Difference Between MPhil and MBA

MPhil and MBA are both academic qualifications aspirants seek in any field that attracts their interest. These courses offer specializations in various fields and are excellent options.

Key Takeaways

1. MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is a research-based degree focusing on a specific academic field; an MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a professional degree covering various aspects of business management.
2. MPhil aims to develop research and analytical skills; MBA focuses on practical business skills and leadership.
3. MPhil graduates usually pursue careers in academia or research; MBA graduates target managerial and executive positions in diverse industries.

MPhil vs MBA

MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is a degree which can be pursued by students of any field. There is no credit value of this degree. Students need to complete their master’s degree to take admission in MPhil. MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a degree related to business management. Students need to complete their bachelor’s degree to take admission in MBA.

MPhil or Master of Philosophy is an advanced course usually taken after post-graduation in particular fields of work. At the same time, an MBA or Masters of Business Administration is a course that can be taken up after graduation and post-graduation.

Mphil programs require extensive research in that particular field, a research thesis, and an article to be published in HEC Approved Journals, while MBA programs focus more on coursework.

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Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	MPhil	MBA
Meaning	Master of Philosophy is an academic research program and can be pursued by candidates from any field like Commerce, Science, Humanities, etc.	Master of Business Administration is a more corporate job-oriented management and business course that candidates from every field can take up.
Credit Value	MPhil degrees do not have a credit value as they are not made up of individually assessed units or modules and is ultimately research-based qualification.	MBA typically has a credit value of 180 CATS / 90-120 ECTS and is considered more of a professional and corporate course based on academic subjects.
Eligibility	The essential qualification to enrol for an MPhil degree is to have completed a Master’s degree or Post- Graduation from any recognized university or institution with a minimum of 55% marks.	The essential qualification criteria are that the person should have completed a Bachelor’s Degree course from any recognized University or Institute with a minimum of 50% marks. There may also be different entrance exams for different colleges.
Duration	The minimum duration for an MPhil course varies from 1 to 2 years, according to the institution. The maximum time within which MPhil should be completed is within 3 to 5 years.	A traditional full-time MBA course takes 2 years to complete, while part-time and long-distance courses may take even longer. Some institutions also offer fast-paced MBAs that get over within a year.
Scope	MPhil is usually taken up by people who want to have the edge over others in the research and, most importantly, the teaching field.	People in business and management take up MBA to get access to the corporate field.

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What is MPhil?

MPhil or Master of Philosophy is a higher educational qualification sought in research. It is mainly done after post-graduation and is considered one of the first steps towards a PhD.

The main highlight of the program is that it consists entirely of a person’s independent research and thesis work rather than well-formulated academic units and assessments. According to the National qualification frameworks, MPhil stands at Level 7, along with other Master’s degree programs.

The course can also be referred to as a pure research degree. Though the course title seems to be a Master’s degree, it somewhere lies between a master’s qualification and advanced research postgraduate training.

In some countries, the course comes under ‘second-round qualification’.The MPhil degree is awarded almost in every subject and is considered a ‘generic’ degree.

There are mainly two ways of registering for an MPhil degree. They can be pursued as a standalone degree, which means a terminal degree, or even a step towards doing a PhD in that particular subject.

The registration type will determine the course’s duration and assessment, while the content of the study and research remains the same.

A full-time standalone MPhil lasts two years, while a part-time program may take anywhere between four to five years. Another major factor to be noted is that the achievement of this degree solely rests upon the candidate’s independent research work.

The MPhil thesis and research work should indicate that the candidate has a thorough and proper deep understanding of their field in the present scenario. MPhil is based on research work and not individually assessed modules or units, so it does not have a credit value.

The initial training for research methods for the program has an average credit value but does not contribute to increasing the overall credit value for the degree. But even though MPhil has no credit value, it is still a globally recognized Master’s Degree.

 

What is MBA?

MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is one of the most sought-after courses after graduation in India as well as abroad. It is considered a kind of ‘elite’ qualification for those professionals in the business field.

It is a professional degree focussing mainly on management and business subjects. The program tries to inculcate leadership, initiative, and excellent skills required in the entrepreneurial and corporate world.

Today these programs are considered very prestigious and have well-restricted entry and application requirements. Many colleges prefer candidates or students with some experience in their graduation field, while others conduct entrance exams with scores.

The course mainly focuses on giving students advanced knowledge in a particular subject. Hence, achieving an MBA degree from a well-known and recognized institution is a perfect sign and adds to the CV.

MBA is usually considered proper and effective for people or professionals in a particular field with work experience as their career– enhancer.

MBAs are generally terminal degrees, and people study them as a final educational qualification, though there are a variety of avenues open after it. According to the National qualification frameworks, MBA stands at Level 7, along with other Master’s degree programs.

The program has a credit value of 180 CATS / 90-120 ECTS and is available worldwide in various formats. These are designed to meet the specific career goals of the candidates. The various options available in the MBA are:

1. Standard MBA programs
2. Accelerated MBA programs
3. Executive MBA programs
4. Graduate entry MBA
5. Dual MBA programs

The reputation of the university or institution is critical in the case of pursuing an MBA. Various domestic, regional, and international organizations accredited business schools, making them reputed and sought-after.

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Main Differences Between MPhil and MBA

1. MPhil is mainly taken up by candidates interested in research who want extensive knowledge, usually for entering a teaching field. At the same time, those who wish to specialize in business and entrepreneurship pursue an MBA.
2. The main difference between MPhil and MBA is that while MPhil is pursued after completing a post-graduation degree, an MBA can be pursued after graduation.
3. Usually, MPhil degrees do not have any credit value as they do not have any well-formulated assessments rather than the research thesis. At the same time, MBA focuses entirely on academic subjects and has a specific credit value.
4. MPhils can be done as a terminal degree and a path to pursuing a PhD, while an MBA course is majorly done as a terminal degree and not often continued to the next level.
5. In some institutions offering integrated MPhil- PhD degrees, MPhil holders are given some exemptions regarding doctoral coursework, while these exemptions are not found in an MBA.