Notes and news

Since there are now 4600 students reading for CNAA degrees, the Council has decided to establish its own two‐tiered higher degree system. The degrees of MA and MSc will be awarded for successful completion of 1–3 year specialized courses, which may be full‐time, part‐time, sandwich, or block release. It is hoped that such courses will be planned with the help of industry and commerce to meet their needs, producing postgraduates qualified for senior industrial posts or for further research. The MPhil and PhD degrees will be awarded for pure or applied original research in industry or commerce. Most students, holding a good first degree, will first register for the MPhil course taking two to three years. However, transfer to the three to four year PhD registration may be granted after a year to 18 months. At the end of the course the student will present a thesis and take an oral examination.