Difference Between M.Phil and PhD

Confused about the difference between M.Phil and PhD? Get insights on key differences, courses, top colleges and much more.

When choosing to be a doctor as your career, you might be wondering what stream to choose or go in. People have this misconception when choosing a doctoral degree, but it is not just for medical people but for engineers and other people. It is essential to do so initially, as it will be hard to do so later if you want to switch between streams because you would have already acquired the knowledge for that particular field.

We will help you tell the difference between M.Phil and Ph.D. as both these courses are something related to philosophy, you might think. Read on to know more details about the differences between the two.

M.Phil vs Ph.D.: Key Highlights

The following table lists out the critical difference between M.Phil and Ph.D. as we have listed out the highlights in a neatly arranged table given below for your understanding.

Particulars	M.Phil	Ph.D.
Degree	Leads to a degree equivalent to a Master’s.	Leads to a doctorate.
Duration	1 to 2 years	At least 3 to 4 years. May go beyond ten years.
Structure	Could be both coursework and research	Only research oriented
Content	Focuses on the fundamentals of research and research by other scholars	Focuses on original and fresh research studies by the researcher.
When	After Masters and before a Ph.D.	Ph.D. is generally done after a Master’s, and sometimes an M.Phil could be done after Bachelors’s in some cases.
Guidance	Does not include working under an experienced researcher	Includes working under the expert guidance researcher
Stipend	M.Phil students are not usually paid a stipend during their studies.	Ph.D. candidates are paid a stipend by the university or the investor funding the.

M.Phil vs Ph.D.: Overview

M.Phil, otherwise called Master of Philosophy, is a postgraduate academic research program with a valid degree for two years’ duration. Candidates can join this course from any stream, be it in Humanities, Commerce, Science, Law, or even Teaching, as they can pursue an M.Phil course without any trouble. In an M.Phil course, candidates are expected to study theory and as well as practical subjects. Apart from this, the aspirants are also needed to conduct research and present their research findings.

Ph.D. is ahead of what we discussed above, and it is a doctoral degree with an academic focus. A Ph.D. course, in general, is usually of a maximum duration of three years and candidates need to complete the course within a given time of five to six years accordingly. Candidates can continuously pursue a Ph.D. program in any stream of their choice. In a Ph.D. course, aspirants have the option of needing to select a topic or a subject, and then they need to do in-depth research on it and answer any of the given queries related to the topic or the subject that they choose.

Difference Between M.Phil and Ph.D: Admissions

Although both courses provide better career prospects and opportunities, enrolling in either of them requires a different but specific channel, which aspirants need to follow.

Prerequisites for M.Phil

The requirements can vary under different universities, but the basic eligibility is always the same. It is specified that candidates need to have secured at least a percentage of 55% marks in the subject they want to pursue an M.Phil degree at the postgraduate level.
Candidates who are usually shortlisted for admission in an M.Phil course are mainly based on their performance in an entrance exam followed by a Personal Interview called PI round.

The following are some of the most important M.Phil entrance exams:

JNUEE
CUCET
MET
GATE

Prerequisites for Ph.D.

In previous times, candidates could pursue a Ph.D. course simply through the distance mode; however, as per recent changes, a circular issued by UGC in 2017 has made it compulsory that a Ph.D. course pursued through the distance education mode is no longer recognized.
Candidates who have cleared entrance exams like UGC NET, GATE, JEST, and similar exams are usually offered fellowships while pursuing a Ph.D. course because it is excellent.
Apart from this, famous universities such as IGNOU and Delhi University (DU) also offer scholarships to concerned students pursuing full-time Ph.D. courses.

The following are some of the most important Ph.D. entrance exams:

UGC NET
DBT
ICMR
CISR- UGC NET

Difference between M.Phil and Ph.D.

M.Phil, as most of us know, means Master of Philosophy, and Ph.D. means Doctor of Philosophy just for clarifying. Both of these degrees are research-based and can be opted after one completes the master’s degree. Aspirants can pursue a Ph.D. after a bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record in some universities. The students have to submit their research paperwork in both the courses of M.Phil and Ph.D. to sit for them. The study structure is almost the same in both M.Phil and Ph.D. courses as things are research-oriented, but still, there are some differences between them. The Main Difference between M.Phil and Ph.D. Degree is:

Generally, when we consider an M.Phil degree, it is a two-year course, but in some cases, it can be for three years as well. The M.Phil degree is mostly a thesis-based course, and it is also known as a Senior or Second Master’s Degree between a Ph.D. and an entirely taught Master’s Degree.
A student can get a valid M.Phil degree after a few years’ original research before the giving dissertation. This degree may work as a pre-requisite for enrolling in a Ph.D. degree as well.
A Ph.D. degree, on the other hand, has a higher edge over an M.Phil degree because of its nature. M.Phil is nowadays used as training in advanced research work. Currently, people say an M.Phil degree means that the research work generally has to be original. The research work in the dissertation should not be compulsorily original, and it can replicate research that has already been done.
Ph.D. is a Doctorate that selects university awards. The education level needed to pursue a Ph.D. course depends on your country, institution, and time.
In India, a student who completes a Ph.D. degree is known to be a Doctor. But the term Doctorate of Philosophy does not necessarily relate to the field of Philosophy as it is used in the broader spectrum.
The requirements for completion of a Ph.D. degree differ from university to institute. Like those of the US, Canada, and Denmark, some universities abroad need additional coursework to write a thesis. Some universities need the author of the thesis to defend the work before going to a panel of experts for examination.
The M.Phil degree is generally considered as a pre-requisite to doing a Ph.D. degree. The dissertation for an M.Phil does not have to be based on originality; instead, it can be replicated as stated above on someone else’s research.
Whereas the thesis for a Ph.D. degree must be entirely original, this is the crucial difference as a panel of judges will examine it to give a doctorate. Ph.D. has more of a value on a higher note than an M.Phil degree. M.Phil is only a Master’s degree, but Ph.D. is termed a Doctorate.

Difference Between M.Phil and Ph.D: Benefits of Pursuing

Students can build outstanding careers and pursue the proper employment for them in either M.Phil or Ph.D. fields. Both courses provide considerable opportunities for students to pursue successful employment in fields where these degrees are in high demand.

Benefits of Pursuing M.Phil

Research Oriented: Graduates of M.Phil undergo a tedious procedure of engaging in research and imparting answers to pain factors over their 2-yr period. It permits a sense of legitimacy amongst recruiters who would want to hire an individual who had finished an MPhil.
Qualified for a Job: Graduates with an M.Phil can find work in a range of settings and organizations. For M.Phil freshers, different concentrations provide diverse job opportunities. Consultancies, research organizations, academic institutions, commercial companies, government organizations, legal firms, and other professional paths are all possible with an M.Phil

Benefits of Pursuing Ph.D.

Gaining Knowledge: The most significant advantage of pursuing a Ph.D. in management, literature, or any other field is the extensive knowledge gained while performing research. You can use this information not just to write your thesis, but also to solve problems and make decisions in your daily life.
Job Growth: A Ph.D. candidate is significantly more qualified and fit for a particular career than a master's degree holder in the same field. You'll be among the top 10 candidates a corporation would choose for itself when you finish your Ph.D.

Difference Between M.Phil and Ph.D: Popular Courses

We have listed out below some of the popular M.Phil and Ph.D. programs that candidates can pursue in different streams:

Popular M.Phil Courses

M.Phil in Biology
M.Phil in Life Sciences
M.Phil in Computer Science
M.Phil in Mathematical Sciences
M.Phil History
M.Phil English
M.Phil in Political Science
M.Phil in Humanities & Social Science
M.Phil in Applied and Regional Economics

Popular Ph.D. Courses

Ph.D. in Engineering and Technology
Ph.D. in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Ph.D. in Ceramic Engineering
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
Ph.D. Economics
Ph.D. in English
Ph.D. in Humanities & Social Sciences
Ph.D. in Arts
Ph.D. in Public Policy
Ph.D. in Clinical Research
Ph.D. in Bioinformatics
Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering
Ph.D. Zoology
Ph.D. in Mathematics

Difference Between M.Phil and Ph.D.: Job Opportunities

Graduates with an M.Phil can find work in a range of settings and organizations. Consultancies, research organizations, academic institutions, commercial companies, government organizations, legal firms, and other professional paths are all possible with an M.Phil Lecturer, Consultant, Scientist, Teacher, Assistant Professor, and other M.Phil fresher positions are only a few examples.

Ph.D. graduates have several options for a rewarding and successful profession. Because of the education that students receive, they are more employability oriented, making it simpler to find work after completing a Ph.D.

	M.Phil	Ph.D
Job Domains	Magazines, Newspapers, Publishing Houses, Private Companies, Law Firms	Chemical and Pharmaceuticals Industry, Oil and Gas Industry, Research Industry, NGOs
Roles Offered	Lecturer ,Assistant Professor, Assistant Researcher, Consultant, Scientist	Chief Research Manager, Senior Professor, Senior Consultant, Scientific Writer, Assistant Professor, Research Assistant

Difference Between M.Phil and Ph.D.: Salary

According to Payscale, the average M.Phil pay in India is INR 4.9 LPA. When determining an M.Phil pay, many aspects come into play, including the individual's educational background and skill set. The scope of M.Phil is available in both public and private organizations. The following are some of the most common designations and associated M.Phil salaries:

Job Role	Salary
Technical Specialist	INR 7.1 LPA
Finance Managers	INR 9.5 LPA
Lecturer	INR 8 LPA
Research Scientist	INR 6.2 LPA

In India, Ph.D. salaries vary depending on a variety of characteristics like experience, area of specialization, and location. A Ph.D. graduate's average pay is roughly INR 3.4 LPA. The following are the average salaries for Ph.D. graduates: