Regulations for the Degree of Master of Philosophy

These Regulations govern the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy at Aberystwyth University, henceforth the University.

The degree of Master of Philosophy may be awarded by the University in recognition of the successful completion of a course of further study and research, the results of which are judged to constitute a critical evaluation and analysis of a body of knowledge and/or an original contribution to knowledge.

On completion of an MPhil, graduates will have attained at least Level M, as defined by the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

1. A candidate may study for the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) by one of the following methods:

A by pursuing full-time research in the University;

B by pursuing full-time research in an external place of employment;

C by pursuing part-time research in the University;

D by pursuing part-time research externally;

E by pursuing part-time research in the University as a full-time or a part-time^* member of staff.

2. Candidates may qualify following successful completion of an approved programme of research pursued either on a full-time basis (Methods A and B) or on a part-time basis (Methods C, D and E).

3. A candidate for the degree of MPhil must hold one of the following qualifications prior to commencement of research:

(a) an initial degree of the University of Wales;
(b) an initial degree of another University approved for this purpose;
(c) a non-graduate qualification which the University has deemed to be equivalent to graduation.

4. Irrespective of a candidate’s qualifications, the University must satisfy itself that a candidate is of the required academic standard to complete the scheme of research proposed ⁺

5. A candidate who has not already done so, is required to matriculate in the University at the commencement of his/her scheme of research.

6. A candidate must enrol as either a full-time or a part-time student of the University, pay the appropriate fee prescribed and pursue the scheme for the minimum period defined below:

Methods A and  B: 
Minimum period: one year

Methods C, D and E: 
Minimum period: two years

Notwithstanding the above, the Head of Department may, at his/her discretion, require a candidate to pursue research for longer than these minimum periods.

7. Subject to the agreement of the University, a candidate may commence his/her period of research on the first day of any calendar month.

8. In order to allow for the examination to be completed, a one-year candidate may submit a thesis, at the earliest, two weeks before the expiry of the period of study. A two-year candidate may submit a thesis, at the earliest, six months before the expiry of the period of study, i.e. one and a half years from the date of initial registration.

Where an additional period of research is required of a candidate by the Head of Department (as described under paragraph 6 above), the candidate’s earliest submission date is extended by a period of time equal in length to the duration of the additional period of study.

9. A candidature shall lapse if a thesis is not submitted, in the form and manner prescribed by regulation, by the following time-limits:

(a)  in respect of Methods A and B

- three years from the official beginning of the candidate’s period of study as a research student, as prescribed in paragraph 6, above.

(b) in respect of Methods C, D and E

- four years from the official beginning of the candidate’s period of study as a research student, as prescribed in paragraph 6, above.

The above time-limits may be extended by the University, but in exceptional cases only and in accordance with criteria laid down in Standing Orders. A reasoned application, supported by appropriate independent evidence, must be submitted by the candidate’s department for consideration by the University.

10. The University shall ensure that candidates are supervised, on a regular and continuing basis, in accordance with its general procedures for postgraduate supervision.

11. For each candidature, the University shall approve a supervisory team including a minimum of one main supervisor and a second supervisor nominated by the candidate’s Department.

 The main supervisor will normally be a full-time member of the academic staff of the University;

  The second supervisor will normally be a full-time member of the  academic staff of the University or collaborative institution or  organisation.

12. Every candidate’s research shall be completed by the presentation of a thesis (normally not exceeding 60,000 words in length, excluding appendices and genuine footnotes) which embodies the results of the research, within the time-limits specified, and the approval of such thesis by the Examining Board.

13. Candidates shall sign a declaration to certify that the work submitted has not been accepted in substance for any degree or award, and is not being submitted concurrently in candidature for any degree or other award. The signed declaration shall be included in all copies of the works submitted for examination.

14. The University shall ensure that the form of submission and examination of the thesis conform with the University’s ‘Regulations for the Submission and Examination of Research Theses’.

Degree Schemes in the Creative Arts

In the case of candidates following approved research degree schemes which fall within the University's subject area of Creative and Performing Arts, the thesis may take one or more of the following forms: artefacts, score, portfolio of original works, performance or exhibition.  The submission shall be accompanied by a written commentary (normally a minimum of 5,000 words) placing it in its academic context together with any other items which may be required (e.g. a catalogue or audio or visual recording).

 In all cases the submission and written commentary shall be bound, and other required items (e.g. tape or other media) shall be enclosed in a container suitable for storage on a library shelf and shall carry the same information on the spine as is required for dissertations/theses. This information shall be placed so as to be readily readable from the container in its stored position.

^* In the case of part-time members of staff, candidature is restricted to contracted members of staff in possession of a degree, or equivalent qualification, holding a regular contract of salaried employment equivalent to at least one-third of a full-time member in the appropriate categories of staff.

⁺ A prospective candidate who already holds a doctoral degree must be able to show that the MPhil scheme is in a different field or research from that for which the PhD (or other doctoral degree) was awarded.