What are research degrees?

All of Queen Mary's academic departments offer research degree programmes. The range of postgraduate qualifications you can study for are listed below.

MPhil and PhD

Undertaking an MPhil or a PhD will enable you to make an original and significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in your chosen subject area. The wide variety of research interests of individual academic staff, and a description of the College's main research areas, can be found under the departmental entries. Many departments will allow you to study for a research degree either full or part-time. However, part-time study requires the specific approval of the academic department concerned.

Two distinct research degrees are offered: the Master of Philosophy MPhil) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Both degrees are awarded following a supervised individual research programme presented as a thesis for examination. A PhD thesis is a more substantial academic undertaking than an MPhil and generally takes longer to complete.

MPhil (Master of Philosophy)

An MPhil thesis must be either a record of original work or an ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge in any field.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

A PhD thesis must meet the University of London criteria of 'forming distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and affording evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of independent critical power'. You are initially registered for the MPhil degree. At the end of the first year of full-time study (or first 18 months part-time), academic progress is assessed and, if it is satisfactory, registration is transferred to the PhD degree.

MD (Doctor of Medicine)

Minimum period of registration is one year full-time or two years part-time. Applicants must have full or limited registration with the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.

MS (Master of Surgery)

Minimum period of registration is one year full-time or two years part-time. Applicants must have full or limited registration with the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.

MSc By Research

Some departments also offer an MSc by Research.

MA By Research

An MA By Research combines a taught course with an individual research project.

Attendance

Full-time

If you study full-time for a degree, you are expected to centre your academic activities at Queen Mary and to attend regularly and frequently, although you are entitled to a period of annual leave which is usually six weeks per year. The normal time period taken to complete

MPhil is two years' full-time study; for a PhD it is three years.

Part-time

Studying part-time enables you to follow a study pattern more suited to your personal circumstances and commitments. You should assume, however, that the equivalent of approximately one day per week attendance at Queen Mary will be required, whether on a weekly basis or in blocks. Part-time students will usually take three years to complete an MPhil or four years to complete a PhD degree.

Study in the workplace

The Public Research Institute/Industrial Research Laboratory (PRI/IRL) scheme can enable you to work, and study for a research degree at the same time. For example, if you are employed in an environment which does not award its own degrees but where appropriate research is undertaken, you may register as an internal part-time student, jointly supervised by a nominated workplace colleague and a specified College academic. The majority of the study is undertaken at work, but a minimum of 30 days' attendance is required at Queen Mary annually. This scheme offers benefits to the student, the employer and the College by forming valuable links between institutions and enabling the student to gain academic recognition for research undertaken in the workplace.