As far as a thesis goes, ideally the main difference should be one of scope. In some disciplines, it might be advisable to do MA and PhD theses in difference areas of the discipline, so that one has evidence for claiming expertise in more than one teaching area. Many schools need their faculty to be able to teach in several areas. Sometimes it might even be an advantage to have theses in different disciplines. One of my former students teaches In two departments (mathematics and philosophy).

You might also look at my answers to related questions here:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_different_is_MPhil_from_PhD

and here:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_PhD_by_research_only_Or_PhD_by_taught_courses_plus_research

Thank you very much@karlpfeir

Dear Dr. Esma,

The most important differences is that the PhD thesis must be (obligatory) an original search (wok). While, for MSc. thesis it can be original or not.

Regards,

Naseer Almukhtar

I guess we can quibble about "originality". Does doing research to see to what extent previous results are replicable or how they apply to or within a somewhat different set of circumstances count? At any university I've been at, a merely expository MA or MSc thesis would not pass muster (except sometimes in faculties of education for teacher training 😞). And in this case, since the question comes from someone studying English Language & Literature, focusing on scientific contributions and the MSc is misleading.

master degree is like as reading a title and Ph.D thesis is like as creating a title.

Doctorate degrees (minimum of 150 pages) emphasizes great depth in research, innovation and/or creation of theories while masters degree (minimum of 45 pages) is only foundational research that may give general impressions of a research with the review section not very exhaustive like a PhD.

Methodologocal they are same, but PhD is more scientific and more new research results.

Thank you very much for your valuable answers

In short it has to do with depth, length and width (all dimensions) of the research. In the Doctoral thesis there is greater depth, length, width, innovatin etc

For more details specifications, it would be wize to check individual departments requirements for both degrees.

The key difference between a Master's thesis and PhD dissertation is the intended purpose. A thesis is supposed to test a student's understanding of his or her field of study. It may or may not be an original research. However, a dissertation is usually done by a doctorate student and totally focuses on an original research.

I think the difference is in the following points

(1) A master's thesis is not expected to generate a research publication, though it is very nice if it does.  A PhD should normally expect to have at least one conference poster and a paper submitted to a refereed journal.  This is not essential, and sometimes is not possible if the material has to be kept confidential for commercial reasons (either the sponsor getting a headstart on the know-how, or a possible patent which publication would void).

(2) In most jurisdictions a PhD is generally refereed by an examiner (an appropriate expert in the field) from outside the university who is often paid for this service.  A Master's is normally only assessed within the institution.  (An exception is the degree of MPhil which usually has an external examiner).

(3) In most jurisdictions a PhD has to be defended.  A master's student may be required to make a presentation, but it is not so arduous as a PhD examination in which the student is questioned by an outside expert and possibly many of the faculty to demonstrate a full appreciation of the literature and defend results and conclusions.  In the UK this is known as a "viva voce exam" or "viva".  It is possible for  a candidate to pass the viva but fail the thesis (in which case the thesis is generally improved and re-submitted) or vice versa.

(4) A master's dissertation is commonly given a mark or grade which contributes towards the classification of the MSc or MA.  A PhD or MPhil is just pass or fail.  You can get a "good" MSc but not a "good" PhD.

Best Regards Esma Biroglu

The main difference between thesis and dissertation is that:

#Dissertation must be original

#Dissertation should have a new scientific result