Master of Research

Last updated

A Master of Research (abbr. MRes, MARes, MScRes, or MScR) degree is an internationally recognised advanced postgraduate research degree in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. In most cases, the degree is designed to prepare students for doctoral research. Increasingly, the degree may be useful for students considering careers outside of academia, where high-level research skills are valued but a doctoral qualification is not required.

Contents

A Master of Research may be recommended where a student is unsure if they would like to pursue a doctoral program, or if they do not have the qualifications or experience to gain direct entry into a doctoral program. It can provide a useful experience of what doctoral study is like, whilst also allowing the student to acquire a Master's level qualification. In some cases it is also considered a foundation for conducting research in professional contexts.

For disciplines that undertake practice-led research, a Master of Research provides an opportunity for understanding the nature and potential of research study through, for example, art and design practice. The Master of Research may be especially appealing to those in the field of Medicine who wish to develop academic research skills to enter competitive specialities such as surgery or public health. [1]

At some universities, the degree is conferred in a specific discipline, for example, a Master of Research (Science) or a Master of Science by Research.

United Kingdom

Master of Research degrees are increasingly popular with a number of the Russell Group and other elite universities; such as Imperial College London, University College London, University of Bristol, University of Manchester, University of Glasgow, University of East Anglia, University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University, Newcastle University, University of Liverpool, University of Southampton, University of York and the University of London; as well as in universities with significant art and design departments, such as the Faculty of Arts (University of Brighton), University of the Arts London, and the Royal College of Art. In most cases, the degree is designed to prepare students for doctoral research. [2] For universities with significant strengths in practice-led research, a research master's degree preparation provides an opportunity for understanding the nature and potential of research study through, for example, art and design practice.

Programme structure

Research master's degree programmes are different from taught master's degrees by placing particular emphasis on a large dissertation (typically between 35,000 and 40,000 words), or an equivalent practice-led research project, in addition to fewer (or no) taught modules. Research master's degree programme 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." [3] This will often include training in Research Methods, as well as instruction in Research Ethics and professional practice issues such as writing proposals, making funding applications and publishing.

Award instead of doctoral degree

Some universities may award this degree to a doctoral candidate who has not completed the required period of study for a doctorate, but has completed a sufficient dissertation and taught content to be acceptable for an MRes. In some Russell Group universities this degree is awarded to doctoral candidates who embark on the Doctor of Engineering (EngD) programme but choose to pursue a non-academic career before the full Doctor of Engineering programme is complete. In most cases, however, a PhD candidate will step down to the level of a Master of Philosophy at British universities. The main difference between an MRes and an MPhil is that MRes sometimes (but not always) has taught components (although the main focus is still on research) and therefore might require a first year taught component during the doctoral studies, such as modules from an associated Master of Science degree. Research undertaken for a Master of Research degree is typically shorter in duration than that of an MPhil or PhD - around one to two years, as opposed to two or three, full-time. For humanities subjects, MPhil theses are typically 60,000 words (and PhDs 80–100,000), while MRes or MA(Res) are usually around 35–40,000 by thesis, or lesser for courses with a taught component (a mixture of smaller essays and a dissertation). Some universities [4] require an oral exam (viva voce) in addition to a written thesis for successful completion of an MRes degree.

Australia

In Australia, a Master of Research is a postgraduate level research training degree. The program consists of a coursework component and a supervised research project, including a thesis of 20–25,000 words. An MRes is completed within two years, or part-time equivalent. The degree is currently only offered at a limited number of universities, having first being introduced at Macquarie University. Entry into a Master of Research degree program usually only requires a bachelor's degree with a sufficiently high grade point average (GPA), as opposed to Master of Philosophy programs which often require a Master of Research degree or an honours degree (sometimes with grade point average, weighted average mark or other grade-related requirements). [5] [6]

The University of Technology Sydney offers a Master of Research in specific disciplines through its faculties. The university also offers trans-disciplinary research through entities such as Master of Sustainable Futures (Research) provided by the Institute for Sustainable Futures. [7]

A Master of Research may be undertaken as a pathway qualification to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or as training to provide professional research skills.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postgraduate education</span> Phase of higher education

Postgraduate education, graduate education, or graduate school consists of academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications usually pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree.

An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions often offer degrees at various levels, usually divided into undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The most common undergraduate degree is the bachelor's degree, although some educational systems offer lower-level undergraduate degrees such as associate and foundation degrees. Common postgraduate degrees include engineer's degrees, master's degrees and doctorates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master's degree</span> Postgraduate academic degree

A master's degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. A master's degree normally requires previous study at the bachelor's level, either as a separate degree or as part of an integrated course. Within the area studied, master's graduates are expected to possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied topics; high order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application; and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

A doctorate or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism licentia docendi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thesis</span> Work by academic candidate

A thesis, or dissertation, is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings. In some contexts, the word thesis or a cognate is used for part of a bachelor's or master's course, while dissertation is normally applied to a doctorate. This is the typical arrangement in American English. In other contexts, such as within most institutions of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, the reverse is true. The term graduate thesis is sometimes used to refer to both master's theses and doctoral dissertations.

The Doctor of Education is a research or professional doctoral degree that focuses on the field of education. It prepares the holder for academic, research, administrative, clinical, or professional positions in educational, civil, private organizations, or public institutions. Considerable differences exist in structure, content and aims between regions.

Doctor of Medicine is a medical degree, the meaning of which varies between different jurisdictions. In the United States, and some other countries, the M.D. denotes a professional degree. This generally arose because many in 18th-century medical professions trained in Scotland, which used the M.D. degree nomenclature. In England, however, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) was used: in the 19th century, it became the standard in Scotland too. Thus, in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries, the M.D. is a research doctorate, honorary doctorate or applied clinical degree restricted to those who already hold a professional degree (Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral) in medicine. In those countries, the equivalent professional degree to the North American, and some others' usage of M.D. is still typically titled Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.

A Master of Laws is an advanced postgraduate academic degree, pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in a related subject. In most jurisdictions, the LL.M. is the advanced professional degree for those usually already admitted into legal practice.

Bachelor of Philosophy is the title of a postgraduate academic degree in philosophy that usually involves considerable research, either through a thesis or supervised research projects. Unlike many other bachelor's degrees, the BPhil is typically awarded to individuals who have already completed a traditional undergraduate degree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Qualifications Framework</span> Educational standards organization

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) specifies the standards for educational qualifications in Australia. It is administered nationally by the Australian Government's Department of Industry, with oversight from the States and Territories, through the Standing Council of Tertiary Education Skills and Employment. While the AQF specifies the standards, education and training organisations are authorised by accrediting authorities to issue a qualification.

A Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate degree. An MPhil may be awarded to postgraduate students after completing taught coursework and one to two years of original research, which may also serve as a provisional enrolment for a PhD programme.

A terminal degree is the highest-level university degree that can be achieved and awarded in an academic discipline or professional field. In other cases, it is a degree that is awarded because a doctoral-level degree is not available or appropriate. The two main types of terminal degrees are academic or professional.

The Doctor of Engineering is a research doctorate in engineering and applied science. An EngD is a terminal degree similar to a PhD in engineering but applicable more in industry rather than in academia. The degree is usually aimed toward working professionals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mattersey Hall</span> Bible college in Mattersey, Nottinghamshire, England

Mattersey Hall was a Christian College with the vision: 'to help form the next generation of Christian leaders.' Mattersey Hall was the main training centre for the Assemblies of God in Great Britain, located in Mattersey, near Retford, in Nottinghamshire, England. It was also the home of the National Ministry Centre of British Assemblies of God.

Postgraduate research represents a formal area of study that is recognized by a university or institute of higher learning. The notion of "postgraduate" refers to studies following a undergraduate degree. Postgraduate research either occurs within a postgraduate degree that also includes taught elements, such as the thesis completed after the all but dissertation stage of an American-style Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, or refers to research degrees common in Commonwealth countries such as a masters by research or British-style doctorate.

A Doctor of Philosophy is a terminal degree, that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research. The name of the degree is most often abbreviated PhD, pronounced as three separate letters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor of Law</span> Doctorate in legal studies

A Doctor of Law is a doctorate in legal studies.

In the United States, the PhD degree is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. American students typically undergo a series of three phases in the course of their work toward the PhD degree. The first phase consists of coursework in the student's field of study and requires one to three years to complete. This often is followed by a preliminary, a comprehensive examination, or a series of cumulative examinations where the emphasis is on breadth rather than depth of knowledge. The student is often later required to pass oral and written examinations in the field of specialization within the discipline, and here, depth is emphasized. After the comprehensive examination the student is a "PhD Candidate", which is the academic equivalent of a master's degree. Some universities will award terminal Master's for students who drop out of the PhD program at this stage, and some, like Columbia University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, award a Master's en route to the PhD. Some PhD programs require the candidate to successfully complete requirements in pedagogy or applied science.

A master's degree in the United Kingdom is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges in most cases upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

Doctor of Sustainability, abbreviated Dr. rer. sust. or DSus is a transdisciplinary doctoral academic degree awarded in the field of sustainability science. Like other doctorate degrees, it is the highest academic qualification in the field and equivalent to a PhD.

References

  1. ↑ "Clinical and Health Research (MRes)".
  2. ↑ "Understanding the UK higher education system". Archived from the original on 2006-06-21. Retrieved 2006-07-18.
  3. ↑ "About postgrad study: Taught courses". Archived from the original on 2006-06-26. Retrieved 2006-07-18.
  4. ↑ "Oral Examination | CLSM Graduate School | the University of Aberdeen". www.abdn.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Research training".
  6. ↑ "How to apply". Macquarie University. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  7. ↑ ISF. "Master of Sustainable Futures (Research)". University of Technology Sydney. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.