Programme of study for the degree of Master of Philosophy 2024/25

Candidates may undertake study for the degree of MPhil in any Faculty of the University or accredited Institution, under supervision arrangements specified in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

The other requirements for the degree, including examination requirements are set out in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

Faculties of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, Business, and Social Sciences

Graduates of an approved university or institution, or persons whose qualifications by study in an approved institution have been accepted by the Senate as equivalent to or in lieu of a degree, may be accepted as candidates for the degree of Master of Philosophy provided that, with the approval of the relevant committee:

• applicants who wish to proceed to the degree in a subject not studied as a substantial part of their first degree level work may be required, before an acceptance as candidates, to reach a satisfactory standard in a preliminary examination on that subject, and
• applicants who have not reached the honours standard in a first degree examination may be required, not less than one year after the date of their acceptance, to pass a qualifying examination in a subject prescribed by the relevant committee.

Faculties of Biological Sciences, Environment, Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Medicine and Health

The following may be accepted as candidates for the degree of Master of Philosophy:

• graduates of an approved university
• persons who have been awarded an approved diploma in applied science of this University in a subject regarded by the relevant committee as an appropriate preparation for the proposed research
• persons whose qualifications by study in an approved institution have been accepted by the relevant committee as equivalent to or in lieu of a degree.

The standard period of study for full-time candidates is two years.

There are two models for part-time study with different full-time equivalent (FTE) attendance:

• Study on 0.6 FTE basis with a standard period of study of four years, available for the degree of PhD in all faculties. This is the default mode for part-time variants of all doctoral programmes.
• Study on 0.75 FTE basis with a standard period of study of three years, available for the degree of PhD in the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Candidates accepted directly to the degree of Master of Philosophy are not required to undergo formal assessment for transfer to a definite degree category.

The arrangements for formal reports on progress by the supervisor(s) are described in the University Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures which is published in the Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Handbook.

A supervisor(s) will be appointed for each PGR at the commencement of the candidature.

Candidates must present a thesis (60,000 words maximum) on the subject of their research and satisfy the examiners as specified in Ordinance X and its associated regulations. Except where an alternative method of submission is stipulated in the regulations for Ordinance X. In Schools where an alternative form of submission is permitted, specific regulations for the binding and presentation of the work are published.

Except with the special permission of the relevant committee, every candidate is required to submit their thesis for examination for the degree of Master of Philosophy by no later than:

• the end of the third year after their entry upon the approved course of full-time study and research
• the end of the sixth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research where the standard period of study is four years
• the end of the fourth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research where the standard period of study is three years.

Where the progress and quality of the candidate’s research justify it, the relevant committee is empowered to reduce the required minimum period of study, as specified in Article 5 of Ordinance X provided that no candidate shall submit for examination before the completion of:

• a total of one calendar year of full-time study
• a total of two calendar years of part-time study.

Following examination, the examiners will be asked to make one of the following recommendations:

• a) Pass with distinction
• b) Pass
• c) Pass (subject to the correction of ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor deficiencies’): these corrections must be made within four or twelve weeks respectively from the date of the oral examination. The internal examiner is responsible for ensuring that ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor deficiencies’ are corrected by the candidate. A degree may not be awarded until confirmation is received that the corrections have been completed.
• d) Referral
• e) Fail: the candidate has no further opportunity for submission for the degree.

If the thesis is not considered to be of sufficiently high standard to recommend the award of the degree but there is evidence of the potential of a successful MPhil submission, then on the recommendation of the examiners the candidate will be granted permission to resubmit the work in a revised form for the degree of Master of Philosophy within a period of fifteen months, on one occasion only and on payment of an additional fee.

The recommendation of the examiners is subject to confirmation by the Graduate Board’s Examinations Group which will consider the examiners’ report.

On completion of the programme, PGRs should have shown evidence of being able:

• to interpret and communicate knowledge in their discipline through originality in their application of knowledge and a practical understanding of established techniques of research at a level suitable for publication in reputable journals/publications as appropriate to the field of research
• to present and defend research outcomes much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of a discipline or area of professional/clinical practice
• to demonstrate an independent and comprehensive contribution to knowledge in the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills
• to take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• to formulate ideas and hypotheses proactively and to develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• to critically evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• to demonstrate knowledge of and be able to assess, analyse and engage with the ethical and legal context of their research and any ethical and legal implications of their research. 

PGRs will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities through the research training and research specified for the programme:

• the skills necessary to undertake research at a higher level, for a future career as a researcher and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional/clinical practice
• evaluating their own achievement and that of others
• self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations
• independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development.

For MPhil PGRs, the learning context will include the analysis of, and decision making in, complex and unpredictable situations. The structure of the programme will provide research training, depth of study and opportunities for drawing upon appropriate resources and techniques. Opportunities will be provided for PGRs to develop:

• interests and informed opinions
• their involvement in the design and management of their learning activities
• their communication of their conclusions.

PGRs will be expected to progress to fully autonomous study and work.

Achievement will be assessed by the examination of the candidate’s thesis (or alternative form of thesis) and performance under oral examination. It will involve the achievement of the candidate in:

• evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within a significant aspect or different aspects of the discipline or area of clinical/professional practice which leads to the production of material at a level suitable for publication
• drawing on, and selecting appropriately from, a range of research techniques and methodologies in their enquiries into the discipline
• demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area
• drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study
• evaluating and criticising received opinion
• making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data
• the written style and overall presentation of the thesis.