Upgrade from MPhil to doctoral level studies*
* Please note that the upgrade procedure applies only to students who commenced their degree prior to April 2012 and who registered originally for the degree of MPhil leading to PhD.
Students who already hold a qualification deemed to be equivalent to a UK Master's degree may be permitted to register directly for the degree of PhD, MD or DDSc, but the majority of students are admitted to read initially for the degree of MPhil with the expectation that, subject to satisfactory progress, they will later be upgraded to a doctoral level programme, e.g. PhD/MD, etc. Many Faculties insist on initial registration as MPhil leading to doctoral level study in all cases.
Once a student has successfully upgraded from MPhil to e.g. PhD, departments should ensure that a copy of the upgrade form and associated paperwork is sent to the Research Degree Support Team promptly, so that the student's record can be updated and his/her time limit extended accordingly.
Procedures for Joint Location and Remote Location study will vary, and students and staff should consult the relevant notes and guidance.
Essential Practice
The final decision regarding whether a PGR student may be permitted to upgrade from MPhil to doctoral level study must be taken within 18 months of the students' initial registration, in order to ensure clear, equitable standards across the University, and to ensure that all students are provided with an opportunity to show whether they are capable of being upgraded within a clear and consistent timeframe, which will assist them in ensuring their research stays on track for timely completion. It is strongly recommended that the 1st attempt at upgrade is undertaken within 12 months of registration to allow sufficient time for a 2nd attempt where necessary. Departmental requirements for the upgrade must be adjusted where necessary to ensure that they are achievable within this timeframe.
Students are permitted a maximum of two attempts to upgrade (unless there are extenuating circumstances to be taken into account). Students who are unsuccessful after both attempts should be directed to submit for MPhil only.
Procedures for upgrading vary across departments and faculties, but are usually based upon the submission of a significant piece of written work and/or a presentation at a departmental research seminar. Students will not be allowed to upgrade until agreed development needs have been achieved and there is a clear and credible development plan for the remainder of the student's time limit.
Following Faculty approval of a department's recommendation that upgrading should take place, the student will receive formal notification from the Faculty in the form of a certified copy of the upgrade form (with the signature of the appropriate Faculty Officer and the official stamp of the University), together with an information sheet which provides details of his/her revised registration period and time limit.