UK PhD Degree Classifications
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rickynova
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#1
Hi all,
What are the degree Classifications for PHD or Research Degrees in the UK?
I've tried searching on Google - but I can't get a clear answer or any real info
Thanks
What are the degree Classifications for PHD or Research Degrees in the UK?
I've tried searching on Google - but I can't get a clear answer or any real info

Thanks
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Need more help on going postgrad?
hobnob
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#2
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#2
(Original post by rickynova)
Hi all,
What are the degree Classifications for PHD or Research Degrees in the UK?
I've tried searching on Google - but I can't get a clear answer or any real info
Thanks
Hi all,
What are the degree Classifications for PHD or Research Degrees in the UK?
I've tried searching on Google - but I can't get a clear answer or any real info

Thanks
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Tasha1986
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#3
As above.
When you sit your viva (oral defence of your thesis) your examining committee will decide one of the following:
Pass with no corrections
Pass with minor corrections
Pass with major corrections
Fail
But these aren't classifications. You either get your PhD or you don't. There's no such thing as a PhD with Distinction or Merit.
When you sit your viva (oral defence of your thesis) your examining committee will decide one of the following:
Pass with no corrections
Pass with minor corrections
Pass with major corrections
Fail
But these aren't classifications. You either get your PhD or you don't. There's no such thing as a PhD with Distinction or Merit.
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rickynova
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#4
Ah okay thanks. So will it just say "pass" on a phd certificate?
But the UK Masters degree classes are Merit, Distinction and Pass - am I correct? Or are is Masters just like the undergrad classification of 1st, 2.1 etc.?
Thanks again!
But the UK Masters degree classes are Merit, Distinction and Pass - am I correct? Or are is Masters just like the undergrad classification of 1st, 2.1 etc.?
Thanks again!
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Tasha1986
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#5
Masters degrees have classifications of Pass, Merit, and Distinction. At some universities a pass is the same as a merit.
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nulli tertius
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#6
(Original post by Tasha1986)
As above.
When you sit your viva (oral defence of your thesis) your examining committee will decide one of the following:
Pass with no corrections
Pass with minor corrections
Pass with major corrections
Fail
But these aren't classifications. You either get your PhD or you don't. There's no such thing as a PhD with Distinction or Merit.
As above.
When you sit your viva (oral defence of your thesis) your examining committee will decide one of the following:
Pass with no corrections
Pass with minor corrections
Pass with major corrections
Fail
But these aren't classifications. You either get your PhD or you don't. There's no such thing as a PhD with Distinction or Merit.
http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/mlitt.php
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/...ssary.html#msc
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Dirac Delta Function
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(Original post by nulli tertius)
Most universities have a consolation prize which is usually an MPhil or an MLitt (which can often also be studied for as a two year research degree with a shorter thesis). It is usually awarded where the thesis is considered not to contain an original contribution to research.
http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/mlitt.php
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/...ssary.html#msc
Most universities have a consolation prize which is usually an MPhil or an MLitt (which can often also be studied for as a two year research degree with a shorter thesis). It is usually awarded where the thesis is considered not to contain an original contribution to research.
http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/mlitt.php
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/...ssary.html#msc
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hobnob
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#8
(Original post by Dirac Delta Function)
I don't really see the point of this. What's the MPhil actually awarding? It seems it is awarding failing a PhD.
I don't really see the point of this. What's the MPhil actually awarding? It seems it is awarding failing a PhD.
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nulli tertius
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(Original post by Dirac Delta Function)
I don't really see the point of this. What's the MPhil actually awarding? It seems it is awarding failing a PhD.
I don't really see the point of this. What's the MPhil actually awarding? It seems it is awarding failing a PhD.
See
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u...orycode=410208
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Dirac Delta Function
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#10
(Original post by hobnob)
It's to recognise the fact that just because someone's thesis didn't pass muster for one reason or another, it doesn't automatically mean all of their work up to that point has been totally worthless. But as nulli tertius said, it's very much a consolation prize and perceived as such.
It's to recognise the fact that just because someone's thesis didn't pass muster for one reason or another, it doesn't automatically mean all of their work up to that point has been totally worthless. But as nulli tertius said, it's very much a consolation prize and perceived as such.
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Dirac Delta Function
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(Original post by nulli tertius)
In some subjects it is hard for weaker students to demonstrate an original contribution to research. There are a lot of theses on the rise of Hitler, feminism and the Brontes. If all one says is what has been said before then the result is an MLitt.
See
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u...orycode=410208
In some subjects it is hard for weaker students to demonstrate an original contribution to research. There are a lot of theses on the rise of Hitler, feminism and the Brontes. If all one says is what has been said before then the result is an MLitt.
See
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u...orycode=410208
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nulli tertius
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(Original post by Dirac Delta Function)
This is what I mean - why award anything at all in that case? This would be acceptable at an undergrad level, but not at post-grad.
This is what I mean - why award anything at all in that case? This would be acceptable at an undergrad level, but not at post-grad.
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threeportdrift
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username854791
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hobnob
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#15
(Original post by Dirac Delta Function)
I agree. However, in that case, it should be the case that the original contribution that is produced - though not substantial enough for a PhD - should be substantial enough for a Master's level post-graduate level degree. It should still contain some successful contribution to knowledge, rather than recognise a failed attempt.
I agree. However, in that case, it should be the case that the original contribution that is produced - though not substantial enough for a PhD - should be substantial enough for a Master's level post-graduate level degree. It should still contain some successful contribution to knowledge, rather than recognise a failed attempt.
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Cora Lindsay
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#16
(Original post by Dirac Delta Function)
I don't really see the point of this. What's the MPhil actually awarding? It seems it is awarding failing a PhD.
I don't really see the point of this. What's the MPhil actually awarding? It seems it is awarding failing a PhD.
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Pryda
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(Original post by nulli tertius)
In some subjects it is hard for weaker students to demonstrate an original contribution to research. There are a lot of theses on the rise of Hitler, feminism and the Brontes. If all one says is what has been said before then the result is an MLitt.
See
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u...orycode=410208
In some subjects it is hard for weaker students to demonstrate an original contribution to research. There are a lot of theses on the rise of Hitler, feminism and the Brontes. If all one says is what has been said before then the result is an MLitt.
See
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u...orycode=410208
(Original post by Saebie)
In fact, this is "How not to write a PhD thesis in Media Studies" and half the points have no relevance for my discipline.
In fact, this is "How not to write a PhD thesis in Media Studies" and half the points have no relevance for my discipline.
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threeportdrift
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*Supernova*
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#19
I applied outright to study the 2-year MPhil at Oxford, with no intention of continuing on to a PhD. A life in academia isn't for me, but I wanted the chance to write a longer thesis before leaving university for good.
Will employers look down on this and automatically presume I'm a 'failed' PhD student, or do people outside academia not really know the distinction between the different types of Masters degrees?
Will employers look down on this and automatically presume I'm a 'failed' PhD student, or do people outside academia not really know the distinction between the different types of Masters degrees?
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nulli tertius
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(Original post by *Supernova*)
I applied outright to study the 2-year MPhil at Oxford, with no intention of continuing on to a PhD. A life in academia isn't for me, but I wanted the chance to write a longer thesis before leaving university for good.
Will employers look down on this and automatically presume I'm a 'failed' PhD student, or do people outside academia not really know the distinction between the different types of Masters degrees?
I applied outright to study the 2-year MPhil at Oxford, with no intention of continuing on to a PhD. A life in academia isn't for me, but I wanted the chance to write a longer thesis before leaving university for good.
Will employers look down on this and automatically presume I'm a 'failed' PhD student, or do people outside academia not really know the distinction between the different types of Masters degrees?
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