Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
From 2006 the research degree of Masters Honours (MA(Hons)) has been replaced by the Master of Philosophy (MPhil). The MPhil is a two year full-time equivalent research degree. Candidates enrol in a time-based research unit to undertake and complete a research thesis.
Students may choose to do an MPhil for a variety of reasons. It may be to develop a professional expertise for vocational reasons, or to explore a topic of personal interest in detail. Many students undertake an MPhil in order to gain an appropriate qualification to enter a PhD program.
The thesis
The maximum word length of the MPhil is 50,000. Non-traditional theses, such as those incorporating video or other media, may also be possible. See, the list of current anthropology theses for postgraduate research work being undertaken within the Department.
There is recognition of excellence through the award of a Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation and in the scholarship ranking process.
The research
Unlike a PhD, research for an MPhil does not necessarily have to be fieldwork-based, though this is still often the case. Research may be carried out either by library and archival research, or by fieldwork, or by a combination of these. If fieldwork is to be carried out no longer than six months is recommended. Therefore the scope of the research should be determined by these limits.
In addition to the research project, students are expected to take part in two seminar units, generally before they embark upon their fieldwork. These are a methodology unit (ANTH894) and one theory unit (ANTH895). Students are also expected to attend the departmental colloquia, and to present their own research in this forum.
Upgrading to a PhD
The MPhil may be articulated with the PhD program. This means that in certain cases MPhil candidates may upgrade their research project to a PhD. The process of upgrading would normally occur at the end of the first year of the degree. The student must apply to the Department for the upgrade and her/his work and ability must be considered to show sufficient value and potential to be worthy of this change. Time spent on the MPhil will count towards the total candidature of the PhD.
Enquiries
Anthropology postgraduate Research Convenor, Assoc. Professor Christopher Lyttleton: (+61 2 9850 7783)
Links
For further information, see the University’s Higher Degree Research Unit.
Also see the Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy’s information page for research students.