With a research degree from Middlesex University, you'll explore innovative ways to tackle major academic problems – and make a new and original contribution to existing knowledge.
In essence, the main difference between an MPhil and a PhD relates to the contribution you make to existing knowledge on the research topic that you've selected. A PhD contributes new knowledge beyond what's currently available whereas an MPhil contributes new understanding of existing knowledge, by way of a critical review or evaluation.
A Director of Studies and at least one (second) supervisor from the University will conduct your research supervision. Often, an external supervisor is also involved.
Your supervisors will act as personal tutors, helping you to clarify your initial objectives, structure your research and develop supplementary skills. They also advise on subject reading, relevant taught degrees, research seminars and workshops.
Academic support and guidance is constantly available, whether you work individually or as part of a team. There are regular research tutorials, plus seminars and meetings with research students, staff and guest speakers.
If you're working in partnership with an external organisation, you may be jointly supervised by academics from Middlesex University and the collaborating partner.
Where collaboration is involved, you should ensure that from the outset the responsibilities for provision of fees, equipment and any other resources are fully understood and accepted by the partners.
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The MPhil/PhD programme allows for either a text-based research project, or for a mixed mode, visual research/textual research project:
Please note that all of our PhD students initially enrol on an MPhil and then transfer to a PhD degree.
The taught elements in both programmes are integral to the degree. Your progression will be dependent on satisfactory progress.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
