MPhil
Why just stick with a normal undergraduate degree when you could grab a postgraduate degree as well? The MPhil is the perfect course for you to have a look at!
While an MPhil may not turn you into a modern-day version of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates (no, not the footballer) or Confucius, it will give you a fantastic degree in some of the best subjects that universities can offer.
An MPhil will also massively improve your student CV as well and make you an even more desirable candidate for employers.
What is an MPhil?
The MPhil stands for Master of Philosophy. The MPhil is an advanced postgraduate degree, which is a mixture of both taught subjects and researched subjects that conclude with a monitored thesis project.
Sometimes, the MPhil is used as a way of gaining entrance to a normal PhD programme, the MPhil PhD path is a tried and tested one. The MPhil degree is considered a research degree in much the same way that an MRes degree is.
What subjects can I study in the MPhil?
The MPhil is somewhat unique in that it is rewarded in all academic subjects, although a lot of postgraduate research programmes offer this, it also suffers from the drawback of not having the discipline in the title.
There are different types of MPhils as well, which are occasionally offered in Arts and Humanities subjects. The MPhil is a somewhat generic postgraduate degree and can support anyone in any academic discipline.
An MPhil is not just for Philosophy, despite its name. While you can study an MPhil Philosophy, you can also look for an MPhil in Law, MPhil Management, MPhil Economics or even MPhil Finance.
The MPhil is usually around £5,000 for a full-time degree and around £3,000 for a part-time degree
What is the difference between MPhil and PhD?
This isn’t about MPhil vs PhD. The MPhil is a Master of Philosophy, a research degree that focuses on possibly gaining entry to a PhD in the future and is relevant in all subject areas.
A PhD is the highest degree honour that a university can offer. While a PhD has elements of research, it is mainly a theoretical degree.
A PhD is a Doctorate degree awarded by universities and means that people can now refer to themselves as ‘Doctor’ within their research field. An MPhil is a two-year course (sometimes three).
The MPhil is seen as the opening to a further PhD degree, it can be seen as a great way to gain entry to a better qualification.
How long does an MPhil take?
How long is MPhil? The MPhil in UK is usually two years, when it is studied as a full degree. If it is studied part-time, it can take four or five years.
What is MPhil and MSc?
This isn’t about MPhil vs MSc or anything like that. The MSc is a theoretical degree, whereas the MPhil is research-based.
While both are postgraduate degrees and both are generally studied after a bachelor’s degree, the MPhil and the MSc are both separate in other respects.
For instance, the MSc is a Master of Science, which means it covers mainly scientific studies and engineering and medicine among others, meanwhile, the MPhil itself covers a number of different academic disciplines.
An MPhil is a little different at the University of Cambridge
How much is the MPhil?
The MPhil is usually around £5,000 for a full-time degree and around £3,000 for a part-time degree, although prices are dependent on where you're studying, because as we all know, universities are able to dictate their own prices.
What countries offer the MPhil?
Unfortunately, the MPhil is not very well represented throughout the world.
The MPhil is most common in the UK, as doctoral study is research-based and is a great pathway into a PhD, as a result, other countries do not offer the MPhil.
That being said, countries like New Zealand and Australia also offer the degree for students as well. American universities do not offer an MPhil degree, they offer a PHD, however, their students transfer to the final stage of the programme, which is called ABD (which stands for All But Dissertation).
The MPhil is recognised in Europe, but not everywhere. It is usually recognised under the Bologna Process (a process that organises qualification cycles in Europe and the UK).
What is MPhil Cambridge?
An MPhil is a little different at the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, the MPhil is a degree that is studied between nine and twelve months, whereas the MPhil by Research degree is studied all-year-round.
They both still work in the same way as a normal MPhil in that they serve as precursors to full PhDs and introduce you to research skills and specialist knowledge.
What is unusual however, is that the Cambridge MPhil must be made to continue and a supervisor must be identified, before you can study your PhD.
The MPhil is an advanced postgraduate degree, which is a mixture of both taught subjects and researched subjects that conclude with a monitored thesis project.
What level is the MPhil?
In most universities, an MPhil is seen as a Masters-level degree. The UK National Qualifications Framework (NQF) identifies a general MPhil as being a Level 7 qualification, which is similar to an MA, MSc or an MRes.
The MPhil is a great degree to study if you are looking to go on to study a PhD at university and a great way to expand your knowledge in a certain subject. Many students do not always go onto a PhD after studying an MPhil, but is also a great way of beefing up their student CV.
