> The British system tends to give an MPhil as a kind of consolation prize
> for work not quite deemed up to the standard of a PhD. I have heard this
> degree referred to as a 'terminal degree' in the UK. The Masters degree
> does not seem to carry this 'baggage'. In the US, there is no MPhil as
> such, and the Masters has often been not the consolation prize or the
> terminal degree but a degree one achieved either along the way to a PhD
> or as a degree that provides an amount of credibility in certain
> professional circles.
It is certainly true that, after examination, a thesis submitted for a PhD
may be awarded the lesser degree of MPhil. I say 'lesser' in this case,
because the intention of the candidate was to achieve a Doctorate. This is
how, in some circles, the immediate reaction is to view an MPhil as a failed
PhD or consolation prize. But the MPhil can be a degree in its own right-
students can quite appropriately set out to achieve an MPhil, without
intention to progress to a PhD.
At Loughborough, where I carried out my Doctoral work having gained a
Bachelors degree, it is normal practice to register a Doctoral student first
as an MPhil candidate. Transfer to PhD is made after examination of a
report outlining the year's progress. The exception is when a Doctoral
student holds a Master's degree- the middle step of MPhil registration is
skipped.
Owain
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Dr Owain Pedgley, R&D Industrial Designer
Sports SET Network: www.sportsetnet.org.uk
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