Environmental science MPhil and PhD degrees

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

You may undertake a programme of research in which your own work – such as a report – forms, as a point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual enquiry and is presented for examination. The length of the thesis is reduced accordingly:

For the mixed mode version, you'll need an appropriate presentation of visual research and a text of up to 20,000 words (MPhil) or 40,000 (PhD).

For text only, the figures are 40,000 and 80,000 maximum.

The work is always undertaken as part of the registered research programme – and the standards are the same as those applied where the work is totally by thesis.

Please note that all of our PhD students initially enrol on an MPhil and then transfer to a PhD degree.

Are there any taught elements?

Yes – and they are integral to the degree. Your progression will be dependent on satisfactory progress.

Full time or part time?

Both.

Expert supervision

A Director of Studies and at least one (second) supervisor from the University will conduct your research supervision. Often, an external supervisor is also involved.

Your supervisors will act as personal tutors, helping you to clarify your initial objectives, structure your research and develop supplementary skills. They also advise on subject reading, relevant taught courses, research seminars and workshops.

Support whenever you need it

Academic support and guidance is constantly available, whether you work individually or as part of a team. There are regular research tutorials, plus seminars and meetings with research students, staff and guest speakers.

Collaborations with external partners

If you're working in partnership with an external organisation, you may be jointly supervised by academics from Middlesex University and the collaborating partner.

Where collaboration is involved, you should make sure that from the outset the responsibilities for provision of fees, equipment and any other resources are fully understood and accepted by the partners.