Master’s Student or MS Student: Which Is Correct?

Choosing between “master’s student or MS student” can seem like a small language question, but the difference matters when you are writing a résumé, university application, academic paper, email, LinkedIn profile, or professional biography.

You may have seen all of these forms: master’s student, MS student, Masters student, and sometimes even master student. So which one should you actually use?

The short answer is that “master’s student” and “MS student” can both be correct, but they do not always mean exactly the same thing.

The broader term master’s student refers to someone studying for any master’s degree. MS student usually refers specifically to someone pursuing a Master of Science (MS or M.S.) degree.

There is also an important spelling and punctuation point. In standard English, master’s student normally takes an apostrophe because master’s means “of or relating to a master’s degree.”

Meanwhile, MS student is an abbreviation-based expression and is especially common in university and professional settings.

This guide explains the difference clearly, including grammar, punctuation, pronunciation, academic usage, American and British English, formal writing, résumés, emails, applications, examples, common mistakes, and the situations in which each expression works best.

Quick Answer

Master’s student is the best general term for a person studying for a master’s degree.

MS student is also correct when the person is specifically studying for a Master of Science degree.

So, use master’s student when the exact type of master’s degree is not important, and use MS student when you specifically mean an MS/M.S. degree.

Quick rule: Every MS student is a master’s student, but not every master’s student is an MS student.

Master’s Student or MS Student: At a Glance

What Does “Master’s Student” Mean?

A master’s student is a person who is studying for a master’s degree.

The expression is broad. It does not tell the reader exactly what subject or type of master’s degree the student is pursuing.

For example, someone studying for a:

• Master of Arts
• Master of Science
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Education
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Fine Arts
• Master of Social Work
• Master of Engineering

can generally be described as a master’s student.

Why Is There an Apostrophe in “Master’s”?

The apostrophe is an important part of standard usage.

Master’s is a possessive form of master. In the expression master’s degree, the traditional grammatical structure means a degree associated with or belonging to a master.

Therefore:

• master’s degree ✓
• master’s student ✓
• master’s program ✓
• master’s thesis ✓
• master’s application ✓

The form masters student is widely seen, particularly online, but in carefully edited formal English, master’s student is generally preferable.

Editor’s tip: If you are writing a university application, résumé, academic biography, or professional email, choose master’s student rather than masters student.

Is “Master’s Student” Singular or Plural?

Master’s student is singular.

Examples:

• She is a master’s student in economics.
• I am a master’s student at the university.
• He works as a teaching assistant while studying as a master’s student.

The plural is:

master’s students

Examples:

• The department welcomed 40 new master’s students.
• The workshop is designed for master’s students.
• Several master’s students attended the conference.

Notice that the apostrophe remains before the s in master’s, while the plural noun students simply receives its normal plural ending.

What Subjects Can a Master’s Student Study?

Almost any graduate-level field can have master’s students.

For example:

• A student studying literature can be a master’s student.
• A student studying computer science can be a master’s student.
• A student studying history can be a master’s student.
• A student studying engineering can be a master’s student.
• A student studying psychology can be a master’s student.

The phrase identifies the level of study, not necessarily the discipline.

Examples of “Master’s Student”

1. I am a master’s student in computer science.
2. She is currently a master’s student in education.
3. The professor supervises several master’s students.
4. As a master’s student, I have developed stronger research skills.
5. He became a master’s student after completing his bachelor’s degree.

What Does “MS Student” Mean?

MS student normally means a student pursuing a Master of Science degree.

Here, MS is an abbreviation for Master of Science.

Depending on the institution and style guide, you may also see:

• MS
• M.S.
• MSc
• M.Sc.

These abbreviations can vary by country and institution.

In American English, MS and M.S. are common forms for Master of Science. British and many international institutions often use MSc or M.Sc.

What Is a Master of Science?

A Master of Science is a postgraduate or graduate degree commonly associated with scientific, technical, mathematical, computing, health, and related fields.

However, the exact subjects offered under an MS vary greatly between universities.

Examples include:

• MS in Computer Science
• MS in Data Science
• MS in Biology
• MS in Physics
• MS in Mathematics
• MS in Engineering
• MS in Information Technology
• MS in Environmental Science

A person pursuing one of these degrees can naturally be called an MS student.

Examples of “MS Student”

1. I am an MS student in data science.
2. She is an MS student in computer engineering.
3. The professor is supervising three MS students.
4. He joined the laboratory as an MS student.
5. The conference is open to undergraduate and MS students.

The Main Difference Between “Master’s Student” and “MS Student”

The key difference is scope.

Master’s student is the broader expression.

MS student is more specific.

Think of the relationship this way:

Master’s student → broad category

MS student → one specific type of master’s student

For example, imagine five students:

• Sarah is pursuing an MA.
• David is pursuing an MS.
• Maria is pursuing an MBA.
• James is pursuing an MEd.
• Emily is pursuing an MFA.

All five can be called master’s students.

Only David would normally be called an MS student, assuming his degree is specifically a Master of Science.

Simple Comparison

Master’s student: “I am studying for a master’s degree.”

MS student: “I am studying specifically for a Master of Science.”

That one distinction solves most of the confusion.

Is “Master’s Student” More Correct Than “MS Student”?

Not exactly.

Neither expression is automatically “more correct.” They serve different purposes.

Use master’s student when you are talking about master’s-level study generally.

Use MS student when the specific degree is a Master of Science.

For example:

Correct:

I am a master’s student.

This tells the reader your academic level.

Also correct:

I am an MS student.

This gives the reader more specific information about your degree.

Potentially misleading:

I am an MS student.

If you are actually studying for an MBA, MA, or MEd, the statement suggests that your degree is a Master of Science.

Why People Confuse These Expressions

There are several reasons people search for master’s student or MS student.

1. “MS” Sounds Like a General Master’s Degree

In some countries and university systems, people casually use MS to refer to postgraduate study more generally. But in standard academic English, MS normally identifies a particular degree: Master of Science.

2. “Master’s” and “Master of Science” Are Related

An MS is a master’s degree, so the two expressions overlap.

That overlap makes it easy to assume they are interchangeable in every situation.

They are not.

3. Online Profiles Use Short Forms

Academic websites, résumés, LinkedIn profiles, university directories, and email signatures often use abbreviations.

For example:

MS Student, Department of Computer Science

is short and efficient.

But:

Master’s Student, Department of Computer Science

is broader.

4. The Apostrophe Is Frequently Dropped

People often type:

Masters student

instead of:

Master’s student

The first form is common enough to appear in informal online writing, but the apostrophe is normally recommended in polished standard English.

Grammar: Why “Master’s Student” Works

From a grammar perspective, master’s student is a noun phrase.

The main noun is:

student

The word master’s functions as a modifier.

Compare:

• master’s student
• doctoral student
• undergraduate student
• graduate student
• law student
• medical student

The phrase describes what kind of student someone is.

“Master’s” Is Not the Same as “Masters”

This distinction matters.

Master’s = possessive form associated with a master’s degree.

Masters = plural of master in other contexts.

For example:

The school offers several master’s programs.

Here, the apostrophe is appropriate.

But:

The hotel employs several masters of different crafts.

Here, masters is a plural noun and has a completely different grammatical role.

Pronunciation

Master’s Student

A natural pronunciation is approximately:

MAS-terz STU-dent

The apostrophe does not create a separate syllable.

MS Student

MS is normally pronounced letter by letter:

“em-ess STU-dent”

This is one reason the abbreviation can sound more technical or academic in conversation.

M.S. Student

If written as M.S., it is still normally pronounced:

“em-ess student.”

The periods are a matter of style rather than a change in pronunciation.

Is “Masters Student” Correct Without the Apostrophe?

In formal edited English, master’s student is the safer choice.

You will frequently encounter:

Masters student

online, especially in university-related material, but that does not make the apostrophe-free version the best choice for formal writing.

Use This in Formal Writing

I am a master’s student in economics.

Avoid This When You Want Polished Standard English

I am a masters student in economics.

The second version is understandable, but it drops the apostrophe that normally appears in master’s degree and related compounds.

Best practice: If an editor, professor, employer, admissions office, or professional audience will read your writing, use master’s student.

Is “Master Student” Correct?

This is one of the most common mistakes.

In standard American English, master student is generally not the natural expression for a person studying for a master’s degree.

Prefer:

master’s student

rather than:

master student

Why?

Because master by itself does not normally function as the intended modifier in this expression.

You may encounter master student in international English, translated university pages, or educational systems influenced by other languages. But if your goal is natural, standard English, master’s student is the better choice.

Compare

❌ I am a master student in biology.

✅ I am a master’s student in biology.

✅ I am an MS student in biology.

The second and third sentences sound natural in appropriate contexts.

Master’s Student vs Graduate Student

Another useful comparison is master’s student vs graduate student.

These terms overlap, but they are not identical.

A graduate student is generally a student pursuing education beyond a bachelor’s degree, especially in American English.

A graduate student could be pursuing:

• a master’s degree
• a doctoral degree
• another graduate-level qualification

A master’s student is more specific.

So:

All master’s students are generally graduate students.

But:

Not all graduate students are master’s students.

For example, a PhD student is a graduate student but not a master’s student.

Master’s Student vs Postgraduate Student

Postgraduate student is especially common in British English and many international varieties of English.

A postgraduate student is someone studying after completing an undergraduate degree.

Depending on the educational system, this may include master’s and doctoral students.

Therefore, master’s student is more specific than postgraduate student.

American English

You are more likely to hear:

graduate student

British and International English

You may commonly hear:

postgraduate student

Neither term automatically makes the other incorrect. Regional academic vocabulary differs.

MS Student vs MSc Student

This distinction is useful for international students.

MS student usually refers to a student studying for a Master of Science, especially in American academic contexts.

MSc student is also used for a Master of Science and is particularly common in British and international contexts.

For example:

She is an MSc student at a university in the UK.

and:

She is an MS student at a university in the United States.

The institution’s own terminology should take priority.

Tip: If your university officially calls your program an MS, use MS. If it calls the program an MSc, use MSc.

American English vs British English

The phrase master’s student works naturally in both American and British English.

The abbreviation for the degree can differ.

American English

Common forms include:

• MS
• M.S.
• master’s degree
• master’s student
• graduate student

British English

Common forms include:

• MSc
• M.Sc.
• master’s degree
• master’s student
• postgraduate student

However, universities do not all follow one universal naming system. An institution may use its own official abbreviation.

What Should International Students Do?

Use the official name of your degree program whenever possible.

If your university says:

Master of Science in Computer Science

you can write:

MS in Computer Science

if that is the institution’s preferred abbreviation.

If your university officially uses:

MSc Computer Science

follow that form in formal documents.

Academic Writing: Which Form Should You Use?

In academic writing, clarity is more important than abbreviation.

If the audience may not know what MS means, write the full degree name first.

For example:

She is pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Biology.

After introducing the abbreviation, you can use:

She is an MS student.

This approach is especially useful in formal reports, research documents, conference materials, and institutional writing.

In a Thesis or Dissertation

You might write:

The participants included 24 master’s students from three departments.

If you specifically mean students enrolled in Master of Science programs:

The study included 24 MS students from three departments.

The second sentence is more precise.

Professional Writing: Résumés and LinkedIn Profiles

Both terms can work well on a résumé or professional profile.

Broad Description

Master’s Student, Department of Economics

This is useful when the degree title is already clear elsewhere on the résumé.

Specific Description

MS Student in Data Science

This immediately tells employers the degree type.

Better Résumé Example

MS Student in Computer Science
University Name | Expected Graduation: 2027

This is concise and professional.

LinkedIn Example

Master’s student specializing in environmental policy and sustainability.

Or:

MS student researching machine learning and natural language processing.

Choose the version that gives your reader the information they actually need.

Email Writing: Which One Sounds Better?

In a university email, both can sound natural.

General

Dear Professor Ahmed,
I am a master’s student in the Department of Chemistry.

Specific

Dear Professor Ahmed,
I am an MS student in the Department of Chemistry.

If your exact degree is an MS, the second version is more specific.

However, if the degree type is not relevant to your request, master’s student is perfectly clear.

20 Real-Life Examples

Here are original examples showing how the expressions work in different situations.

Everyday Conversation

1. “What do you do?”
   “I’m a master’s student in psychology.”
2. “Are you still studying?”
   “Yes, I’m an MS student.”
3. “My sister is a master’s student at the university.”

Academic Setting

4. The professor invited all master’s students to the research workshop.
5. The laboratory currently has six MS students.
6. Each master’s student must complete the required coursework.

University Website

7. The department provides scholarships for international master’s students.
8. The program welcomes applications from qualified MS students.

Email

9. I am a master’s student seeking information about the upcoming seminar.
10. I am an MS student working on renewable energy systems.

Résumé

11. Master’s Student in Economics — University Name
12. MS Student in Computer Science — University Name

Business

13. The company hired several master’s students as summer research interns.
14. The workshop was designed for professionals and MS students interested in data analytics.

Social Media

15. Proud to be a master’s student and one step closer to my research goals!
16. Life as an MS student: coffee, code, research, repeat.

Text Message

17. “Are you free tonight?”
    “Not really. I’m a master’s student with a paper due tomorrow.”

Academic Research

18. The researchers surveyed 120 master’s students across five departments.
19. The sample consisted exclusively of MS students enrolled in computer science.

Professional Biography

20. She is a master’s student specializing in international development.

These examples demonstrate an important point: master’s student is flexible, while MS student communicates a particular degree type.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Writing “Master Student”

❌ I am a master student in finance.

✅ I am a master’s student in finance.

Why?
The standard expression uses the possessive master’s.

Mistake 2: Dropping the Apostrophe

❌ She is a masters student.

✅ She is a master’s student.

Why?
The standard form is connected to master’s degree, so the apostrophe is normally retained.

Mistake 3: Calling Every Master’s Student an MS Student

❌ My friend is an MS student because she is doing an MBA.

✅ My friend is a master’s student because she is doing an MBA.

Why?
An MBA is a Master of Business Administration, not a Master of Science.

Mistake 4: Using “MS” Without Knowing the Degree

❌ He is an MS student in English literature.

This may be inaccurate unless his actual degree is a Master of Science.

Better:

✅ He is a master’s student in English literature.

Or use the official degree title.

Mistake 5: Confusing “Master’s” With “Masters”

❌ I completed my masters degree.

✅ I completed my master’s degree.

Mistake 6: Overusing Abbreviations

❌ I am an MS student pursuing an MS and working with MS students in an MS program.

Better:

I am a Master of Science student working with other graduate researchers in the program.

Abbreviations are useful, but too many can make prose harder to read.

When Should You Use “Master’s Student”?

Choose master’s student when:

1. You want a broad term.
2. The exact degree type is not important.
3. You are writing for a general audience.
4. You are unsure whether the degree is an MA, MS, MBA, MEd, or another master’s degree.
5. You want a natural term that works in both American and British English.
6. You are describing a person’s academic level.

Example

She is a master’s student at the University of Edinburgh.

The sentence gives enough information without specifying the exact degree.

When Should You Use “MS Student”?

Choose MS student when:

1. The student is specifically pursuing a Master of Science.
2. The degree abbreviation is officially used by the institution.
3. You are writing a résumé or academic profile where brevity helps.
4. Your audience understands the abbreviation.
5. The distinction between an MS and other master’s degrees matters.

Example

He is an MS student in artificial intelligence.

This is concise and specific.

When Should You Avoid Both?

Sometimes neither expression is the best choice.

If you are talking about a specific program, use the official program name.

For example:

She is pursuing an MBA in Marketing.

This is better than simply calling her an MS student.

Similarly:

He is pursuing a Master of Public Health.

may be more informative than:

He is a master’s student.

The best expression depends on how much information your reader needs.

Memory Tricks

Memory Trick 1: Think “Big Box, Small Box”

Imagine:

Master’s student = big box

MS student = smaller box inside it

Every MS student belongs to the larger group of master’s students.

Memory Trick 2: MS = Master of Science

Whenever you see MS, expand it:

MS → Master of Science

If the full degree is not Master of Science, don’t automatically use MS student.

Memory Trick 3: Remember the Apostrophe

Think:

master’s degree → master’s student

If you would write master’s degree, you should normally write master’s student too.

Memory Trick 4: Ask One Question

Before choosing the phrase, ask:

“Do I know that this person is studying for a Master of Science?”

If yes:

MS student

If no:

master’s student

This simple test works in most situations.

A Practical Decision Guide

When you’re unsure, follow these steps.

Step 1: Identify the degree

Is the person studying for a master’s degree?

If yes, master’s student works.

Step 2: Identify the exact degree

Is it specifically a Master of Science?

If yes, MS student may be more precise.

Step 3: Check the institution’s terminology

Does the university use MS, M.S., MSc, or another official abbreviation?

Follow the institution’s preferred form in formal documents.

Step 4: Consider your audience

For a general audience:

master’s student

For an academic audience familiar with the degree:

MS student

Step 5: Check your punctuation

Write:

master’s student

not:

masters student

when using standard polished English.

Style Guide and Editorial Considerations

There is no single universal rule requiring every university or publication to use one abbreviation style. Academic institutions, publishers, and style manuals can differ in how they format degree abbreviations.

You may encounter:

• MS
• M.S.
• MSc
• M.Sc.

The important thing is consistency.

If an institution officially calls a program an MS, don’t arbitrarily change it to MSc simply because another university uses that form.

Likewise, if you are following a specific publication’s style guide, follow that guide.

Formal Documents

For formal documents, the safest approach is often to introduce the complete degree first:

Master of Science (MS)

Then use:

MS

later in the document.

This removes ambiguity and helps readers who may not know the abbreviation.

Do You Capitalize “Master’s Student”?

Usually, no.

In ordinary sentences, write:

She is a master’s student.

not:

She is a Master’s Student.

The phrase is not normally a proper noun.

However, capitalization may appear in headings, résumé titles, job descriptions, or institutional labels because of a chosen style.

For example:

Master’s Student in Computer Science

can work as a résumé heading.

The capitalization there is a formatting choice, not a grammar requirement.

Should “MS Student” Be Capitalized?

When MS is used as the abbreviation for Master of Science, the letters are capitalized:

MS student

The noun student normally remains lowercase in running text.

Correct:

She is an MS student.

Not normally:

She is an MS Student.

Again, title-style capitalization may be used in headings.

Is “Master’s Student” Formal?

Yes.

Master’s student is neutral, natural, and appropriate for formal contexts.

You can comfortably use it in:

• university applications
• academic emails
• résumés
• cover letters
• research documents
• professional biographies
• conference programs
• university websites

It is not slang or casual English.

Is “MS Student” Formal?

Yes, provided the abbreviation is appropriate for the audience and accurately describes the degree.

It is especially common in academic and professional environments.

For a general audience, however, Master of Science student or master’s student may be clearer if the abbreviation has not been introduced.

FAQ

Is “master’s student” or “MS student” correct?

Both can be correct. “Master’s student” is the broader term for anyone pursuing a master’s degree, while “MS student” specifically refers to someone pursuing a Master of Science.

Is it “master’s student” or “masters student”?

Master’s student is the standard form in polished English. The apostrophe is normally retained because the phrase is related to master’s degree.

Is “master student” grammatically correct?

It is not the usual standard expression in American English for someone studying for a master’s degree. Master’s student is the natural choice.

Can an MBA student be called an MS student?

No, not normally. An MBA is a Master of Business Administration. The student can be called a master’s student, but “MS student” would suggest a Master of Science.

Is an MS degree the same as a master’s degree?

An MS is a type of master’s degree. The term “master’s degree” covers many degree types, including MS, MA, MBA, MEd, MPH, and others.

Should I write “MS student” on my résumé?

Yes, if you are actually pursuing a Master of Science and your university uses MS as the degree abbreviation. Otherwise, use the official degree name or the broader term master’s student.

Is “master’s student” American or British English?

It is used in both American and British English. British English also commonly uses postgraduate student, while American English frequently uses graduate student.

Should I use MS, M.S., or MSc?

Follow your university, employer, publisher, or chosen style guide. MS/M.S. is common in American English, while MSc/M.Sc. is common in British and international academic contexts.

Is “master’s student” better than “graduate student”?

It depends on what you mean. Master’s student is more specific. Graduate student can include both master’s and doctoral students, especially in American English.

Final Verdict: Master’s Student or MS Student?

So, master’s student or MS student—which should you choose?

The answer is simple once you focus on the degree itself.

Use “master’s student” when you mean someone studying for a master’s degree in general. It is the safest and broadest choice.

Use “MS student” when you specifically mean someone pursuing a Master of Science degree.

The two terms overlap, but they are not perfect synonyms.

Best choices

The One Rule to Remember

“Master’s student” tells readers the level of study. “MS student” tells them the specific degree type.

And don’t forget the apostrophe:

master’s student ✅

masters student ⚠️ less polished

master student ❌ generally not the natural standard form

MS student ✅ when the degree is a Master of Science

If you’re writing a résumé, application, academic email, research paper, or professional biography, the best practice is to use the official name of your degree when precision matters. When the exact degree type is not important, master’s student is clear, natural, and widely understood.

In other words, there is no need to choose a universal winner. Master’s student is the broad term; MS student is the specific term. Once you know which degree the student is pursuing, the correct choice becomes straightforward.

Elon Parker

Elon Parker is a dedicated writer at Wordscrowd, creating clear, informative, and engaging content for readers.
With a focus on useful information, Elon aims to make every article simple, reliable, and easy to understand.