BSc vs. MSci Hons - What's the difference?

I would want to do a PhD but only part time with a science related job.

Would the ESRC also fund the PhD?

Don't you mean EPSRC? Yes, the fund part-time PhDs.

Do you realise how hard doing a PhD part-time is? It has far higher drop-out rates than full-time PhD. Also opportunities to do this are highly limited in science anyway. I'd just do the PhD first.

The MSci is equivalent (or supposed to be equivalent) to a generic taught MSc in your subject area and some universities require this level of qualification in order for you to be accepted onto a PhD programme. My undergraduate masters degree differed from the bachelors programme by having extended modules, more higher level modules and an extended research project.

Yeh seems like something I have to look into more, what about the MPhil doctorate, what's the difference between that and a PhD?

An MPhil is not a doctorate, it is usually a 2 year research masters degree (except in places like oxbridge where it can be different). In science I've only ever really seen it given to people who give up on their PhD or really cock up their viva.

But definitely - an MSci is not equivalent to an MSc, but it WILL give you an edge over other candidates with the basic BSc.

Oh right I thought it was, cheers i'll look up on it

It is in chemistry for the purpose of getting a PhD place, although I agree that it isn't as hard. Biology generally requires a specialism by way of MSc before beginning a PhD, whereas chemistry does not. Biological and physical sciences are generally funded by different research councils and are quite different in the ways to get PhD funding - essentially it's much easier to get funding in the physical sciences because there are less people around to do it.

Hi,
I did an MBiolSci at Sheffield uni - the only difference between the MBiolSci and BSc was that we did an extra year comprising a 7 month full time research project and a couple of literature reviews. I found it useful because it gives you a chance to get a proper idea of what research is actually like.

However, I have since been funded to do an MSc followed by a PhD and can say that the postgrad MSc is a lot more intensive than the MSci year is and is also valued more in the field. To contrast my MBiolSci year to the MSc - instead of a 7 month research project (adhering to UNDERGRADUATE term dates), in the MSc you work full time (i.e. all year round) - I carried out two 3 month long projects and one nearly six month project. You get a lot more practical experience in this time and don't get the benefit of long summer and easter hols...which is why it is more highly valued.

Regarding funding - if you want to do a PhD, the MRC and Wellcome are starting to favour 4 year courses comprising an MSc and PhD, so its not too hard to get funding in that respect. Also remember that some unis give out scholarships for MScs (a friend of mine got one of these at Edinburgh without even being interviewed).

But definitely - an MSci is not equivalent to an MSc, but it WILL give you an edge over other candidates with the basic BSc.

I am about to choose it over Edinburgh BSc (hon) I don't know what is the difference between BSc (hon ) and MEng though.

It's a bit complicated because Scotland uses a different system to England. A Scottish BSc with honours is 4 years, and an English MEng is also 4 years. But despite the fact they are the same number of years, the MEng is considered a higher qualification. I think this is because the first year at a Scottish uni is generally at a lower level than the first year in an English uni. They normally start uni a year earlier.

All undergraduate master courses are honours degrees