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D.phil /M.phil decision?!

I'm still in a confusion on how to apply for Mphil or Dphil. Can I apply for both? I've planned to apply of Oxford and Kings College can I apply for both the courses in both the Universities?
You need to have done a Masters programme to be eligible for a DPhil.
Original post by xyz1234567
You need to have done a Masters programme to be eligible for a DPhil.


Yes I've completed my masters too
If you are applying to the same department for an MPhil and a DPhil it’s likely to raise questions about why, and which course you actually want to do. There’s a huge difference between a Masters and a doctorate. You’d need to explain in your statement of purpose why the course was right for you and it will be assessed by the same panel so look a bit odd for you to write two contrasting statements.

What is is that makes you want to apply for both? What are you hoping to get out of the course?
Original post by Anonymous
I'm still in a confusion on how to apply for Mphil or Dphil. Can I apply for both? I've planned to apply of Oxford and Kings College can I apply for both the courses in both the Universities?


As I understand the DPhil is specific to Oxford. It's the same as a PhD elsewhere. My understanding is an MPhil at Oxford (and Cambridge) is different to an MPhil at other universities. At Oxford it's a masters degree, usually a two year course typically with some taught elements (although they may or may not be formally examined) and a significant masters thesis. Outside of Oxbridge, an MPhil is usually just an exit award for a PhD which either was not completed or was deemed to not meet the requirements for award of the doctorate. So if that's the case it's important to be aware of the distinction between them.

I believe at Oxford for many areas it's typical for them to expect a masters degree before entering the DPhil course (which may be at Oxford or elsewhere) although e.g. in STEM subjects this may be more flexible (for humanities subjects I think it'd be rare to go in with just a bachelors). You could likely apply for both the masters and doctorate at Oxford simultaneously although if you already hold a masters then I'm not sure what you would be aiming to get out of doing a second one rather than just proceeding directly to the doctorate. Granted it's possible you could be accepted to a non-funded DPhil and then also applying to the MPhil gives you that option to then reapply to the DPhil for funding but then that's a lot of time and money and there might be better options to then reapply the following year.

Outside of Oxbridge I believe it wouldn't be typical to apply to the MPhil and PhD simultaneously since they are as above essentially the same programme p to the point of being awarded one or the other, as you would typically just apply to the PhD and only be awarded the MPhil if essentially something went wrong (either academically i.e. you were not able to be awarded the PhD, or non-academically e.g. personal/professional circumstances prevented you completing the PhD but they deemed you were eligible for the MPhil award). An MPhil from non-Oxbridge unis may be seen effectively as a "failed" PhD so depending on your goals that might be something you don't want to be aiming for.
Original post by Anonymous
I'm still in a confusion on how to apply for Mphil or Dphil. Can I apply for both? I've planned to apply of Oxford and Kings College can I apply for both the courses in both the Universities?



Original post by artful_lounger
As I understand the DPhil is specific to Oxford. It's the same as a PhD elsewhere. My understanding is an MPhil at Oxford (and Cambridge) is different to an MPhil at other universities. At Oxford it's a masters degree, usually a two year course typically with some taught elements (although they may or may not be formally examined) and a significant masters thesis. Outside of Oxbridge, an MPhil is usually just an exit award for a PhD which either was not completed or was deemed to not meet the requirements for award of the doctorate. So if that's the case it's important to be aware of the distinction between them.
I believe at Oxford for many areas it's typical for them to expect a masters degree before entering the DPhil course (which may be at Oxford or elsewhere) although e.g. in STEM subjects this may be more flexible (for humanities subjects I think it'd be rare to go in with just a bachelors). You could likely apply for both the masters and doctorate at Oxford simultaneously although if you already hold a masters then I'm not sure what you would be aiming to get out of doing a second one rather than just proceeding directly to the doctorate. Granted it's possible you could be accepted to a non-funded DPhil and then also applying to the MPhil gives you that option to then reapply to the DPhil for funding but then that's a lot of time and money and there might be better options to then reapply the following year.
Outside of Oxbridge I believe it wouldn't be typical to apply to the MPhil and PhD simultaneously since they are as above essentially the same programme p to the point of being awarded one or the other, as you would typically just apply to the PhD and only be awarded the MPhil if essentially something went wrong (either academically i.e. you were not able to be awarded the PhD, or non-academically e.g. personal/professional circumstances prevented you completing the PhD but they deemed you were eligible for the MPhil award). An MPhil from non-Oxbridge unis may be seen effectively as a "failed" PhD so depending on your goals that might be something you don't want to be aiming for.

The artful_lounger is pretty spot on for Cambridge MPhil/PhDs.

I think the connection between MPhil/PhDs mentioned int he final paragraph is only good for some funding schemes though. The Research Councils were (10-15 years ago) requiring specific research modules to have been completed at M level, in order to apply for PhD level funding. However, many people were then 'trapped' because they'd paid out for Ms which didn't have sufficient research methods, and couldn't afford to do a second. Hence the RCs decided they needed to offer combined funding, and make sure their PhD funding went to people who had the necessary research skills.
Original post by xyz1234567
If you are applying to the same department for an MPhil and a DPhil it’s likely to raise questions about why, and which course you actually want to do. There’s a huge difference between a Masters and a doctorate. You’d need to explain in your statement of purpose why the course was right for you and it will be assessed by the same panel so look a bit odd for you to write two contrasting statements.
What is is that makes you want to apply for both? What are you hoping to get out of the course?


Thank you so much for your reply it really made me think
Original post by artful_lounger
As I understand the DPhil is specific to Oxford. It's the same as a PhD elsewhere. My understanding is an MPhil at Oxford (and Cambridge) is different to an MPhil at other universities. At Oxford it's a masters degree, usually a two year course typically with some taught elements (although they may or may not be formally examined) and a significant masters thesis. Outside of Oxbridge, an MPhil is usually just an exit award for a PhD which either was not completed or was deemed to not meet the requirements for award of the doctorate. So if that's the case it's important to be aware of the distinction between them.
I believe at Oxford for many areas it's typical for them to expect a masters degree before entering the DPhil course (which may be at Oxford or elsewhere) although e.g. in STEM subjects this may be more flexible (for humanities subjects I think it'd be rare to go in with just a bachelors). You could likely apply for both the masters and doctorate at Oxford simultaneously although if you already hold a masters then I'm not sure what you would be aiming to get out of doing a second one rather than just proceeding directly to the doctorate. Granted it's possible you could be accepted to a non-funded DPhil and then also applying to the MPhil gives you that option to then reapply to the DPhil for funding but then that's a lot of time and money and there might be better options to then reapply the following year.
Outside of Oxbridge I believe it wouldn't be typical to apply to the MPhil and PhD simultaneously since they are as above essentially the same programme p to the point of being awarded one or the other, as you would typically just apply to the PhD and only be awarded the MPhil if essentially something went wrong (either academically i.e. you were not able to be awarded the PhD, or non-academically e.g. personal/professional circumstances prevented you completing the PhD but they deemed you were eligible for the MPhil award). An MPhil from non-Oxbridge unis may be seen effectively as a "failed" PhD so depending on your goals that might be something you don't want to be aiming for.


Thank you so much for the insight

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