Which is the right research degree for you?

We offer Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees for students wanting to undertake a defined research project, or a suite of work that culminates in a thesis. An MPhil qualification is typically shorter than a PhD, but is completed to the same academic quality. Students often complete an MPhil degree within two years, and three to four years for a PhD.

To achieve the award of MPhil or PhD, students must demonstrate their ability to apply appropriate research methods to a specialist topic or question, and display a critical understanding of the key issues and debates in their chosen field. The thesis may contain, or be the basis for, published peer-reviewed papers, and students will have the opportunity to publish during and after their degree.

Students undertaking these degrees will also be expected to complete a viva voce (oral examination), where they must present their work in front of a panel of experts and justify why their thesis makes a valuable contribution to the field.