Creative Writing MPhil – (M.Phil.)

Contents

Find out more about our research degrees, including information about starting your research, upgrading to PhD registration, and submitting your thesis. North American applicants especially should note that the British system does not include preparatory taught classes or examinations as part of the MPhil/PhD programme, except for an initial course in research methods.

Assessment

Thesis and viva voce.

Starting your research studies

If your application for research study is accepted, you will be sent full enrolment instructions. Your department will arrange an induction programme for you, including an introduction to departmental, library and computer facilities; where appropriate, you will also be introduced to laboratory and technical support, and to language-learning resources. Each September, there is a week-long College-wide induction programme for first year postgraduate research students in all academic disciplines; this introduces you to some of the essentials of research and gives you the opportunity to ask general questions. Research students usually follow a programme of training tailored to their needs, which may include dedicated training programmes.

Your supervisor helps you in the initial planning of your research, offering advice and suggestions as the project evolves, and maintaining regular contact through individual tutorials. Having discussed your needs with your supervisor, in the first year you undertake training to develop your research skills and techniques. You are responsible for maintaining progress according to your agreed plan of study, as outlined on your registration form, and at the end of the year you produce a formal progress report.

Research can be an isolating process, so we give you the opportunity to participate in departmental research seminars and programmes of taught options, which enable you to meet other research students.

You begin by registering as an MPhil student, while you undertake research training, develop your research skills, and complete the initial stages of your PhD. You can apply to upgrade to PhD registration when you have satisfactorily completed an agreed part of the research and training programme: usually after 18 months if you are studying full-time, or 24 months if you are studying part-time.

You should aim to complete and submit your PhD thesis within an agreed period, usually three to four years for full-time students, and four to six years for part-time. If you decide not to upgrade to PhD registration, you can submit your thesis for an MPhil after two years if you are studying fulltime, or after three years if part-time. You can change your registration from full- to part-time or vice versa with the agreement of your supervisor.