MPhil and PhD: The thesis
Working in consultation with their supervisor, students select a thesis topic based on their personal interests.
After formal submission of the thesis, the candidate undergoes an oral examination with an internal and external examiner.
MPhil thesis
You usually spend your first year reseaching the topic and at the end of that time, begin to write up the results. Your first chapter should be submitted to your supervisor at the end of the first year, or no later than the middle of the second year. At that time, a decision is made about whether your should transfer to PhD candidacy or complete the MPhil degree.
If you do transfer, the work done as an MPhil can be used as the basis of one or more chapters in the doctoral thesis, providing the topic does not change.
For students completing the MPhil degree, the final thesis should contain a record of the research carried out and display a good general knowledge of the area of study, together with a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of some part or aspect of it. It is not expected to be an exhaustive study of the chosen topic but the presentation of what can reasonably be achieved in researching and writing up the topic in three years.
The expected length is 40,000 words.
PhD
The doctoral thesis topic is an extension of research work begun in the MPhil programme; the work submitted to the supervisor at the end of the first year of graduate study frequently becomes the basis of one or more chapters in the doctoral thesis.
According to the University's definitions, the PhD thesis should 'form an addition to knowledge, show evidence of systematic study and of ability to relate the results of such study to the general body of knowledge in the subject'. It should also be 'worthy of publication either in full or abridged form'.
The thesis is not expected to be an exhaustive study of the chosen topic but the presentation of what can reasonably be achieved in researching, analysing, and writing up the topic in three years.
The expected length is 70,000 words.
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