Why am I being registered for the MPhil?

All students register initially for the MPhil programme which is a substantial and valid qualification in its own right. During their first year, (MPhil) students meet their supervisor(s) to refine their individual research topic and question.

At the end of the first year, students undertake a major review of their research. A PhD registration is a significant step and the Institute needs to be sure, before students transfer to a PhD, that they have a research topic and methodology that will meet that standard. Students prepare a document of work of around 10,000 words which should be of a standard expected for a chapter of the final thesis. This submission forms the basis for a discussion (Viva Voce) with a panel consisting of two members of the Institute. If successful, students are transferred to the PhD programme, and at this point their registration is backdated to the date of their initial registration.

In subsequent years, students continue their research under the guidance of their supervisors and are encouraged to present their ongoing work from time to time, which might include seminar presentations and conference papers. Each year students are asked to write reports on their progress for their supervisors, the Institute and the School. Continued registration depends on satisfactory progress.