What Is an MPhil? - A Complete Guide

A Master of Philosophy or MPhil is a stepping stone to a PhD. Generally, an MPhil is a postgraduate research degree for a duration of one to two years, depending on specialization and university. It provides an in-depth research experience and skill development. Students can enroll in a PhD program after their MPhil. An MPhil is offered in specializations like arts, humanities, commerce, science, and technology. 

 As per the National Education Policy, the University Grants Commission had discontinued admissions for MPhil. Now, students can directly apply for a PhD after their master's degree. Interested students can read the details regarding the MPhil program here. 

Key Highlights

Key Aspect	Details
Course	MPhil
Full Form	Master in Philosophy
Course Level	Post Graduation
Duration	1 to 2 years
Eligibility criteria	Master’s degree with a minimum of 55%
Entrance exams	UGC NET, CSIR NET,  etc
MPhil colleges	Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Christ University, Amity University, etc
MPhil fees	INR 1500- INR 1 lakh

• Note: In the year 2023, as per the notice by the University Grants Commission, the MPhil was discontinued. Here is the notice. 

Eligibility for MPhil 

The eligibility for MPhil is:

• Students who have scored at least 55% or more in their post-graduate studies
• Applicants who belong to reserved categories have a 5% relaxation.
• Universities have their eligibility criteria for MPhil. 
• Students need to appear and get scoring marks in any entrance examination, like UGC NET, JNUEE, etc.
• There is no age limit for students to apply for the MPhil.

Duration of MPhil 

Typically, the duration of the regular MPhil program is about 1 to 2 years, depending on the specialization. The program includes coursework related to the specialization chosen by the student. 

Benefits of MPhil 

Here are few benefits of MHil listed for individuals' better understanding- 

• The program helps is understanding the subject through intensive research. 
• The individuals will develop research skills which they will be needed in carrying out in-depth research 
• The individuals pursuing MPhil will enhance their ability to think creatively. 
• Individuals will get to grow their networks and faculty guidance

Fee Structure 

The fee structure for MPhil depends on the institution in which they are enrolled. On average, the fee structure is between INR 1,500 and INR 1 Lakh. The fee structure depends on whether the students are pursuing their MPhil from a government or private university. 

Here are some government universities where students can pursue their MPhil along with their fee structure:

M.Phil Government Colleges	Tuition Fees
Lucknow University	INR 36,000 - INR 46,000
TISS Mumbai	INR 2.06 Lakh
Calcutta University	INR 3,400
Kerala University	INR 2,310 - INR 6,500
PSTU Hyderabad	INR 3,400
Himachal Pradesh University	INR 2,580
University of Mysore	INR 22,920
PRSU Raipur	INR 5,000
Pondicherry University	INR 2,900 - INR 3,000
DAVV Indore	INR 11,590

Here is the list of private colleges in India that offer an MPhil program:

M.Phil Private Colleges	Tuition Fees
Amity University, Gurugram	INR 6.96 Lakh
Amity University, Jaipur	INR 6.96 Lakh
Amity University, Lucknow	INR 90,000 - INR 6.08 Lakh
Amity University, Mumbai	INR 6.96 Lakh
Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur	INR 48,000
Christ University, Bangalore	INR 30,000
C V Raman University	INR 30,000
NIMS Jaipur	INR 80,000 - INR 6 Lakh
SGT University	INR 5 Lakh
SVSU Meerut	INR 34,000 - INR 55,500

Admission Procedure

Students are selected based on merit and entrance exam scores. The scores of UGC NET, CSIR NET, or even a university’s MPhil entrance exam are mandatory for admission. 

Here are step-by-step instructions for the admission process for MPhil through the university’s entrance exam:

• Eligibility: Students need to verify their eligibility according to the university guidelines to apply for the MPhil program. Students also need to understand the exam pattern of the university. 
• Fill out the MPhil entrance application form:Once a candidate has met all the requirements and eligibility criteria according to the university, they can apply for the entrance exam by providing all the required documents.
• Appear in the entrance exam: Applicants should wait for the notice regarding the dates of the entrance exam. 
• Book your seats at the university based on your scores:After appearing for the entrance exam, students should wait for the results. If students fall into the passing scores, they need to book their seats in the MPhil seat allotment process. 
• Pay the admission fee:​​ ​​​To complete their seat allocation, students are required to submit an admission fee.
• Interview and Document Verification: Selected candidates need to appear for their interview and document verification as part of the final selection process. Students who want to apply for the MPhil program based on their UGC NET, CSIR NET, or other entrance exams can apply directly to the university based on their cut-off scores. Selected students may receive an email regarding the day and time for their interview and document verification. 

Top Universities

Following is the list of universities where students could pursue their MPhil before its discontinuation:

• Amity University offers an MPhil in clinical psychology
• Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Stella Maris College
• Christ University
• IIT Bombay
• Mumbai University 
• Brainware University
• Kasturba Medical College 

MPhil courses

The Master's in Philosophy (MPhil) can be pursued in various specializations. It is said that one can pursue an MPhil only in theoretical subjects like the humanities and the arts. But an MPhil is also pursued in commerce, science, and technology. 

Here is the list of subjects in which students can pursue their MPhil:

Popular MPhil Courses in Humanities
MPhil History	MPhil Economics	MPhil Linguistics
MPhil English	MPhil in Geography	MPhil in Sociology
MPhil in Political Science	MPhil Hindi	MPhil Public Administration
MPhil in Humanities & Social Science	MPhil in Human Development Studies	MPhil Social Work

Popular MPhil Courses in Science:

Popular MPhil Courses in Science
MPhil in Biology	MPhil in Chemistry	MPhil Physics
MPhil in Life Sciences	MPhil Biotechnology	MPhil Botany
MPhil in Computer Science	MPhil in Zoology	MPhil in Clinical Psychology

Other MPhil Courses 

Other MPhil Courses
MPhil Commerce	MPhil in Law	MPhil in Education

Why was the MPhil discontinued?

The MPhil was discontinued due to the following reasons-

• This decision was taken to align with the policies of the National Education Policy 2020.
• NEP introduced a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a research-focused master's degree, where an MPhil was not required for a PhD anymore. 
• The NEP wants to make the academic journey not only longer but also more effective. 

Key takeaways

Here are a few points regarding the MPhil- 

• On discontinuation of the MPhil as a mediatory step for the PhD. Students can now apply directly to PhD programs
• Individuals who have completed their MPhil much before the discontinuation of MPhil can also apply directly for a PhD through an entrance exam or the eligibility criteria of the university. 

Career opportunities after MPhill

Individuals who have completed their MPhil have wider job opportunities. However, as the program is discontinued by the Government, those who have completed their MPHil program before it can apply for a PhD or get jobs in various sectors, including the private and government sectors. 

Here are are few career opportunities for an individual who has completed the program, along with the expected salary. 

Career Opportunity	Average Annual Income
High School Teacher	INR 3,90,000
Researcher	INR 6,20,000
Psychologist	INR 5,60,000
Professor/Lecturer	INR 2,80,000
Assistant Professor	INR 4,00,000
Technical Specialist/Consultant	INR 7,10,000
Quality Control Analyst	INR 3,60,000

MPhil abroad

While MPhil was discontinued under the NEP 2020, in India, students can now directly apply for a PhD. Students who wish to pursue a PhD from foreign universities can also apply directly for the program without an MPhil. Many universities in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Australia allow students to apply directly with a relevant master’s degree. 

MPhil VS MSc

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is usually pursued after completing a master's degree in any specialization. An MPhil is a step towards a PhD, as an MPhil helps the individuals in developing skills related to research and carrying out research. 

Master of Science (MSc) on the other hand, is a master's degree especially for science specialization. Individuals can pursue for PhD after completing their master's and MPhil. 

However, the MPhil is discontinued under the National Education Policy 2020, now individuals can pursue for PhD degree directlty after completing their Master's of Science. 

The difference between MPhil and MSc are:

MPhil	MSc
Master's of Philosophy	Master of Science
The duration of the program is 1-2 years	The program duration is of 2 years
MPhil can be pursued in any specialization	For STEM-based subjects, including engineering, physics, and maths
MPhil is research-focused	MSc is a profession in the industry
In MPhil, the individuals are assessed through a thesis and a viva voice	In the MSc, the students are assessed through exams and coursework.

MPhil VS PhD

The key difference between an MPhil and a PhD is- 

Master's in Philosophy (MPhil)	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Considered a stepping stone to a PhD	Highest academic qualification
Requires a research thesis	Extensive research thesis
It is a research degree that consists of a portion of tutored learning and another portion of individual research in your selected field.	A PhD is an in-depth research within a field
The duration of the MPhil is around 2 to 3 years.	The duration of a PhD can extend to up to 5 years or more
In MPhil, the research thesis is approximately 60,000 words.	A Ph.D. thesis can extend to 1,00,000 words and is often published as a research book.
The MPhil thesis does not need to be a unique academic contribution.	A Ph.D. thesis, on the other hand, has to be a novel contribution to academia.

What is a PhD?

A PhD refers to the Doctor of Philosophy, which is the highest academic degree for an individual to pursue. The program usually takes around 5 years or more than 5 years to complete. Before the discontinuation of MPhil, it was mandatory to complete the MPhil to take admission for a PhD program.  

However, now students can directly apply for the PhD program after completing a master's. The PhD is offered in various specializations in science, commerce, or humanities. 

Apply directly for a PhD

After the University Grants Commission removed the MPhil program, after the master's. Students can now directly apply to PhD programs through entrance exams like UGC NET, CSIR NET, etc. 

Students who wish to pursue a PhD but do not wish to appear for any entrance exams can enroll in DBA programs. A Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is an online program, where students will get their doctoral degree in three years. An online DBA is considered equivalent to a regular PhD

Eligibility criteria for PhD:

Students who wish to apply for a PhD have to meet the following criteria to apply for the program- 

• Candidates must have a minimum of 55% in their master's degree
•  Students who are enrolled in a four-year program having 75% or above can also apply for a PhD.
• Applicants must have completed their bachelor’s or masters from a UGC-recognized university.

Key takeaways for PhD

• A PhD is the highest degree in any discipline
• A PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Students can directly apply for a PhD after their master's through entrance exams
• Candidates are selected based on their entrance exam scores and interview
• A PhD is a regular program for a duration of 3 to 6 years, based on the specialization
• Students will get their doctoral degree upon completion of their program 
• On completion of their PhD, students will get into research fields, as assistant professors or professors. 

Pursue your PhD with a DBA

Students who wish to pursue a PhD have an alternate option of getting that doctoral degree without any entrance exams or interviews. An online DBA program, which stands for Doctorate in Business Administration, offers doctoral degree programs where students will earn their degrees in three years. An online DBA is equivalent to a regular PhD. 

The online DBA program is characterized by flexible classes, where students can take classes based on their convenience. This program is a better option for working professionals who want to upskill themselves and want to get the ‘Dr’ title without leaving their jobs. Many specializations are being offered by the online DBA program. 

Key Highlights of Online DBA program:

• An online DBA is a three-year program, where the classes will be conducted online 
• On completing their program, the students will receive their doctoral degree.
• The enrolled students will achieve their dream of earning the ‘Dr’ degree upon completing their program
• Interested students do not have to appear for any entrance exams or interviews.
• An online DBA offers flexible class timings, where students and working professionals can take their classes at their convenience. 
• Through online DBA, the students will get a chance to earn their doctoral degree from globally recognized universities.
• The learners will connect to their subject experts online and learn many subject-related concepts
• Students will get to connect with other students from different backgrounds 
• Through online DBA, students will upskill their knowledge, after which they will get wider job prospects
•  A DBA is considered one of the highest degrees to study business markets, which will be helpful to students to use their skills in both the National and International markets.
• The learners will also learn research skills, where they have to submit their research papers within three years. 

Eligibility criteria:

a) Those who have completed their bachelor's degree along with 5 years of experience

b) Or those students who have completed their master’s degree or any equivalent course. 

Universities for an online DBA program

Here is the list of universities that offer online DBA programs, along with their fee structure. Students can check the university where they want to pursue their PhD and specializations. 

Universities	Fees
Birchwood Online University DBA Online	INR 6,00,000
Golden Gate University DBA Online	INR 8,14,000
Rushford Business School DBA Online	INR 8,12,500
EIMT Online DBA	INR 5,50,000
ESGCI International School of Management Paris DBA Online	INR 8,14,000
Swiss School of Business Management DBA Online	INR 7,50,000
Edgewood College DBA Online	INR 7,00,000