In practice, however, the MPhil is much more like a PhD than other Masters degrees.
Though its full title identifies it as a Masters degree, the MPhil actually sits somewhere between other Masters qualifications and more advanced postgraduate research training. This will define your intended project and / or state how you intend to tackle it. Most MPhil programmes will also require you to put forward a research proposal. If your project is smaller and self-contained, this may not be necessary. If your MPhil is intended to lead to a PhD, your university may expect you to have existing experience at taught postgraduate level. This will depend on your subject, your university and the specific project you wish to tackle. But you may also need to hold another Masters degree (such as an MA or MSc). You’ll need an appropriate Bachelors degree, as normal. What are the entry requirements for an MPhil?Īs an advanced research qualification, an MPhil will usually have extra admissions requirements.
You’ll undertake this work under the guidance of an academic supervisor, but won’t normally have any other timetabled classes or assessments. Whereas an MRes will include some taught units, an MPhil is based entirely on the completion of an independent thesis. Unlike most other Masters qualifications, the MPhil is a pure research degree. An MPhil can be part of a (or a step towards PhD registration) but you can also study it as a standalone qualification.