Online MSc Eligibility

Online MSc is a postgraduate degree program; which is a research specialization program that is pursued  after the Bachelor of Science (BSc) or relevant graduation degree. The duration of the Masters of Science (MSc) program is 2 years. The online MSc eligibility criteria, fees, curriculum, teaching methodology, etc may vary across universities.   

Master of Science (MSc) Course

The online MSc course offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the scientific field. It provides an opportunity for students to gain more scientific knowledge and advance their research skills.  An online MSc course gives students the flexibility to study at their own pace and pursue higher education at their convenience. This program is best for students who want in-depth knowledge of science while enjoying the benefits of online learning. 

MSc Course Highlights

Let us look at the brief overview of the course for MSc covering all the relevant details and information:

MSc Eligibility Criteria

Certain eligibility parameters must be fulfilled before opting for the master’s program at any university. Criteria of the MSc eligibility in India for online education are:

• There is no MSc eligibility age limit for pursuing the course.
• The candidate should have completed the 3-year bachelor of science (BSc)  degree course.
• The BSc degree should be well-recognized from a government-approved university.
• The candidate should have scored an aggregate of more than 50% in the previous BSc final examination.
• Candidates belonging to different academic backgrounds may also qualify for MSc eligibility criteria in accordance with the specific guidelines of the university. It may require some experience to be able to take admission in the course.

Master of Science Entrance Exams

There are various entrance exams conducted for MSc eligibility in India. Admission to the online MSc course is generally done directly based on merit, fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria. It varies from university to university. However, some educational institutions set the entrance exam score as one of the main MSc Eligibility criteria:

Top MSc Exams

Some of the top exams whose score is considered as one of the  MSc eligibility criteria are:

• IIT Joint Admission Test (IIT JAM)
• National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)
• Common University Entrance Test (CUET) PG
• GITAM Science Admission Test (GSAT)
• Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology Entrance Exam (OUAT) 
• Indraprastha University Common University Test (IPU CET)
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test(TISSNET)              

List of MSc Specializations

The field of MSc is quite diversified in its different courses. Some of the master of science specializations include the following:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Zoology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Nursing
• Statistics 
• Data Science
• Environmental Science 
•  Information Technology 

Required Skills for MSc Course

The inculcation of the right skills in an individual always helps students navigate the challenges better in life. It enhances candidates' capability and shapes their personality well. Some of the desired skills for MSc Eligibility are: 

• Good Communication Skills: Good communication skills are always an added asset to students, in their educational journey. It helps students to progress better throughout their work, presentation, research, and personal development.
• Leadership qualities: Higher education degrees are for high posts and managerial profiles. The candidates should be able to take up the challenges well for good decision-making and the ability to lead.
• Technical abilities: Technical skills are a must in any form of research education. The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in research experiments and presentations would help the candidates a lot.
• Effective Research Skills: Students should be able to do good research and make it viable and successful in their course term, which would prove to, be quite favorable. There are good job opportunities for candidates who have strong research skills.  
• Learning to work as a team: Working individually is always easier in life but to be able to be an efficient team player would always be of assistance.

What is the difference between MS and MSc?

Master of Science or MS is the postgraduate degree which is a 1-2 year course based on a curriculum of lectures and exams. It emphasizes more on the development of professional skills in the science field.

Master of Science or MSc is a 2-year postgraduate degree course where research is the main part of the curriculum. It would provide the students with diverse knowledge of the specialization field and would enhance their research skills.

Which is Better, MCA or MSc or MS after BSc?

The degree programs, namely MCA, MSc, and MS, are popular career choices but are oriented to different career goals. It depends upon the candidate as to what they are more inclined to do. MSc is a good choice for those who want to pursue their career in research work.  As the MSc eligibility mandates, those with a minimum of 50% in their BSc examination can apply for the course. An MCA  is for students who are more passionate about software development and want a job in the IT sector. , and an MS is for candidates who desire specialized roles in the science field. 

How to Choose a Top MSc College?

Some of the top universities categorized as per the NIRF ranking 2024 are:

• Indian Institute of Science – Ranked 1st  
• Banaras Hindu University - Ranked 5th 
• Jamia Millia Islamia – Ranked 3rd 
• Jawaharlal Nehru University – Ranked 2nd  
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Ranked 4th 
• Aligarh Muslim University – Ranked 8th 
• Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham – Ranked 7th  
• Jadavpur University - Ranked 9th 
• Vellore Institute of Technology – Ranked 10th  
• University of Hyderabad – Ranked 17th 

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for an MSc in India?

A: The candidate should be a Bachelor of Science (BSc) graduate or a graduation degree with a minimum aggregate of 45 to 50% with science or mathematics as subjects.

1. What is the minimum MSc eligibility age limit in India?

A: There is no minimum age limit to pursue a regular or an online MSc degree in India. 

1. Can a person do an MSc without a BSc?

A: The candidate should be a graduate with science and mathematics as the main subjects, if not a Bachelor of Science. An aggregate score of 45 to 50% is required. 

1. Are B.A. students eligible for MSc?

A: A B.A. student can pursue a Master’s course in Science subject to the specific criteria of the Universities. The MSc eligibility criteria are specific to the subjects, merit score, and some years of experience in the field.

1. What is the minimum requirement for an MSc?

A: The minimum requirement for MSc eligibility is a BSc or a graduate degree from a recognized university with an aggregate score of more than 50%.

1. What is the entrance exam for MSc?

A: The entrance exams required for the MSc exams are BITSAT, BHU CET, TISS NET, NEST, and IPU CET. The criterion of having a score on the entrance exams depends upon the specific universities.   

1. Can I do an online MSc without an entrance exam?

A: An entrance exam score is not a mandatory MSc eligibility criterion for admission to most universities.  Many colleges admit students based on their academic merit.