MPhil in philosophy Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time. Description: The M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) degree is a research degree in which you write a dissertation (about 30-40,000 words / max. 60,000) about any topic you like, so long as one of our members of staff can supervise it (see research interests above). Once assigned a supervisor, you will work together with him or her, meeting up whenever you want to. When your dissertation is finished, you will have a viva examination, in which an external and internal examiner will read your work and discuss it with you. The MPhil. is often thought of as a mini-PhD it is a very prestigious degree which takes two years at many universities. Phd in Philosophy Duration: Three years full-time, six years part-time. (Students who need extra time are only required to pay a continuation fee.) Description: The PhD. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree, which earns you the title Dr., is the highest academic degree. It is research only and requires you to write an original thesis (about 70-80,000 words) on a topic of your choice, so long as it is approved by one of our member of staff (see their research interests below). Candidates for the PhD. are expected to have completed a master’s degree beforehand (M.A., MRes., or MPhil.). Once assigned a supervisor, you will work with him or her, meeting up whenever you want to. When your thesis is finished, you will have a viva examination, in which an external and internal examiner will read your work and discuss it with you. Philosophy's placement within SPIRE means that PhD candidates whose philosophical interests intertwine with issues in politics or international relations, can receive supervision for a thesis covering some or all of these academic areas see also the Politics and International Relations PhD page. International students can't study part time at Keele. They are only eligible for full time study.