Regulations for awards (research degrees): Section C
Section C: Regulations for the Degree of Master of Philosophy
The following regulations govern the specific rules for award for the degree of Master of Philosophy. They should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations Governing all Research Degrees.
This section does not apply where a candidate is asked to write-up for MPhil as the outcome of a final assessment.
C1. Learning outcomes
C1.1.1 Master's degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:
- A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.
- A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
- Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
- Conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
C1.1.2 Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:
- Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements, often in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
- Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
C1.2 Master of Philosophy
C1.2.1 The MPhil is awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended work by viva examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners.
C2. Thesis length
C2.1 The text of the thesis should not normally exceed 40,000 words (excluding references and appendices).
C2.2 This word count is the maximum allowable length for theses, not necessarily the preferred length. In many instances supervisors may wish to recommend a shorter length.
C2.3 Supervisors should be able to advise on the usual length of theses in their subject area or topic.
C3. Period of enrolment
C3.1 A candidate who is registered on a Doctoral degree may choose to transfer to the MPhil award. The timeline for the transferred programme must be calculated as outlined in section C3.2.
C3.2 The MPhil is a two-year full-time programme or four-year programme part-time. Normally a full-time candidate who chooses to transfer will be allowed two years, minus the time that has already elapsed on their Doctorate to complete the award when they transfer. Normally a part-time candidate who chooses to transfer will be allowed four years, minus the time that has already elapsed on their Doctorate to complete the award when they transfer. The time elapsed does not include any periods of approved interruptions that the candidate had been granted. Any requests for transfer after these times have elapsed will not be approved. Candidates may also apply for additional time and/or writing-up period.
C3.3 The allowance of a period of additional time and/or writing-up period does not apply where a candidate is asked to write-up for MPhil as the outcome of a formal assessment. The assessment outcome will specify the amount of time the candidate has available to complete and submit their MPhil work.
C3.4 No later than three months before the end of their programme, candidates may:
- Apply for additional time to complete the research; OR
- Apply to enrol for a writing-up period, which allows candidates additional time to complete the writing of the thesis.
C3.5 Where a candidate fails to secure approval to enrol for the writing-up period or additional time, the candidate must submit work for examination by their course end date. Failure to do so will lead to a termination of the candidate’s registration on the grounds of non-submission.
C3.6 At least four months before thesis submission an ‘on track to submit’ meeting must take place between the student and the supervisory team.
C4. Final thesis examination
C4.1 The examination for MPhil has two stages:
- The submission and preliminary assessment of the written thesis.
- Defence of the work by viva examination.
C4.2 Recommendations following examination:
C4.2.1 These do not apply where the MPhil is being examined as the outcome of a Doctoral examination.
C4.2.2 Following examination, including a viva, the examiners may recommend:
- Award (without amendments).
- Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
- Award subject to minor amendments. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within six weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
- Referral to complete major amendments. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of all examiners within four months from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. On receipt of the resubmitted work the examiners reserve the right to require a further viva examination.
- Referral to re-write the submission. The resubmission must be completed to the satisfaction of all examiners within six months. On receipt of the resubmitted work the requirement for a viva examination is at the discretion of the examiners.
- Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree.
C4.3 Recommendations following the submission of minor amendments:
- Award (without amendments).
- Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
- Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree.
C4.3.1 Where a candidate has been required to complete minor amendments and resubmits work that is not to the satisfaction of the internal examiner, the work must be presented for consideration by all examiners before a recommendation can be made.
C4.4 Recommendations following the submission of referred work:
- C4.4.1 No further opportunity will be permitted for referral to complete major amendments or for referral to re-write the submission.
C4.4.2 Following the examination of referred work (including a viva where required), the examiners may recommend:
- Award (without amendments).
- Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
- Award subject to minor amendments. The resubmission, addressing all amendments, must be completed to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within six weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
- Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree.
C4.4.3 Upon their initial assessment of the referred work, if the examiners are of the view that the candidate’s work should be failed then they are required to invoke a viva examination before deciding the outcome.