What is MPhil?

The MPhil, or ‘Master of Philosophy’, is a postgraduate research Masters. Instead of completing taught units and assessments, an MPhil consists entirely of your own independent project. An MPhil can be part of a (or a step towards PhD registration) but you can also study it as a standalone qualification.

Unlike most other Masters qualifications, the MPhil is a pure research degree. Whereas an MRes will include some taught units, an MPhil is based entirely on the completion of an independent thesis.

Features of M.Phil

• Type - Research
• Subjects - All subjects
• Qualification Level - 7 (NQF) (unless part of a PhD)
• Duration - 1 year
• Credit Value - NA

Who should study an MPhil?

• The MPhil is often overshadowed by the PhD, or incorrectly viewed as the outcome of a failed PhD (or failed PhD upgrade). In fact there are plenty of good reasons for studying a standalone MPhil.
• You might have identified a smaller research topic that interests you, but which doesn’t have the scope for a full PhD. If so, an MPhil project could be ideal: allowing you to undertake your research without needing to alter or extend it.
• Alternatively, you may choose the MPhil over the PhD for career-based reasons. An MPhil provides advanced research skills and experience which are valued by a range of employers.
• A PhD also demonstrates these, of course. But the added benefit of a doctorate may not be as significant outside the academic profession.

MPhil Eligibility Criteria

• Candidate must possess Master’s Degree or a degree deemed equivalent in the relevant field from any university or institution recognized by this university with a minimum of 55% (general category), 50% (SC, ST, PH, OBC-A, OBC-B categories) marks.
• Candidate must not be currently admitted as a student in any full-time course of studies / registered for doing M.Phil. in any university.
• Candidates who are in the final semester of their master’s degree are also eligible to apply for the M.Phil. the programme, however, they should fulfil the above criteria within the stipulated time.

M.Phil. Selection Process

• Admission to the M.Phil. programme will be done on the basis of merit list prepared as per the performance of the candidate in the university written examination, followed by an interview conducted by the respective Research Committee.
• Candidate have to get the qualifying marks in the Entrance Test organised by the university. Generally candidate have to score 50% marks in the Entrance Test.  
• However, candidates who have qualified at the NET/GATE/SET/UGC (JRF)/CSIR (JRF) are not required to appear in the entrance examination. Selection of such candidates will be done on the basis of their performance in the interview conducted by the M.Phil. Committee.
• The admission procedure and mode of selection for admission to Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) through distance learning however, may vary from one Institute to another. Some Institutes have specified added eligibility criteria for admitting candidates into their distance learning M.Phil. program.

Entrance Test for Admission

The written test would comprise objective questions for 75 marks and the viva-voce examination would be conducted for 25 marks. The marks secured in written test and interview will be added to the marks obtained in the PG Degree Examinations and the rank list will be prepared accordingly.

Categories of M.Phil Scholars

• Full Time (FT): Candidate who pursue their M.Phil in full time are in this category
• Part Time (PT): Candidate who pursue their M.Phil in part time are in this category, however they have to attend a minimum of 30 days attendance per year.
• Full Time (FT) Interdisciplinary: Candidate who want to do their M.Phil in other discipline rather than their Master Degree on full time basis
• Part Time (PT) Interdisciplinary: Candidate who want to do their M.Phil in other discipline rather than their Master Degree on part time basis

Advantages of M.Phil

• It will you make you specialize in specific subject.
• You can become lecturer with this degree qualification.
• It will act as a great support for your PhD programme.
• It will help you to assess your interest fields.
• It will boost your confidence in certain field.
• It will be a great learning as self study is required more and intense concentration is required.

Job Types for Master of Philosophy

• Consultancy
• Educational Institutes
• Human Services Industry
• Law Firms
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Publishing Houses
• Research and Development Institutes

Salary

The salary structure for M.Phil graduates depends on the type of job that is taken up and it ranges between:

• Editor: Rs. 1,478,000 to Rs. 1,578,000
• Research Scientist / Biotechnology : Rs 450,000 to Rs. 500,000
• Assistant Professor: Rs. 1,80,000- 2,00,000

Employment Areas for Master of Philosophy [M.Phil]:

• Lecturer
• Speaker
• Teacher
• Assistant Professor
• Consultant
• Human Services Worker
• Scientist
• Social Service Workers
• Research Assistant