An online M.Sc is similar to a traditional M.Sc in all aspects, with the only difference being that it lets you study and learn from the comfort of your home and at any time that would be feasible for you. An online M.Sc. degree has been a popular degree recently due to its flexibility, accessibility, and ability to cater to diverse learners’ needs while also allowing them to fulfill their professional and personal commitments side-by-side. 

Have a look at the further speculations of the online M.Sc. program.

Key Features of Online M.Sc.  

Here are some common characteristics of an online M.Sc.  course:

• Flexibility: One of the best advantages of an online M.Sc.  course is the flexible environment you get while pursuing the degree. You can access the study material, lectures, assignments, and projects to be submitted from anywhere in the world and at any time when a secure internet connection is available at hand.
• Varied course selection: students pursuing online M.Sc.  can choose from a variety of specializations to choose from such as healthcare, technology, life sciences, etc.  
• Self-paced learning: most universities offering online M.Sc. courses offer a self-paced learning opportunity to students where they can submit their assignments and take lessons according to their schedules and time frame. 
• Interactive learning: since it is an online program, it makes use of different platforms to deliver lessons, such as video conferencing, virtual classrooms, video lessons, real-time conferences and discussions, etc. 

Subjects

The course subjects offered in an online M.Sc.  degree will vary depending on the specialization chosen (which will come later in the article) and the university offering the degree. However, here is a basic outline of what an online degree in M.Sc.  will look like. You must tailor it according to your specialization when looking to apply for an online M.Sc.  degree:

• Research methods and design: this covers various methods of how research is done as most students prefer to go further into academia and pursue a PhD after completing their master's in science. 
• Advanced topics in the chosen field: catering to your chosen field of specialisation, this subject will let you delve deeper into advanced theories and concepts and help you align them with the recent fads and shifts within the domain. 
• Scientific writing: thi course helps you in developing the techniques and the correct method to write scientifically for your future thesis and papers. 
• Elective courses: many online M.Sc.  degrees let students choose certain coursework that is beyond their area of specialisation such as a course in French language, arts, etc. 

Syllabus

Similar to the course subjects, the syllabus for an online M.Sc.  degree varies according to your chosen specialisations and the university you're applying to. A basic outline of what the syllabus for an online M.Sc.  degree looks like is given below:

• Introduction: the course begins with a basic overview of what you're going to be studying in the degree. This includes a general synopsis of the various things you will learn and the subjects you'll be specialising in. 
• Research aptitude: the degree also teaches you how to conduct meticulous research and present it scientifically with solid proofs and dissertations. 
• Advanced learning: after learning the basic outline of the course in the initial days of study, the course then follows with teaching you the advanced level of subjects and lets you delve deeper into the technicalities of the specialisation you've chosen. 
• Specialisation courses: the course includes a variety of specialisation courses to choose from such as psychology, life sciences, architecture, mathematics, etc. 

Application criteria

The eligibility criteria are different for different universities and it is recommended to keep visiting the university or the institution's site regularly when applying for an online M.Sc.  degree. However, there's a basic outline of things that you will need to tick mark off your list before thinking of applying for an online degree in master in science:

• A bachelor of science: to do an advanced course in science such as an M.Sc., you first need to do a bachelors in the same field. Since it is a scientific field, it is not possible to pursue a master's in science without having completed a bachelor's in the same field as it ensures that you have some level of understanding of the subject before you delve deeper into the technicalities and the advanced form of learning required at the masters level. 
• Minimum 45% aggregate in bachelor: while different universities have different minimum percentages for admission in online M.Sc., most universities don't go below 45% percentage in the bachelor's degree which is a must. 
• Entrance exam: some universities may even conduct an entrance exam to test students' aptitude and check if they could take up the coursework prescribed by the university, along with their transcripts of high school grades and bachelor's. 
• Availability of sound internet connection: since it is an online degree, you need to ensure that you have a well-established internet connection to facilitate your studies and ensure a smooth learning environment that does not hamper you from your goals. 

Course Duration

The duration of a master's in science degree is typically two years. The two years are decided into 4 semesters each, with each year having two semesters. The aggregate sum of all 4 semesters’ is taken into consideration to calculate the final percentage. 

Admission process

Here is a step-by-step guide to enrolling in an online master in science program:

• Fill up the application form: search universities offering an online M.Sc.  program and pick the ones that align with your goals and aspirations. Fill out the forms of those universities filling in basic details such as personal information, academic qualifications, economic conditions, etc. 
• Submit important documents for verifications: after successfully filling up the application form, the next step is to submit official documents for verification, such as your high school and graduation transcripts, identity proof, etc. which lets universities decide whether you're eligible for the program in their university or not. 
• Submit the application fee: After completing the above processes, pay a nominal application fee that finalizes your application and makes you eligible for consideration for admission by the university. 
• Entrance exam and interview: some universities may follow the above processes by an entrance exam and interview to check whether you're the right fit for their institution. 

Fees Details

The academic fees for an online M.Sc.  degree vary from university to university. While unpopular universities may have a lower fee structure, more popular universities that receive numerous applications yearly may have their fee structure towards the higher end of the economic spectrum. The fees for an online M.Sc.  degree would always be less than a traditional on-campus M.Sc.  degree as it does not include additional costs for physical laboratories, field study, etc. The average fee for an online M.Sc.  degree may range from INR 40,000 to INR 75,000 per year. 

It is important to keep in mind that this is a general overview of an average fee levied by universities, and it is recommended to regularly keep visiting the particular universities you’re interested in at the time of admission to know the precise fee for online M.Sc.  as it is subject to change every year.  

Specialisations 

Here is a list of available specializations you can choose from while deciding to pursue an online M.Sc.  degree:

• M.Sc.  in biology: focuses on genetics, molecular biology, ecology, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in computer science: focuses on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in physics: focuses on nuclear physics, astrophysics, condensed matter, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in mathematics: focuses on statistics, applied mathematics, pure mathematics, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in chemistry: focuses on inorganic and organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in biotechnology: focuses on industrial biotechnology, genetics engineering, pharmaceutical biotechnology, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in environmental sciences: focuses on conservation biology, environmental conservation, climate change, etc. 
• M.Sc.  in psychology: focuses on cognitive psychology, organizational psychology, clinical psychology, etc. 

Career Opportunities

M.Sc.  graduates have a huge range of job opportunities that they can embark on after completing their degree. Here is a list of options that online M.Sc.  graduates can consider taking up as their careers:

• Research Scientist: Most online M.Sc.  graduates prefer to take their studies further and enroll in a Ph.D. course to become a research scientist that takes their career up a notch. As a research scientist, one has to conduct meticulous research, perform experiments, analyze data, etc. 
• Environmental consultant: M.Sc.  graduates in environmental studies as their specialization can end up being an environmental consultant advising organizations and corporations on sustainable practices and greener alternatives to their practices for a healthier future. 
• Healthcare manager: M.Sc.  graduates with public health as their specialization can become professional healthcare managers, creating and looking after various healthcare schemes and programs. 
• Clinical research associate: M.Sc.  graduates with life sciences as their specialisation can become clinical research associates who help conduct medical research clinical trials for the benefit of society. 

Top Hiring Firms

Online M.Sc.  is an advanced degree in the field of science that opens many doors in the global market for its graduates. Here is a list of top hirers from all over the world that frequently hire online M.Sc.  graduates for their services:

• Google (USA): Hires M.Sc.  graduates in machine learning, data science, computer science and other related fields. 
• Nestle (Switzerland): hires M.Sc.  graduates in nutrition, food science and other related fields for development and research roles for their company. 
• Unilever (Netherlands/UK): hires M.Sc.  graduates in marketing analytics, consumer behaviour, sustainability and other related fields for roles in research and marketing for their company. 
• Pfizer (USA): a pharmaceutical company that hires M.Sc.  graduates in pharmacology, biotechnology and other related fields for their research and development tasks. 
• World Health Organisation (WHO) (Switzerland): a global health forum that hires M.Sc.  graduates in epidemiology, public health and other related fields to work for their various global health initiatives. 

Mode of Courses Available

In today's age, M.Sc.  is not the only option for students who've done their bachelor's in science and are looking for ways to advance their academic careers. Here is a list of a variety of other courses that are similar to an online master in science program and that you can take up when going for higher studies online:

• Master of Applied Sciences (MASc): this course is a research-based master's course that works along the same lines as an M.Sc.  degree but is slightly more oriented towards practical and research-based applications, with its focus on subjects such as engineering, applied sciences and other practical arenas. 
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil): this is a research-oriented program that is often required before pursuing a PhD in certain situations. It lets you undertake more in-depth research than an M.Sc.  degree would and is typically of a shorter duration than an online M.Sc.  degree. 
• Master of Public Health (MPH): This course focuses on public health research practices and policies and lets the graduates prepare for careers in government agencies and public health organisations. 
• Master of Research (MRes): this program focuses on the skills and expertise needed for conducting comprehensive and meticulous research and enables students to take their research-oriented careers further up a notch. 

Top Universities 

Here is a list of popular universities you can apply to if you want to pursue an online M.Sc. :

• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU): known for its distance learning programs, IGNOU offers its students the facility to pursue online M.Sc.  in specializations such as environmental science, mathematics, dietetics, and food service management, etc. 
• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) offers M.Sc. degrees in various scientific fields such as computer science, information technology, etc. 
• University of Delhi- School of Open Learning (DU-SOL): DU-SOL is famous for allowing its students to pursue various distance programs in their postgraduate studies, such as M.Sc.  in operational research, environmental studies, etc. 
• Amity University Online: it offers M.Sc.  in various specializations online, such as psychology, data science, biotechnology, etc. 

What Are the Reasons for Choosing online M.Sc.?

In the globalized and fast-paced world that we live in today, academic advancement can come at a huge cost if we also have other work or personal commitments. This, however should not hamper one from achieving their academic goals, be it out of better career opportunities or sheer curiosity to learn and expand one’s knowledge. This is where an online M.Sc.  degree comes into the picture. Here is a list of reasons why you should consider studying an online M.Sc. :

• Flexibility and accessibility: being an online degree, the coursework and important lectures will always be one click away from you and let you learn at your own pace and environment. 
• Cost-effectiveness: an online M.Sc.  degree is way cheaper than a traditional M.Sc.  degree as it does not bear the cost of physical experiments, field trips, etc. 
• Career advancement: an online M.Sc. degree will take you a step further toward your desired profession than a bachelor's degree in science, as a master's degree is a specialized and advanced degree that gives you more knowledge and expertise in the field. 

Why Should You Opt For An Education Loan? 

While online degrees are more affordable than traditional M.Sc.  degrees, an educational loan can be a huge help while pursuing an online M.Sc.  degree as it is a specialized course and may be heavy on your pockets depending on the university and the kind of specialization you're going with. Since educational loans are mostly flexible and have low interest rates, taking an educational loan to study online M.Sc.  is a wiser option than directly incurring the cost from one pocket. 

Conclusion

The online M.Sc. course is one of the best choices for you after your bachelors course. Especially if you have taken a job after your bachelors then it will be an effective option for you. Select the university perfectly suitable for you in terms of the requirements and look forward to upgrade your career.