Egyptology MPhil – (M.Phil.)

The MPhil is a one-year research degree where students get the opportunity to study a specific research project. The MPhil degree can act as a stand-alone degree for applicants who would like to gain experience in a specific area, or can be linked to a PhD programme. Rather than register on a direct entry 3 or 4 year PhD, some postgraduates may first register on a one-year MPhil programme. Subsequently students may then wish to transfer on to a full PhD programme with a further 2 or 3 years of study.

Egyptology research at The University of Manchester focuses on the application of scientific techniques to ancient remains. The range of suitable methods for biomedical Egyptology research has expanded alongside the recent growth in biomedical research. Many of these procedures have had to be developed or altered to make them suitable for use with ancient artefacts such as Egyptian mummies. Several techniques form the main body of research undertaken at Manchester, these include endoscopy, radiology and histology. The application of endoscopic techniques to Egyptian mummies was pioneered at Manchester due to the need to obtain uncontaminated tissue samples from deep within the mummy whilst preserving its integrity. Endoscopes allow visualisation of a small area from inside a cavity. Radiology is a useful technique for examining mummies as the mummy remains unaffected by X-Rays and CT scans. Radiology also allows the mummy to be examined while still in its coffin. Histological techniques, the study of tissue structure at microscopic level, can be applied to mummified tissue; however the tissue must be re-hydrated first. Histology can also confirm the effectiveness of the mummification technique employed, the need for conservation of the mummy in question and the suitability of that tissue for other scientific studies. In addition, it can indicate the presence of disease and parasitic infestation in a sample.