BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - What Do They All Mean?

1. Home
2. Study With Us
3. Undergraduate Studies
4. Study Advice
5. Before You Apply
6. BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - What do they all mean?

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.

Bachelors:

• 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.

Masters:

• 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:

• 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.

• Graduate Stories

• Find your course
• Subjects
• Why study at Aberystwyth University?
• Open Days
• Undergraduate Studies
  • Applicant Hub
  • Student Experience
  • Aber Hub
  • Study Options
  • Study Advice
    • Before You Apply
      • Why University?
      • How to choose a University
      • Courses
      • How to choose a course
      • BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - What do they all mean?
      • Studying Abroad, Working in Industry
      • International Application
      • UCAS Exhibitions
    • During Your Application
    • Getting Ready for University
  • Scholarships
  • Live Chat Events
  • Undergraduate Terms & Conditions
• Postgraduate Studies
• Information for International Students
• Order a Prospectus
• Accommodation
• Scholarships & Bursaries
• Fees and Finance
• Study through the medium of Welsh
• Student Life
• Global Opportunities
• Professional and Executive MBAs
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Online and Distance Learning
• Lifelong Learning
• Foundation Year
• Student Recruitment and Widening Participation

Contact for this page: Global Marketing and Student Recruitment, Aberystwyth University, Cledwyn Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DD United Kingdom Tel: 01970 622065 Email: [email protected]