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WHAT TYPES OF RESEARCH DEGREE ARE AVAILABLE?
The most common research degrees are Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy and both are available at the tic. In addition, some institutions offer a Master of Research (MRes), Master of Science (MSc) by Research, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and other research based higher-degrees, which are generally less well known. The PhD is an internationally recognised and highly respected Doctoral level research qualification offered worldwide.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
The MPhil is a Masters level qualification, which would normally require a minimum of two-years full-time or three-years part-time study for successful completion. The normal entry requirement for MPhil is an appropriate honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who have considerable professional experience in their chosen field of research, but who do not hold the necessary degree level qualification, may also gain entry to the MPhil programme if suitable academic references can be provided. MPhil candidates who demonstrate that both they and their research have demonstrated sufficient promise are eligible to enter a Transfer process to transfer their registration from MPhil to PhD, normally after 12-15 months full-time or 24-36 months part-time.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD is an internationally recognised Doctoral level qualification which would normally require a minimum of three-years full-time study or 5 years part-time study for successful completion. The PhD qualification is recognised internationally and demonstrates that your research has made a significant contribution to knowledge in a specific discipline. Holders of the degree of PhD are able to use the title "Doctor". The normal entry requirement for PhD is a Masters level qualification in an area appropriate to the proposed field of study.
Differences Between MPhil and PhD
The main difference between MPhil and PhD is defined in terms of the "significant contribution to knowledge" that the candidate can demonstrate has resulted from successful completion of their research, preparation and defence of their thesis and, possibly the authoring of academic conference or journal papers. A successful MPhil programme demonstrates that the candidate has successfully planned and carried out a programme of research and that the research finding have been contextualised and analysed to produce coherent results which have been examined in detail. A successful PhD programme demonstrates additionally how their research findings have contributed to new domain knowledge or have extended existing theory and / or understanding of their research area.
Transferring Registration from MPhil to PhD
All research students who initially enroll for MPhil have the opportunity to move into a PhD programme through a PhD Transfer Process, where their capability, progress and research topic justifies this. Candidates for PhD Transfer must produce a progress report, undergo an oral examination and define a PhD research programme application that appropriately extends the original MPhil programme.
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WHY STUDY FOR A RESEARCH DEGREE?
To complete successfully a Research Degree, your primary driver must be the wish to undertake individual research in an area that is of great personal interest. Successful completion of an MPhil or PhD demonstrates that you have the capacity and tenacity to undertake an extended piece of investigative work and to write this up into a thesis for subsequent examination. Although you will develop a very deep knowledge of a particular subject, you will also learn important life-skills, such as managing your own time, how to find information from a variety of sources, how to write clearly and precisely by producing a thesis (and hopefully several technical papers) and how to present your work for peer assessment.
Will Having A Research Degree Improve My Job Prospects?
This is not an easy question to answer, because it is very subject and sector dependent. Because of the individual nature of research degrees programmes, they are unlike other academic qualifications and hence are treated rather differently by potential employers. In some subjects, especially Life Sciences, a PhD is a prerequisite for employment in commercial or industrial Research and Development or within a University. For other areas however, a graduate with a good degree and three years experience may be equally or more attractive to the potential employer than someone holding a PhD. In general, the more highly specialist functions within R&D environments require a significant proportion of highly qualified candidates holding PhD qualifications and many senior managers and directors of R&D establishments hold PhDs in addition to other management or financial qualifications.
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MODES OF STUDY FOR RESEARCH DEGREES
Research Degrees can be undertaken in Full-Time, Part-Time or Distance Learning modes of study to maximise flexibility for full-time and part-time students. Part-time study is particulalry sduitable for candidates who are in employmenty who wish to exhance their knowledge and skills by undertaking further research in an area that interests them, but without the contraints of regular attendance at the tic for lectures and tutorials.
Full-Time Study
Full-time Research Students will normally undertake their programme of research within the tic, spending at least 37 hours per week engaged on their research. Students enrolled for MPhil by full-time study would normally be expected to complete their research and submit their thesis for examination within 24-30 months and students enrolled for PhD by full-time study would normally be expected to complete their research and submit their thesis for examination within 36-42 months.
Part-Time Study
Part-Time study for a research degree is suitable for those who wish to undertake a Research Degree over a longer time period, often whilst in employment or in other cases where full-time study is impracticable. Students enrolled for MPhil by part-time study would normally be expected to complete their research and submit their thesis for examination within 36-48 months and students enrolled for PhD by part-time study would normally be expected to complete their research and submit their thesis for examination within 36-48-72 months of full-time study.
Distance Learning
Study for a research degree by Distance Learning mode is possible, under carefully controlled circumstances, for candidates who normally reside outside the UK but wish to undertake a research degree under supervision of the tic. When studying in Distance Learning mode, the student must have a minimum of 6 weeks contact per year with the tic, normally by coming to the tic for an extended period in the summer months or other mutually suitable time. It is also important that an appropriately qualified local supervisor can be identified with who can advise and guide the student in their home country. In all other aspects, study in Distance Learning mode is similar to Part-Time study.
NOTE: The indicated completion times for MPhil are PhD are for guidance only. There is no minimum registraion period that must elapse before the thesis can be submitted for examination. The rate of progress made with the Research is primarily controlled by the amount of time the candidate can commit.
HOW WILL I BE SUPERVISED?
Every research student, whether full-time or part-time, will be guided by a Supervisory Team comprising a Director of Studies and at least one additional (Second or Third) Supervisor. In some cases it can also be helpful to appoint an additional supervisor and possibly one or more external advisors. At least one member of the Supervisory Team will have had previous experience of successful supervision to MPhil or PhD as appropriate and the team will be appropriately qualified and experienced in the domain of the research. The student is expected to meet with the Supervisory Team on a regular basis to review progress and to obtain guidance and direction. Note however that your research degree is your individual programme of study - the supervisory team will provide guidance, support and direction but WILL NOT do the work for you. The Supervisory Team is also required to make periodic reports on your progress to the tic Research Degrees Committee, and the tic makes an annual report on your progress to Birmingham City University.
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WHAT WILL IT COST?
Research Students are required to enroll annually as students of tic / Birmingham City University and will therefore pay an annual student enrolment fee determined by Birmingham City University. The exact level of the fee depends on the study-mode, programme level and student status, and will be assessed by the University prior to making you a formal offer of a place. Fees for Distance-Learning mode i.e. part-time Overseas are calculated based on the number of weeks (minimum six) that will be spent at the tic each year. If you enrol part-way through a year, the fee payable is calculated pro-rata on the proportion of the year for which you will enrolled.
There are no additional fees (such as bench fees or examination fees) payable because the annual student enrolment fee covers all these.
Can I Get An LEA Grant For A Research Degree?
Unfortunately the answer is normally no, as these are generally available only for taught undergraduate programmes. There are, however, a number of research studentship awards available from Research Councils and Charitable Trusts for full-time study, but these are generally allocated to individuals or Universities through a competitive bidding process. If you wish to undertake a Research degree by part-time study you may able to persuade your employer to pay the enrollment fees, particularly if the nature of the research is of interest to your employer, from a Staff Development budget.
I'M INTERESTED, WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
Because of the individual nature of a research degree, the process to get started is rather more involved than simply enrolling for a taught course. The tic and Birmingham City University have to be satisfied that the proposed research topic is academically appropriate for MPhil or PhD; that you have the capability to undertake this research programme successfully and that the tic can appropriately supervise and resource the programme.
Firstly you should contact the Research Degrees Coordinator at the tic, sending a brief outline of your proposed research area and if possible enclosing a CV with details of your academic qualifications and professional experience. Post, fax or email your outline proposal plus CV to:
