Your guide to a Master of Philosophy in South Africa | Mastersportal

Everything you need to know about a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) course in South Africa

Studying Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)

The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil. degree) is a postgraduate research degree awarded by universities worldwide. In contrast to other Master’s degrees, such as the Master of Science or Master of Arts, the Master of Philosophy is often awarded to people while pursuing a Ph.D.

In this case, the Master of Philosophy is awarded after completing the first part of the Ph.D. studies and submitting a first short report or dissertation. However, there are also countries like Norway, which offer the Master of Philosophy as a regular Master's degree comparable to a Master of Science.

If you enrol in an M.Phil. degree as part of your Ph.D. registration, the M.Phil. will take one year to graduate. As a regular stand-alone study programme, a Master of Philosophy normally takes 2 years to complete.
The M.Phil. degree is a pure research degree, focused only on your independent research project. While an academic supervisor provides guidance, there aren’t usually any classes or other assignments to attend.

An M.Phil. degree can be awarded in all subjects. Popular disciplines include Philosophy, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Political Science. Masters of Philosophy open the path to advancement in careers as a professor, research scientist, technical specialist, data scientist, and others.

Study in South Africa

South Africa offers very affordable Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The ‘Rainbow Nation’ excels in disciplines like Development Studies, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Tuition fees are among the lowest in the world, and many study programmes are taught in English. International students also enjoy low costs of living and have the opportunity to explore South Africa’s beautiful cities and landscape, which includes Table Mountain, the Garden Route, and gorgeous beaches.

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Explore our selection of the available Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degrees in South Africa. If you're interested in studying in South Africa, you can view all view all 93 Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) programmes. Top universities and colleges in South Africa offer great English-taught Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degrees to choose from. Many universities in South Africa offer study programmes taught in English. Before starting a programme, you need to have a basic knowledge of the English language.