The M.A. is widely used in humanities and social sciences, including subjects such as history, sociology, linguistics, literary studies, and cultural studies.
A master's degree is an advanced academic degree. You deepen your knowledge in a specific subject area and usually develop specialized skills and expertise as well. In most cases, a master's degree takes about one to two years to complete. Just which master's degree should you choose? What is the difference between Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees? And what other master's degrees are there?
In Germany, there is a wide range of master's degrees in different disciplines and with different prerequisites.
Some of the most common master's degrees in Germany are:
There is also a difference between consecutive and non-consecutive master's degrees. A consecutive master's degree builds directly on an already completed bachelor's degree that is related in content. This means that in a consecutive master's program, you will dive deeper into the same subject area that you already studied in your bachelor's degree. An example of this would be a bachelor's degree in psychology followed by a consecutive master's degree in clinical psychology. A non-consecutive master's degree, on the other hand, allows you to study in a different field that is not necessarily related to your previous bachelor's degree. This gives you the flexibility to enter new fields. For example, after earning a bachelor's degree in biology, you could study a non-consecutive master's degree in marketing.
Continuing education master's degrees are tailored to working professionals and offer the opportunity to enhance existing professional qualifications. An example of this would be the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is aimed at executives and managers who want to improve their management skills. To more easily identify these degrees, you can look for the dots in the abbreviation. Continuing master's degrees, unlike consecutive master's degrees attached to the bachelor's degree, often have no or fewer points in the abbreviation: for example, Master of Business Administration and Engineering (MBA Eng.), International Master of Business Consulting (MBC), Master of Business Marketing (MBM), Master of Health Economics (MaHE), etc.
The Master of Arts and Master of Science programs are the two most common in Germany. The main difference between a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) is the field of study: M.A. focuses on humanities and social sciences with more qualitative approaches, while M.Sc. covers natural science or technical subjects with a stronger focus on quantitative and scientific methods. In the following, both degrees are presented in more detail and the differences are explained:
A Master of Arts (M.A.) is an academic degree, usually awarded in the humanities and social sciences, that provides in-depth knowledge and analytical skills in these subject areas.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) is an advanced degree program that allows students to deepen their knowledge in a specific area of study in the humanities and social sciences. During the M.A. program, students engage in theoretical and analytical approaches to develop a deep understanding of their chosen discipline.
The M.A. program focuses on developing critical thinking skills, research skills, and deepening understanding of cultural, social, and humanities issues. Typical subjects that offer an M.A. include literature, history, philosophy, sociology, art history, and linguistics, but there are also interdisciplinary M.A. programs that combine various aspects of the humanities.
During the M.A. program, students are often required to complete a master's thesis, in which they demonstrate their research skills and contribute to current scholarly debates. An M.A. can be used to gain in-depth expertise in a subject area and also serves as a foundation for an academic career or as preparation for professional jobs in a variety of industries, including education, cultural management, media, and communications.
The abbreviation M.A. for Master of Arts has historical roots in the educational system and is part of a tradition dating back to the medieval universities of Europe. The term Magister Artium or Magistra Artium in Latin originally meant teacher of the arts. This designation referred to the intellectual and liberal arts, which were considered core subjects in academic education.
Over time, various academic degrees evolved to denote completion of a master's degree in the humanities and social sciences. The use of M.A. eventually became common practice to denote this degree. It has become established worldwide and is now a recognized designation for a master's degree in the humanities and social sciences.
A Master of Science (M.Sc.) is an academic degree awarded primarily in the natural sciences and engineering disciplines, and emphasizes quantitative, empirical, and scientific methods to deepen specialized knowledge.
A Master of Science (M.Sc.) offers students the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and skills in their chosen fields in the natural sciences and technical disciplines. The focus of an M.Sc. program is on empirical research, quantitative methods, and the application of scientific principles.
During an M.Sc. program, students engage in intensive study of scientific topics such as mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, and many others. They learn to analyze complex problems, conduct experimental investigations, and generate scientific knowledge. This degree enables students to gain expert knowledge in their field and develop new research.
A characteristic feature of an M.Sc. degree program is the master's thesis, in which students work independently on a scientific research question and present their findings in writing. This process fosters the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate scientifically.
M.Sc. degrees are in demand in a variety of industries, including research and development, technology, health care, environmental science, business, and education. They offer a wide range of career opportunities and often serve as a foundation for advanced study, including doctorates.
An M.Sc. is a valuable qualification for anyone who wants to work in the science and technology fields and is looking for a strong scientific foundation.
The abbreviation M.Sc. for Master of Science originates from the Latin term Magister Scientiae and is a historical designation dating back to the development of the academic graduate system. The term Magister Scientiae means Master of Science and was traditionally used to denote the highest academic qualification in the natural and applied sciences.
Over time, the abbreviation M.Sc. has been adopted worldwide to symbolize the successful completion of a master's degree in the natural sciences, engineering, and related disciplines.
Today, M.Sc. is an internationally recognized designation for degrees in the natural sciences and engineering subjects and symbolizes in-depth knowledge and the ability to conduct scientific research and application.
| Aspect | Master of Arts (M.A.) | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
| Fields of Study | Humanities and Social Sciences | Natural Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health Sciences |
| Focus | Theory, Qualitative Research | Empirical, Quantitative Methods |
| Research Approach | Theoretical and Analytical | Empirical and Scientific |
| Professional Fields | Education, Cultural Management, Communication, Teaching, Journalism, etc. | Research, technology, healthcare, engineering, mathematics, data science, IT, etc. |
| Thesis | Usually master's thesis | Master's thesis or scientific research |
| Career Options | Teacher, cultural manager, journalist, researcher, lecturer, social worker, etc. | Scientist, engineer, IT specialist, data analyst, research and development, etc. |
| Emphasis on theory vs. practice | Strongly based on theoretical research and discussion | Emphasizes practical application of science and technology |
| Quantitative skills | Less emphasis on quantity, more on qualitative approaches | Strong emphasis on quantitative skills and statistical analysis |
Choosing between a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) depends on your individual interests, career goals, and academic background. Here are some things you should consider:
In terms of future prospects, much depends on your individual career path and the programs you choose. Both degrees can open up a variety of career paths. An M.A. can lead to careers in teaching, research, arts management, journalism and more, while an M.Sc. offers opportunities in fields such as research and development, technology, healthcare and engineering.
Ultimately, choosing between an M.A. and M.Sc. is a personal decision. It's important to choose a program that fits your passions and goals, as this is critical to being successful and fulfilled in your chosen major and career field. Also, consult with faculty and career advisors to make an informed decision.
The master's programs at Munich Business School offer high-quality education with a focus on internationality and practical relevance. Students benefit from individual focus, interactive teaching methods and a close connection to the business world. The opportunity to build a global network and live in the attractive city of Munich round out the benefits. These programs prepare students for successful careers in various business areas. Munich Business School offers a selection of top-notch master's programs to take your education to the next level:
This degree program not only deepens your business knowledge, but also gives you the opportunity to further your education in various focus areas. These include Innovation and Digital Business, Sustainable Business, International Marketing, Luxury Management, Corporate Finance Global Family Business and Wealth Management and International Entrepreneurship.
If you dream of creating your own start-up or already have a promising idea, this master's offers the perfect foundation to develop your entrepreneurial skills. You will acquire advanced business skills and learn to manage, identify and implement innovations in order to operate successfully in an international environment.
This program provides you with expertise in behavioral psychology, innovation, consumer behavior and brand communication. You will also gain tools and skills to analyze market structures and competitive environments.
If you love sports and at the same time have an interest in the background of the sports sector, this master's offers the perfect combination. The course content includes sports communication and media, sports sponsorship and marketing, licensing and rights exploitation, as well as digital sports management and sports event management. After graduation, you can work as a specialist in companies in the sports industry, sports clubs and associations.
This degree program focuses on the world of business and finance. Strategic management and finance are the focus. Upon completion of the program, you will have extensive knowledge in financial management, financial statement analysis, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, capital markets and much more.
There is no general answer as to whether a Master of Arts (M.A.) or a Master of Science (M.Sc.) is better, as it depends on your individual interests and career goals. They are equivalent and only indicate the area in which the master's degree was earned. The M.A. is typically in the humanities and social sciences, while the M.Sc. is common in the natural sciences and technical fields. Your choice should be based on which field and degree better fit your personal and professional interests.
There are a large number of Master's degrees in Germany, but there is no exact number as it is continuously growing and varies from university to university. The variety ranges from Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Master of Arts (M.A.), which are the two most common degrees, to specialized degrees like Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Laws (LL.M.). You can find more info above or here.
The main difference between a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) is the subject area. An M.A. usually focuses on humanities and social sciences and often includes more qualitative and theoretical aspects, while an M.Sc. typically covers natural science or technical fields and is more focused on quantitative and scientific methods. See the text above for more info on the topic.
A Master of Science in Business Administration (M.Sc. BA) is an academic degree that focuses on the in-depth study of business topics with an emphasis on scientific and analytical methods. This master's program provides in-depth apprenticeship in various areas of management and business administration to prepare graduates for leadership positions in the business world.
At MBS you can study the Master of Art International Business, which is a very similar program but focuses more on the International Market and the human side of business.
Master means Meister or Magister in German. However, in Germany the word Master, and not the German translation, is used as an academic degree for certain degrees, such as the Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Arts (M.A.).
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