Types of Master’s Degrees in Business – Easy Guide
Choosing the right business master’s degree can shape your entire career path. This easy guide breaks down the main types of master’s degrees in business, from generalist to specialised programmes. Discover what each degree offers, who it’s for, and how it can help you reach your professional goals.
This guide explains the main types of business Master's degrees clearly. Discover what each programme involves, the skills you will gain, where it can take your career, and why it might be the right choice for you.
At institutions like EDHEC Business School, these different types of business master’s degrees are designed to match distinct career stages, academic backgrounds and professional goals.
What are the different types of master's degrees in business?
What is it?
A generalist business degree for recent graduates with little or no work experience, covering all core business functions. A Master in Management focuses on the fundamentals of business and leadership. At leading European business schools such as EDHEC, the Master in Management is often structured around strong international exposure, core management foundations and early professional experiences through internships or projects.
For whom?
Recent bachelor’s graduates (any field) seeking to enter business management or those looking for a career change.
Why pursue this degree?
It fast‑tracks entry into business careers, builds comprehensive business knowledge, expands your international network, and prepares you for global opportunities.
Skills you will develop
Strategic thinking, leadership fundamentals, cross‑functional business knowledge, analytical skills, teamwork, problem‑solving, project management, and business communication.
Career paths
Management consultant, business analyst, project manager, marketing coordinator, operations analyst, corporate strategist.
What is it?
A comprehensive programme covering business operations, strategy and leadership, with an emphasis on practical management skills. Programmes of this type at schools like EDHEC typically combine academic foundations with applied projects, case-based learning and close links to companies.
For whom?
Professionals with 1–3 years’ experience looking to accelerate into management or switch industries.
Why pursue this degree?
Gain broad business acumen, prepare for management roles and enhance strategic decision‑making across functions.
Skills you will develop
Business strategy, organisational management, project management, financial analysis, marketing strategy, operations leadership.
Career paths
Business development manager, operations manager, general manager, sales manager, product manager, strategy consultant.
What is it?
A specialised degree focusing on consumer behaviour, brand management, digital marketing and strategic marketing planning.
For whom?
Marketing professionals, creative thinkers, or those passionate about brand strategy and consumer engagement.
Why pursue this degree?
Master modern marketing techniques, lead marketing teams, and strengthen your ability to drive growth.
Skills you will develop
Digital marketing, brand strategy, consumer analytics, SEO/SEM, social media, content marketing and market research.
Career paths
Marketing manager, brand manager, digital strategist, marketing director, product marketing manager.
What is it?
A rigorous, quantitative programme covering financial theory, investment analysis, corporate finance and financial markets.
For whom?
Individuals with strong analytical skills aiming for careers in investment banking, corporate finance or asset management.
Why pursue this degree?
It opens doors to high‑paying finance roles, develops expertise in financial modelling and valuation, and supports professional qualifications such as the CFA.
Skills you will develop
Financial modelling, investment analysis, portfolio management, risk assessment and quantitative finance.
Career paths
Investment banker, financial analyst, portfolio manager, risk manager, private equity associate.
What is it?
An advanced accounting programme covering financial reporting, auditing, taxation and forensic accounting, often aligned with CPA requirements.
For whom?
Accounting graduates or professionals preparing for CPA licensure or senior accounting roles.
Why pursue this degree?
Satisfies CPA requirements, deepens technical expertise and accelerates advancement in accounting firms.
Skills you will develop
Advanced financial accounting, audit methodology, tax planning, forensic accounting and regulatory compliance.
Career paths
CPA, audit manager, tax consultant, controller, CFO track roles.
What is it?
A data‑focused programme combining statistics, machine learning, business intelligence and data visualisation.
For whom?
STEM graduates or analytically minded individuals who enjoy solving business problems with data.
Why pursue this degree?
It leads to high‑growth opportunities in data‑driven roles and helps bridge analytics and strategy.
Skills you will develop
Python/R, SQL, machine learning, predictive modelling, data visualisation (Tableau, Power BI).
Career paths
Data scientist, business intelligence analyst, analytics manager, data engineer, marketing analyst, operations analyst, quantitative analyst.
What is it?
A specialised degree in logistics, procurement, inventory management and global supply chain optimisation.
For whom?
Professionals in logistics, retail or operations, or those interested in global supply networks.
Why pursue this degree?
Supply chain expertise remains highly in demand, offering impactful roles that improve operational efficiency.
Skills you will develop
Demand forecasting, procurement strategy, inventory optimisation, supply chain analytics, lean methodologies.
Career paths
Supply chain manager, logistics director, procurement manager, operations manager, supply chain consultant, director of operations.
What is it?
A business‑oriented IT programme focusing on technology management, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
For whom?
IT professionals seeking leadership roles or business professionals wanting tech expertise.
Why pursue this degree?
It enables you to lead digital initiatives and bridge the gap between business strategy and technology.
Skills you will develop
IT strategy, cybersecurity management, cloud computing, enterprise systems and digital innovation.
Career paths
IT strategy, cybersecurity management, cloud computing, enterprise systems and digital innovation.
What is it?
A premier generalist business qualification providing comprehensive training across all business disciplines, with a strong emphasis on leadership and strategy.
For whom?
Professionals with around 3–7 years’ experience seeking senior management roles, career pivots or entrepreneurial success.
Why pursue this degree?
Accelerate career growth, broaden your network, elevate your leadership capabilities and enhance your strategic impact.
Skills you will develop
Leadership, negotiation, corporate strategy, financial decision‑making, marketing strategy and operations excellence.
Career paths
Senior manager, consultant, entrepreneur, executive leader.
What is it?
A part‑time MBA designed for seasoned professionals and executives, often delivered through flexible formats.
For whom?
Senior leaders with significant experience who wish to earn an MBA while continuing to work.
Why pursue this degree?
Advance into executive roles, expand leadership capabilities and apply learning immediately in the workplace.
Skills you will develop
Executive leadership, strategic decision‑making, organisational transformation and governance.
Career paths
Senior executive, director or VP, C-suite (CEO, CFO, COO, CMO), board member, global strategy advisor, managing director, senior consultant.
Generalist vs specialised business programmes
| Generalist Programmes | Specialised Programmes |
| Master in Management (MiM) | Master of Marketing |
| Master in Business Management | Master of Finance |
| MBA | Master of Accounting |
| Executive MBA (EMBA) | Master of Business Analytics |
| Master of Supply Chain Management | |
| Master of Information Technoogy | |
| Best for: Career flexibitly, leadership roles, career changes | Best for: Technical expertise, specific career paths, rapid advancement |
Why choose one over the other?
Generalist
|
Specialised
|
|
Why Choose This? Develop as a well-rounded business leader who understands how different parts of an organisation work together. Ideal if you want career flexibility, are considering general management roles, planning a career change, or are not sure which specific business area you want to specialise in yet. |
Why Choose This? Gain expert-level knowledge and technical skills in a particular field. Designed for people who know exactly what career path they want to pursue and need specialised expertise to advance in that specific area. |
|
Key Advantages
|
Key Advantages
|
|
Perfect For: Career explorers, aspiring executives, career changers |
Perfect For: Clear career goals, technical specialists, focused professionals |
Key differences at a glance
Aspect |
Generalist |
Specialised |
| Learning Approach | Breadth - Multiple disciplines | Depth - Single discipline |
| Career Path | Flexible & Adaptable | Focused & Specialised |
| Best For | Career changers, explorers, general managers | Clear career goals, technical experts |
| Advancement | Broad opportunities, slower initially | Faster in specific field |
| Starting Salary | Moderate, varies by role | Often higher in technical roles |
| Job Market | Wide range of options | Targeted, niche positions |
To summarise
Breadth vs DepthGeneralist programmes give you a wide overview of business, making you versatile and adaptable across different roles and industries. |
Depth vs BreadthSpecialised programmes give you deep expertise in one area, making you highly qualified for specific technical or functional positions. |
Choose based on your career clarity: flexibility and exploration vs focused expertise and rapid advancement
Degree Overview Table
Degree |
Primary Focus |
Common Career Paths |
|---|---|---|
| Master in Management (MiM) | Core management theory for early‑career professionals | Management Consultant, Project Analyst |
| Master in Business Management | Leadership, organisational behaviour and strategy | Business Manager, Operations Supervisor |
| Master of Marketing | Consumer behaviour and strategic marketing | Brand Manager, Market Research Analyst |
| Master of Finance | Finance, investments and corporate finance | Investment Banker, Financial Analyst |
| Master of Accounting | Advanced auditing, taxation and CPA preparation | Public Accountant, Auditor, Controller |
| Master of Business Analytics | Big data, statistics and data visualisation | Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Lead |
| Master of Supply Chain Management | Logistics, procurement and supply chain optimisation | Logistics Director, Operations Manager |
| Master of Information Technology | IT strategy, cybersecurity and technology leadership | IT Manager, Systems Architect, CTO |
| MBA | Broad leadership and cross‑functional strategy | CEO, Strategy Consultant, Entrepreneur |
| EMBA | Executive leadership and strategic decision‑making | Senior VP, Executive Director, C‑Suite |
Which EDHEC Master in business graduate programme is right for you?
At EDHEC Business School, we offer a wide range of Master’s programmes — from generalist to specialised — to help you find the better fit.
- Generalist programmes, which provide a broad understanding of management and business fundamentals.
- Specialised MSc programmes, which develop deep expertise in a specific functional or industry area.
Take our quizzes to explore:
- Which Master in Management is right for me?
- Which MSc is right for me?
- Which MBA programme is right for me?
FAQs
You can pursue any business Master’s including MSc, MBA, MA (Master of Arts), Finance, Analytics or Accounting programmes.
A MiM is generally for students with 0–2 years’ experience, whereas an MBA usually requires 3–5+ years of professional experience.
A business master’s degree is a postgraduate qualification that builds advanced skills in business topics and boosts career prospects.
An MA degree is a Master of Arts, which is a graduate-level academic degree typically requiring 1-2 years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. It's awarded in fields within the humanities, social sciences, and sometimes other disciplines.
Common MA fields include English, history, psychology, political science, communications, education, and languages. The degree usually involves coursework, seminars, research, and often a thesis or capstone project, though requirements vary by program and institution.
It stands for Master of Business Administration.
MSc or MS stands for Master of Science. Both abbreviations refer to the same degree:
- MS is the abbreviation commonly used in the United States
- MSc is more commonly used in the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world
Note about France: In France, MS can also stand for "Mastère Spécialisé" (Specialised Master's), which is a different type of postgraduate program. The Mastère Spécialisé is a professional degree accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, typically designed for students who already hold a master's degree or have professional experience and want to gain specialized expertise in a specific field.
An MSc (Master of Science) is typically a specialised, technical degree focused on a specific area of business, such as finance, marketing, or business analytics. It is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build deep expertise in one field.
An MBA (Master of Business Administration), by contrast, is a generalist, leadership-oriented degree designed for professionals with several years of work experience. It provides broad, strategic training across all business functions, preparing graduates for senior management or leadership roles.
In summary:
- MSc = Specialised, technical, for early-career professionals.
- MBA = Generalist, leadership-focused, for experienced professionals.
At EDHEC Business School, you can earn both an MSc and a Global MBA through our dual-degree programme.
A Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a graduate degree designed to bridge academic knowledge with practical, career-focused skills. It's oriented toward working professionals or those preparing to enter specific industries, rather than focusing primarily on research or academic careers.
Key characteristics:
The MPS emphasises applied learning and real-world problem-solving rather than theoretical research. Programmes typically include case studies, internships, capstone projects, or industry collaborations. The curriculum is often developed in consultation with industry leaders to ensure relevance to current workplace needs.
How it differs from other master's degrees:
Unlike a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc), which may have stronger research components and can lead to PhD programmes, the MPS is terminal and professionally focused. It's also distinct from an MBA, which specifically targets business management, while an MPS can cover diverse fields like hospitality, real estate, nonprofit management, human resources, or applied statistics.
Who pursues it:
MPS programmes attract mid-career professionals seeking advancement, career changers needing specialised credentials, and recent graduates wanting practical skills in a specific field. Many programs offer flexible formats like evening classes or online options to accommodate working students.
