Updated on May 19, 2025 03:10 IST
Diya Nihalani

Diya NihalaniContent Author

MBA or MSc? Both are great options, but they also confuse many science graduates. This article covers the benefits of each for academics and career choices. 

The MSc full form is Master of Science, while the MBA full form is Master of Business Administration. Both are popular two-year postgraduate degrees. 

An MBA is suitable for candidates who want to advance their careers in management and executive roles, while an MSc is more appropriate for students who wish to join specialised and technical fields. Interested students can read the article further to know the differences between MSc and MBA courses and how they need to select the right course for themselves.

MSc vs MBA Relevant Links:

MSc Admissions: Check Application Status

MBA Admission 2025: Fees, Entrance Exam, Dates, Eligibility, Application, Selection

MSc vs MBA: Highlights

Students who have completed their bachelor’s degree and are confused about making their decision between an MBA and an MSc degrees can check the table below to understand the key highlights of both courses. The important details related to course level, entrance exams, course fees, job profiles, and average annual salary are tabulated below:

MBA vs MSc Parameters

MSc

MBA

Full Form

Master of Science

Master of Business Administration

Course Level

Postgraduate Degree

Postgraduate Degree

Subjects

Mathematical Statistics, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry of Biomolecules, Polymer Science, etc.

 

 

Business Ethics, Organisational Behaviour, Microeconomics, Principles of Accounting, etc.

Entrance Exams

Entrance Exams like CPGET, MCAER CET, IIT JAM, URATPG, MAH CET, ICAR AIEEA, CUET PG, etc.

CAT, MATXAT, CMATNMAT, 

etc.

Accreditation

Accredited by Universities

University Grants Commission (UGC)

Course Fees (in INR)

INR 20,000 to INR 1.2 Lakh

INR 2 lakh to 27 lakh and above

Salary (in INR)

INR 4 LPA and INR 30 LPA

INR 5 LPA to 25 LPA

 

Top Recruiters

Ranbaxy, GAIL, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, BARC, etc.

Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Co, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Adobe, etc.

Specializations

PhysicsBiologyChemistryMathematicsBotanyBiotechnologyMicrobiologyEnvironmental SciencesFood Sciences, etc.

Sales and MarketingOperations, FinanceHuman Resources, Digital Marketing, etc.

Top Job Profiles

Project Assistant, Lab Manager, Pharma Associate, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Patent Associate, Food Safety Analyst, etc.

Finance Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Project Manager, etc.

Top Colleges

 Banaras Hindu UniversityBharathiar UniversityCalcutta UniversityDelhi University, etc.

IIM AhmedabadIIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, etc. 

Quick links relevant to Popular MBA Exams:

MAT

CMAT

Relevant links for Popular MSc Exams:

ICAR AIEEA

URAT PG

MCAER CET

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Difference Between MSc and MBA

An MSc is a two-year postgraduate degree that candidates usually opt for after completing their BSc. The fees of MSc courses are less than MBA and can be completed between INR 20,000 to INR 1.2 Lakh. MSc is classified as a STEM degree since it emphasizes ScienceEngineeringTechnologyMathematics, and Medicine

On the other hand, an MBA or Master of Business Administration is a postgraduate degree program that offers advanced management and business training. The fees of MBA courses range between INR 4 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh. The course enlightens students with the knowledge and abilities they need to be successful in leadership positions. The growing number of businesses has highlighted the importance of an MBA degree. 

What is an MSc?

The Master of Science (MSc) course is popular for scientific and research opportunities, including government competitive exams. The wide range of MSc courses might lead to a lucrative job option. MSc courses can be pursued in various specializations, including Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, ChemistryApplied Psychology, Life Science, Mathematics, Analytical Chemistry, PhysicsBiologyBotanyBiotechnology, etc. MSc courses are designed such that candidates can gain complete knowledge about scientific principles and research.

In India, numerous government colleges provide MSc courses and specializations. Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi University, and Jawaharlal Nehru University are some of the colleges that provide MSc courses in India.

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What is an MBA?

An MBA is a very popular management program that can be pursued in two years. An MBA is pursued by students after completing their graduation with 50% aggregate marks. MBA equips students with valuable management skills, hence, a large number of BTech, BBA, BCom, BA, BSc, and BCA graduates go for an MBA in post-graduation.

The most popular MBA entrance exams are CMAT, XAT, CAT, and MAH CET, among others. Some of the popular colleges offering MBA programs in various specializations are IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, FMS Delhi, and XLRI, among others.

MBA vs MSc Course Links you may be interested in:

MBA Outlook Report

MBA vs MSc: Eligibility Criteria

Usually, students who possess a bachelor’s degree in Science from a recognised college/university with 50 per cent marks can seek admission to MSc courses. An MBA is pursued in different modes such as Part-Time MBADistance MBAOnline MBAExecutive MBA and Integrated MBA. Hence, eligibility criteria for every programme differ. Similarly, an MSc can be pursued in different modes.

The table below contains the eligibility requirements for Full-time MSc and MBA programmes.

Parameters

MSc

MBA

Education

Graduate in Science

Graduate in any stream

Entrance Exams

CPGET, ICAR AIEEACUET PG, MCAER CET, etc.

CATMATXATCMAT, etc

Minimum Percentage

Minimum 50 per cent aggregate marks

Average 50 per cent marks (45 per cent for Reserved category)

Work Experience

NA

Some courses and colleges demand work experience of 3 to 5 years

MSc vs MBA: Entrance Exams

Admission to the top B-schools is provided based on national or state-level entrance exams like CMAT, ATMA, MAH-CET, CAT, MAT, etc. On the other hand,admission to MSc courses is provided based on merit or entrance exams like CUET PG, AP PGCET, CPGET, ICAR AIEEA, etc.

Students can check the table below to know the details related to entrance exams for both MSc and MBA.

Parameters

MBA

MSc

Conducting Body

UGC

UGC

Mode of Exam

Online and Offline

Online and Offline

Entrance Exams

CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, etc.

CPGET, ICAR AIEEA, CUET PG, AP PGCET, etc.

Entrance Exams Syllabus

CAT SyllabusMAT SyllabusCMAT SyllabusSNAP Syllabus

CPGET SyllabusICAR AIEEACUET PG

MBA vs MSc Course topics you might be interested in:

List of all MBA entrance exams

List of all MSc entrance exams

Top MBA Entrance Exams 2024: Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Difficulty Level

FMS Delhi Placements 2024: Check Highest, Average CTC and Top Recruiters

MBA vs MSc: Syllabus

MBA curriculum is more theoretical and changes less frequently as it is designed by the universities. The MBA curriculum is designed to provide students with a thorough awareness of the various aspects of the management sector and its role in the corporate world. 

Contrarily, MSc subjects provide a comprehensive outline of the courses and curriculum covered in the MSc degree. MSc subjects serve as a roadmap for students, detailing the specific subjects and topics they will study throughout their programme.

Here is an overview of the semester-wise MBA and PGDM syllabus in India:

Parameters

MSc

MBA

Semester-1

  • Mathematical Physics
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Quantitative Methods

Semester-2

  • Methods in Applied Sciences
  • Qualitative Analysis Lab
  • Organization Effectiveness and Change
  • Management Science

Semester-3

  • Coordination Chemistry
  • Electrochemistry and Kinetics

Semester-4

  • Bioanalytical Chemistry
  • Polymer Science
  • Project Study
  • Strategic Management

Relevant links for MSc vs MBA Courses:

MSc Syllabus 

MBA Syllabus

MSc vs MBA: Top MBA/MSc Colleges

Some popular colleges for MSc include the names of Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi University, etc. Similarly, Students can pursue an MBA from several top management institutes, including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), XLRI-Jamshedpur, and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research-Mumbai. 

Interested candidates can see the tables below to know the top colleges offering MSc and MBA programmes.

Top MSc Colleges

Candidates can select the MSc college based on several factors candidate’s requirements, specialisations, fee structure, placement, curriculum, and so forth. Students can check the table below for popular MSc Colleges:

Best MSc Colleges

MSc Fees (in INR)

Banaras Hindu University

10,400 - 25,500

Jamia Millia Islamia 

14,400 - 1.8 lakh

Delhi University (DU)

3,900 - 32,000

Hindu College

INR 51,800

Jawaharlal Nehru University

432 - 5,800

Indian Institute of Science

32,000 - 48,000

Hansraj College

INR 432

Miranda House

INR 29,060 - INR 32,340

BITS Pilani

19.9 lakh

PSG College

INR 24,000 - INR 1.4 Lakh

Amity University, Noida

1.4 lakh - 7.5 lakh

Suggested MBA vs MSc Link:

Top 100 Universities in India as per NIRF Ranking

Top MBA Colleges

There are about 5,000 MBA colleges in India. One can choose their best-suited institutes with the help of the MBA college predictor. Some of the top colleges with their fees are:

Top MBA Colleges

MBA Fees (in INR)

IIM Ahmedabad

24.6 lakh

IIM Bangalore

20 lakh

IIM Rohtak

20 lakh

MDI Gurgaon

12 lakh

XLRI, Jamshedpur

25 lakh

IIM, Calcutta

21 lakh

IIM, Indore

20 lakh

IIM Bodh Gaya

19 lakh 

NMIMS

17 lakh

IIFT Delhi

12 lakh

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IIM Ranchi partners with Indian Army Eastern Command for Executive MBA, PhD Programmes

How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT 2024 to Score 99+ Percentile?

MSc vs MBA: Jobs and Salaries

An MBA is one of the most popular degrees in the field of management. It is also suitable for students who want to refine their managerial skills and start their own firms. Students holding a Bachelor's Degree in any area and a qualifying percentage can enrol for an MBA course.

MSc Salary in India

After completing the MSc programme, one can find a variety of job options in both the public and private sectors. The young entrants can earn between INR 6 to 8 LPA and increase their pay scale with experience. After completing the MSc, the graduates can find employment as a data scientist, clinical research specialist, chemist, lecturer, research scientist, laboratory technician, and oceanographer, among others.

The graduates can find job profiles like the ones mentioned below.

Job Profile

MSc Salary (in INR)

Mathematicians

8.2 LPA

Junior Research Fellows

3.9 LPA

Research Scientists

9.2 LPA

Lecturers

4 LPA

Chemical Analysts

3.7 LPA

MBA Salary in India

The average salary after an MBA ranges between INR 5 lakh to 7 lakh at the start. The pay is mostly determined by several factors like skills, specialisation, qualifications, experience, and location. Finance, marketing, general management, business analytics, and entrepreneurship are among the top MBA specialisations that frequently yield the greatest pay after graduation.

Given below are some of the popular job options after an MBA and their corresponding salaries:

Job Profile

MBA Salary (in INR)

Marketing Managers

12.4 LPA

Sales Managers

6.9 LPA

Operations Managers

10.7 LPA

Finance Managers

17 LPA

Product Managers

21.3 LPA

MBA vs MSc Course Topics you might be interested in:

MBA Placements

Table of contents
  • Popular MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in India
  • Popular MSc (Master of Science) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in India. Learn more about these MSc (Master of Science) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
43 Courses
6.66 K - 1.7 L
9 LPA
17 Courses
20 K - 1.11 L
9.25 LPA
19 Courses
480
11.9 - 16 LPA
6 Courses
32 K
4.3
10 Courses
432
9.5 LPA
1 L
7.2 - 20 LPA

Popular Private MSc (Master of Science) Colleges in India

1.75 L - 3.2 L
3.6

M.Sc. Applications open. Apply Now

1.68 L - 3.28 L
4.1

M.Sc. Applications open till Apr 15, 2026. Apply Now

3.6 L - 4.2 L
8.16 LPA

M.Sc. Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
4.2 L - 4.4 L
4.2
6 Courses
1.6 L - 2.5 L
4.3
1.4 L - 3.64 L
3.5

M.Sc. Applications open till Apr 15, 2026. Apply Now

Popular MSc (Master of Science) Specializations

Following are the most popular MSc (Master of Science) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Answered Yesterday

The rebate on MS costs in USA depends on the applicant's application and strength of academic background. Around 20-30% of concession or fee waivers can be availed by international students for MS in USA. Apart from merit based scholarships, there are options of external scholarships, loans and gran

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Sreetama Sinha

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

You can reduce the cost of MS in the US in multiple ways. Some popular options to reduce MS study costs are:

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  • Shortlist affordable US universities.

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Nishtha Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

The Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research application fee is INR 1000. This fee is one time payable and non refendable. Students are required to pay this fee at the time of filling out the application form. The admission for MSc at SICSR are open now. 

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Anjali Sharma

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 5 days ago

Hi,

Finding the 5-year Integrated M.Sc. in Biotech (Directly joining after 12th) is rare in Bangalore. Most of the institutes are following the B.Sc. (3/4 years) + M.Sc. (2 years) structure.
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Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

The MSc programme at B.K.M. Science College require a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field like Chemistry, Botany, or Mathematics. The college offers full-time PG course in these specializations and considers graduation marks for admission.

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Shruti Manchanda

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The MSc in International Business is one of the most popular programs at the University of Leeds.

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Divya Shukla

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

Students must fulfil the Presidency University Kolkata MSc admission criteria to get a seat at the university. The minimum requirements are as below:

  • Eligibility - UG degree in relevant field
  • Selection process - PUMDET + counselling

M

Manashjyoti Srivastava

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Doon University Dehradun MSc tuition fees is INR 40,000 - INR 1.1 lakh. Doon University Dehradun MSc fee structure includes many components. The total fee may differ at the time of payment due to the variables of the fee structure.

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Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The MSc Economics & Policy course of KCL is a one-year long. The full-time fees for KCL is GBP 40,450 (Around INR 50.5 lakh) for Indian students. For admission to this course, Indian students are required to have a Bachelor's degree with 65% - 70% (varies as per the institution). 

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Bhumika Kaur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

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Anya Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes, Vijetha Academy under the Osmania University offers MSc in Psychology course for students. This course is available at the postgraduate level for the students. At the PG level, the course is given for a duration of 2 years. 

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Manpreet Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NIMS School of Humanities and Social Sciences, NIMS University offers MSc across several specialisations. The duration for MSc at NIMS School of Humanities and Social Sciences is 2 years. The eligibility for MSc courses is graduation/ bachelor's degree in any stream with at least 50% from any recogn

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Tanu Rao

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Delhi University offers MSc across several specialisations. The duration for MSc at DU is 2 years. The eligibility for MSc courses at Delhi University  is graduation/ bachelor's degree in any stream with at least 50% and a valid score in CUET PG.

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Tanu Rao

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Answered a month ago

BHU MSc cutoff 2025 was published for various All India categories for admission to the MSc in Chemistry and Physics branches. 

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Neerja Rohatgi

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Answered a month ago

The median and average package recorded during IIT Madras MSc Mathematics placements 2025 was 8 LPA and 10.2 LPA.

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Satyendra Rai

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Answered a month ago

IIT Madras offers good placements to MSc students. The average and median package recorded during MSc Physics placements 2025 was 12.5 LPA and 12 LPA.

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Saakshi Malhotra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Hi.There  are no M.Sc perfusion technology course  in Sri jayadeva institute of medical science.You can see all the courses in below link :

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Dr. Uma Sinha

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

The Uni of Bern MSc in Statistics and Data Science course is taught in English. This course spans over 3 semesters. For admission to this course of the Uni of Bern, students are required to have a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics or Computer Science. 

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Nishtha Shukla

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Answered a month ago

You certainly are eligible for many of the M.Sc. Physics programs available in India. But the eligibility is subject to the institution and channel itself. Please go through the eligibility criteria of whatever channels and institutions you're looking into. If you're not aware by yourself, you may c

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Vansh Mangal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

A total of 21 students were placed out of 34 eligible students during MNIT MSc placements 2025. The highest and median package offered was 10 LPA and 5.5 LPA.

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Nishtha Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The highest and median package recorded during MNIT Jaipur MSc Physics placements 2025 was 6 LPA and 5 LPA. 24 students registered and 9 students were placed in 2025.

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Chandra Thakur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

MNIT Jaipur MSc Chemistry placement highlights 2025 are mentioned below:

Particulars

MSc Chemistry Placement Statistics 2025

the highest package

INR 7.5 LPA

Average package

INR 5.14 LPA

Median package

INR 5 LPA

Students registered

33

Students placed

14

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Dhanya Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Some of the most popular cities in the USA where international students can choose MS in Psychology are given as follows :

  • California 
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Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Each university in UAE which offer MS course has different tuition fee for Indian students. The average cost of studying in MS in UAE range between INR 1 L – INR 14 Cr. The cost of MS in top universities in the UAE are given as follows:

University

First-Year MS cost

Ajman University

INR 11 L - 21 L

American University in the Emirates - Dubai

INR 15 L - 20 L 

Synergy University Dubai

INR 9 L

Fujairah University

INR 7 L

Al Ain University

INR 11 L - 21 L

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Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Hi.

To get admitted into MS Pharma at NIPER Ahmedabad you must:

  1.  Have a relevant bachelor's degree (B.Pharm/M.Sc. as specified) with required marks
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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

Hi...

Step‑by‑Step: Counselling & Seat Allocation

Qualify the Entrance Exam — NIPER JEE

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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

The total tuition fee of MSc Mathematics course at St Francis de Sales College is INR 39,700. This number is taken from website of college. It can change.

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Raj Priya

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Answered a month ago

Hi.Yes, Annamalai University Center for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) offer MSc Microbiology course. This MSc degree is designed for students learning through distance mode. It covers a wide range of science-related topics and helps you understand Microbiology in a detailed and simple way.

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Dr. Uma Sinha

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

Hi.The admissions for M.Sc. Biotechnology (2 years) programme in the Post Graduate  Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College (Empowered Autonomous Institute),  Mumbai will be through an Entrance Examination. Admission is based on  score obtained in the entrance examination -70% weightage an

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Dr. Uma Sinha

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