A Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is an advanced research-based post-graduate degree ideal for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching or research. It is often known as a second master’s degree, as students can pursue it after completing their master’s degree program. Depending on the university the duration of the course is 1-2 years. As per interests, students can pursue the program from streams such as Commerce, Science, and Arts & Humanities, to name a few. So, if you are excited to know more about the MPhil study program, keep reading this guide.

Key Highlights

• Benefits of studying MPhil degree
• Popular MPhil specialisations
• MPhil in English
• MPhil Economics
• MPhil in Computer Science
• MPhil in Management
• MPhil in Social Work

• Popular colleges to pursue MPhil course
• MPhil eligibility criteria
• MPhil qualification vs PhD qualification: Key differences

Benefits of studying MPhil degree

• The MPhil degree is research-oriented and provides in-depth knowledge of the subject. Whether you want to opt for MPhil or a general master’s degree will depend on your learning goals.
• According to interests, students can pursue MPhil in various specialisations such as Psychology, Management, Chemistry, Education and Social Work, to name a few.
• MPhil students are in high demand in India and overseas and draw handsome salaries. Economist, Research Scientist, Academic Researcher, Lecturer, etc., are some of the job roles offered to them.

Popular MPhil specialisations

• MPhil in English: It is a 2-year advanced-level course that covers comprehensive knowledge of the English language, Linguistics, Literature, Theatre Studies, and related topics. During the first year, the course will focus on research methodology, whereas the dissertation remains the focal point of study in the second year.

• MPhil Economics: MPhil in Economics is a 1-2 year post-graduate academic research course. It equips students with a detailed knowledge of Economics, including issues impacting the financial conditions of the country and remedial framework. After completing the course, students can unlock job opportunities in various roles such as Economist, Investment Analyst, Economics Researcher, etc.

• MPhil in Computer Science: It is a research-based degree covering the main areas and trends of Computer Science & IT along with research methodology. The minimum course duration is 1 year, and the program opens up highly rewarding employment opportunities in reputed IT companies.

• MPhil in Management: A post-graduate degree, MPhil in Management, involves an advanced study of management subjects and their applications in the business world. This teaches students how business and resources can be managed efficiently. The course duration varies from 1-2 years.

• MPhil in Social Work: It is a 2-year course that focuses on building social research skills by covering aspects such as social problems, human relationships, human nature and their solutions. Post-completion of the course, students can pursue various career paths, such as medical social worker, foster carer, and hospital care social worker, to name a few.

Popular colleges to pursue MPhil course

Some of the most popular colleges offering the MPhil program are as follows:

• University of Illinois, the USA
• University of Pennsylvania, the USA
• University of Manchester, the UK
• University of Edinburgh, the UK
• Queen’s University, Canada
• University of Sydney, Australia
• University of Waikato, New Zealand
• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India
• Christ University, India
• University of Hyderabad, India

 

MPhil eligibility criteria

• A master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks in the chosen subject for MPhil
• Be ready with Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores
• Appear for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Testing of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation

 

Kindly note that the MPhil eligibility criteria may vary from one university to another. For instance, some universities conduct institute-level entrance exams for MPhil courses. Therefore, check with your preferred university before applying.

MPhil qualification vs PhD qualification: Key differences

Doctor of Philosophy, i.e., PhD and MPhil, are both research-based degrees with some differences. One of the basic differences is PhD is a Doctorate qualification, whereas MPhil is a master’s-level qualification. Secondly, the PhD’s course duration is 3-5 years, whereas the MPhil, being a master’s degree program, lasts for 1-2 years. It is not compulsory to pursue an MPhil to apply for a PhD program. However, the MPhil degree helps build research skills and knowledge that are crucial in pursuing PhD program.

So, if you are planning to pursue an MPhil degree in your preferred varsity but facing financial constraints, opt for a loan for education. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer customised education loans with benefits like 100% finance, multiple repayment options, and quick sanctions. Get in touch with us today to know more about student loans in India and for abroad courses!