MPhil Degrees – What Are They and Are They Worth It?

An MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is a postgraduate research degree, with the closest comparison being the MRes (Masters in Research) on the Masters side. Or, if you want to look at it another way, an MPhil is a bit like a mini PhD, with some even functioning as part of a PhD programme.

If you’re not so clued up on the details of an MPhil, I’d recommend reading on to our ‘MPhil Key Information’ section. If you already know the basics, you might instead prefer to start with ‘Where can I study an MPhil?’, ‘Funding’ or ‘Is an MPhil worth it?’

MPhil Key Information

What does a research degree entail?

Research degrees are the counterpart to ‘taught’ Masters like an MA (Master of Art). Rather than mainly consisting of seminars and tutorials with university teaching staff, the majority (or entirety) of a research degree involves work on an independently researched thesis.

In an MPhil’s case, it’s typical to have no taught modules at all as many institutions require you to already have some basis in research. However, a few universities like the University of Cambridge MPhil do have taught modules.

How much will an MPhil cost for my subject?

Where your subject lands on the cost scale typically depends on what materials and personnel you’ll need for your research. If your research project is in the humanities, you can expect cheaper fees, whereas MPhils in the sciences tend to be more expensive due to potentially needing expensive lab equipment.

Also, as is the case for every kind of Masters degree in the UK, international students will pay higher fees, often two to three times higher at least.

What is an MPhil equal to?

As a level 7 qualification, MPhils are at the same level as other Masters degrees and are recognised the same internationally (due to the Bologna Process). That means they’re also a level below PhDs, which is a level 8 qualification…so sadly, you won’t be a doctor by the end of an MPhil.

Where can I study an MPhil?

Currently, we have 30 UK institutions in our database listing an MPhil with us. However, that’s not to say they all list the same amount of MPhil courses—as you might expect, you’ll typically find MPhils more common at research-intensive institutions like the Russel Group. In addition, some institutions don’t ‘list’ MPhils in the traditional sense. Instead, they ask students to independently submit a research proposal.

If you’d like to filter by subject (and other useful properties), I’d recommend visiting our MPhil course listings. Alternatively, you can find a preview of our listings in the widget below.

MPhil, MRes and PhD – what’s the difference?

MPhil vs MRes

• Similarities:
  • Both are research degrees that end in a research thesis / dissertation.
  • Both are at the same academic level (7).
• Differences:
  • MRes degrees typically contain taught modules (though less than a taught Masters) with a focus on research methodologies and research ethics.
  • MPhils usually assume you have these research fundamentals from another source.

MPhil vs PhD

• Similarities:
  • Both are research degrees with typically no taught component.
  • Both end in a research thesis / dissertation.
  • In the UK, they’re similar enough that when applying to a PhD, it’s common to start on an MPhil and ‘upgrade’ later.
• Differences:
  • A PhD is a level 8 degree while an MPhil is level 7.
  • PhDs are longer (typically three to four years in the UK).
  • PhDs emphasise that your dissertation needs to be a ‘significant, original contribution to your field of study’. MPhils don’t have this requirement.

MPhil funding

Most funded research in the UK comes through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which governs the UK’s seven research councils. Unfortunately, these councils don’t tend to fund standalone MPhils, only MPhils that are the first part of a sponsored PhD programme.

In other words, if you are considering a standalone MPhil, you’ll need to procure funding through other methods. I’d recommend reading our UK Masters funding guide, which covers options such as university scholarships, charities and other funding sources.

MPhil visas

If you’re studying an MPhil as an international student, you’ll need a student visa to study in the UK. Notably, as the MPhil is a research degree, you are allowed to bring dependants with you on your visa (e.g., spouse, children under 18). This contrasts with taught Masters, which disallow bringing dependants with you.

To apply for a student visa, you’ll need:

• An unconditional offer and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from your university.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Proof you can pay the required fees and living costs.

For more information, see our UK student visas guide.

Is an MPhil worth it?

This depends a lot on your personal circumstances and expectations, so let’s look at a few examples.

What next?

If you’re ready to start looking, check out our MPhil degree listings from many UK and non-UK universities.

Alternatively, if you’d like a bit more information on other research degrees, I’d recommend reading our MRes degree guide or the PhD guide from FindAPhD.

Frequently Asked Questions