Masters Degree by Examination and Dissertation (Taught Masters)

• Master of Arts – MA
• Master of Business Administration – MBA
• Master of Music – MMus
• Master of Research – MRes
• Master of Science – MSc
• Master of Law – LLM

Registration for Masters degrees is open to graduates of approved universities in the United Kingdom and abroad, or of the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA). Applicants who are not university graduates may be admitted, provided they hold appropriate professional or other qualifications and can demonstrate their ability to study at Masters level.

The programme is normally one of supervised study extending over a period of one calendar year for a full-time programme and two academic years (four semesters) for a part-time programme. Some programmes can be taken on a modular basis at the University or by distance learning over periods running from two to six years. There are intermediate awards for Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma; normally, only those candidates who reach a satisfactory standard in the examinations for Postgraduate Diploma will be permitted to complete the full Masters degree programme, by presenting a dissertation or, where appropriate, undertaking an equivalent major project.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) by Research and Thesis

The minimum qualification for registration for a Master of Philosophy is usually a First or Upper Second class honours degree from a recognised UK or overseas institution. The period of full-time research and advanced study is not less than 21 months. For part-time students, that period is not less than 33 months. Students may be required to attend a programme of lectures or seminars in addition to their research. Students must also submit a report of their work to their principal supervisor at least every six months as evidence of their progress. At the end of their period of study, students will be required to present a thesis on their work to the examiners and attend an oral examination.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Research and Thesis

Successful applicants will be registered for a PhD. PhD students are subject to a probationary period and the satisfactory confirmation of registration, normally after 12 months (or as required by your programme of study).

This process involves the submission of a report and a formal meeting. As a result of this process, students who do not demonstrate the ability to continue on the PhD may be transferred to an MPhil. Please note that a programme of research study may also be terminated at any stage due to lack of academic progress. Full details of the confirmation process is included in the publications entitled Regulations for the Degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) by Research and Thesis that will be issued upon registration.

The total period of research and advanced study is 33 months for full-time study or 45 months for part-time study. However, a holder of a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject may be permitted to submit a thesis after 24 months’ full-time or 36 months’ part-time study. Students may be required to attend a programme of lectures or seminars in addition to their research. They must also submit a report of their work to their principal supervisor at least every six months as evidence of their progress. At the end of their period of research and advanced study, students will be required to present a thesis on their work to the examiners and attend an oral examination.

1+3 Taught Masters Leading to MPhil/PhD

This route enables students to study a taught Masters programme with subsequent further study for a research degree. The initial application should include the title of the proposed taught Masters programme, and an idea of the proposed future area of research. Offers for the 1+3 programme include progression criteria. This is applied at the end of the taught element, usually in the form of an overall percentage; in some cases a
minimum level of performance is required for the dissertation. Regulations for each element are detailed individually on these pages.

Collaborative Research Degrees

The entry regulations are similar to those for MPhil and PhD degrees, but are subject to an agreement between the University and the other organisation or institution that students will be able to conduct their research for a substantial part of their time and will be released as appropriate for visits to the University. The organisation where the student is working, the facilities available and the topic of research must be approved by the
Head of Faculty, prior to registration. A supervisor in the organisation concerned is also appointed in addition to the University principal supervisor. It is also possible for students to conduct their research outside the UK on a part-time or collaborative basis. Applications for study abroad will be considered on an individual basis. In all cases, however, certain conditions must be met, including a requirement that students spend some time at the University of Surrey.

DClinPrac – Doctor of Clinical Practice

The Doctor of Clinical Practice programme integrates part-time study with practice. You would normally have a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in health or social care. You should be a practitioner involved in clinical practice and/or practice development with research expertise, as demonstrated through a portfolio of evidence. This would normally be an M level qualification or equivalent experience
beyond initial qualification. 

EngD – Doctor of Engineering

The normal entrance requirements are at least a First or Upper Second class honours degree in an engineering or other relevant discipline, or a comparable qualification granted by a professional or other body. An applicant possessing a postgraduate degree may be granted advanced standing, and the length of the programme may then be reduced by up to one year from the standard four years.

PsychD – Doctor of Psychology 

You must normally hold a First or Upper Second class honours degree in Psychology (or with psychology as a major component) and have some relevant experience. Applicants are required to hold, or to attain before entry, the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) of the British Psychological Society. The programme lasts three years, part of each year being spent at the University and part in professional practice.

DBA – Doctor of Business Administration

This programme is designed to build on your relevant Masters-level studies by undertaking further empirical research as a means of improving strategic management decision making. The programme lasts two years for a full-time student or four years on a part-time or distance-learning basis. 

MD – Doctor of Medicine

This programme is specifically designed for medical practitioners who have gained registration under the GMC (UK). The prime objective of the research is the advancement of medical knowledge. The
programme lasts two years for collaborative students who will, in practice, pursue their research within the NHS on a full-time basis.

www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate