MS and MEng. are two most popular masters courses for science undergraduates. However, most applicants are not very clear about the difference between the two. The purpose of this blog is to: –

· Discuss the two courses in detail

· Who should apply?

· Difference between the two

Master of Science:

Master of Science (MS) is a two-year full-time degree offered in subjects concentrated more towards curriculum-based subjects in areas of mathematics, medicine and technology. Major requirements of this course are; –

· A bachelor’s degree

· Some programs require undergraduate studies in the same subject.

· A Valid GRE/GMAT score (taken in the last five years)

· Statement of purpose, 2 Letters of recommendation and official transcripts

Besides the points mentioned above, requirements may differ based on requirements of the universities. There are some universities that do not consider GRE/GMAT score.

Cost:

The cost of the Master of Science program is based on various factors such as: –

· Location

· University Ranking

· Degree Concentration

· Publicly or Privately Funded

On an average the tuition fees range between 15000 to 30000 USD per year (Most programs are two-year courses). However, applicants need to keep in mind this does not include food and living expenses.

Specialisations:

· Computer Science: – Areas of specialization include Artificial Intelligence, Bio computation, Algorithms, Real-world computing, Analytics, Programming languages etc.

· Finance/Financial Analysis; – Areas of specialization include Business Analytics, Quantitative Finance and Risk Management, Actuarial Science etc.

· Information Systems; – Areas of specialization include Systems Design, Software Development, Database Management etc.

· Data Analytics; – Specialization in Machine Learning and Optimization, Data Management etc.

Employment Opportunities

Although there are many universities in the USA offering the MS program, however, it is important to choose a university based on important factors such as, Cost, University Ranking, Relevant Curriculum, Research opportunities, Financial Aid, Faculty etc. On an average, MS graduates earn around 60,000-70,000 USD. Many students engage in Research and Development to pursue a Doctorate

Rankings:

Some of the top universities offering The MS Program are; –

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2. Stanford University

3. University of California (Berkeley Campus)

4. University of Cambridge

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

6. University of Michigan

7. California Institute of Technology

8. Princeton University

9. University of Oxford

10.National University of Singapore.

Master of Engineering

Masters in the field of engineering is a popular choice among undergraduates who have completed 4 years of bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering. Leading universities in USA and Canada offer this program as both full time and part time. It is considered a terminal degree.

Some programs in this discipline require students to present research work in addition to the prescribed coursework. This program encourages collaborative consulting with emphasis on fundamentals of business management and leadership. However, in the UK this degree is a university level qualification for engineers interested in registering for the Engineering Council. The minimum requirement for entry is a master’s in engineering.

Requirements

· Proficiency in English language. Minimum 80 ibt in TOEFL and Minimum band 6 in IELTS

· Minimum score of 300 in GRE

· 16 years of graduation (10+2+4)

· SOP’s (statement of purpose) ,2 LOR’s (Letters of Recommendation) and official transcripts. Additional essays might be asked based on admission procedure

Cost:

Average cost of the course varies from as low as 10,000 USD to 80,000 USD per year. M.Eng. requires practical experience and besides classroom discussions, attending lectures and presentation of thesis you are also required to have professional experience. An international student can avail student internships as they cannot be employed while studying.

Specializations:

Some popular specializations in this field are: –

· Software Engineering: – Areas of specialization are Mobile computing, Data analytics and machine learning and High-Performance Computing etc.

· Electrical Engineering: – Areas of specialization include Nanotechnology, Control Systems, Microelectronics/photonics etc.

· Mechanical Engineering: Areas of specialization are Thermodynamics, Robotics, Fluid Mechanics etc.

· Civil Engineering: -Areas of specialization are Hydraulics, Structural and land development, construction, design and impact on environment etc.

Rankings:

Some of the top universities offering this course are: –

· Stanford University

· Massachusetts Institute of Technology

· Georgia Institute of Technology

· Columbia University

· Carnegie Mellon University

· Cornell University

· University of California, Berkley

· Northwestern University

· Purdue University

· Princeton University

Conclusion

Both the programs are good and offer ample job opportunities, however, the difference between the two is approach to learning. Masters of Science is research driven and Masters in Engineering is application driven.