Master of Philosophy

The MPhil is a degree of considerable distinction in its own right, and is awarded for the successful completion of a substantial element of research or equivalent enquiry. The MPhil differs from the PhD only in terms of the scope of study required, demonstrated by the shorter word limit of 60,000, and the extent of the original personal contribution to knowledge. Students who gain the degree of MPhil will have demonstrated:

A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice;

A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship; originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline;

Conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

The period of study for an MPhil is:

Full-time: typically two years; final deadline three years
Part-time: typically three years; final deadline four years