M.Phil vs M.Sc - Which is Better?

A lot of people appear to be having advanced degrees right now. A master's degree in people's education is currently required and encouraged for jobs in growing careers. Both M.Phil and M.Sc are postgraduate Master's degrees that are usually pursued after completing an undergraduate degree.

M.Phil. is a postgraduate degree in philosophy awarded for a course or program. On the other hand M.Sc is a postgraduate degree that focuses on research. In the functioning of every entity, both streams are equally essential. But, which is the superior option? Let's have a look.

MPhil vs MSc - Highlights

M.Phil and M.Sc are identical courses, although there are certain variations between them. Students are constantly torn between 'Which one should I choose?' and 'What are the differences between M.Phil and M.Sc?'

The distinction between M.Phil. and M.Sc. is that M.Phil relies more on evidence-based curriculum and strong analytical skills, since a researcher would have to complete a research project in a specialist area, and the M.Sc program is entirely based on classroom instruction, workshops, and a limited amount of reasonable practice.

Differences	M.Phil	M.Sc
Full-Form	Master of Philosophy	Master of Science
Duration	Two Years	Two Years
Eligibility criteria	Minimum 55% aggregate in Graduation	Bachelor's degree in B.Sc with minimum 55% aggregate
Form of Degree	Postgraduate Research Degree (Advanced)	Postgraduate Science Degree
Area of Interest	Focuses on technical knowledge	Focuses on standard knowledge
Job Opportunities	Quality Control Analyst, Philosopher, etc.	Professor, Researcher, Data Scientist, etc.

M.Phil v M.Sc - Overview

While both degrees are postgraduate, they are intended for different career paths: M.Scs for careers in organizations, and M.Phils for careers in sciences or a step toward a Ph.D. 

Human science, scientific discoveries, and a combination of practical and analytical understanding are some of the ideas instilled in a Master of Philosophy or M.Phil candidate. The specialist must be fully prepared over two years to research a stepping stone to the next stage of their careers in the coming months.

Read more about M.Phil

Master of Science is a two-year postgraduate program where students study scientific and essential facets of science's broader applications and industrial work ethics. Working with reputable firms in the scientific or research-oriented realms, such as McKinsey and Intel, in demanding and well-paid positions is an add-on to a Master of Science degree.

Read more about M.Sc

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Eligibility Criteria 

When it comes to eligibility requirements, both the M.Phil and M.Sc programs are pretty transparent. 

M.Phil Eligibility Criteria:

• The essential qualifying requirement for pursuing a Master of Philosophy program is to get a Master's degree in the selected subject with a minimum grade point average of 55 percent.
• In addition, various colleges and universities across India administer entrance exams to grant entry to the course.

M.Sc Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates for the Masters of Science degree must hold a Bachelor's degree in the same field of study, i.e., Bachelor of Science.
• Candidates must have earned at least 55 percent in their preparatory course.
• Aspirants must have completed their Secondary and Higher Secondary Schooling (10+2). 

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Syllabus 

The following tables consist of the course syllabus from the M.Phil and M.Sc. program in the most common and trending courses. Although individual colleges' curriculum can have slight differences, the core of the syllabus is the same in most colleges and universities.

The syllabus for M.Phil is as follows:

• Study of origin and development
• Study of relative discipline
• Elective subject
• Analysis and domain study
• Advanced research methodology
• Philosophical foundations
• Dissertation
• Practical
• Computer applications

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M.Sc Physics Syllabus is as follows:

• Laboratory
• Electromagnetic Theory I
• Mechanics I
• Mechanics of deformable
• Mathematical Physics
• Modern Optics
• Physics of semiconductor
• Laboratory

Read more on M.Sc Syllabus and Subjects

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Specialization 

Various specializations are available based on the students' qualifying conditions. The following table lists the most prevalent specializations:

The various specialized fields for M.Phil are :

• M.Phil Botany
• M.Phil Biotechnology
• M.Phil Commerce
• M.Phil Chemistry
• M.Phil Economics
• M.Phil Computer Science
• M.Phil English
• M.Phil Education

The various specialized fields for M.Sc are :

• M.Sc Physics
• M.Sc Mathematics
• M.Sc Chemistry
• M.Sc Environmental Sciences
• M.Sc Botany
• M.Sc Microbiology
• M.Sc Biotechnology

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Course Fee 

The Course fee is something which is a topmost priority for the candidates. Students should consider the course to be worthy enough to pursue with the amount invested by the candidate.

An aspirant taking an M.Phil course can expect to pay somewhere between INR 2K-1 LPA in course fees. However, this value varies depending on the organization, the reputation and faculty, and government and management quotas.

The estimated M.Sc course fees for an aspirant vary between INR 20K- 3 LPA. The fee structure varies depending on a college's staff, reputation, and facilities, as well as government and management quotas.

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Job Opportunities 

M.Phil and M.Sc are well-known courses that provide students with excellent job prospects. However, since these two courses are so dissimilar, the career paths they lead to are vastly different.

The following are some of the lucrative and promising career prospects open to Master of Philosophy candidates:

• Speaker
• Lecturer
• Assistant Professor
• Teacher
• Consultant
• Scientist
• Human Services Worker
• Social Service Workers
• Quality Control Expert
• Research Assistant
• Editor

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The employment opportunities for graduates of the M.Sc course are listed below:

• Agriculture Industry
• Space Research
• Biotechnology Firms
• Testing Laboratories
• Educational Institutes
• Chemical Industry
• Hospitals
• Geological Survey Departments
• Industrial Laboratories
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Industry
• Oil Industry
• R&D Firms

Read more on M.Sc Jobs

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Average Salary 

M.Phil and M.Sc degrees have high business appeal. However, candidates should be mindful that average pay is determined by various variables, including university qualifications, prestige, etc. 

The below is the salaries for Master of Philosophy graduates, as well as the average salaries in different career opportunities:

Designation	Average Salary
Quality Control Analyst	INR 3.67 LPA
Psychologist	INR 5.69 LPA
Research Scientist	INR 6.20 LPA
Assistant Professor	INR 4.03 LPA

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The below are the typical pay packages given to aspirants seeking various Master of Science streams:

Designation	Average Salary
Data Scientist	INR 9.08 LPA
Software Engineer	INR 6.77 LPA
Project Manager	INR 12.11 LPA
Research Scientist	INR 5.89 LPA

Read more on M.Sc Salary

M.Phil vs M.Sc - Top Colleges in India

The top colleges in India should be the target aim for the candidates. One should know top colleges to start with the course. The top colleges in India offering Master of Philosophy are listed below:

• Delhi University
• Christ University
• University of Mumbai
• Banaras Hindu University
• University of Calcutta

The top colleges in India offering Master of Philosophy are listed below:

• St. Xavier's College Kolkata
• IISC Bangalore
• Fergusson College (FC), Pune
• Oxford College of Science Bangalore
• Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU), Srinagar

M.Phil or M.Sc - Which is Better? 

In terms of academics, an M.Phil is the most advanced Master's degree available. In terms of course complexity and academic credibility, it ranks higher than an M.Sc. but lower than a Ph.D.

High-Value Certification: It would be a fallacy to believe that this makes an M.Phil degree more critical than an M.Sc degree. We've seen how both degrees fulfill the long-term needs of the postgraduate student who is pursuing them. As a result, a better question would be, "Which degree is best as per the needs?"

Knowledge Enhancement: If the aim is to acquire practical experience contributing to the industry, then M.Sc is the go-to course for aspirants. An M.Phil may be more valuable as a prerequisite to a Ph.D. in the education and science fields.

There are many career opportunities open to M.Phil and M.Sc graduates, and it is essential that they thoroughly consider them. Before committing to a specific stream, students should consider their personal preferences and interests.