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MSc Economics vs. MA Economics

  • 25-08-2009 1:44pm
    #1
    mr.interested
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭


    Did anyone wonder about the differences between MSc Economics in Trinity (course modules) and MA Economics in UCD (course modules)? Each of which has quite simmilar modules in the first semester, yet a bit different in the second one. Also, there's a huge difference in the fees. The latter costs 5,400 euros, and the former as twice as much (9,300 to be exact).

    Also, - this might be a stupid question - is there any difference between MSc (Master of Science) and MA (Master of Arts)?


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    There is no difference between MSc and MA. It's course content that matters.

    Given that it includes a prelim maths and stats course, the TCD course is probably more rigourous than the UCD course, which is very important if you're looking to do a PhD.

    There was a very similar thread in the Science>Economics forum recently which i'd advise reading.


  • #3
    Suaimhneach
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 4,436 Mod ✭✭✭✭Suaimhneach


    There is a big difference between an MA and an MSc.

    An MA is general. I could do an MA in Marketing, for example, and my undergrad does not have much marketing. However, I could not do an MSc in Marketing, as I have not done in depth study on the area.

    An MSc is specialised and goes much more in depth. An MA is a good qualification, but is not as in depth. This is the point of view academics take, employers do not always share this view.


  • #4
    mr.interested
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭mr.interested


    Suaimhneach wrote: »
    There is a big difference between an MA and an MSc.

    An MA is general. I could do an MA in Marketing, for example, and my undergrad does not have much marketing. However, I could not do an MSc in Marketing, as I have not done in depth study on the area.

    I doubt it's true. DIT offers MSc in Marketing and a regret letter was issued to me, because I hold too much business studies (eg. Honours Bachelor Degree in Marketing and Management). On the other hand, I wasn't accepted to MA in Economics in UCD either, because my undergraduate degree doesn't hold sufficient number of economics subjects at the advanced level.

    This is a paranoia! Can't do MSc in Marketing, because it's "too easy" for me, yet at the same time, cannot do MA in Economics, because it's "too difficult" for me. So I'm scared that I will end up in HDip in Economics, which is the field I want to work in, before I do MSc/MA in Economics.
    Deleted User wrote: »
    There is no difference between MSc and MA. It's course content that matters.

    Given that it includes a prelim maths and stats course, the TCD course is probably more rigourous than the UCD course, which is very important if you're looking to do a PhD.

    There was a very similar thread in the Science>Economics forum recently which i'd advise reading.

    I've read that topic, but was looking for more specific information regarding this two courses.


  • #5
    economicsgrad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭economicsgrad


    There's actually quite a big difference between an Msc and Ma, you would want to ensure you know what direction you would like your career to take before you choose. For an academic/research position and Msc would be essential really and in higher regard than an Ma because of its quality to deliver a strong quantitative foundation that most undergraduate degrees lack. An Ma, will be an 'easier' road to take as course content will be less mathematical and just a slight step up from undergrad. Also, an Msc is a much better option if one hopes to progress to Phd level.

    I myself have taken a lot of time to research the content on all postgraduate courses in economics at masters level and have decided to do the Msc in Trinity starting mid august.

    Hope I helped a bit!


  • #6
    Slippers 2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 126 ✭✭Slippers 2


    economicsgrad wrote: »
    For an academic/research position and Msc would be essential really and in higher regard than an Ma
    economicsgrad wrote: »
    Also, an Msc is a much better option if one hopes to progress to Phd level.

    UCD's MA is fine for a research career. (power point)
    If you take Advanced Macro, Micro and Metrics and get 60% in each, then you automatically get into the PhD.


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  • #7
    claire h
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭claire h


    The reason the TCD one is a MSc rather than an MA is because the MA is an undergraduate degree at Dublin, Oxford & Cambridge (the one you can get a certain number of years after graduating with a BA). The reason it's an MSc rather than an MPhil (the TCD equivalent to a postgraduate MA) does indicate it's a bit more on the 'science' rather than 'humanities' end of things, but doesn't indicate anything about how much depth it goes into or how specialised it is.

    Somewhat confusingly, sometimes research masters can be designated with an 'MSc' (in the humanities this tends to be more clear-cut within universities, where some combination of MA/MPhil/MLitt is used) as well, but almost always the person who's done one will make a point of noting it in CVs or academic bios. This may be where the idea of the MSc being superior is coming from - but in that case the distinction is between the taught and research masters, not the letters used after the M!


  • #8
    Time Magazine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,452 ✭✭✭Time Magazine


    (For the record: I'm an economist who's attended both places in recent years.)
    mr.interested wrote: »
    Did anyone wonder about the differences between MSc Economics in Trinity (course modules) and MA Economics in UCD (course modules)? Each of which has quite simmilar modules in the first semester, yet a bit different in the second one. Also, there's a huge difference in the fees. The latter costs 5,400 euros, and the former as twice as much (9,300 to be exact).
    In my personal opinion, those fees are extortionate. If you have 4k knocking around then great. If it's a considerable issue, then it's not worth paying it.
    Also, - this might be a stupid question - is there any difference between MSc (Master of Science) and MA (Master of Arts)?
    Nope. The reason the UCD one is an MA and the TCD an MSc is historical coincidence.
    Deleted User wrote: »
    Given that it includes a prelim maths and stats course, the TCD course is probably more rigourous than the UCD course, which is very important if you're looking to do a PhD.
    The UCD MA now has a prelim course as far as I know. That said, I agree that the TCD one is more theoretical and the UCD one more applied.
    Suaimhneach wrote: »
    There is a big difference between an MA and an MSc.
    In general yes, but as Claire notes, this is an oddity with TCD. The UCD MA is an MA because it dates back to Adam and Eve, where the harder degree was the MA and the "easier" one was an M.EconSci.
    mr.interested wrote: »
    On the other hand, I wasn't accepted to MA in Economics in UCD either, because my undergraduate degree doesn't hold sufficient number of economics subjects at the advanced level.
    I'm sorry to hear that.
    This is a paranoia! Can't do MSc in Marketing, because it's "too easy" for me, yet at the same time, cannot do MA in Economics, because it's "too difficult" for me. So I'm scared that I will end up in HDip in Economics, which is the field I want to work in, before I do MSc/MA in Economics.
    Quite a few people do the H.Dip then the MA. The H.Dip is at the level of final year undergrad and if you get a II.1 you're fairly certain to gain admission to the MA.
    I've read that topic, but was looking for more specific information regarding this two courses.
    Ask away.
    economicsgrad wrote: »
    There's actually quite a big difference between an Msc and Ma, you would want to ensure you know what direction you would like your career to take before you choose. For an academic/research position and Msc would be essential really and in higher regard than an Ma because of its quality to deliver a strong quantitative foundation that most undergraduate degrees lack. An Ma, will be an 'easier' road to take as course content will be less mathematical and just a slight step up from undergrad. Also, an Msc is a much better option if one hopes to progress to Phd level.
    I strongly disagree. The Trinity M.Sc is more theoretical by default, so you're drooling maths by the end of it whether you like it or not. After Christmas you can take difficult theory courses in the UCD MA, or alternatively you can take easier field courses. The hard courses in the UCD MA are as hard as the hard courses in the TCD M.Sc.

    In the past couple of years, both courses have sent people to work in places like the ESRI (proof: UCD MA, TCD MSc, NUIM MA). Most ESRI people go on to PhDs. Both UCD and TCD masters have been launching boards for people to do PhDs in the great places in America (e.g. Duke, University of Michigan, UC Santa Barbara) lately. Although TCD is definitely the better university, their reputation in terms of economics isn't as strong as UCD's.

    Basically, there's very little difference in terms of reputation. The TCD course is more rigorous but provides less choice. If you do well in either, you'll be fine. Cliché I know, but: neither dominate the other, it's up to you.


  • #9
    armbruster
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭armbruster


    I finally discovered why its an MA in UCD and not an MSc. The UCD MA has been running for years (1960s) and back in the day all economics masters programmes awarded an MA (e.g. some of the top economists who hold a masters have an MA). The TCD programme only began in 2004 and is hence an MSc. Thus, the UCD MA is related to historical significance.


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