Course summary

The MPhil is one year of full-time research with an individual supervisor followed by an examination of a research thesis in an oral examination. The MPhil is most commonly taken as a standalone research degree by candidates with only one year of funding. If this course is taken as part of a route to the PhD a further three years of study and funding are required as well as satisfactory performance in the MPhil. The PhD project may draw on the topic of the MPhil, but the same work cannot be presented for both degrees. Individual members of staff will be pleased to answer informal enquiries about specific research areas. If you are certain of your field of interest, you are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor at an early stage to see whether your research interests can be accommodated. We have a systematic training programme for research students, giving instruction in research methods, data analysis and presentation skills. The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; and

• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

• a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;

• demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;

• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies; and

• demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.