Large part of postgraduate study deals with independent research. Research degrees are often referred as doctorates. The main type of doctorate degrees are PhDs, DPhils, integrated PhDs, and professional doctorates.

Doctorate programs

Doctorate programs can be taken after completing a master’s degree. In some case doctorate degree can be taken right after the bachelor’s degree during which a master is earned along the way. A doctorate degree in the UK usually takes three to five years.

The most important component of a PhD degree is the doctoral thesis. The thesis is research project on a special topic and can be between 40,000 and 12,000 words. The doctorate thesis needs to be worthy of publication and add something new to the field of study for a student to earn a PhD degree.

Academic entry qualification overview

Programme Academic requirements English Cost
 

PhD

 ·          Master’s is a minimum requirement.

·          A research proposal on the topic you want to study.

·          You might have to show significant work experience in the industry/topic area.

 

 IELTS-7 with all components score above 6.

Each university has its own standard English requirement which can vary,

 Between £14,000 to 20,00 per year depending on subject area and topic

 

Scholarships can be obtained through help of university and individual application

MPhil programme

An MPhil program is very much similar to a PhD program, but it is lower in academic packing order. For MPhil degree it is expected to complete a dissertation of between 30,000 to 35,000 words. It is still well accepted and respected in the academic and professional world, but student do not get the title of Doctor with an MPhil degree.

Academic entry qualification overview

Programme Academic requirements English Cost
MPhil ·          An honours degree

·          MA, MSc or equivalent

·          satisfactory work at postgraduate level (which must include some research training) undertaken for the equivalent of at least one year full-time.

 

 IELTS-7 with all components score above 6 Between £14,000 to 20,00 per year depending on subject area and topic