MSc (Master of Science): Full Form, Courses, Duration, Degree | CollegeSearch

MSc Full form is Master of Science. The MSc Course duration is 2-years and it is a postgraduate course of study with a science-related focus, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Most colleges offer MSc syllabus as an MSc general or an MSc in a specific speciality. Students can opt for MSc specializations such as MSc Computer Science, MSc Biotechnology, MSc Mathematics, MSc Chemistry, MSc Physics, MSc Nursing, MSc Biochemistry, etc.

As per MSc eligibility criteria, students must have completed a bachelor's degree in required field from a recognized institution with a minimum of 50-60 grade point. The majority of MSc admissions will be determined through entrance tests, however certain universities will also offer merit-based admissions. Some of the popular MSc entrance exams in India are CUET, DUET PG, BITSAT, CUSAT CAT, etc. CUET will now be used in place of the JNUEE and BHU PET tests for MSc admission 2024.

MSc course fees for most institutions in India ranges between INR 6,460 to INR 1.10 Lakhs. Apart from the full-time MSc course, many institutes also offer distance learning programs in MSc. MSc course fees for distance courses ranges between INR 10,000 to 40,000. Colleges offering MSc Distance Education provide direct admission to applicants.

After earning an MSc, students can either continue their education via a Ph.D. programme or opt for jobs. Some of the popular MSc jobs include project support, junior research fellow, lab manager, patent associate, regulatory affairs specialist, etc. MSc salary in India ranges between INR 3 LPA to INR 5 LPA.

Check Also: BSc Course

More MSc Courses:

MSc Course Details

What is MSc?

MSc course is a 3-year postgraduate degree program. Read on to know more about it.

Read More: What is MSc degree

MSc Full Form

The full form of MSc is Master of Science. It is a postgraduate degree that take two years to complete in specialised science subjects like Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Botany, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Microbiology. A master's degree in science is intended to give students the necessary scientific understanding and to open up new and abundant chances in a number of sectors. Many colleges also offer M.Sc degrees in the hospitality and design disciplines in addition to the fields indicated above.

MSc Course Duration

The duration of M.Sc course is 2 years. The course is divided into 4 semesters and follows a semester examination type system.

MSc Fees

The fees for M.Sc course ranges anywhere between INR 6,000 to 1,10,000. The MSc course fees varies from one college to another. 

Why Pursue MSc Course?

Master of Science or MSc course is a postgraduate degree program. Following the completion of an M.Sc programme, one has a wide range of career advancement options. A Master of Science can help you improve your talents. One can pursue education in a specific field and choose their desired career. People can choose to pursue a Master of Science either after gaining some professional experience or immediately after successfully completing a Bachelor of Science degree programme.

Find out the Top MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in your city:

Find out the Top MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in your state:

MSc Eligibility

• Candidates for a Master of Science degree must hold a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution or college.
• To be eligible for admission to the M.Sc programme, a candidate's graduating grade point average must be between 50 and 60 percent. However, the proportion varies from college to college based on the application requirements of the institution.

MSc Admission 2024

MSc admissions are based on both merit as well as entrance exams.  To evaluate the intelligence and abilities of deserving students, entrance tests are administered.

Following the Master of Science degree admissions process based on merit and entrance exam, GD and PI are required for final selection.

MSc Entrance Exam

A number of entrance exams are held for admission to a Master of Science programme at the national and university levels. Some of the most significant national and university level entrance tests needed for MSc admission are listed below.

MSc Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

In addition to meeting the MSc eligibility requirements, students seeking admission to elite universities like JNU, DU, BHU, etc. must succeed in entrance exams.

The following advice will assist you in passing the MSc entrance exams:

• Take the general science and aptitude tests very seriously. We advise you to begin your planning two years in advance.
• Along with the practise tests that can be found online or on their official websites, solve and practise the question paper from the previous year.
• To gain a handle on computer-based entrance exams, practise exams should be given in the case of online exams.
• Typically, 60% of the questions on the MSc Entrance Exams are straightforward, 20% are more analytical, and 20% are exceedingly challenging.

Types of MSc Courses

Generally, M.Sc courses are available in three formats to the interested students. The three major types of MSc courses are as follows:

• Full-time MSc Course
• Online MSc Course
• Distance MSc Course

MSc Distance Vs Online

MSc Syllabus

As was already noted, there are numerous specialisations available in M.Sc degree programmes, and each program's syllabus is unique. Colleges may have different curricula. Given below is the syllabus for Master of Science in Chemistry:

MSc Subjects

MSc syllabus covers a wide variety of subjects and disciplines in the course period of two-years. Look at the detailed subjects as covered in Master of Science syllabus:

MSc Courses List

Find below the list of MSc specializations that students can opt as per their interest areas:

Check More: MSc Computer Science Syllabus

Check More: MSc Mathematics Syllabus

MSc Specializations in Detail

Master of Science in Engineering

Master of Science in Engineering, sometimes known as MSE is an MSc degree course. ME, or Master of Engineering, distinguishes it as an academic degree. It is a full-time programme that lasts between 1.5 and 4 years. The majority of candidates are admitted to MSc programmes based on their performance on the admission tests.

The typical course cost for this programme is between INR 1 and INR 3 Lakhs, whereas an MSc graduate's average salary is between INR 3 and INR 8 LPA. IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, NIT Trichy, etc. are a few of India's top MSc colleges.

Master of Science in Information Technology

The MSc or Master of Science in Information Technology, is a 2- to 4-year postgraduate programme that is offered through all traditional, online, and remote learning options. Candidates for this programme must have a minimum of 60% overall in their UG coursework, or an equivalent. The typical course cost for an M.Sc in information technology is between INR 19,000 and 49,000.

With this degree, one can work as an application programmer, information technology specialist, information systems manager, computer information specialist, etc. A M.Sc in Information Technology graduate can expect to earn an annual income of between INR 1 and INR 45 lakhs. The best universities in India to earn a master's degree in information technology are RVCE Bangalore, IIT Delhi, IIT Bangalore, etc.

Master of Science in Data Science

Candidates for the two-year postgraduate Master of Science or MSc in Data Science degree study statistics, mathematics, and data science. Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree in either a BCA course or a bachelor's degree (ideally a BSc) in mathematics, computer science, or statistics in order to be qualified for this course.

The average course cost for an MSc in Data Science is INR 1.7 L to 3.5 LPA, and people with this degree often receive salaries in the range of INR 10 to 12 LPA. Some of the top MSc colleges for this specialization are Loyola College, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), etc.

Master of Science in Management

A master's degree programme in management lasts between one and three years. Candidates learn many management principles and practises in this course. Candidates must earn a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least 60% overall marks in order to be eligible for this programme. 

The selection of candidates for this programme is based on their performance on the MSc entrance exam and throughout the interview process. An MSc in Management degree holder typically earns between INR 2,000 and 10,000 per year in compensation, with the average course fee for the degree being INR 25,000 to 80,000. G.D. Goenka World Institute, Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru, and other top MSc Management colleges in India.

MSc in Chemistry

Physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and analytical chemistry are among topics covered by the M.Sc in Chemistry. It takes two years to complete the postgraduate MSc in Chemistry programme. The MSc Chemistry courses are chosen carefully to give students the finest opportunities and careers.

A graduate degree in chemistry or a related field from an accredited college with at least a 50% average is required for qualifying for the MSc in chemistry programme. The usual course cost is from INR 20,000 - 2 LPA, while individuals with this degree typically receive offers of INR 4 - 10 LPA in pay. Hindu College, Miranda House, Hansraj College, among others, are a few of India's top M.Sc Chemistry universities.

Master of Science in Nursing

MSC Nursing is a two-year graduate master's programme. This curriculum has a clear focus on serving the nursing sector and the field of Applied Sciences. Candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing to be eligible for this programme. This program's average course cost is INR 1.30 lakhs.

This course offers direct admission as well as entrance-based admission. Candidates with this degree can find employment in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, medical schools or hospitals, military hospitals, etc. A nursing M.Sc graduate makes an average salary of INR 2 lakh. The top M.Sc in Nursing schools are AIIMS in New Delhi, PGIMER in Chandigarh, JIPMER in Pondicherry, among others.

MSc: Skills Required

The following are fundamental abilities and qualities that applicants who wish to enrol in an M.Sc programme should have:

MSc Course Comparison

In this section, we have given comparisons of MSc course with other postgraduate course on the basis of various parameters such as duration, eligibility, admission, fees, salary. 

MSc vs MTech

MSc vs MBA

Top MSc Colleges in India

Have a look at the top colleges that offers M.Sc course in India:

MSc Colleges in Delhi

MSc Colleges in Bangalore

MSc Colleges in Mumbai

MSc Colleges in Pune

Distance MSc Colleges

For students who want to pursue M.Sc course in distance learning mode can consider the following colleges:

MSc Jobs

Given below is the list of the best jobs after MSc course in India:

MSc Salary in India

The PGDM and PGPM, which are essentially identical to and comparable to MBA degrees, are two other highly sought-after management courses. A graduate of the IIMs, SPJIMR, Jamia Millia Islamia, etc. can earn a salary of up to INR 5–12 LPA on average after completing these programmes.

Master of Science Jobs: Abroad

See the table below for the top employment opportunities for candidates with an M.Sc degree:

MSc Scope: What After MSc?

After earning a Master of Science degree, there are numerous employment options accessible in the public and commercial sectors in areas including academia, research, medical laboratories, biotechnology companies, food institutes, etc.

The MSc degree qualification offers individuals a fantastic opportunity to apply for research and technical roles in many top institutes and firms known for their R&D and inventions, especially given the numerous advancements in the science and engineering industry.

These include the TIFR, BARC, DRDO, ISRO, CSIR, ICAR, and ICMR Institutes, as well as the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and others.

Some other possibilities for further study after completing an MSc course are as follows:

Double Masters

Many students from science backgrounds choose to pursue Master of Technology (MTech) in order to improve their career prospects because the average salary after completing MTech is around 4-8 LPA, and could be higher depending on the college, candidate's performance in the interview, and knowledge of research and technical skills.

MTech programmes in computer science and engineering, food technology, information technology, and others are among the most popular.

However, many students also think about pursuing a second master's degree while studying overseas.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil):

It is thought that pursuing an MPhil after a Master of Science course will improve one's chances of landing a job in academia or research. Students undertake this advanced postgraduate research degree for one to two years before continuing on to further study or a PhD. After completing an MPhil, many excellent possibilities in teaching and academia are available.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):

After completing a Master of Science programme, the majority of students wish to pursue a PhD in order to realise their aspirations of becoming professors and contributing to high-caliber research. In India and overseas, PhD programmes are available in a number of scientific and technological subjects.

In order to enter the rigorous and difficult sector of management and lead a corporate life, there is also the option of doing MBA courses. Students have the option of pursuing an Executive MBA, which is tailored specifically for working professionals, in addition to an MBA.

PGDM and PGPM, which are nearly identical to and comparable to MBA degrees, are two additional highly sought-after management courses. After completing these courses, you may anticipate to get an average salary of between INR 5 and 12 LPA, and even more if you have a degree from an institution like the IIMs, SPJIMR, Jamia Millia Islamia, etc.

MSc Top Recruiters

Some of the top recruiting companies that hire Master of Science, M.Sc graduates are: