Deciphering the terms of higher education abroad: from BA to PhD

When considering studying at a university abroad, it's common to come across a variety of terms that may sound confusing at first glance. Although the nomenclature may vary between countries, there are some widely used denominations in English for different levels of higher education. In this article, the Be Easy exchange clarifies the key terms you'll encounter when searching for courses abroad.

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Graduation: the Bachelor's Degrees

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• BA (Bachelor of Arts): Bachelor of Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences
• BSc (Bachelor of Science): Bachelor of Science in Exact or Natural Sciences
• BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts): Bachelor of Fine Arts
• BEng (Bachelor of Engineering): Bachelor of Engineering
• LLB (Bachelor of Law): Bachelor of Laws
• BEd (Bachelor of Education): Bachelor of Education

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Master: the Master's Degrees

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• MA (Master of Arts): Master of Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences
• MSc (Master of Science): Master in Exact or Natural Sciences
• MBA (Master of Business Administration): Master of Business Administration
• MFA (Master of Fine Arts): Master of Fine Arts
• MEng (Master of Engineering): Master of Engineering
• LLM (Master of Laws): Master of Laws
• MEd (Master of Education): Master of Education

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Doctorate: the Doctoral Degrees

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• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Doctorate in various areas of knowledge
• EdD (Doctor of Education): Doctorate in Education
• MD (Doctor of Medicine): Doctorate in Medicine
• JD (Juris Doctor): Doctorate in Law
• DSc (Doctor of Science): Doctorate in Science
• DBA (Doctor of Business Administration): Doctorate in Business Administration

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Associate Degree: a technical course with no equivalent in Brazil

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• AA (Associate of Arts): “Associate” in Arts
• AS (Associate of Science): “Associate” in Science
• AAS (Associate of Applied Science): “Associate” in Applied Sciences

It should be noted that these terms generally refer to academic degrees, and not necessarily to specific courses. For example, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) can be obtained in various courses, such as Sociology, Communication, Political Science, International Relations, History, and Journalism, among others.

In addition, studying at a University abroad can open doors to incredible academic and professional opportunities. With globalization increasingly present, having international experience in the curriculum is a significant differential in the labor market.

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Be Easy

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Understanding the terminology used in higher education abroad is fundamental to making informed choices and following the best path for your academic and professional future. A Be Easy Exchange is here to help you on this journey, offering expert guidance and support at every step of the process.

Our team of experts is ready to answer all your questions, from choosing the course and university to the application process and obtaining a visa. Don't waste any more time and contact us today to find out how to make your dream of studying abroad a reality.