Programme of study for the degree of Master of Philosophy  Programme of study for the degree of Master of Philosophy 2026/27

PGRs may undertake study for the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in any faculty of the University under the supervision of members of staff who satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by the relevant committee.

Supervisors will be appointed at the commencement of the programme of study.

Candidates will normally be required to have obtained at least a first class or an upper second-class British Bachelors Honours degree (or an equivalent recognised qualification) in a related discipline.

The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. Some schools/faculties/or programmes have a higher English language entry requirement than the minimum outlined.

Details on English Language qualifications can be found on our entry requirements page.

Candidates will normally be expected to start the programme in September, October, February or April.

PGRs may study on a full-time or part-time basis.  

Full-time candidatures

Study on 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) basis with a standard period of study of two years and a final submission deadline of three years.

Part-time candidatures

There are two models for part-time study with different FTE attendance:

• Study on 0.5 FTE basis with a standard period of study of four years and a final submission deadline of six years.
• Study on 0.75 FTE basis with a standard period of study of three years and a final submission deadline of four years.

The 0.75 FTE study mode is not available for direct entry. This mode is available for candidates transferring from a 0.75 FTE PhD or for individual registered PGRs changing their FTE mode for ad personam reasons.

Milestones and deadlines are provided in a section that follows on this page.

This programme is available for study by split-site or distance learning modes. The split-site study mode is not available for direct entry.

All candidates for the degree of MPhil are expected to undertake appropriate generic training. 

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

Candidates accepted directly to the degree of Master of Philosophy are not required to undergo formal assessment for transfer to a definite degree category. There should, however, be regular reports by the supervisor on the PGR’s progress. As a minimum, there should be:

• a report at the mid-point of the first year (six months for full-time PGRs, 12 months for PGRs studying at 0.5 FTE and nine months for PGRs studying at 0.75 FTE).
• annual progress reports (APR) each year.

The arrangements for formal reports on progress by the supervisor(s) are described in the University Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures published on the postgraduate research policies and procedures page.

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.

For candidates undertaking MPhil  by an alternative form of thesis for practice-led research in specified schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, a protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures is 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 at 0.5 FTE 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 at 0.75 FTE 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 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 with distinction subject to the correction of ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or minor amendments: these corrections must be made within six weeks or six months respectively from the date of the oral examination
• c) Pass 
• d) Pass (subject to the correction of ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor amendments’): these corrections must be made within six weeks or six months respectively from the date of the oral examination
• e) Referral 
• f) Fail: the candidate has no further opportunity for submission for the degree.

The internal examiner is responsible for ensuring that ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor amendments’ are corrected by the candidate. A degree may not be awarded until confirmation is received that the corrections have been completed.

Referral

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 15 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 research 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
• present and defend research outcomes much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of a discipline or area of professional/clinical practice
• demonstrate an independent and comprehensive contribution to knowledge in the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills
• take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• formulate ideas and hypotheses proactively and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• critically evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• demonstrate knowledge of and be able to critically 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 critical analysis of, and decision making in, complex and unpredictable situations. The structure of the programme will provide research training, breadth and/or 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
• their ability to undertake critical analysis.

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 and will involve the achievement of the candidate in:

• evidencing an ability to conduct independent broad and/or in-depth enquiry within different aspects of the discipline 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.

Full time

• Standard period of study: 24 months
• Overtime period: 12 months
• Maximum time limit: 36 months
• Earliest submission (reduction): 12 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: six months
• Annual progress review: annual
• Supervision meetings: 10 meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than eight weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 37 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 26 days per year
• Maximum suspension/extension: 24 months

Part time (0.5 FTE)

• Standard period of study: 48 months
• Overtime period: 24 months
• Maximum time limit: 72 months
• Earliest submission (reduction): 24 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: 12 months
• Annual progress review: annual
• Supervision meetings: five meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than 12 weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 19 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 13 days per year
• Maximum suspension/extension: 36 months

Part time (0.75 FTE)

The 0.75 FTE study mode will not be made available for direct entry. The mode would be available for candidates transferring from a 0.75 FTE PhD or for individual registered PGRs changing their FTE mode for ad personam reasons.

• Standard period of study: 36 months
• Overtime period: 12 months
• Maximum time limit: 48 months
• Earliest submission (reduction): 24 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: nine months
• Annual progress review: annual
• Supervision meetings: eight meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than 10 weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 28 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 20 days per year (19.5)
• Maximum suspension/extension: 36 months