What does MSC stand for? Most of the time it means Master of Science, a graduate degree in a science, math, technology or other technical field, usually written MSc with a small c. You see it after a name on a business card, in a job posting or on a university program page.
The same letters also name a large shipping and cruise company and a seafood label, so the setting matters. On a resume or faculty list, it is the degree. On a vacation booking, it is the cruise line. On a can of tuna, it is a sustainability mark.
Quick facts
Stands for
Master of Science (most common)Other meanings
Mediterranean Shipping Company, Marine Stewardship Council, Military Sealift CommandType
Abbreviation, said letter by letterUsual spelling
MSc for the degree; MSC for the company and labelUS equivalent
MS or M.S.Plural
MScs, or "Master of Science degrees"
What does MSC stand for on a degree?
On a degree, the letters break down this way:
- M for Master
- S for Science, with the small c finishing the word
The lower case c is a British habit of taking the first two letters of "science." Universities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and much of Europe write MSc. Most American schools write the same degree as MS or M.S. They mean the same level of study, and employers treat them alike.
A Master of Science usually takes one to two years after a bachelor's degree. Programs often include advanced courses, lab or field work, and a thesis or final project. Fields include biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, nursing, data analysis, finance and many more.
MSc compared with other master's degrees
The letter after the M tells you the focus of the degree.
| Letters | Full form | Typical focus |
|---|---|---|
| MSc or MS | Master of Science | Sciences, technical and research fields |
| MA | Master of Arts | Humanities, languages, social sciences |
| MBA | Master of Business Administration | Management and business leadership |
| MFA | Master of Fine Arts | Creative writing, art, theater |
Some subjects, such as economics or psychology, are offered as an MA at one school and an MSc at another. The MSc version often leans more on math, statistics or lab work. Many students who go on to a PhD earn a master's along the way.
MSC Cruises and other meanings by field
Outside a university, MSC is usually written in full capitals and can mean something quite different.
| Area | Full form | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping and travel | Mediterranean Shipping Company | Container ships and the MSC Cruises line |
| Seafood | Marine Stewardship Council | A blue fish label on wild seafood packages |
| US Navy | Military Sealift Command | Ships that carry fuel and supplies for the Navy |
| Medicine and biology | Mesenchymal stem cell | Research papers and clinic reports |
The cruise line is part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company group, which is why the same three letters appear on cargo ships in ports around the world. You can read more on the MSC Cruises page.
How to write MSc after your name
Put the degree after your name, separated by a comma: "Jordan Lee, MSc." If you hold more than one degree, list the highest one last or follow your school's style. A few tips:
- Use MSc if your degree came from a school that writes it that way, or if you work in a country where that form is normal.
- Use MS or M.S. in most American settings, such as US job applications.
- Name the field on a resume: "MSc in Environmental Science."
- Write "a master's degree" in running text, with an apostrophe.
In a job ad: "Candidates should hold an MSc or equivalent in statistics." Here "equivalent" means an American MS in the same subject counts too.
MSC stands for different things in sentences
- "She finished her MSc in marine biology last spring." (degree)
- "Our family booked a week on an MSC ship." (cruise line)
- "Look for the MSC label if you want certified wild fish." (seafood council)
- "The MSC tanker refueled the carrier at sea." (Navy command)
- "The lab grows MSCs from bone marrow samples." (stem cells)
Say each letter: "M S C." Before it, use "an," because M is said "em." For more degree and classroom letters, see the school acronyms guide.
Questions people ask
Is an MSc the same as an MS?
Yes, in level. Both are a Master of Science. MSc is the usual form in the UK, Europe, Canada and Australia, and MS or M.S. is the usual form in the United States.
Is MSc higher than an MA?
No. They are the same level, both master's degrees. The difference is the subject area, with an MSc focused on science and technical fields and an MA on arts and humanities.
What does MSC stand for in MSC Cruises?
It stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company. The cruise line is the passenger branch of that shipping group.
How long does an MSc take?
Many full time programs take one to two years. One year programs are common in the UK, while US master's programs more often run two years.
Why is the c in MSc lower case?
The abbreviation takes the first two letters of "science." Keeping the c small shows it is part of the same word, not a separate one.