Degree of Master of Philosophy

RESOLUTION

The Degree of Master of Philosophy is governed by Resolution No. 575 of the University Court, the provisions of which are as follows:

1.   The Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) may be awarded by the University of Glasgow in each of the Colleges.

2.   a)   A candidate for the Degree may undertake research in accordance with the provisions of Schedule B or Schedule C[1] as set out in the Regulations.[2] Such study shall be prosecuted in the University of Glasgow or The Glasgow School of Art or in another institution recognised for the purposes of study and research. 

b)   Colleges and Graduate Schools may allow the candidate’s research to be conducted in an institution external to the University of Glasgow. The choice of such an institution will be determined ad hoc and only where there exists clear alignment of the candidate’s proposed research with the aims and objectives of the institution proposed, and where the institution can demonstrate ability to provide an appropriate level of supervision of the candidate. A full-time member of staff of a recognised institution may be nomi­nated to Senate either as a supervisor or as an internal examiner although such an individual may not be nominated as an examiner if they have previously supervised the candidate's work. In cases where an employee of the institution acts as supervisor or internal examiner, a member of staff from an appropriate subject area in the University will also be appointed.

3.   Before being admitted, every candidate for the Degree (a) must have obtained a Degree in any Institution of Higher Education specially recognised for this purpose by the University Court on the recommendation of the Senate, provided always that a diploma or a certificate recognised in like manner as equivalent to a Degree may be accepted in place of a Degree and (b) must have satisfied the Senate of their fitness to undertake advanced study.

4.   A candidate who is a full-time student shall follow a programme of study by research in the University or another Institution recognised for the purpose:

a)   in the College of Arts & Humanities, the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and the College of Social Sciences, for 12 months; and

b)   in the College of Science & Engineering, for 24 months.

The period of study for a candidate who is a part-time student shall be at least one year longer than that prescribed for full-time students.

The Colleges may on special cause shown extend the prescribed period of study for any full-time candidate by not more than one year.

5.   The College shall designate a Professor or Lecturer in the University to supervise the study of each candidate. The supervisor shall report at appropriate intervals as determined by the College on the progress of the candidate.

6.   On the conclusion of their period of study each candidate shall present for such written examination as may be prescribed by the Senate and may be required to submit a dissertation. The candidate may also be required to undergo oral and/or practical examination.

7.   The examiners for the Degree shall be such Professors and Lecturers in the University as the Senateshall designate and such additional ex­aminers as the University Court, on the recommendation of the Senate shall appoint.

8.   The Degree shall in no case be conferred on persons who have not satisfied the requirements of this Resolution and shall not be conferred as an Honorary degree except on the conditions contained in Ordinance of the University Court No. 109, Glasgow No. 28.

9.   The regulations for the Degree shall be as stated in the Schedules.

Schedule B - Master of Philosophy by Research

1.   Admission to study for the Degree will normally be granted from the beginning of the academic year.

2.   The normal standard of admission will be that of a Degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours but another qualification, being a qualification approved by the University Court as provided in Section 2 of the Resolution, may be accepted by the College as being suitable for the programme of research which it is proposed that the applicant should follow.

3.   The minimum period of prescribed research for the Degree shall be:

a)   in the College of Arts & Humanities, the College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences and the College of Social Sciences, one year’s full-time study or two years’ part-time study; and

b)   in the College of Science & Engineering two years’ full-time study or four years’ part-time study.

The candidate shall prosecute this research under the supervision of a member of staff from the appropriate subject area appointed by the College Higher Degrees Committee (or equivalent) on the recommendation of the Head of School. The Higher Degrees Committee shall have power for special reasons to permit a candidate to pursue study elsewhere for part of the prescribed period. The College Graduate School shall organise research training course(s) as appropriate for each research student.

A part-time candidate, and in the College of Science & Engineering a full-time candidate, shall be subject to the College requirements for progress prior to being permitted to progress to a subsequent year of study.

4.   a)   On completion of the research the candidate shall present a thesis or a portfolio of work.

b)   The thesis shall normally be 30,000-40,000 words in length, embodying the results of the work for examination for the degree. The composition of the portfolio will be defined and agreed with the supervisor at the outset.

c)   In Theology & Religious Studies candidates may present themselves for a practice-based MPhil. The candidate shall present a portfolio of work for examination containing both a practical component and a critical component. The practical component may: explore religious/spiritual insights through a variety of creative media; demonstrate creative practice in areas such as liturgy, ritual and homiletics; or consist of Arts-based research into issues of theological/religious significance. The critical component shall consist of an academically rigorous reflection upon the research process and its critical significance within theology/religious studies. The length of the critical component shall be agreed between the supervisors and the candidate and confirmed through the Annual Progress Review process. Typically it shall be 10,000–15,000 words.

d)   The candidate must expect to attend an oral examination unless specified otherwise by the Graduate School.

e)   Subject to §4(b), the thesis or portfolio must normally be written and defended in English. Exceptionally, however, in the College of Arts & Humanities at the time of application the College Higher Degrees Committee may approve arrangements where­by the thesis may be written and defended in a language other than English, such as Gaelic. Approval will normally be given only where the use of a language other than English is deemed appropriate by the relevant School, and the Higher Degrees Committee, and where the School and the Higher Degrees Committee are satisfied that appropriate arrangements can be made for supervision and examination.

5.   A candidate must submit the thesis or portfolio for examination within six months of the conclusion of the statutory period of full-time or part-time study specified by regulation. The College will specify the date of commencement of part-time study. In exceptional circumstances, and on submission of a stated case, an extension of six months may be approved by the College Higher Degrees Committee.

6.   A candidate must submit the thesis or portfolio electronically as directed by the Graduate School and this must conform to University Library specifications published at https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/research/enlighten/theses/formattingyourthesis/. The thesis or portfolio must be accompanied by a declaration that the research has been carried out and the submission composed by the candidate, and that the submission has not been accepted in fulfilment of the requirements of any other degree or professional qualification.