Is MSt not as Respected As Much as an MPhil

Are MSt programs not as respected as MPhil programs in the United Kingdom or in most of Europe and the USA? I am applying for two MSt courses at Oxford as well as 3 MPhil courses from Cambridge and have been reading forums stating that an MSt is not as respected as an MPhil.

What are the reasons for choosing one over the other? Would one program help when applying to law school or PhD programs more than the other?

Reply 1

Cola19

This is not true, at least as far as comparing Oxford and Cambridge degrees. The confusion stems from the fact that Oxford and Cambridge use the same names for different degrees. At Oxford, (i) an MSt is a nine month postgraduate degree, and (ii) an MPhil is a two year postgraduate degree. At Cambridge, (i) an MSt is a part time postgraduate degree designed for people working full time, and (ii) an MPhil is a nine month postgraduate degree. So the Oxford MSt is equivalent to the Cambridge MPhil (not the Cambridge MSt), and the Oxford and Cambridge MSt and MPhil degrees are not equivalent. For example, the Oxford MSt in early modern history is equivalent to the MPhil in early modern history at Cambridge. So to say that the Oxford MSt generally is less well respected than the Cambridge MPhil is not true.