The MPhil is a Masters level qualification, which would normally require a minimum of three years full-time or four years part-time study for successful completion. The normal entry requirement for MPhil is an appropriate honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who have considerable professional experience in their chosen field of research, but who do not hold the necessary degree level qualification, may also gain entry to the MPhil programme if suitable academic references can be provided. MPhil candidates who demonstrate that both they and their research have demonstrated sufficient promise are eligible to enter a Transfer process to transfer their registration from MPhil to PhD, normally after 12-15 months full-time or 24-36 months part-time.
The PhD is an internationally recognised Doctoral level qualification which would normally require a minimum of five years full-time study or six years part-time study for successful completion. The PhD qualification is recognised internationally and demonstrates that your research has made a significant contribution to knowledge in a specific discipline. Holders of the degree of PhD are able to use the title "Doctor". The normal entry requirement for PhD is a Masters level qualification in an area appropriate to the proposed field of study.
The main difference between MPhil and PhD is defined in terms of the "significant contribution to knowledge" that the candidate can demonstrate has resulted from successful completion of their research, preparation and defence of their thesis and, possibly the authoring of academic conference or journal papers. A successful MPhil programme demonstrates that the candidate has successfully planned and carried out a programme of research and that the research findings have been contextualised and analysed to produce coherent results, which have been examined in detail. A successful PhD programme demonstrates additionally how their research findings have contributed to new domain knowledge or have extended existing theory and / or understanding of their research area.
All research students who initially enrol for MPhil have the opportunity to move into a PhD programme through a PhD Transfer Process, where their capability, progress and research topic justifies this. Candidates for PhD Transfer must produce a progress report, undergo an oral examination and define a PhD research programme application that appropriately extends the original MPhil programme.
Research: BIADResearch@bcu.ac.uk
BIAD, Birmingham City University, Gosta Green, Birmingham B4 7DX