Studying Master of Science (M.Sc.) degrees

The Master of Science (M.Sc.) refers to a postgraduate academic master's degree and is nowadays awarded by most European universities as well as universities world-wide. In combination with a 3-year or 4-year bachelor programme Master programmes replace old five-year programmes such as the German Diplom or the Dutch doctorandus.

The study duration of a Master's programme differs. There are 1-year as well as 2-year Master programmes offered. According to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) on average 30 credits each semester have to be achieved.

A one-year programme has therefore typically 60 ECTS, a two-year programme 120 ECTS accordingly. In order to receive a Master of Science, the completion of a scientific thesis as part of the Master studies is required in most of the cases. The Master of Science (M. Sc.) is mainly awarded to students of universities in the areas of natural sciences, humanities (i.e. social sciences), business sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics and informatics.