Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

MPhil Calendar Regulations | PhD Calendar Regulations | Profile

Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy
Two higher degrees are available to students who have completed their first graduate degree. These are the Master of Philosophy (MPhil), involving a minimum of one year of original research culminating in the writing of a thesis, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), involving a minimum of two years of original research culminating in a thesis.

The MPhil and PhD can also be taken part-time.

Most subjects listed within Arts and Social Sciences are available for postgraduate research, subject to available resources and supervision.

These degrees are overseen by The University of Waikato Postgraduate Studies Committee, which must approve any student’s registration as a candidate for MPhil or PhD.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will support higher degree proposals where the candidate has completed an MA or MSocSc degree with first or second class honours (Division 1) which includes a substantial research component. The candidate should also have had training in research relevant to the proposal. (Please also see the relevant department about research requirements for postgraduate study in that subject.)

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will not normally support proposals for the MPhil or PhD directly from the BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons). To be considered for entry directly from an honours degree, the candidate must have attained first class honours in their honours degree, and must be able to demonstrate that they have undertaken a significant independent research project. This project should be relevant to their MPhil or PhD research, should have received at least an A grade or above, and should be such that it shows very clearly their readiness for postgraduate study. If the potential supervisors consider a candidate could be suitable for entry to the MPhil or PhD directly from an honours degree, then the supervisors should make the case for this direct entry to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, providing appropriate documentation relating to the independent research project.

In special circumstances, a candidate who does not have the required formal academic qualification but who has appropriate research experience might also be accepted. The case for such entry needs to be supported by the Faculty and is then submitted to the Postgraduate Studies Committee for consideration.

Acceptance as a candidate for a higher degree is dependent upon the University being able to provide expert supervision in the intended area of research and being assured that the resources required for that research are available.

Students intending to register for the MPhil or PhD must first approach academic staff in their intended subject of study (or subjects, since much higher degree research is cross- or inter-disciplinary) to find supervisors for their thesis project and to check their eligibility to register. The next step involves submitting a detailed proposal for the project, which will be considered by the academic staff of the subject(s) and by the Postgraduate Studies Committee in deciding whether to approve the student’s registration. PhD registration is normally conditional for up to six months until a full research proposal has been approved by the supervisors and by the Postgraduate Studies Committee.

For the full regulations governing the MPhil and PhD, see the Handbook for Research Degrees of MPhil, Phd and EdD at the University of Waikato and The University of Waikato Calendar.

For more information about this application process, intending postgraduate students should contact:  

The Postgraduate Studies Office
The University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton, New Zealand

Tel: +64 7 838 4466, ext. 6337
Fax: +64 7 858 3795
Website: www.waikato.ac.nz/research/postgraduate/