MPhil Master of Philosophy

Choose the topics you want to study and the questions you want to research. Your original research will culminate in a written thesis of 20,000–40,000 words.

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Start date/study mode:

Course codeCID1181

Duration18 months

Fee(s)View fees

LocationOn campus

Course summary

You can undertake an MPhil in one of the following subject areas:

Business and Management
Computer Science
Culture
Education
Engineering
Media and Communications
Nursing and Health
Pharmacy
Psychology
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Social Sciences
Tourism.

Choose the topics you want to study and the questions you want to research. Your original research will culminate in a written thesis of 20,000–40,000 words. You can often continue your research and convert your MPhil into a PhD.

We'll provide you with rigorous research training that is transferable to many different careers. You'll also develop your critical thinking skills and higher-level thinking.

Our Postgraduate Research Development programme enables you to learn alongside other candidates. This means you'll build up a network of potential collaborators in research projects.

Entry requirements

We require a UK honours degree (first or 2:1) or a UK master's degree (or equivalent qualification). We'll consider candidates with other qualifications, looking at evidence of academic ability such as published work.

If English isn't your first language, you should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

Research proposal

As part of your application, you'll be asked to write a research proposal.

Your research proposal is a summary of the research you intend to carry out as part of your chosen research degree.

It should outline:

the aims of your research
the rationale for your research (the area you’ll be investigating, what is already known, and why your research will contribute to the area)
how you’ll conduct your research (your proposed methodology and techniques for analysis)
a provisional time plan for the research.

See our article on how to write a research proposal for further information, including tips on how to structure your proposal.

Fees and finance support

We charge annual fees while you are studying and researching for your degree.

2026/27 fees are:

UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled:

On-campus full-time: £4,700 per year
On-campus part-time: £3,681 per year
Distance learning full-time: £3,681 per year
Distance learning part-time: £3,681 per year.

International:

On-campus full-time: £14,500 per year
On-campus part-time: £8,500 per year
Distance learning full-time: £8,000 per year
Distance learning part-time: £8,000 per year.

Fee tiers

Tier 1

£4,700 Home/£14,500 International per year. This applies to the vast majority of research students who do not require specialist equipment.

Tier 2

£5,200 Home/£15,000 International per year. This applies to research students where there will be some additional expenses and the use of equipment.

Tier 3

£6,200 Home/£17,000 International per year. This applies to laboratory and clinical research students i.e. in sciences where there are consumables.

Apply now