Sc. Ph.D. integrated programme. We have listed below such top private M.Sc. Ph.D. colleges in India.

M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree program is a popular integrated course program across government and private-run institutions. Given below are a few public and private institutions that offer M.Sc.-Ph.D Integrated Degree programs. We have listed below top government M.Sc. Ph.D. colleges that offer this course.

M.Sc colleges by States

There are plenty of M.Sc. colleges in India . An M.Sc. can be pursued after successful completion of B.Sc. The admission process, eligibility criteria and fee structure of M.Sc. course may vary college to college.

PhD Colleges by States

PhD is a doctoral degree programme. It is usually offered with a duration of five to seven year. Candidates who successfully complete PhD may conduct their own independent research. They get opportunities in the academic sector as professor, lecturer or researcher in universities and colleges. Aspirants may check top PhD colleges located in various states with the help of table provided below.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

The primary difference that distinguishes between a ‘dual-degree program’ and that of joint M.Sc-Ph.D is that students cannot leave without completing his/her doctorate while pursuing a Joint M.Sc-Ph.D degree course. However, the former course programme gives students the option to move out with a Master's degree if they have no interest in studying further.

The course duration for the M.Sc-Ph.D course programme is between three to seven years.

To pursue M.Sc-Ph.D course programme, candidates should meet the following eligibility criteria:

An aggregate of 55 per cent to 60 per cent and above in B.Sc with first-class specifications in high and higher school ( 10 and 10+2)

Final year graduation students are eligible to apply.

A few of the entrance examinations for students to prepare for the MSc-PhD course are- JEE Advanced, AP EAMCET, BITSAT, CUSAT CAT, Symbiosis Entrance Test, JCECE, and IPU CET.

Graduates from this field have a great scope in both private and government organisations. M.Sc.-Ph.D Degree graduates can opt for their dream career in pots such as ONGC (Chemist Post), NTPC (Chemist), IOCL, BPCL, and more.

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Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
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• Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

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• 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.

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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Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

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Offered Programs

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology offers extensive courses in preparatory programs, bachelor programs, masters programs, and Ph.D. programs. Although the majority of the programs offer courses in Russian, a large number of programs are primarily taught in English with a large amount to open up as the years' progress.

International students can opt to take lectures in either of the languages or even in both, the tuition fee structure at MIPT is dependent on the language of instruction and are as follows;

RocApply is here to help you with all your application needs, students looking to study in MIPT Russia can use our premium services in the entire process, from start to finish. We assist with student applications, admission facilitation, visa processing, student housing to even airport pickup and student integration in their new locations.

We use our experience to provide our students with an easy study abroad guide and assistance, at the beginning and all through the process. All our services are very straightforward prioritizing our student’s needs every step of the way, our platform is well equipped with all the right information and accessible anywhere in the world. RocApply has extensive experience in all things regarding your studies in Russia, and we are glad to help.

Eligibility Requirements;

After finding what program you can apply for, the next step is to check if you qualify for admission at MIPT, although the application procedure is simplified thanks to RocApply’s easy-to-use application platform, all our applicants must have;

• High school leaving certificate (for bachelor admissions)
• A bachelor’s degree or diploma (for master’s admissions)
• A master’s degree (for Ph.D. admissions)
• Language requirements: applicants applying to Russian-taught programs must take language exams in Russian and English-taught programs require that applicants must show proficiency with results from approved exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Qualification Requirements

Recently, MIPT demands that some students enrolling in specific programs must take part in certain qualifying events and interviews known as ‘Procturing’. These events are conducted online in collaboration with RocApply, beginning in June towards a September or October resumption date. Subjects written include English, Mathematics or Physics.

For graduate programs, there are also certain qualifying events which are either as an interview or a test depending on the program. Tests or interviews are conducted online via RocApply beginning in June.

Document requirements

Undergraduate

• Online application form via RocApply
• Copy of international passport or identification document
• High school leaving certificate
• Curriculum Vitae (detailing other achievements, qualifications, or awards)
• IELTS/TOEFL results
• Applicants who wish to take their courses in Russian must first enroll in MIPT’s language prep school.
• Copy of bachelor’s degree or diploma
• Copy of masters degree (for Ph.D. programs)
• Personal statement
• 2 recommendation letters from professors or previous employer
• CV or Resume
• *All documents must be notarized and translated.

MIPT provides a tuition fee waiver for applicants who score 85% and above in the qualifying exams, and also scholarships for graduates of the preparatory course, undergraduates and graduate students of MIPT, and transfer students continuing their education at MIPT. Participants of short term internships and summer and winter MIPT schools also receive tuition waivers from the university.

Select your Degree

Application requirements for bachelors:, select your field of study for bachelors, select your bachelor program, application requirements for masters:, select your field of study for masters, select your master program.

Master's in Advanced Combinatorics (MSc)

(2 years) 4 Semesters

3000€ / Semester

Master's in Neural Networks & Neural Computers (MSc)

Master's in Blockchain (MSc)

Master's in Cyber Security (MSc)

Master's in Aerodynamics (MSc)

Master's in Beam-Plasma Systems and Technologies (MSc)

Master's in Industrial Bioinformatics (MSc)

Master's in Digital Transformation (MSc)

Master's in International Business, Entrepreneurship

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) in Rankings

Ranked 20th in the whole of russia, ranked 400th in the world., tuition and scholarships at moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt).

The university provides funding to international students through several schemes designed to reduce the cost of tuition or to cover the student’s expenses while studying there, funding at the university are both internal and external and happen and all foreign students at the university are eligible to receive some sort of financial assistance during the course of their program at MIPT.

MIPT Scholarship: The university awards a special scholarship to foreign understudies who show dynamic academic qualities, or students who have strong academic backgrounds and can replicate this while studying at MIPT. This scholarship is highly coveted and is awarded competitively.

Russian Government Scholarship: The Russian government reserves special funding for international students studying at MIPT. The funding scheme covers all academic costs for the entire duration of the program in bachelor's, masters, and Ph.D. levels. Interested students must apply as early as possible after being accepted.

MIPT Olympiad: The MIPT Olympiad is a healthy academic competition where excellent students display their knowledge on a variety of subjects akin to their field of study. The top students compete amongst themselves and the winner is awarded a full-ride sponsorship towards their education at MIPT.

MIPT Student Financial Support: Foreign students can apply for financial support from the university towards their living expenses in Moscow. MIPT gives stipends to a large number of its international students every month, and the awardees must continue to excel academically in order to continue receiving this financial aid.

Cost of living at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

About moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt).

The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology is one of the top five universities in Russia and is well known all over the world, since its inception in 1946 as a department of Moscow State University and later as an independent organization in 1951, MIPT is has been highly regarded by scientists, engineers, and students alike.

The MIPT university-industry partnership system was introduced by its first professors, the Nobel Prize winners L.D Landau, P.L Kapitsa, and N.N Semenov. It selects talented students and provides them with a top-class education and an early entry into industrial research.

MIPT scientists perform cutting-edge research in the fields of fundamental science and push the boundaries of human understanding, creating new technologies and contributing to global development.

The university explores neural and aerospace engineering, biophysics and nuclear science, quantum optics and aeromechanics. The university research center devices mathematical models to account for all of the diversity in nature.

MIPT research labs feature international teams driven by professors with global credentials and aspirations. Nobel Laureates Andre Gain and Constantin Navoselov who won a prize in physics in 2010 are MIPT alumni.

The university is tailoring and determining the success of society and humanity through science, and introducing excellent ways to look into the future. To date, MIPT pushes the boundary of human understanding with scientific principles and learning modules that are unrivaled anywhere in the world.

Some of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) Achievements.

• MIPT has ranked in the top 100 spots in world university reputation ranking in the last two years by Times Higher Education (THE)
• MIPT ranks in the top 100 world universities for subjects like Physical Science and Computer Science and ranks in the top 300 world universities for Engineering, Technology, and Life Science by Times Higher Education (2020)
• MIPT is among the topmost reputable universities in Russia, presently rated as at the top 3 higher education institutions in the country.
• In Russia, MIPT stands as the most award-winning university, bagging several industries and scientific awards throughout its history. Ten professors from Phystech are Nobel Laureates winning prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Peace, and Astrophysics. Also, many of MIPT’s research specialists and doctors have been awarded Dirac medals, BBVA Foundation awards, and prizes in Fundamental Physics both in Russia and internationally.

Student Life at MIPT

Academics: MIPT is a leading research center with about 79 well-equipped laboratories for experiments and research. The major fields are biomaterials and microelectronics, energetics and specialized machine engineering, universal and specialized quantum computers, quantum cryptography, mechanisms of aging, genomic engineering, optogenetics, biomedical cell products, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, expert systems, cybersecurity, technical vision, space technology.

Phystech Start-Up: MIPT designed a project to support and develop student ideas and projects, students join mentoring educational programs to receive knowledge, advice, and recommendation on the development of projects from successful entrepreneurs, graduates of MIPT, and experts of tech companies.

Internships: In MIPT students have the possibility to secure internships at the best Russian and international companies. The experience gained contributes largely to the success of many of its student's careers after they graduate.

Campus Life at MIPT

MIPT has a very conducive and up-to-date campus that is very comfortable for life and study at the university. Present on campus are more than 15 buildings comprising of administrative buildings, academic buildings, medical centers, dormitories, cafeterias, and the other facilities, the university campus also has 24/hours security and surveillance. Phystech’s campus is located 20 minutes from Moscow, the heart of Russia.

Social Activities at MIPT

There are more than 50 student activities and clubs that cater to several student interests, MIPT students can participate actively in any of these clubs or societies and can even carve out their own in their own area of interest with approval from the university.

Student clubs are a brilliant way to interact, socialize and build social skills that resonate with the outside world. Examples of such clubs at MIPT include;

• History Club
• Intellectual Games Club
• Painting Club
• Literature Club
• Robotics Technology Club
• Artic Projects Club and many more

MIPT has strong partnerships with many leading universities, organizations and industrial companies both locally and internationally. Many global centers of research are also affiliated with the university, with remote research units on MIPT’s campus enabling student exchange and work and study opportunities on a global platform.

Similarly, a long list of industry companies and corporate organizations have ties with Phystech, fostering internship and job opportunities for MIPT students. Some of MIPT’S partner institutions include;

• Berkely University of California
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Ecole Polytechnique
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• McGill University

Some of MIPT’S partner research centers and companies include;

• Schlumberger Research & Development
• Hitachi and GE

In MIPT, there is a unique educational ecosystem based on a 70-year history of development. MIPT’s system of instruction called the ‘Phystech System’ was proposed by its founders. The key principles were outlined from the beginning, which entails;

• First students are trained by researchers of leading scientific and technological institutions with modern technical equipment.
• Secondly, students have individual works with the university,
• Thirdly each student begins their research from their second or third year of education and
• Lastly, upon graduation, the students have great knowledge of the modern methods of theoretical and experimental research and necessary engineering knowledge to solve technical problems.

The strong teaching of fundamental knowledge and extensive practical work in partner research institutions allow MIPT graduates to build a career in any field of professional activity.

The link between study and practice means students learn to apply their theoretical knowledge in the real world.

A Forbes 2019 rating on university graduates shows that MIPT is one of the top 3 universities with the most popular graduates, taking into consideration factors like average salary, presence of billionaires, membership in boards of directors of the largest Russian and international companies.

Noteworthy is that ten of Phystech alumni are amongst the top 200 entrepreneurs in Russia, and many of its graduates have gone on to found successful start-ups and tech companies.

Why Study at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Accommodation moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt), on campus accomodation at moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt).

MIPT provides student housing at both its Dolgoprudny and Zhukovsky locations, as of now there are 14 student halls of residence owned and managed by the university and housing the majority of its students.

The dormitories come in different types and different specifications but they are all adequately maintained and equipped with all the necessary facilities.

Some of them are student dormitories with one or two bedrooms, a central kitchen space, and bathroom area, while the others are apartment-style rooms with kitchen and bathroom ensuite.

Every room at every dormitory has 24/hours electricity, heating, and wireless internet, similarly, all dorms are guarded full-time. Amenities refrigerator, washing machine, and microwave are also provided to students in the dormitory.

The type of campus housing that a student will get is contingent on their department and level of study as dormitories are separated int different spectrums to create a more relatable atmosphere for its students.

Accommodation price at MIPT can cost somewhere between 1,000 RUB to 2,000 RUB.

Off Campus Accomodation at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Typically, some students opt to live in separate accommodations outside the university campus where there are many private houses and apartments that cater to various student budgets and need.

There are also several dormitories and private out-of-school lofts and pads that have different costs. The expense of leasing off-campus apartments changes from area to area in proximity to the city square and they have different conditions for rent.

Commonly, the cost of leasing a one-room condo is around 1,500 to 2,000 RUB per month and it depends on how extravagant the building is and the services they offer.

Renting an apartment out of campus usually means that utilities such as electricity, water, heating, cable tv, and internet all come separate from the rent and students would have to shoulder the bills per usage.

Sports at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

The sports and recreational facilities at MIPT’s campus help develop the competing spirit of its students and staff. The university has  3 sports centers, a Phystech stadium, and an Olympic standard swimming pool. The most anticipated sporting event at the university is the 24 hours traditional football contest amongst departments of MIPT, fondly dubbed as the ‘Match of the century’.

Phystech students, staff, and alumni actively participate in this 50-year long tradition that is one of the points of pride for the institution. In recent years, the university started the same event for swimming games called ‘Swimming of the century’.

At MIPT there are over 15 sports clubs and athletic activities such as Basketball, Water Polo, Table Tennis, Alpine Skiing, Mountain Climbing, Crossfit, Athletics, Yoga, Lawn Tennis, Fitness Aerobics, Football, Chess, Dancing, and many others. MIPT prioritizes its students' fitness and physical well-being as they contribute to healthy student life.

Food at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Available on campus are several canteens and cafeteria that serve various meals to students and staff at different hours of the day. Students who take up residence in any of MIPT’s dormitories have access to the free canteen and buffet-style service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The university also has a break area where other external restaurant chains have taken up space serving a variety of fast food and continental meals to students. The price of feeding at the university costs about 30 RUB to 50  RUB per person depending on their food choices. 

Testimonials

About moscow.

Moscow is the capital and the largest city in Russia with a population of more than 12 million people located in the Moskva River in the west of the country. Moscow for Russians is the center of everything, and everything is centered here where all the headquarters of major Russian cooperations are located.

Moscow contributes the largest to the country’s economy both in industry and influence. Although the weather in Russia is believed to be quite severe, Moscow’s weather is milder than in other parts of the country. Moscow has the best university’s in Russia, one of which is the Moscow institute of physics and technology (MIPT).

Moscow enjoys a much higher standard of living compared to other cities and has one of the highest amounts of billionaires topping cities like London and Paris. Moscow is home to all the federal authorities of the country from federal to state levels and is heralded as a city of status.

Moscow also has the largest amount of English speakers and international residents that any other city in the country, the city is also very green with more green areas than New York or London.

The city center is a serene getaway with one of the largest parks where residents come to relax and unwind at the end of the day. The social life in Moscow is one of the best in the world, with a vast array of bars, pubs, and restaurants that serve all types of cuisine to suit most budgets. 

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30 Best universities for Psychology in Moscow, Russia

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Moscow ranked based on their research performance in Psychology. A graph of 406K citations received by 66.7K academic papers made by 30 universities in Moscow was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Moscow State University

For Psychology

2. National Research University Higher School of Economics

3. Moscow Medical Academy

4. Russian National Research Medical University

5. RUDN University

6. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

7. National Research Nuclear University MEPI

8. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

9. Moscow State Pedagogical University

10. Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation

11. Bauman Moscow State Technical University

12. Moscow State Institute of International Relations

13. N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute

14. Moscow Aviation Institute

15. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics

16. Russian State University for the Humanities

17. State University of Management

18. Russian State Social University

19. National University of Science and Technology "MISIS"

20. Moscow State Linguistic University

21. New Economic School

22. Russian State University of Oil and Gas

23. mendeleev university of chemical technology of russia.

24. Moscow Polytech

25. Moscow State University of Railway Engineering

26. National Research University of Electronic Technology

27. Moscow State Technological University "Stankin"

28. Pushkin State Russian Language Institute

29. Russian State Agricultural University

30. Moscow International University

Universities for Psychology near Moscow

Psychology subfields in moscow.