Bachelor's vs Master's degree: Key differences and how to choose
Learn the key differences between a Bachelor’s vs Master’s degree, including duration, career impact, salary potential, and admission requirements.
Choosing between a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree is a significant decision that can shape your education, career path, and earning potential. While a Bachelor’s degree offers broad foundational knowledge, a Master’s degree provides advanced specialisation and leadership development. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you determine which qualification best aligns with your goals.
Comparaison Summary
| Feature | Bachelor's Degree | Master's Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Level | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
| Focus | Foundational/Wide | Specialised/Expert |
| Autonomy | Guided learning | Independent research/leadership |
| Duration | Typically 3–4 academic years | Typically 1–2 academic years (may include professional immersion) |
| Prerequisites | Secondary school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor’s degree; some programmes require relevant work experience |
| Curriculum | Broad (core and elective subjects) | Narrow and subject-specific |
| Typical Outcomes | Entry-level roles | Leadership, research, or specialist roles |
What is a Bachelor’s degree?
A Bachelor’s degree is widely recognised as the standard qualification for entering the professional workforce.
Key characteristics
- Exploration: Early years typically include general education before focusing on a major.
- Skill development: Critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving
-
Career readiness: Prepares graduates for most entry-level professional roles.
Common types of Bachelor's degrees
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): Humanities, social sciences, languages, and liberal arts
- Bachelor of Science (BSc): Science, technology, mathematics, and analytical disciplines
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Business, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng): Engineering with strong technical and practical elements
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): Creative and performing arts, studio-based learning
-
Bachelor of Laws (LLB): Foundational legal studies (outside the USA)
All Bachelor’s degrees aim to build foundational knowledge and transferable skills, though curriculum and career outcomes may vary.
Example: EDHEC's Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) combines business fundamentals with international exposure and practical experience, preparing students for diverse global careers.
What is a Master’s degree?
A Master’s degree is designed for those seeking to deepen their expertise in a specific field.
Key characteristics
- Intensive focus: All coursework relates directly to the area of specialisation.
- Professional network: Often includes peers with professional experience, offering strong networking opportunities.
- Career pivot: Frequently used to change career direction or gain advanced qualifications.
Common types of Master’s degrees
Common master's degree types include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): Senior leadership and executive management
- Master in Management (MiM): Business foundations for recent graduates
- Master of Science (MSc): Specialisations like finance, marketing, data analytics, engineering
- Master of Laws (LLM): Advanced legal studies
- Master of Arts (MA): Humanities, social sciences, education, communications
- Master of Education (MEd): Teaching, educational leadership, and curriculum development
Example: EDHEC offers a range of distinguished Master's programmes for both recent graduates and experienced professionals. The Master in Management (Grande École programme) is ideal for students seeking advanced business education with strong career prospects in consulting, finance, and leadership roles. EDHEC's specialised MSc degrees deepen expertise in areas such as finance, marketing, data analytics, sustainability and entrepreneurship. These postgraduate courses welcome international students and value relevant work experience as part of their entry requirements.
Meaning of an Undergraduate Degree
An undergraduate degree is your first level of higher education after completing secondary school. The most common qualifications at this level are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc).
These programmes typically offer:
- Foundational knowledge in a specific subject
- Transferable skills such as communication, analysis, and problem-solving
- Broad academic exposure that supports various career paths
Meaning of a Postgraduate Degree
A postgraduate degree—also called a graduate degree—is a qualification pursued after completing a Bachelor’s degree. This includes Master’s degrees, PhDs, and other advanced certifications.
Postgraduate programmes typically:
- Require an undergraduate degree (or equivalent)
- Focus on advanced knowledge in a specialised field
- Emphasise research, independent learning, or professional practice
Level of Education
The main distinction between a Bachelor's and Master's degree lies in the academic level and learning approach:
- A Bachelor’s degree is undergraduate and foundational
- A Master’s degree is postgraduate and specialised
Each level offers different outcomes, learning styles, and career trajectories.
Career impact
A Bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement for many professional roles. However, a Master’s degree can provide:
- Faster career advancement
- Access to specialist or senior roles
- Increased earning potential
- Opportunities in research, academia, or leadership
Salary differential
Research consistently shows that Master’s degree holders earn 20–30% more over their careers than those with only a Bachelor’s degree, particularly in fields such as business, technology, and science.
Admission requirements
The entry requirement for a bachelor's programme is a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. For a Master's programme, you need a bachelor's degree, and often programmes require:
- Minimum GPA (typically 3.0 or equivalent)
- Standardised test scores (GRE/GMAT, where applicable)
- Relevant work experience (especially for MBA and Executive Master's programmes)
- Letters of recommendation
- A motivation letter
- For international students: English language proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS)
Note: Entry requirements vary by programme—research your target degree carefully.
Ready to apply for an EDHEC Master's degree?
Here is a step-by-step guide for a successful application.
Which one is right for you?
Choose a Bachelor's degree if:
- You are beginning your higher education journey
- Your career path does not require postgraduate qualifications
- You want to explore multiple subjects before specialising
Choose a Master's degree if:
- Your career goal requires advanced expertise
- You aim to step into leadership or managerial roles
- You are looking to increase your earning potential in a specialist field
- You are changing careers or pursuing research or academia
FAQs
Undergraduate refers to bachelor's-level programmes taken after high school, while postgraduate (or graduate) refers to any degree pursued after completing a bachelor's degree. Undergraduate degrees provide foundational, broad-based education, while postgraduate courses offer specialised, advanced study in a specific field.
After completing an undergraduate degree, you can pursue a master's degree. Beyond that, you can pursue a doctoral degree (PhD or professional doctorate).
MA stands for Master of Arts. It's a postgraduate degree typically awarded in humanities, social sciences, and some business fields. An MA programme usually involves coursework, independent study, and often a thesis or capstone project focused on a particular subject within the liberal arts or social sciences.
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), the highest academic degree available in most fields. It requires original research that contributes new knowledge to your field, typically taking 4-6 years beyond a Master's degree to complete.
A Bachelor's degree typically takes 3-4 academic years of full-time study (3 years in many European countries, 4 years in the USA and many other countries). A Master's degree usually takes 1-2 academic years of full-time study after your bachelor's, though some specialised programmes may require an extra year, particularly those that include extensive research, internships, or thesis work.
