bsc or phd

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.

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5 routes to getting a Doctorate

While most of those studying for a PhD take the PhD by thesis pathway, there are five viable routes to achieving a Doctorate degree

PhD by thesis

This is the most common means of getting a Doctorate degree. Over the three or four years of research at university, your PhD supervisor will support you as you aim to produce a thesis based on your research proposal .

A thesis is typically 60,000-90,000 words in length - although this can vary between institutions. For instance, the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences expects a thesis to be 70,000-100,000 words including references, bibliography and appendices, while the University of Cambridge has set an upper limit of 80,000 words.

Once completed, you'll need to defend your PhD thesis in front of a panel of examiners during your viva voce .

PhD by publication

This route involves submitting previously published work - such as books, book chapters and journal articles, which together form a coherent body of work and show evidence of an original contribution to a particular field of study.

It's often taken by mid-career academics that haven't had the opportunity to undertake a standard Doctorate degree.

Generally, a minimum of five to eight published pieces are required, but this varies between institutions and depends on their length. The published work will be assessed to the same rigorous standards as a traditional PhD by thesis.

You must also provide a written supporting statement, which can range from 5,000 to 20,000 words, and present your work to an academic committee. A supervisor will assist you with selecting which publications to submit and with the supporting statement.

Some universities accept only their own graduates for a PhD by publication, while others restrict this route to their academic staff. In general, you should have graduated from your first degree at least seven years ago to be eligible.

For example, The University of Manchester has published its own Guidance for the PhD By Published Work , with eligibility only extending to current members of staff.

Professional Doctorate

Geared primarily towards current professionals in vocational sectors such as healthcare , teaching and education , and engineering and manufacturing , this type of Doctorate degree includes a significant taught component and a smaller research project.

Professional Doctorates are often taken on a part-time basis and can last between two and eight years. Like their standard PhD counterparts, they usually begin in October or January.

While you won't typically be looking to get an academic job , your research is expected to contribute to theory as well as professional practice. Projects often revolve around a real-life issue that affects your employer.

Several professional Doctorates, such as the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), are accredited by a professional body - for instance, the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The British Psychological Society (BPS) - and may also lead to a professional qualification .

Common titles for graduates of professional Doctorate degrees include:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Unlike many professional Doctorates, the EngD is typically offered as a full-time course and is aimed at young engineering graduates with little or no professional experience.

Explore what's currently available at Find a Professional Doctorate .

Integrated PhD

This four-year qualification, also known as the New Route PhD, involves studying a one-year research Masters degree (MRes) before progressing onto a three-year PhD.

Offered by a select number of universities across the UK, integrated PhDs are supported by the government and the British Council through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) . Visit Research Council funding for further information on research and funding for different types of PhD.

The integrated PhD involves a combination of taught materials, practical experience and advanced research. This allows you to learn subject-specific methodologies, while building the transferable skills that will enable you to become a leader in your chosen profession.

Institutions can also develop personalised integrated PhD programmes to meet each student's needs. For example, universities may offer you the opportunity to gain a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education - perfect if you're considering a career as a higher education lecturer .

As PhDs are based primarily on independent research rather than time spent in lectures and seminars, distance learning has always been a viable route for many Doctoral students.

PhDs by distance learning offered by course providers such as The Open University are therefore a good option to consider if you've got family or work commitments or are an international student - as this gives you the chance to undertake Doctoral research without having to live close to your chosen institution. It's also a suitable mode of study if your subject requires you to be based in a specific location away from the university.

For the most part, you'll be in touch with your supervisor by phone, email or Skype/Zoom. You'll need to bear in mind that even if you opt for this form of research, you'll generally still need to attend university for one or two weeks of each academic year for meetings and to receive research skills training. Your final examination may be undertaken either face-to-face or virtually.

With online PhDs, you can usually register as a full or part-time student. The level of fees you pay varies between institutions - some charge the same as for a standard PhD while others offer a reduced rate.

Check that any funding you plan to apply for is available to distance learning students, as this isn't always the case.

Search for distance learning PhDs .

Find out more

• Explore what is a PhD?
• Sort out funding for postgraduate study .
• Consider what to do after completing your PhD .

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What does BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, DPsych, PGDip mean after a therapist’s name?

These letters refer to the therapist’s professional qualifications.

• BA  – Bachelor of Arts (BA or AB) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts and sciences. A Bachelor of Arts is generally completed in three or four years, depending on the country and institution.
• BSc  – A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years.
• MA  – A Master of Arts (MA or AM) is a master’s degree in the field of humanities and social sciences awarded by universities in many countries.
• MSc  – A Master of Science (MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master’s degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree.
• PhD  – A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., DPhil) is the highest university degree that is conferred after a course of study by universities in most countries. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. As an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are usually required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a thesis or dissertation, and defend their work against experts in the field.
• PsyD  – Like a PhD in Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) prepares trainees to practice psychology in a wide range of clinical settings. A PsyD, however, focuses more on clinical practice and less on research.
• PGDip  – A postgraduate diploma (PgD, PgDip, PGDip, PG Dip., PGD, Dipl. PG, PDE) is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma.

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

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• Division of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA

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

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

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

Florida State University

FSU | College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

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College of education, health, and human sciences, differences between b.s., m.s., & ph.d. degrees in education.

It's commonly known that individuals who possess advanced degrees have more career opportunities and typically retain a higher salary throughout their lives. But how does that break down for those who pursue varying degrees in education?

4-Year Education Degrees

For anyone pursuing a career in education, a bachelor's degree is a necessity to have a meaningful career in education. Most schools will only hire teaching candidates who have at least a 4-year bachelor's degree in Education or a related field, and all public schools in Florida require teachers to hold a Florida Educator's Certificate (which require a minimum of a bachelor's degree).

Career Opportunities for 4-year Degree , .

• Middle and High School Teacher
• Elementary School Teacher
• Textbook Rep
• Adult Literacy or GED Teacher

Major Benefits

Master's Degrees in Education

Master's degrees in Education allow people to further and deepen their knowledge of education and policies, and specialize in a field of their choice. Getting a master's degree is typically a two-year process, requiring around 33 additional credit hours to complete. Many schools, including the FSU College of Education, offer a range of master's degrees, many in an online format .

Career Opportunities for a Master's in Education

• School Principal
• College Professor
• Educational Consultant
• Education Analyst
• Curriculum Specialist

Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s in Education

For those looking to dedicate their career to research, high-level teaching, and policy directorships, Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s are available. Beyond what you'll learn as a master's candidate, doctoral students in education research policy and techniques to find ways to have a larger impact on the education industry as a whole.

Career Opportunities for Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s in Education

• College or University Professor
• Lead Researcher
• Educational Policy Director at the Local, State, and Federal Level

Along with many opportunities that allow for higher income levels, gaining a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Education gives graduates the ability to work as researchers and executive-level policy directors.   Learn More About Our Graduate Programs  

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What qualification levels mean

England, wales and northern ireland.

There are 9 qualification levels.

Entry level

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels - 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

Entry level qualifications are:

• entry level award
• entry level certificate ( ELC )
• entry level diploma
• entry level English for speakers of other languages ( ESOL )
• entry level essential skills
• entry level functional skills
• Skills for Life

Level 1 qualifications are:

• first certificate
• GCSE - grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
• level 1 award
• level 1 certificate
• level 1 diploma
• level 1 ESOL
• level 1 essential skills
• level 1 functional skills
• level 1 national vocational qualification ( NVQ )
• music grades 1, 2 and 3

Level 2 qualifications are:

• CSE - grade 1
• GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
• intermediate apprenticeship
• level 2 award
• level 2 certificate
• level 2 diploma
• level 2 ESOL
• level 2 essential skills
• level 2 functional skills
• level 2 national certificate
• level 2 national diploma
• level 2 NVQ
• music grades 4 and 5
• O level - grade A, B or C

Level 3 qualifications are:

• access to higher education diploma
• advanced apprenticeship
• applied general
• international Baccalaureate diploma
• level 3 award
• level 3 certificate
• level 3 diploma
• level 3 ESOL
• level 3 national certificate
• level 3 national diploma
• level 3 NVQ
• music grades 6, 7 and 8

Level 4 qualifications are:

• certificate of higher education ( CertHE )
• higher apprenticeship
• higher national certificate ( HNC )
• level 4 award
• level 4 certificate
• level 4 diploma
• level 4 NVQ

Level 5 qualifications are:

• diploma of higher education ( DipHE )
• foundation degree
• higher national diploma ( HND )
• level 5 award
• level 5 certificate
• level 5 diploma
• level 5 NVQ

Level 6 qualifications are:

• degree apprenticeship
• degree with honours - for example bachelor of the arts ( BA ) hons, bachelor of science ( BSc ) hons
• graduate certificate
• graduate diploma
• level 6 award
• level 6 certificate
• level 6 diploma
• level 6 NVQ
• ordinary degree without honours

Level 7 qualifications are:

• integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering ( MEng )
• level 7 award
• level 7 certificate
• level 7 diploma
• level 7 NVQ
• master’s degree, for example master of arts ( MA ), master of science ( MSc )
• postgraduate certificate
• postgraduate certificate in education ( PGCE )
• postgraduate diploma

Level 8 qualifications are:

• doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy ( PhD or DPhil )
• level 8 award
• level 8 certificate
• level 8 diploma

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Let's meet up at the Phil Gold

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The Research Institute Building at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) is getting a new name.

Henceforth, it will be called the Pavillon Dr Phil Gold, in recognition of the now-retired 87-year-old Montreal cancer researcher.

Among the many achievements that led to this honour was his co-discovery in 1968 with Dr. Samuel Freedman, CQ (BSc’49, MDCM’53, DSc) of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA). It represented the first time that a tumour biomarker had been clearly demonstrated to exist, spawning a blood test that has become one of the standard ways to check on the growth and spread of many kinds of cancer.

In a wide-sweeping conversation with FMHS Focus at his home, Gold says having a building named after him feels foreign but that he has come to appreciate the gesture. When asked by a colleague if he likes the name, he answered: “I like it better than the other possibility, which would be the Phil Gold Memorial Building.”

The longtime cancer researcher and physician, as well as the MGH Physician-in-Chief from 1980–1995 and one of McGill’s most celebrated professors, says those roles were not part of any plan.

“I never really considered what I wanted to do,” he says.

His serendipitous journey began by not actually choosing to study medicine when he was a physiology student and a self-described lab nerd.

“It was the early '50s and my mentor, Arnold Burgen [a professor of physiology], was going back to Cambridge and said to me, ‘What are you doing? Next year is your fourth year.’” Gold responded that he thought it was decided that he would be doing a PhD with him. But Burgen’s response was, “A couple of years of medicine would do you a world of good.”

Not long after, he got a call from the Faculty of Medicine’s secretary who asked him to sign some papers: Sir Arnold had enrolled him in med school.

Another of those unplanned career-defining moments was when the MGH was looking for a new Physician-in-Chief. “I went to the committee to tell them who I thought they might consider. And they said, ‘Well, would you do it?’ And I said, ‘Do what?’”

But life has obviously been more than a series of happy accidents for Phil Gold, with empathy having been an important element. His success in cancer research goes back to his rounds through the cancer wards, where he felt for the suffering of the patients and their families.

“I said, surely to God, there's got to be something more specific than radiation and chemotherapy.” And that was when he began to look further into immunological tolerance, teaming up with allergist and immunologist Freedman (who would later serve as Dean of Medicine as well as Vice-Principal, Academic).

The CEA patent, which went on to make millions, if not billions, every year, sold for $300,000. The money went to the MGH and Gold only made a dollar (“Which I lost on the bus home.”).

Bringing it full circle, the patent money the MGH received helped in the construction of the Research Institute Building in 1973, the same building that will now be named after Gold.

While Gold says it’s important for today’s researchers to get their proper due from a research discovery, he says that should never be a motivation.

“Anybody who goes into the laboratory with the intention of making money should not be there in the first place,” he says.

While Gold’s principles appear to be an important rudder for his career, he also employed what he calls Gold’s 10 Rules that he would impart to the med students he taught (he estimates he has taught 20,000 students).

Among his rules:

• Face your patient and not a screen when you’re seeing them.
• A medical student has every right to be involved in patient care.
• People don't sue their doctors because they made a mistake. They sue them because they weren't nice.

The son of a tailor who only strayed a few kilometres from the Main where he grew up, his discoveries went global and his talks took place in numerous countries.

On the subject of his career and the life with his wife Evelyn, his three kids and seven grandchildren that he feels blessed to have had, he still wonders aloud: “Were these things I intended? Or did they simply happen? I don’t know.”

If the walls of the Phil Gold could talk.

Gold’s Rounds: Medicine, McGill, and Growing Up Jewish in Montreal was published last year by McGill-Queen’s University Press.  

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University advancement.