Decoding British Degrees | Fellowships and Funding (2024)

"MPhil," "research degree," "taught degree," etc.?

Looking for translations? Try our unofficial guide to decoding British degrees.

Doctoral Degrees

A DPhil is what Oxford and some other British universities call a PhD. PhDs in Britain are different from those in the US: they are usually just the doctoral dissertation, without coursework, comprehensive examinations, opportunities to TA, etc. You must (almost always) apply with a clearly-defined research proposal and a prospective supervisor for your research. If you're offered a place, you conduct research guided by your doctoral supervisor, write it up, and usually do an oral defense. It tends to take three or four years to earn a doctorate.

Note: If you're hoping to go on to an academic career you should talk to a professor in the relevant field at home: since doctoral programs in different countries can be very different indeed it can be difficult to get a teaching job in some fields with a degree from elsewhere. So be sure to consult experts in your field.

Master's Degrees

Any degree beginning with "M" is a master's degree: MPhil, MSc, MA, MSt, etc. Most master's degree courses in Britain and Ireland take one to two years.

  • Some master's programs, like almost all doctoral programs, involve only research. Any of these described as "research" degrees work the way a doctoral degree does, but involve a smaller research project and fewer years to complete it.
  • Any master's degree described as a "'taught" degree may involve a research project/paper (but usually a smaller one than a research degree entails) and will always involve some element of more formal teaching: classes, lectures, seminars, labs, etc.

The title of a master's program alone may not help you determine whether or not it is a research or a taught course: always check the fine print...

How to decide among the various options?

Start by finding the universities and departments which seem to be best for what you want to study (see "Ranking universities," here). Check the admissions website/graduate prospectus of each relevant university to see what degree courses are offered there. Look at the syllabi, the reading lists, the lists of scholars working in that department and what they're working on, the research centers for the study of various topics, and any other resources there which might help to make a particular place the right one to pursue your specific area of interest. Beyond that, consider the following:

  • What kind of degree, if any, do you need to do the work you hope to do in the world? (Tip: explore careers and career paths through resources offered by the Office of Career Strategy.)
  • Are you looking for a master's degree with some coursework? Then look at the "taught" degree courses offered.
  • Or are you prepared and eager to embark on a research project without any further coursework? In which case, you'll want to look at the different research degrees offered in your field. Are you looking to get a master's degree in a year or two or a doctorate in three or four years?
  • Don't consider part-time degree courses: unless you're an EU citizen you won't be able to get a visa to study in Britain. Visa regulations for the UK require that students be registered full time as degree candidates. (Find visa information on the official government website here.)

Talk to the experts

Talk with your professors and other mentors in the relevant field. They are the best people with whom to talk about graduate study. They are experts in their fields, they know the shape of current research, who's doing the most interesting work, and where the strong degree programs are. As your teachers and mentors, they also know something about your particular interests and strengths and what might be the best next step in your education.

Faculty in the relevant academic discipline are, moreover, the best people to talk to about finding a research supervisor and putting together a strong, interesting proposal—both of which are essential for application for a research degree.

Tip: Do some homework first, and your conversations with faculty and other mentors will be more fruitful. You'll not only get invaluable advice, but these conversations will also help your mentors to write stronger, more specific letters of recommendation. (Read how best to ask for letters and to prepare for an informational interview with a mentor.)

Decoding British Degrees | Fellowships and Funding (2024)

FAQs

What is the British equivalent of a PhD? ›

A DPhil is what Oxford and some other British universities call a PhD. PhDs in Britain are different from those in the US: they are usually just the doctoral dissertation, without coursework, comprehensive examinations, opportunities to TA, etc.

What is the difference between DSC and PhD? ›

In some countries, a Doctor of Science is the degree used for the standard doctorate in the sciences; elsewhere a Doctor of Science is a "higher doctorate" awarded in recognition of a substantial and sustained contribution to scientific knowledge beyond that required for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

What is the difference between a DPhil and a PhD? ›

In short, a DPhil and a PhD are typically considered equivalent degrees. The term “DPhil” is primarily used in countries such as the United Kingdom and some European countries, while “PhD” is more commonly used in the United States and other parts of the world.

Why does Oxford call PhD DPhil? ›

The reason for this is that 'DPhil' is a British abbreviation and is only currently used by a handful of UK universities such as Oxford, and occasionally, Sussex and York. While almost all UK universities adopt the term 'PhD', the University of Oxford still uses 'DPhil' as you can see on their admissions page.

Is a UK bachelor's degree valid in the USA? ›

A question we get a lot from American students is if UK universities are accredited, which is really a fancy way of asking: are UK degrees viable and accepted in the United States? You'll be happy to know the answer is yes, with a few exceptions for specialty fields.

Are British PhDs funded? ›

The funding for the PhD usually covers the full fee and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus an allowance of £1,500 per year for researcher training for three years (or part-time equivalent).

Is a PhD more prestigious than a doctorate? ›

No, a PhD is not a higher degree than a professional doctorate. If you're wondering what's better than a PhD, both PhDs and professional doctorates are the highest level of college education that can be earned. Both degrees are doctoral degrees.

Is Doctor of Divinity higher than PhD? ›

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the degree is a higher doctorate conferred by universities upon a religious scholar of standing and distinction, usually for accomplishments beyond the Ph. D. level. At the University of Oxford, doctors of divinity are ranked first in "academic precedence and standing".

What is higher than a PhD in the UK? ›

The Doctor of Divinity (DDiv) and the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) are considered by Oxford to outrank all other degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The DDiv is usually awarded for academic accomplishments beyond the PhD level.

Is there a rank higher than PhD? ›

In many countries, the D.Sc, a higher doctoral degree, is earned a few years (about 6-8 years) after the Ph. D.

Do you call someone a doctor if they have a PhD? ›

Contracted "Dr" or "Dr.", it is used as a designation for a person who has obtained a doctorate (commonly a PhD/DPhil). In past usage, the term could be applied to any learned person. In many parts of the world today it is also used by medical practitioners, regardless of whether they hold a doctoral-level degree.

Is MD or PhD higher? ›

Which degree is more prestigious depends on a person's opinion. A Ph. D. is the highest degree you can get in any subject, so it carries prestige. With an M.D., you can operate as a medical doctor and help patients, which many people respect.

What is a PhD called in England? ›

In the UK, a PhD stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy', sometimes referred to as a 'doctorate'. It is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve. At some institutions, including Oxford University, a Doctor of Philosophy is known as a DPhil.

What is the UK version of PhD? ›

Level 8. Level 8 qualifications are: doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy ( PhD or DPhil ) level 8 award.

Does Oxford pay you for PhD? ›

Scholars on a full-time course will receive an annual grant for living expenses of at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate, which is normally sufficient to cover the living costs of a single student living in Oxford.

What is a PhD in the UK? ›

In the UK, a PhD stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy', sometimes referred to as a 'doctorate'. It is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve. At some institutions, including Oxford University, a Doctor of Philosophy is known as a DPhil.

What is a PhD title in the UK? ›

The term PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'philosophiae doctor'. A PhD degree typically involves students independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, before producing a publication-worthy thesis.

What's higher than a PhD in the UK? ›

The Doctor of Divinity (DDiv) and the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) are considered by Oxford to outrank all other degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The DDiv is usually awarded for academic accomplishments beyond the PhD level.

What is a PhD in English called? ›

A Ph. D. is a degree awarded to people who have done advanced research into a particular subject. Ph. D. is an abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy. He is more highly educated, with a Ph.

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