MPhil Music

Course detail
The aim of the MPhil research programme is to enable research students, nationally and internationally, to explore and critically evaluate related issues to extend the knowledge base of their field.

The programme is designed to build on your existing strengths and to bring you to the leading edge of knowledge in your chosen area of research.
The MPhil research programme consists of the following stages:
Initial stage
Submission of a short outline research proposal and a brief CV to help us to assess the candidate's suitability, the viability of the topic to be investigated, and to allocate a suitable supervisor to the candidate.
Acceptance of candidate:
Once the suitability of the candidate and the topic for investigation has been established, the candidate is accepted onto the programme on a probationary basis. If the candidate does not have a masters qualification that involves some form of primary research they will be expected to complete the first 60 credits of the University's generic MA/MSc in Research (exemption will only be on the basis of advanced standing). On completion of 60 credits the student will be eligible to receive a Postgraduate Certificate as recognition of their initial achievement. Whilst registered on the Postgraduate Certificate in Research the student will begin working with their principal supervisor, who will support and guide them to produce a full research proposal for submission to the Research Degrees Committee. Once the student has completed the Postgraduate Certificate they will be expected to submit a proposal to the next meeting of the Research Degrees Committee, in order to be formally enrolled and registered as an MPhil/PhD student.
If the candidate is exempt from the Postgraduate Certificate in Research on the basis of advanced standing their principal supervisor will provide a limited level of advice on proposal development and the candidate will be expected to submit a proposal directly to the Research Degrees Committee within six months, in order to be formally enrolled and registered as an MPhil/PhD student.
MPhil registration:
Once a candidate is enrolled and registered as an MPhil student they are entitled to receive supervision and to use all the University's usual facilities for study in order to develop their work. The student will receive a copy of the Research Student Handbook, which provides more detailed information about studying for a research degree at University of West London. At this stage the student will begin exploring their chosen area of research, probably by undertaking a detailed literature review.
Please note:
The ideal method of completing an MPhil is to be a full-time student at all stages. However, for a variety of reasons this may not be possible. It is also possible to mix full and part-time status during the course.