Types of Research Degrees in UK Universities

Types of Research Degrees in UK Universities

Types of Research Degrees in UK Universities


Candidates for research degrees have inquisitive brains, a passion for problem-solving, and a desire to serve society. Research degrees prepare you for various careers in business, administration, and commerce, as well as in academic and research institutions. They provide you with endless endeavors to carry out original research and generate fresh, insightful, and useful information and skills.

When you study research in the UK, you have unmatched access to technology, the economy, and enthusiastic individuals. Your research will be motivated by the difficulties presented by original concepts with broad applicability. UK research schools develop you into a highly sought-after subject matter expert with excellent employability. With a population of 7.8 Million researchers worldwide, pursuing the right curriculum under the right guidance can make you stand out from the flock and lead your industry! 

In this post, we have outlined the various research degrees UK universities give. Take a deeper look!

UK Research Degrees – Put your Interests into Practice

Good research needs careful strategy and execution in this era of opinions and options. Even if many courses and degrees go into completing a research project, selecting the ideal alternative is one of the trickiest and most unsettling decisions. 

Based on the nature of your research, eligibility, subject background, practicalities, and other factors, you can choose from the following research degrees in the UK—

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a shortened form of the Ph.D. The same agile methodologies, planning, and research skills are needed. It can help you decide whether to pursue a Ph.D. or keep your scope of study limited to a Mphil.

You will be required to present a thesis demonstrating your unique contribution to knowledge deemed appropriate for publishing. Additionally, you’ll have to present your thesis for review by a group of professionals the university has chosen. Among other master’s degrees, including the MA, MSc, and MRes, the MPhil is categorized at level 7 in the UK’s National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Masters of Research (MRes)

An MRes program can be the best choice if you want to start your research career. It serves as a transition between research at the undergraduate and Ph.D. levels. It is especially appropriate if you are switching to a new field and want to examine several alternatives for your academic or professional studies. This level 7 qualification is an alternative to a taught master’s degree. Masters of research offers social science researchers a standalone certification and provides top-notch training to prospective Ph.D. students.

Following are the most prevalent titles under MRes–

  • Master of Arts (MA)
  • Master of Education (MEd)
  • Master of Science (MSc)
  • Master of Science (Engineering) (MSc Eng)

Professional/Taught Doctorates

Professional Doctorates are degrees that are created particularly to suit the requirements of working professionals. Although they contain a considerable variety of advanced courses, the degrees’ main component entails writing a thesis in a manner akin to that of the more conventional Ph.D. 

Excluding the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree, offered solely full-time, the average duration revolves around 3-5 years. It can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Professional doctorates are expanding quickly in terms of quantity and scope. Typical titles for professional doctorate holders include:

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • Doctor of Education (DEd)
  • Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych)
  • Doctor of Music (DMus)

Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D./DPhil)

The doctoral degree, a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), is the pinnacle of academic achievement. It is denoted as Dphil by some ancient British universities like Oxford. The United Kingdom has around 2% of the population with a Ph.D. and is regarded as the highly-educated nation with the most Ph.D. holders. 

The study is centered around an extensive research project on a topic of academic interest produced as a thesis and is often up to 100,000 words in length. This thesis is presented before a panel of experts. A supervisor is appointed to each student, and a Ph.D. normally takes three-6 years to complete.

Learn about the Ph.D. application process here

Bring Your Research to Reality–Get a Specialized Degree in the UK

Researchers who are passionate about their subjects will enjoy the challenges of a research degree. The UK offers a variety of postgraduate research degrees that give research training, better job opportunity, and the potential to unlock advanced knowledge and skills.

Imperial Overseas is your pathfinder if you want to pursue a research degree in the UK! Make an appointment today to receive reliable support from application to admission!