How to Pursue MPhil in UK?

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the United Kingdom welcomed over 5 lakh, international students, in the year 2019-20. One of the most popular programs amongst students offered by UK universities is MPhil. A Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a research-based program offered for the duration of one-two years in a wide range of courses. 

Course	MPhil/Master of Philosophy
Degree Type	Postgraduate Research Degree
Duration of Course	Full-time: 1-2 years Part-time: 4-5 years
Average Cost	Full time : £13,000–£16,000 a year ( Rs.13,15, 691 – Rs. 16, 19, 312) Part Time : £6,500–£8,000 a year ( Rs. 65,7845 – Rs. 80, 9656)
Average Salary after MPhil	£ 35,000- £ 55,000 (Rs. 35,42,248 – Rs. 55,66,390)
Popular Specialisations	Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Linguistics, Political Science, Anthropology

Top Reasons to Study MPhil in UK

MPhil is one of the best programs offered by the UK universities. It acts as stepping stone for students who wish to understand research methodology and thesis work. Here are 5 reasons to study in UK–

1. A degree from UK universities is highly valued and respected around the world and certainly ramps up your resume. It increases employability both within and outside the UK. 
2. UK universities offer students a wide variety of MPhil specializations to choose from. This provides the students with the freedom to specialize in a subject area that suits their interests and passion. 
3. MPhil programs provide a foundation for research students aspiring to pursue PhD programs. It prepares students for vigorous research work and instills knowledge of research methodology.
4. Another reason to pursue MPhil in the UK is financial aid. International students have access to a range of scholarships, fellowships and bursaries to fund their research work. 
5. The academic environment in the UK is designed to be practical and challenging in nature. MPhil students get the opportunity to conduct their own independent research with the help of professional mentors who belong to reputable academic backgrounds. 

Also Read : Why Do Indians Prefer to Study in UK?

Top MPhil Specialisations in UK

One of the greatest reasons for pursuing an MPhil from the UK lies in the array of specializations offered by top universities. Students can choose from streams like humanities, natural sciences or engineering. Let’s look at a  list of MPhil specializations that are offered by the reputable universities of UK:

• Philosophy
• Anthropology
• Cultural Studies
• Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics
• Political Science
• Archeology
• Architecture
• Media and Communication
• Mathematical Sciences
• Criminology
• Management
• Biomedical Sciences
• Art and Design
• Environmental Science
• Financial Management and Accounting
• Education
• Marketing and PR
• Science and Technology
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Dermatological Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Human Geography and Urban Studies
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Computer Science
• Music
• Human Resource Management
• English Studies
• Law
• Economics
• Animal Sciences

Select the best courses for your profile using the AI Course Finder

Duration of MPhil in UK

Most universities based in the UK offer full-time MPhil programs for a period of 1 to 2 years. Students also have the option of a part-time MPhil for a period of 4 to 5 years. Additionally, if you have registered for an MPhil course within a PhD program, the duration of the course is 1 to 1.5 years. During the program, students are required to submit proper coursework along with a thesis consisting of original research of around 25,000 to 50,000 words. 

Must Read : Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in UK

Cost of Studying MPhil 

The cost of an MPhil program in the UK varies depending on your place of origin as well as whether you plan to study full-time or part-time. 

Course Duration	Average Fees
Full-time for International Students	£13,000-£16,000 (Rs 13,17,531- 16,21,577)
Part-time for International Students	£6,500- £7,000(Rs 6,58,676- Rs 7,09,351)
Full-Time for EU/USA students	£4,000–£5,000(Rs.4,04,828-Rs. 5,06,035)
Part-time for EU/USA students	£2,000–£3,000(Rs. 2,02,414- Rs. 3,03,621)

Click here to Calculate the Cost of Living and Studying in UK

Eligibility Criteria for MPhil in UK

The entry requirements to study MPhil in the UK depends on the university and course. Many students who are enrolled in PhD programs at UK universities initially register for the MPhil degree before transferring back to the PhD program upon successful completion of the first year of study. On the contrary, a PhD student may also transfer to an MPhil program or be awarded the degree of MPhil if they do not meet the requirements for the award of a PhD.

Now, some of the common eligibility criteria for pursuing an MPhil in the UK include:

• A first-class or second-class honors undergraduate degree or an overseas equivalent in a subject relevant to your proposed research program. 
• Research work at the postgraduate level (which must include some research training) undertaken for the equivalent of at least one year full-time.
• A GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4 or above.
• Students are required to submit scores of the IELTS or TOEFL test for Language proficiency. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or 90 in TOEFL (iBT) 
• Research proposal for the programme

Also Read : What are the Requirements to Study in UK

Documents Required

Students are required to submit a long list of documents that will secure their entry into the MPhil programs of the universities of the UK. The essential documents are as follows:

• An updated CV in the correct format
• Copy of Passport or Visa (if available)
• A research proposal of at least 1000 to 1500 words
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Certificate of English proficiency – IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Test/Duolingo 
• Personal Statements
• Reference Letters
• A formal application form

Top Universities Offering MPhil

MPhil is one of the most popular programs in the UK and most top universities offer this program for students who wish to hone their research skills and methodology. If you wish to apply to the UK then connect with our Leverage Edu expert and get a free profile evaluation in under 30 minutes. 

Name of the University	Courses Offered	Explore
University of Cambridge	MPhil in Medieval History MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies MPhil in Politics and International Studies	Click Here
University of Oxford	MPhil in Developmental Studies MPhil in Law MPhil in Economics	Click Here
University of Sussex	MPhil in Social and Political Thought MPhil in Journalism Studies	Click Here
University College London	MPhil in Anthropology MPhil in Environmental Design and Engineering MPhil in Information Studies	Click Here
University of Edinburgh	MPhil in Creative Arts, Design and Illustration MPhil in Architecture MPhil in Biology and Life Sciences	Click Here
University of Manchester	MPhil in Business and Management MPhil in History MPhil in Mechanical Engineering	Click Here
University of Warwick	MPhil in Intercultural Communication MPhil in Linguistics MPhil in Media and Communication	Click Here
University of Leeds	MPhil in Music MPhil in English Studies	Click Here
King’s College London	MPhil in Bioinformatics MPhil in Defense Studies  MPhil in Culture, Media and Creative Industries	Click Here
University of Liverpool	MPhil in Biological Sciences MPhil in Electrical Engineering and Electronics MPhil in History	Click Here
University of Birmingham	MPhil in Social Work and Social Care MPhil in Accounting MPhil in Earth Sciences MPhil in Finance MPhil in Marketing	Click Here

1- Year MPhil in UK

MPhil in the UK is generally offered as a 2-year program that includes a thesis and oral examination. However, there are some universities that offer one-year MPhil programs in UK such as:

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of Birmingham
• University of Manchester
• University of Greenwich 
• UCL (University College London)
• Birkbeck, University of London
• SOAS University of London

Must Read: 10 Biggest Culture Shocks in the UK

MPhil Scholarships in UK

• Gates Scholarships at Cambridge
• GREAT Scholarships
• Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
• A.S. Hornby Trust Scholarship
• Chevening Fellowships
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship

Career Prospects

After completing an MPhil degree from reputed UK universities, students have a higher chance of employability in a career of their choice. The average salary for MPhil graduates across fields:

Specialization	Average Salary (per annum)
Data Analyst	£37,867 ( Rs. 38,32,409)
Economist	£37,634 (Rs. 38,08,828 )
Software Developer	£34,934 (Rs. 35,35,568 )
Marketing Manager	£36,916 (Rs. 37,36,161 )
Research Consultant	£29,593 ( Rs. 29,94,920 )
Executive Producer	£46,889 (Rs. 47,45,499 )
Petroleum Engineer	£57,653 ( Rs. 58,34,893 )
Managing Editor	£47,869 (Rs. 48,44,682 )
Account Manager	£35,485 (Rs. 35,91,334 )
Pharmacist	£27,877 (Rs. 28,21,350 )
Design Architect	£41,859 (Rs. 42,36,428 )
Journalist	£26,285 (Rs. 26,60,228 )
Chief Executive Officer	£142,833 (Rs. 1,44,55,714 )

MPhil vs PhD in UK

An MPhil is a postgraduate research degree that allows you to develop similar skills to a PhD. It involves an independent project (40,000 words) and an oral examination to defend your thesis. The duration of an MPhil program is one to two years whereas a PhD in UK is offered for three to four years. Students are required to submit a dissertation and submit an oral examination to defend their thesis. It is the highest degree awarded by any university.

Course	Master of Philosophy (MPhil)	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Duration	1-2 years	3-4 years
Courses	Management, Finance, Accounting, Social Work, Political Science, Psychology, etc	Economics, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Social Work, Management, Business, etc
Degree	Research-Oriented Degree	Highest Ranking Degree
Stipend	Unpaid	Paid

FAQs

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