What are the Different Types of Master’s Degrees?

A master’s degree is just like climbing a knowledge step towards your dream career. It not only provides advanced knowledge but also opens up new career pathways for you. Master’s degrees are offered in different specialisations across all streams, therefore you have a pool of options to select the right one for yourself. Want to know about which master’s degree you can pursue to upgrade your skillset? Read this blog to know about the different types of master’s degrees that are offered by universities worldwide. 

List of Types of Master’s Degree

Mentioned below are the popular types of masters degrees to pursue-

• MA 
• MSc
• MTech
• LLM 
• MBA 
• MPhil 
• MEd 
• MRes

Different Types of Master’s Degrees

A master’s degree helps you gain specialised knowledge in a subject or subfield within it. It helps you expand and build upon the knowledge or skills that you learnt in your undergraduate degree. The duration of a master’s degree is generally between 1 to 2 years depending on the course and university of study. Here are some of the different types of master’s degrees that you can pursue after graduation:

Master of Arts (M.A.)

One of the most popular types of master’s degrees, an MA is a postgraduate degree offered by universities in the field of humanities and social sciences. The minimum eligibility for pursuing an MA in any subject is a bachelor’s degree in the same or a related subject. An MA can be of both 1 year and 2-year duration. Some of the most popular subjects for MA include English, History, Economics etc.

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

A postgraduate level course in the areas of science, M.Sc is very popular among the types of master’s degrees. To pursue this degree, you need to have completed your graduation in the same or related field, with a minimum percentage of marks determined by your university of choice. The duration of this degree varies in different universities but is generally between 1 to 2 years. Some of the popular subjects of study include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics etc.

Master of Technology (M.Tech)

M.Tech is a postgraduate degree offered in the field of engineering. Generally spanning 2 years, this is a very popular course among the types of master’s degrees. A candidate can pursue an M.Tech degree after completing their graduation in a field of engineering. The most popular fields of study for M.Tech include Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering etc.

Also Read: Types of Engineering Degrees

Master of Laws (LLM)

A postgraduate degree in law, getting an LLM degree is important for students wishing to gain specialised knowledge in a field of law. Generally spanning 2 years, this is one of the most sought after types of master’s degrees. This degree can only be pursued by students who have completed their undergraduate degree in law i.e. LLB. The specialisations offered in an LLM degree include Criminal Law, Administrative law, International Law etc.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

An MBA is a postgraduate level course of study focussing on imparting the knowledge and skills needed for making a career in business and management-related sectors. Students with a graduate degree in any field (arts, science, commerce etc.) are eligible to pursue an MBA, which makes it one of the most popular types of master’s degrees. Generally of 2-year duration, this course can be pursued in different specialisations like Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship etc. 

Here is a list of different types of MBA courses!

MPhil (Master of Philosophy)

An M.Phil is an advanced research degree that can be pursued in different subjects across all streams. Generally of a two year duration, this degree aims to polish the research and analytical skills of a candidate. For pursuing an M.Phil, you need to have a postgraduate degree in the same or a related subject, along with the required percentage of marks as determined by different universities. An M.Phil student is required to submit a thesis or project based on original research for successful completion of their degree.

Master of Education (M.Ed)

A very popular type of master’s degree, an M.Ed is a postgraduate course dealing with imparting knowledge relating to novel teaching methods and educational research. Generally of 2-year duration, this degree can be pursued by candidates who have completed their Bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed) degree with the minimum required percentage of marks. Getting an M.Ed degree opens up a plethora of career opportunities in education and related fields.

Also Read: Teacher Training Courses

Master of Research (MRes)

Another popular type of master’s degree is Master of Research (MRes). Pursuing this degree can be an ideal choice for candidates who want to establish a career in Research and Development. Often the students who wish to seek a PhD degree, begin by opting for an MRes course amongst all the types of masters degrees available. To enrol into one, you will be needing a bachelor’s degree in the same or related fields. This thoroughly research-based degree can be completed in a period of 1-2 years.

Now that we have understood the major types of master’s degree, let us quickly go through some other main options-

Degree	Full Title	Type	Duration	Subjects
MA	Master of Arts	Taught	1-2 years	Arts, Humanities & some Social Sciences
MSc	Master of Science	Taught	1-2 years	Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & some Social Sciences
MRes	Master of Research	Taught-Research	1-2 years	All subjects
MBA	Master of Business Administration	Professional	1-2 years	Business & Management
MIM	Masters in Management	Professional	1 year	Business & Management
MEng	Master of Engineering	Taught-Professional	4 years	Engineering & Technology
MSW	Master of Social Work	Taught-Professional	2 years	Social Work
MPhil	Master of Philosophy	Research	2 years	All subjects
MFA	Master of Fine Arts	Practical and Professional	1-2 years	Arts
MArch	Master of Architecture	Practical andProfessional	2 years	Architecture
MLitt	Master of Letters	Taught andResearch	1-2 years	Arts & Humanities
LLM	Master of Laws	Taught andResearch	1-2 years	Law
LPC	Legal Practice Course	Professional	1-2 years	Law
GDL	Graduate Diploma in Law	Professional	1 year	Law
PGCert	Postgraduate Certificate	Taught-Professional	1 term	All subjects
PGDip	Postgraduate Diploma	Taught-Professional	2 terms	All subjects
PGCE	Postgraduate Certificate in Education	Professional	1-2 years	Teaching
PGDE	Professional Diploma in Education	Professional	1-2 years	Teaching

List of Master’s Degree Courses in USA

• MBA in Financial Management
• MS in Computer Science
• MS in Mathematics
• Masters in Marketing
• Masters in Petroluem Engineering
• Master of Education
• MBA
• Masters in Statistics
• Management Information Systems
• Master of Health Service

List of Master’s Degree Courses in India

• Masters in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions
• MDes International Design Strategy / China Studio
• Master of Arts in Leadership in Education
• Master of Public Health
• MA in International Education
• CEMS Master’s in International Management (CEMS MIM)
• Master of Science in Organisational Leadership
• Master of Urban Design
• MA in Entrepreneurship for Impact
• MTech Computer Science 
• MTech Electronics and Communication 
• MBA
• Doctorate of Medicine- General Medicine 
• Doctorate of Medicine- Cardiology

List of Master’s Degree Courses in Philipinnes

• Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS)
• Master in Social Work
• MS in Animal Husbandry, Major in Animal Nutrition
• Master in Public Administration
• MS in Data Science
• MS in Computer Science
• Master of Arts in Educational Management
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• MS in Finance
• Master in Public Administration (MPA)
• Master in Applied Business Economics
• Master in Development Management

These were some of the most popular types of masters degrees that are offered across universities globally. Looking forward to pursuing a master’s degree? Our experts at Leverage Edu can help you in deciding upon the best university and course of study as per your interests and career choices. Connect with us today!