MBA vs an MSc

An MBA and an MSc are both Masters level degree programmes and a necessary academic requirement before pursuing a PhD or a DBA Doctorate Degree.

What is an MBA?

MBA – an acronym for Masters in Business Administration – is a postgraduate business management degree designed to develop leadership and management skills. It originated in 1908 in the United States of America during a time of heavy industrialisation, when companies and businesses were implementing Scientific Management theories in an attempt to boost production and efficiency.


What is an MSC

What is an MSc?
MSc is an abbreviation of Master of Science, a Masters level degree once awarded to the Sciences; engineering, medicine, statistics etc. Today the MSc covers a breadth of subjects including the Arts, Business and Humanities. A little known fact is that the precursor to the MBA was actually an MSc – the Master of Science in Commerce from the Wharton School1.

All MBA degrees cover the core business elements but this isn’t the case with an MSc. A Master of Science teaches a specialised set of skills and depending on the subject, can include little or no business elements. For eg, an Online Masters in Data Science or a Masters in Psychology. The exception is business specific MSc’s such as a

MBA vs an MSc

#1: Work Experience
An MBA suits professionals who have accumulated 4 to 6 years of work experience, with at least 2 in a supervisory or managerial capacity. In contrast – depending on the chosen MSc – no prior work experience may be necessary.




#2: Depth vs Breadth
The MBA teaches a macro, holistic view of business and its respective functions. The MSc provides depth, skewing towards the micro or technical elements of the chosen field. For eg, an MBA in HR would include modules relating to Finance or Leadership, whereas an MSc in HR is entirely devoted to the subject of Human Resource Management.


#3: Career prospects
Professionals looking to advance to a General Manager, Managing Director or a CEO position should consider an MBA course. Leadership has a significant impact on an organisation and is a vital management skill business leaders must learn. MSc graduates tend to specialise in their function and prefer to pursue roles such as Head of Department, Director of Marketing,


#4: Academic requirements
An undergraduate degree in a related subject is the minimum requirement for either course. However, many universities provide work-based entry routes for candidates without a bachelors degree, as long as they can prove sufficient work experience.

Interested in studying an MBA or MSc? Speak to me.

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