Degree Question

[CityGal]

I am all full with questions today. Does anyone know what the difference is between an MPhil and MRes? These are mostly degrees awarded in the UK.

[cache]

wikipedia answer regarding UK degrees:

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a research degree awarded for the completion of a thesis. It is a shorter version of the Ph.D. and some universities routinely enter potential PhD students into the MPhil programme and allow them to upgrade to the full PhD programme a year or two into the course. Advanced candidates for a taught postgraduate Master's sometimes undertake the MPhil as it is a more prestigious degree.

The Master of Research (MRes) degree is a more structured and organised version of the MPhil, usually designed to prepare a student for a career in research. For example, an MRes may combine individual research with periods of work placement in research establisments. Some institutions call their taught degrees MRes (such as the University of edinburgh), which can occasionally cause confusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master%27s_degree

[CityGal]

wikipedia answer regarding UK degrees:

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a research degree awarded for the completion of a thesis. It is a shorter version of the Ph.D. and some universities routinely enter potential PhD students into the MPhil programme and allow them to upgrade to the full PhD programme a year or two into the course. Advanced candidates for a taught postgraduate Master's sometimes undertake the MPhil as it is a more prestigious degree.

The Master of Research (MRes) degree is a more structured and organised version of the MPhil, usually designed to prepare a student for a career in research. For example, an MRes may combine individual research with periods of work placement in research establisments. Some institutions call their taught degrees MRes (such as the University of edinburgh), which can occasionally cause confusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master%27s_degree

Cache you beat me to it- ha. I was just going to post the wiki definition. Thanks.

So it is a real degree? My friends think it isn't.

[cache]

:huge: If wikipedia were the old west, I'd be Billy the Kid

I've seen numerous masters degrees listed on resumes. Several times I've thought the same thing - there is no way that is a specific masters, I'm going to look it up!

[sondra_finchley]

Yes it is- the main difference between the two is how much hands-on research you would do, compared to just theory (MRes is more research design and execution etc). I believe you can continue into a PhD program over there even if you are on the MRes program.

[CityGal]

Yes it is- the main difference between the two is how much hands-on research you would do, compared to just theory (MRes is more research design and execution etc). I believe you can continue into a PhD program over there even if you are on the MRes program.


This is so great to hear bc all my friends swear it is not real. Eventually I do want to get my PhD. Phew...thanks.

[sondra_finchley]

well... are all your friends americans? Its a well known designation in the UK and would be quite rigorous. In some ways its better (in certain fields, like say market research or the sciences) than a US masters because you are REALLY hands on and its intensive. Ive seen plenty of ppl put MRes. on their resumes in the UK and I would be willing to bet that you would come out with more applicable skills.

[CityGal]

well... are all your friends americans? Its a well known designation in the UK and would be quite rigorous. In some ways its better (in certain fields, like say market research or the sciences) than a US masters because you are REALLY hands on and its intensive. Ive seen plenty of ppl put MRes. on their resumes in the UK and I would be willing to bet that you would come out with more applicable skills.


I believe so too. Hopefully I get accepted into the program. Are you from the UK? What schools would you recommend?

[sondra_finchley]

Lived there for a while and have done a lot of work in the past three years with plenty of UK academics. I had looked into graduate school there, but the cost was offputting for sure, especially with the dollar being so damn weak. I was in London last week and I cant believe how much money I spent (and fast!) just for the normal things like tube tickets and food, not to mention shopping stuff (went to visit a friend).

I did do a summer at the LSE (London School of Economics) and I have to say that the way they teach over there is different to how we are here. That being said, I came home to finish up my graduate degree and it was as though my brain had been stretched and I was able to perform far better than before!

What field are you in? You may need to check with the program you are interested in joining as to their undergraduate degree requirements- the Brits can be a little pissy about a US vs UK degree and what sort of a foundation they have provided. Ranking information should be available somewhere either through the British Council or on The Times or Guardian websites in their Education sections.

[CityGal]

Yeah I know the are a bit high on the standards but I guess it is understandable. I am looking to study anthropology over there which will be like studying it for the first time since they have a different school of thought but it should be interestings....it is one of the main reasons I really want to go over there. I've been in American schools all my life and now I want to see how the other half lives/teaches. I hate that the dollar is so weak...surely sucks to go overseas like that but what can we do. :(

[sondra_finchley]

How funny, I did an anthro undergrad in the US. Actually a friend of mine has a friend who did an anthro masters or something in the UK- let me ask her again what this friends experience was and what school she went to. I do remember that she ended up with a lot of debt. (big surprise). PM me so I can remember to do that!

Whats your specialty in anthro? I do use it from a consumer/market standpoint, and have thought about going back in that field for a masters because I did enjoy it, and any research techniques you do learn can be applicable, BUT it depends on what anthro field you are in. If I had all the money in the world and no worries then I would probably do some work in WWI archaeology, but thats not applicable to anything. :)

[Orca]

I did an MRes in Biology in the UK. Basically masters are either taught degrees, with classes very much like undergraduate courses, or by thesis which is like a small PhD project. MRes is quite a new qualification and I've only seen it in the sciences. It combines some taught courses with more hands on laboratory work. I had to do an external work placement in industry and this made up 1/4 of my marks. I don't think it's treated any differently to an MSc in the UK, it's just a trendy word-of-the-moment so more and more courses are now called MRes,

As for MPhil, this is used at Oxford and Cambridge in cases where the degree is called an MA in other places. This is because an Oxbridge MA is not a real degree! It's an honourary degree bestowed on Oxbrideg graduates 7 years after their matriculation. An upgrade of the BA for a small administrative charge. Traditionally in any trade a worker would do a 7 year apprenticeship and after than time they would be a "master" an allowed to teach others. Academia was no exception so this is the origin of the MA centuries ago. Now however it is just an excuse for a reunion and for the college to try and extract money from it's graduates (all this info is on wikipedia).

Oxford MPhils are two years but Cambridge MPhils are 1 year. I don't know why. I have am writing up a DPhil which is called a PhD everywhere else. In science it's rare for MPhil projects to be continued into PhD/DPhil projects and in fact many scientists bypass a masters all together and go straight into a PhD after their first degree. But in arts it is sometimes compulsory to enter an MPhil course at the same institution to later be considered for a PhD application.

[CityGal]

I did an MRes in Biology in the UK. Basically masters are either taught degrees, with classes very much like undergraduate courses, or by thesis which is like a small PhD project. MRes is quite a new qualification and I've only seen it in the sciences. It combines some taught courses with more hands on laboratory work. I had to do an external work placement in industry and this made up 1/4 of my marks. I don't think it's treated any differently to an MSc in the UK, it's just a trendy word-of-the-moment so more and more courses are now called MRes,

As for MPhil, this is used at Oxford and Cambridge in cases where the degree is called an MA in other places. This is because an Oxbridge MA is not a real degree! It's an honourary degree bestowed on Oxbrideg graduates 7 years after their matriculation. An upgrade of the BA for a small administrative charge. Traditionally in any trade a worker would do a 7 year apprenticeship and after than time they would be a "master" an allowed to teach others. Academia was no exception so this is the origin of the MA centuries ago. Now however it is just an excuse for a reunion and for the college to try and extract money from it's graduates (all this info is on wikipedia).

Oxford MPhils are two years but Cambridge MPhils are 1 year. I don't know why. I have am writing up a DPhil which is called a PhD everywhere else. In science it's rare for MPhil projects to be continued into PhD/DPhil projects and in fact many scientists bypass a masters all together and go straight into a PhD after their first degree. But in arts it is sometimes compulsory to enter an MPhil course at the same institution to later be considered for a PhD application.

Interesting. I did read up on that Oxbridge MA thing at Wiki. What are you doing your DPhil on?

[Orca]

What are you doing your DPhil on?
Still more Biology.

[shinyleaf]

This is because an Oxbridge MA is not a real degree! It's an honourary degree bestowed on Oxbrideg graduates 7 years after their matriculation. An upgrade of the BA for a small administrative charge. .


OMG, I wish I could just pay a fee to upgrade my BA to an MA!!

and if I had been aware a few years back of a MRes I would have explored that route for sure.
I love applied research! This thesis crap is for the birds.