MPhil | 7 amazing reasons to pursue Master of Philosophy!

MPhil | What is the importance of philosophy?

Philosophy is woven into the very tapestry of our education. Whether you’re an aspiring scientist or an author, philosophy gives you a moral compass you need to make the right decisions in life. Hence, studying philosophy can provide a lot of value to you, and help you change others’ lives. A specialized higher education degree, such as an MPhil, or a Ph.D. in the subject can help you gain the knowledge you’ll need to do this. Additionally, you can get higher-paying jobs after completing this degree. If this has got you intrigued, read on! Go through the 7 essential things you need to know about an MPhil degree!

But before that, let’s understand a bit more about MPhil itself…

What is an MPhil degree?

The MPhil (Masters of Philosophy) is a postgraduate program. However, it is not just a postgraduate degree, but is usually offered to postgraduate students looking to engage in advanced academic research. While the name of the degree itself has its origins in Latin (earlier known as magister philosophiae), today the degree is recognized as a research degree worldwide.

What’s more, such a degree could also be considered a provisional enrolment into a Ph.D. program!

So to understand this better, let us take a closer look at the popular MPhil vs Ph.D. debate.

 

Difference Between MPhil and Ph.D.

When examining the differences between these two degrees, students often get confused because both have the term ‘Philosophy’ in them. But one offers a masters, and another, a Ph.D. However, neither an MPhil nor a Ph.D. is a philosophical degree. You can pursue both of these research degrees in any academic discipline as they are purely advanced research degrees. 

See what the difference between the two degrees are-

Masters in Philosophy (MPhil)	Philosophical Doctorate (Ph.D.)
It is a research degree that consists of a portion of tutored learning and another portion of individual research in your selected field.	This degree consists of a larger share of individual research than tutored course learning.
It can span anywhere between 2 and 3 years.	This can extend to up to 5 years.
It consists of research work specific to your university and usually does not involve external academic experiences.	It usually consists of guest stays at other esteemed institutions and active collaboration with several prominent researchers in your respective field.
This degree culminates in a research thesis of approximately 60,000 words.	A Ph.D. thesis can extend to 1,00,000 words and is often published as a research book.
Finally, this thesis does not need to be a unique academic contribution.	A Ph.D. thesis, on the other hand, has to be a novel contribution to academia.

So now that we know the difference between the two, we can learn more about MPhil!

What do MPhil students do?

A diverse age of students enrolls for an MPhil every year. That’s because there is no age limit for when you can enroll in this program. Regardless of your age, you may be wondering what MPhil researchers actually do. 

The simple answer to that is research. While not all universities have the same structure, some MPhil students are solely engaged in advanced studying rather than a combination of study and research. Some students continue their studies to pursue their Ph.D. Alternatively, many conduct research for a year or two and do not choose to do a Ph.D.

What are the skills needed?

Before getting into the details of the different courses available in this program, you need to have a basic understanding of the several academic and professional skills required to pursue this degree. Since this is an advanced research degree, you will need some of the fundamental skills essential to a researcher.

Let’s have a look at some of them-

1. Fact-checking

This is the most basic skill you need as an MPhil researcher. You should be able to verify the sources of your information and also check their credibility.

2. Asking the right questions

You should not just ask questions, but understand the importance of asking the right questions. This will help you narrow down your research and get results faster.

3. Digging deep

Deep analytical skills are required in research regardless of whether you are doing an MPhil in psychology or economics. 

4. Giving due credit

Moreover, you should never plagiarise and know how to cite your sources in order to give the original author his/her due credit.

5. Using research tools

You should also have a basic knowledge of how to utilize common research tools. Such as online and offline libraries, newspapers and even academic journal databases and archives.

Popular MPhil courses

If you think you have all of the above skills (or can build them) and also aspire to obtain a research degree in a discipline of your choice, here are the courses you can look at-

Science	Humanities	Commerce
Biology	History	Commerce
Life Sciences	English	–
Computer Sciences	Political Science	–
Mathematical Sciences	Geography	–
Chemistry	Sociology	–
Biotechnology	Linguistics	–
Zoology	Social Work	–
Physics	Public Administration	–
Botany	Business Management	–
Clinical Psychology	Economics	–

Subjects taught in MPhil courses

Each of the degrees mentioned above has its own specific set of taught courses. For example, if you wish to enroll for an MPhil in clinical psychology, then you will have to study subjects like- 

• Psychosocial Foundation of Behaviour and Psychopathology
• Biological Foundations of Behaviour
• Psychiatry
• Psychological Assessments including Viva Voce
• Psychotherapy and Counselling
• Behavioral Medicine
• Statistics and Research Methodology
• Psychological Therapies including Viva Voce

However, if you are inclined towards more fiscal matters and want a postgraduate degree in economics, then you can opt for an MPhil in Economics. This will cover the following subjects – 

• Research Methodology in Economics
• Advanced Studies in Economics
• Quantitative Techniques
• Contemporary Economic Issues
• Methodology of Dissertation Writing
• Logic and Methodology of Science
• Current Issues in Indian and World Economy

Each specialization has its own set of subjects. Top universities offering an MPhil degree also have experienced tutors and supervisors who can help you excel.

Top universities

Some top universities to study MPhil are – 

• Jaipur National University
• University of Pittsburgh
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences
• University of Oxford
• Harvard University
• University of Cambridge
• University of St Andrews
• King’s College London

The list goes on, but to apply to these universities, you will have to meet the general eligibility criteria.

MPhil eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for this degree will depend on the university that you are applying to. However, there are a few general parameters to keep in mind when applying for MPhil admission-

• You should have a minimum of 55% aggregate score in a postgraduate degree.
• You should have completed your postgraduate degree in a field related to the MPhil degree you’re is applying for.

Having high marks in your subject of choice for MPhil will also be an added advantage. This is because it is considered a necessity in some prestigious universities. But that does not mean students with average marks do not have a chance at research. Nevertheless, the 55% mark is a standardized criterion for all universities. 

Career opportunities 

There are tons of job opportunities for you if you opt for this program, including-

Career Opportunity	Average Annual Income
High School Teacher	⚹3,90,000
Researcher	⚹6,20,000
Psychologist	⚹5,60,000
Professor/Lecturer	⚹2,80,000
Assistant Professor	⚹4,00,000
Technical Specialist/Consultant	⚹7,10,000
Quality Control Analyst	⚹3,60,000

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more career choices for someone with a Masters in Philosophy degree. These options varies from discipline to discipline, but there is a place in the job market for all kinds of MPhil graduates.

 

Key takeaways

• An MPhil is known as Masters of Philosophy and is a postgraduate research program.
• It differs from a Ph.D. as it has less advanced research.
• Those with an MPhil conduct research, which can last for up to 3 years. The program can span from 2-3 years.
• You need good research and logical reasoning skills for this program.
• Always check the university’s eligibility criteria.
• There are many career options you can look into after you get your degree.

There is an abundance of academic as well as career opportunities if you consider going for an MPhil degree. You can even continue with a Ph.D. and research for up to 4 or 5 years. And no matter which path you choose, you can get a high-paying job after graduation.

But if you choose to continue studying after completing your MPhil and earn your Ph.D., you can become a published academic author.

If you have any doubts feel free to reach out to us or comment below!

Liked this blog? Read next: What is a doctorate degree? | Everything you should know

FAQs

Q1. Is it better to do an MPhil from an Indian or foreign university?

Answer- It depends on the accreditations of the university in question. But in general, many prefer to study at a foreign university. Always check what university is best for you and what career options the country offers. 

Q2. Which is better, MPhil or Ph.D. in Psychology?

Answer- For beginners, an MPhil degree can suffice. But for more advanced research, you will need to enroll for a Ph.D program.

Q3. Is MPhil necessary for a Ph.D.?

Answer- While it is not a mandate in some countries, having an MPhil degree when applying for a Ph.D. certainly adds more weight and value to your application.