🎓 Master’s Student vs Masters Student vs MS Student: The Complete Grammar & Usage Guide

Choosing the right academic title shouldn’t feel like solving a grammar puzzle. Yet phrases like “Master’s student,” “Masters student,” and “MS student” confuse thousands of graduate students every year.

The differences may look tiny—just an apostrophe here or a capital letter there—but the meaning, accuracy, and professionalism change dramatically based on which version you use.

Whether you’re writing for your LinkedIn profile, grad school application, CV, or publication, getting these terms right is essential.

In this guide, we’ll break everything down clearly, confidently, and conversationally so you never have to question which term to use again.

Let’s jump in.

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Understanding the Grammar Behind “Master’s Degree” (The Apostrophe Rule That Changes Everything)

Before we even look at Master’s student vs Masters student vs MS student, we need to understand the foundation:
Why does “Master’s degree” have an apostrophe?

Because “Master’s” is possessive, not plural.

When you write:

• Master’s degree → means “a degree of a master”
• Masters degree → implies “a degree belonging to multiple masters” (incorrect)

This small punctuation mark tells the reader that the degree belongs to the level of mastery, not to a group of people.

✔ Correct

• Master’s degree
• Master’s program
• Master’s dissertation

✘ Incorrect

• Masters degree
• Masters program
• Master degree

Think of “master” the same way you’d think of:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Doctor’s appointment

It’s ownership. The degree belongs to the academic level of mastery, so the apostrophe is necessary.

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Master’s Student vs Masters Student: Which One Is Correct?

This is one of the most debated grammar questions among graduate students.

The short version:

“Master’s student” is correct.
“Masters student” is always incorrect in standard English.

Let’s break it down.

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What “Master’s Student” Means (Correct)

A Master’s student is a student enrolled in a master’s degree program. The possessive form carries over from Master’s degree, so the phrase is grammatically consistent.

Examples

• “I’m a Master’s student in Cybersecurity.”
• “She’s a Master’s student researching climate policy.”
• “He is currently a first-year Master’s student at Stanford.”

Why It’s Correct

Because it essentially means:

• A student of a Master’s program
• A student pursuing a Master’s degree

Both of those use the possessive form.

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Why “Masters Student” Is Incorrect

“Masters student” implies:

• A student belonging to multiple masters, OR
• A student who is a master of something

Either way, the phrase breaks grammar rules.

Common places where “Masters student” wrongly appears:

• Resumes
• LinkedIn bios
• Unofficial university documents
• Social media posts

It might be popular online, but it’s still incorrect.

✔ Quick Rule:

If you can replace “Master’s” with “Bachelor’s,” and it still sounds correct, you’re using the right form.

• Bachelor’s student → Correct
• Bachelors student → Incorrect

Same logic applies to “Master’s student.”

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Understanding “MS Student”: Meaning, Context, and When to Use It

Now let’s talk about the third term: MS student.

Many students wonder:

“Am I a Master’s student or an MS student? What’s the difference?”

There is a real difference — and it’s all about degree type.

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What “MS Student” Actually Means

“MS” stands for Master of Science.

So:

• An MS student specifically studies a science-based master’s program.

This is not the same as Master’s student, which is a general term.

Examples of MS Programs:

• MS in Computer Science
• MS in Data Analytics
• MS in Electrical Engineering
• MS in Environmental Science

Non-MS Programs:

If your degree is MA, MBA, M.Ed, MFA, etc., you are not an MS student.

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When “MS Student” Is Better than “Master’s Student”

Use MS student when:

• You want to emphasize that your degree is a science degree
• You’re writing in a technical or academic setting
• You’re describing your field more precisely

Examples

• “I’m an MS student specializing in Machine Learning.”
• “He’s an MS student in Biomedical Engineering.”

When NOT to Use It

• For non-science degrees
• As a general descriptor for all master’s students
• When the exact degree type isn’t relevant

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Formal vs Informal Usage: Master of Science, Master’s Degree & MS

Let’s compare the three major forms:

Term	Usage	Example
Master of Science (full form)	Most formal	University catalog, thesis title
MS (abbreviation)	Semi-formal	Resume, CV, LinkedIn
Master’s degree	Informal/general	Conversations, articles
Master’s student	Informal/general	Bios, intros

Professional Hierarchy (Most → Least Formal)

Master of Science → M.S. → MS → Master’s degree → Master’s student

Example in Context

Formal Writing:

“She is pursuing a Master of Science in Chemistry.”

Resume:

“MS in Chemistry (Expected 2026).”

Conversation:

“I’m a Master’s student studying Chemistry.”

Each version has its place, depending on tone and formality.

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Common Mistakes Students Make (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s look at the most frequent errors related to Master’s Student vs Masters Student vs MS Student.

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Mistake 1: Writing “Masters Degree” Instead of “Master’s Degree”

Incorrect:

• Masters degree
• Master degree

Correct:

• Master’s degree

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Mistake 2: Using “MS Student” for Non-Science Fields

Incorrect:

• “I’m an MS student in Graphic Design.”
• “MS student studying Economics.”

Graphic Design and Economics are commonly MA fields, not MS.

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Mistake 3: Capitalizing “master’s” Randomly

Incorrect:

• Master’s Student
• Master’s Degree

Correct capitalization:

• Master’s student
• master’s degree

Capitalize only formal degree titles:

• Master of Science
• Master of Arts

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Mistake 4: Using “Master’s Candidate” and “Master’s Student” Interchangeably

These are not the same thing.

• A Master’s student is enrolled in a master’s program.
• A Master’s candidate has completed certain program milestones, like coursework or candidacy exams.

More on that soon.

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Correct Usage Examples (With Side-by-Side Comparison)

Here’s a table comparing correct and incorrect usage:

Incorrect	Correct
Masters student	Master’s student
Masters Degree	Master’s degree
MS degree in History	MA degree in History
Master degree	Master’s degree
I am MS student.	I am an MS student.
I’m pursuing Masters.	I’m pursuing my Master’s.

Correct Sentence Examples

• “I’m a Master’s student in Finance.”
• “She’s an MS student in Computer Engineering.”
• “He completed his Master of Science with distinction.”

Incorrect → Corrected

• “I’m a Masters student.” → “I’m a Master’s student.”
• “She’s doing her MS degree in English.” → “She’s doing her MA degree in English.”

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Master’s Student vs Master’s Candidate: What’s the Difference?

Many universities differentiate between:

Master’s Student

• Newly admitted
• Taking coursework
• Completing credits
• In early or mid program stages

Master’s Candidate

• Met specific requirements such as
  • Passing qualifying exams
  • Completing coursework
  • Formally admitted to “candidacy”
• Often in research or thesis phase

Example

“After completing all coursework, she became a Master’s candidate and started her thesis.”

This is a higher status than “Master’s student,” but both are correct depending on your stage.

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Common Abbreviations for Master’s Degrees (Not Just MS!)

Students often assume all master’s degrees = MS.

But there are many degree types:

Abbreviation	Full Form	Field
MS	Master of Science	STEM fields
MA	Master of Arts	Humanities, Social Sciences
MBA	Master of Business Administration	Business
M.Ed	Master of Education	Education
MFA	Master of Fine Arts	Creative Arts
MPH	Master of Public Health	Public health
MSW	Master of Social Work	Social work

Why This Matters

You should never call yourself an MS student if your degree is actually:

• MA
• MBA
• M.Ed
• MFA
• MPH
• MSW

Accuracy matters, especially professionally.

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Using These Terms in Real Sentences (Clear Examples)

Here are examples showing correct grammar and real-world usage.

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Examples with “Master’s student”

• “I’m a Master’s student in Artificial Intelligence.”
• “She is a first-year Master’s student focusing on public policy.”

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Examples with “MS student”

• “He is an MS student in Mechanical Engineering.”
• “As an MS student, she is researching machine vision.”

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Examples with “Master of Science”

• “He earned a Master of Science in Data Science.”
• “Her thesis was published during her Master of Science program.”

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Examples with “Master’s degree”

• “I want to earn a master’s degree in psychology.”
• “A master’s degree opens opportunities in higher-level roles.”

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Case Studies: Real-Life Usage Scenarios

Here are fictional but realistic examples of how these terms appear in the real world.

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Case Study 1: LinkedIn Bio Optimization

Incorrect Bio:

“Masters Student | Data Science MS Student”

Corrected Bio:

“Master’s Student in Data Science | MS Candidate in Machine Learning”

Why this works:

• Uses correct grammar
• Shows degree level + specialization
• Sounds professional

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Case Study 2: Academic Email Signature

Incorrect:

Ali Ahmed
Masters student, electronics

Correct:

Ali Ahmed
MS Student, Electrical Engineering

Or more formal:

Master of Science Candidate in Electrical Engineering

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Case Study 3: Resume Entry

Incorrect:

Masters Degree, Computer Science

Correct:

Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science
Expected: 2026

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Case Study 4: Research Paper Author Title

Incorrect:

Sana Khan, Masters student

Correct:

Sana Khan, Master’s Student, MS in Biotechnology

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Final Tips for Clear, Professional Academic Writing

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to keep everything straight.

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Grammar Rules

• Always use Master’s, not Masters.
• Use lowercase for generic references (master’s degree).
• Use uppercase only for official titles (Master of Science).

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Terminology Rules

• Use Master’s student (general).
• Use MS student (science-specific).
• Use Master of Science in formal or academic writing.

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Practical Usage Rules

• On resumes → use MS, MA, MBA, etc.
• On LinkedIn → use a mix (“Master’s student | MS candidate”).
• In emails → use the exact degree type.

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FAQs

### What is the correct term: Master’s Student or Masters Student?

Master’s student is the correct and grammatically standard term. “Masters student” is always incorrect.

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### When should I use “MS student”?

Use “MS student” only when you’re pursuing a Master of Science in a STEM-related field.

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### Why does “Master’s degree” need an apostrophe?

Because it’s possessive — meaning “the degree of a master.” Without the apostrophe, the phrase becomes grammatically incorrect.

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### Can I use “MS” and “Master of Science” interchangeably?

Yes, but context matters. “Master of Science” is formal; “MS” is better for resumes, bios, and informal writing.

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### What’s the difference between a Master’s student and a Master’s candidate?

A Master’s student is enrolled in the program. A Master’s candidate has reached an advanced stage after fulfilling coursework or candidacy requirements.

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Conclusion

Understanding the difference between Master’s student, Masters student, and MS student isn’t just about grammar — it’s about communicating clearly, professionally, and accurately in academic and career settings.

Here’s the simplest summary:

• Master’s student → General, correct, most common
• Masters student → Always incorrect
• MS student → Science-specific, more precise

By choosing the right term, you demonstrate attention to detail, professionalism, and academic maturity—all qualities that matter in the real world.

Use these terms wisely, and you’ll always present yourself at your best.