If you are studying for a master’s degree, you may wonder whether you should call yourself a master’s student or an MS student. Both expressions can be correct, but they do not always mean exactly the same thing. The best choice depends on the type of degree you are pursuing and the context in which you are writing or speaking.
In general, master’s student is the broader and more universally understood term. It can describe someone studying for any master’s degree, such as a Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Business Administration (MBA). MS student is more specific and normally refers to a student enrolled in a Master of Science program. Understanding this difference can help you choose the most natural expression for academic writing, applications, resumes, and everyday conversation.
Quick Answer
“Master’s student” is the general term for someone studying for a master’s degree. “MS student” specifically describes someone studying for a Master of Science degree. Therefore, an MS student is a master’s student, but not every master’s student is an MS student.
Why Do People Confuse “Master’s Student” and “MS Student”?
People often confuse these expressions because MS is an abbreviation for Master of Science, which is one type of master’s degree.
For example:
- She is a master’s student.
- She is an MS student in computer science.
The first sentence tells us that she is studying for a master’s degree but does not specify the type. The second sentence gives more information about her degree.
There is also a small punctuation issue that can cause confusion. The correct possessive form is generally master’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s.
First Word: Master’s Student
A master’s student is a person who is currently studying for a master’s degree.
The expression is broad and can apply to students in many different programs.
Examples
- I am a master’s student in economics.
- She is a master’s student at the university.
- He works as a research assistant while he is a master’s student.
- Many master’s students complete a thesis.
A master’s student could be studying for:
- Master of Science (MS)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
So, master’s student is the safer general expression when you do not need to identify the specific degree.
Second Word: MS Student
An MS student is someone studying for a Master of Science (MS) degree.
“MS” is commonly used as an abbreviation for Master of Science, particularly in American English.
For example:
I am an MS student in computer science.
This tells the reader that the student is pursuing a Master of Science degree.
The term is especially common in university contexts, academic profiles, research descriptions, and conversations about specific graduate programs.
Examples
- She is an MS student in biology.
- I am an MS student in computer science.
- The professor is supervising several MS students.
- He joined the laboratory as an MS student.
Master’s Student vs MS Student: Comparison Table
| Expression | Meaning | Specific or General? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| master’s student | Student studying for a master’s degree | General | She is a master’s student. |
| MS student | Student studying for a Master of Science | Specific | She is an MS student in physics. |
| master’s degree student | Student pursuing a master’s degree | General | He is a master’s degree student. |
| graduate student | Student studying beyond a bachelor’s degree | Broader | She is a graduate student. |
The key distinction is simple: master’s student describes the level of study, while MS student identifies a particular degree type.
When Should You Use Each?
Use “Master’s Student” for General Situations
Use master’s student when the specific type of master’s degree is not important.
For example:
I am a master’s student at the University of Oxford.
This sentence is perfectly natural if you do not need to explain your exact degree.
Use “MS Student” for a Specific Science Degree
Use MS student when you specifically mean a student pursuing a Master of Science.
For example:
I am an MS student in data science.
Here, MS student gives the reader more precise information.
Use the Full Degree Name in Formal Contexts
In formal documents, it can sometimes be clearer to write the full degree name.
For example:
I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science.
This is particularly useful in formal applications, academic statements, and professional documents where clarity matters.
10+ Examples of “Master’s Student” and “MS Student”
- I am a master’s student in English literature.
- She is an MS student in computer science.
- He became a master’s student after completing his bachelor’s degree.
- My sister is an MS student at a university in the United States.
- Many master’s students work part-time while studying.
- The professor teaches several MS students.
- I am currently a master’s student in business administration.
- She is an MS student specializing in artificial intelligence.
- The university offers scholarships for master’s students.
- The research project includes both PhD students and MS students.
- As a master’s student, he must complete a thesis.
- She joined the laboratory as an MS student.
Notice that master’s student can describe students in many master’s programs, while MS student is appropriate when the degree is specifically a Master of Science.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing “Masters Student”
A common error is:
I am a masters student.
In standard writing, master’s student is generally preferred because master’s is the possessive form referring to a master’s degree.
Better:
I am a master’s student.
Mistake 2: Assuming Every Master’s Student Is an MS Student
Not every master’s degree is an MS.
For example:
She is an MBA student.
She is certainly a master’s student, but calling her an MS student would normally be inaccurate because an MBA is not a Master of Science.
Mistake 3: Using “MS” Without Knowing the Degree
If someone is studying for an MA, MBA, or another master’s degree, MS student is not the appropriate general term.
Use master’s student when the exact degree is unknown or irrelevant.
Mistake 4: Confusing “MS” With “Master’s”
MS means Master of Science.
Master’s refers more generally to a degree at the master’s level.
Therefore:
MS student = a specific type of master’s student
Memory Trick
Think of it this way:
Master’s = the larger category
MS = one specific type
You can remember:
Every MS student is a master’s student, but not every master’s student is an MS student.
For example, an MS student, MA student, and MBA student can all be described as master’s students.
American vs British English
The terms can vary somewhat depending on the country and university.
In American English, master’s degree and abbreviations such as MS are very common. Universities frequently use terms such as “MS student” when referring specifically to Master of Science programs.
In British English, master’s student is also widely understood and natural. British universities may use degree abbreviations such as MSc for Master of Science rather than MS.
For example:
- American English: MS student
- British English: MSc student
- Both: master’s student
The exact abbreviation can therefore depend on the university and its degree naming conventions.
Similar Words
Several related expressions are also useful.
Graduate Student
Graduate student is a broader term for someone studying after completing an undergraduate degree.
Depending on the educational system, it can include students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees.
Master’s Degree Student
Master’s degree student is understandable, but master’s student is usually shorter and more natural.
Postgraduate Student
Postgraduate student is common in British and other international varieties of English. It can refer to someone studying after an undergraduate degree.
MS Candidate
MS candidate can refer to someone pursuing a Master of Science degree, particularly in academic contexts. However, terminology varies between institutions.
Graduate Student vs Master’s Student
A graduate student can be pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, whereas a master’s student specifically refers to someone pursuing a master’s degree.
Final Verdict
Master’s student and MS student are both correct expressions, but they have different levels of specificity.
Use master’s student when you mean someone studying for any master’s degree. Use MS student when you specifically mean someone pursuing a Master of Science.
If you are unsure which term to use, master’s student is usually the broader and safer choice because it does not assume a particular type of master’s degree.
FAQs
Is “master’s student” grammatically correct?
Yes. Master’s student is a standard and natural expression for someone studying toward a master’s degree.
Is “MS student” correct?
Yes. MS student is correct when the person is specifically pursuing a Master of Science degree.
Which is correct: “masters student” or “master’s student”?
Master’s student is the standard form. The apostrophe is important because master’s is the possessive form.
Is an MS student a master’s student?
Yes. An MS student is a type of master’s student because a Master of Science is a master’s degree.
Can an MBA student be called an MS student?
Normally, no. An MBA student is pursuing a Master of Business Administration, not a Master of Science. Master’s student would be the broader term.
Should I write “MS student” on my resume?
You can use MS student if you are actually pursuing a Master of Science. In a formal resume, you can also state the complete degree, such as Master of Science in Computer Science.
Is “postgraduate student” the same as “master’s student”?
Not always. Postgraduate student is a broader expression that can include people studying for master’s and doctoral degrees, depending on the educational system.
Remember This
- Master’s student = someone pursuing a master’s degree.
- MS student = someone pursuing a Master of Science.
- MS is one type of master’s degree.
- Every MS student is a master’s student.
- Not every master’s student is an MS student.
- Master’s student is the broader expression.
- Write master’s, not masters, when referring to the degree.
Choosing between these terms is mainly about specificity. If you want to describe a student’s level of study generally, choose master’s student. If you specifically mean a Master of Science program, MS student is appropriate.
For formal academic or professional writing, the clearest option may be to name the complete degree, such as Master of Science in Computer Science. This removes ambiguity and tells the reader exactly what the student is studying.
