Master of Research

In the UK and Ireland, the Master of Research degree is an advanced postgraduate degree available in a range of academic disciplines. Although a relatively new degree, the MRes is becoming increasingly popular with a number of the Russell Group Universities such as Imperial College London, Manchester University, Liverpool University and the University of London who are offering this degree programme. The MRes is designed to prepare students for doctoral research.^[1] MRes can also stand for Master's by Research, or Master's in Research.

Many MRes courses are advanced postgraduate degrees which differ from taught Masters degrees by placing particular emphasis on a large dissertation (typically between 35-40,000 words) in addition to fewer taught modules. MRes courses in the UK must guarantee that at least 70% of the content is project based as it is "geared to those wishing to pursue a research career afterwards."^[2]

In addition to specified MRes courses, at some universities an MRes may be awarded to a student who begins an Engineering Doctorate but chooses not to complete the full period of study for the Engineering Doctorate, typically four years or more, but has completed a sufficient dissertation and taught content to be acceptable for the MRes, typically after completion of a "mini-thesis" after 2 years or more of study. In this usage, the MRes is similar to an MPhil, obtained when a student chooses not to complete the full period of study for a PhD.

This type of course is also useful if one is considering a career in the commercial world where research is a key focus but a PhD is not specifically required. Additionally, if one is unsure whether a PhD is right or not, a Masters by Research can give the useful experience of what studying for a doctorate might be like, whilst at the same time allowing the student to earn a valuable masters level qualification.

In the field of Medicine, the Masters of Research degree programme is especially useful to those clinicians who wish to develop academic research skills, progress to PhD study or to enter competitive specialties such as Surgery or Public Health.

In France, master recherche is the usual name, though unofficial, for master's degree aimed at research. It includes a mandatory taught element.

Differences Between MRes and MPhil

The main difference between an MRes and an MPhil is that an MRes has taught components although the main focus is still on research. An MPhil can simply be regarded as the first year of a PhD and consists purely of research. The MRes degree is a standalone masters degree and the award of a PhD requires an additional 3 years study - the so called 1+3 format. The MPhil degree however is not standalone and there is the expectation that a student will progress satisfactorily for the additional two years to obtain a PhD - the 1+2 format. Consequently an MPhil is awarded to those who have not met the requirements to progress to the second PhD year or to intercalating medical students who have taken a year out of medical training to conduct research in a particular field of interest. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford are exceptions to this case, where the MPhil is offered either as a taught masters degree with a significant research component (considered similar to an MRes), or simply with the stand alone research project traditionally associated with the award.

References

1. ^ http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/International_students/Step_by_step_guide/Understanding_the_UK_higher_education_system/p!epmleci
2. ^ http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/About_postgrad_study/taught_courses/p!edcbgbp