Application Builder Package/ Grad/ Info

2015-06-21

Andy D

BPP Law School, Holborn, London,

Oxford graduate - Philosophy, Politics and Economics; GDL/LPC Law (BPP - London); three years at Simmons & Simmons in London and HK (corporate law, asset finance - aircraft, employment law, information technology and outsourcing); co-founder - mydocumate.com. Extensive drafting, proof-reading, advisory experience.

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Types of degree

What is a Master’s degree for?

Within the area studied, graduates should possess:

§ Advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied topics

§ Higher order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application

§ Ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

Academic Master's degrees

§ Awarded in the academic disciplines and applied research fields for study and research.

§ From 1 to 3 years in length following an undergraduate degree.

§ Involve the completion and defence of an independent thesis, the passing of comprehensive examinations set by the graduate faculty, and occasionally the completion of special projects in addition to participation in advanced seminars and courses.

Professional Master's degrees

§ Generally do not have an academic research component; instead, it is preparation for a particular profession, and therefore emphasizes skills and practical analysis over theory and research.

§ Largely taught degrees with the frequent addition of a supervised project or report as part of the degree requirements.

In many professional fields it is possible for the student to enroll in either a professional master's degree program or a research master's degree program depending upon his or her educational goals.

What does a thesis requirement entail?

A thesis must:

§ Be a distinct contribution to knowledge.

§ Demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results.

§ Defend the approach taken and conclusions drawn in a scholarly manner.

§ Meet current standards of the discipline.

§ Clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field.

Notes: The following information is generally related to US programs.

This information is intended to be general in nature; there is wide variation between programs depending on and should never replace detailed research on specific programs.

Typical elements	Master of Science (Magister Scientiæ)
Abbreviation	§ M.Sc. § MSc § M.Sci. § M.Si. § Sc.M. § M.S. § MS
Program type(s)	Academic	Professional	Combined
	✔	✔✔	✔✔✔
Principal content/ structure	May be entirely course-based, entirely research-based, or, (more typically), a combination of the two. A scientific thesis or a research project representing the culmination of the material learned is usually required.
Disciplines	Typically granted for studies in the sciences or engineering or medicine, and is usually for programs that are more focused on scientific and mathematical subjects.
Duration	The study duration of a Master’s program differs. There are 1-year as well as 2-year Master programs.
Candidates	Usually come from a Bachelor’s program in a related discipline,

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Typical requirements	Master of Arts (Magister Artium)
Abbreviations	§ M.A. § MA § A.M. § AM
Program type(s)	Academic	Professional	Combined
	✔✔✔	✔	✔✔
Principal content/ structure	Usually, but not always, awarded for research studies in a wide variety of subjects, however the degree can be conferred in respect of completing courses and passing examinations, in respect of research, or a combination of the two. A dissertation based on independent research is usually required besides the completion of courses.
Variations	Many universities differentiate MAs as either Thesis or as Non-Thesis programs.
Disciplines	English, history, communication, or other of the humanities, philosophy, fine arts, languages or (at some universities) nursing, museum studies or theology, but also social sciences (some overlap with the M.Sc.)
Duration	Differs: There are one year and two year Master’s programs. Usually, the duration for a Non-Thesis option is one to two years of full-time study. The period for a Thesis option may last longer, depending also on the required level of courses and complexity of the final thesis completed.
Candidates	Candidates usually come from a Bachelor’s program in a related discipline.

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Typical requirements	Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Abbreviations	§ M.A. § MA § A.M. § AM
Program type(s)	Academic	Professional	Combined
		✔✔✔
Content/ structure	A general management degree designed to educate well-rounded business graduates, who are not necessarily experts in only one single aspect of business practice. Structured around core courses (mainly Year 1) and elective courses that can often allow for a subject specialty or concentration (mainly Year 2). Topics in business ethics may also be included. Full-time students often seek an internship between Year 1 and Year 2. Typically culminates with coursework, a dissertation or a major project. Important features usually include: § Peer-to-peer education § Interactions with successful business people § Networking among the students from diverse backgrounds.
Disciplines	The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources and operations in a manner most relevant to management analysis and strategy. Most programs also include elective courses.
Duration	§ Full-Time MBA programs normally take place over two academic years (i.e. approximately 18 months of term time). § Accelerated MBA programs involve a higher course load with more intense class and examination schedules; they are usually condensed into one year. § There are many other variations on part-time programs with different types designed to meet the varying needs of executives and distance learners.
Candidates	§ MBAs attract people from a wide range of academic disciplines § Depending on the program, type and length of work experience can be a critical admissions component for many MBA p