School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

What you'll study

The Upgrade itself is not a taught programme but requires submission of a substantial written piece relevant to your department. Departments specify the expected form and length; examples provided by SOAS include:

• Anthropology: 20,000 words (Literature Review 12–14k; Fieldwork Proposal 6–8k).
• Development Studies: 10,000 words including problem statement, literature review, research questions, methodology and timeline.
• Economics: up to 15,000 words (no minimum).
• Global Media & Communications: 10,000 words with a research rationale, methods, ethics, bibliography and schedule.
• History, Religions and Philosophies: portfolio totalling ~15–20,000 words made up of methodology paper, core chapter, chapterisation and timeline.
• Law: 10,000 words.
• Politics & International Studies: 10,000–15,000 words.
• School of Arts and School of Finance & Management: typically 10,000–20,000 words depending on unit.

In addition to the written submission, students must complete on PhD Manager:

• Upload the upgrade paper by the departmental deadline.
• Review SOAS Research Data Management guidance and complete a Research Data Management Plan.
• Complete the Research Ethics Checklist and the First Stage Ethical Review (and, if required, Second Stage Ethical Review).
• Complete the Epigeum Research Integrity, Second Edition, UK course (8 core modules mandatory) and upload the Research Integrity Certificate.

Entry requirements

All post-graduate research students at SOAS are initially registered as MPhil candidates and become eligible to request an Upgrade examination once they have completed the required tasks on PhD Manager and met any additional departmental conditions. Departments may require completion of specific MPhil modules, seminar attendance, presentations, or training identified in a Training Needs Analysis; candidates must check with their supervisor or Convenor of Doctoral Studies for unit-specific directives.

Career prospects

The Upgrade is an academic progression milestone rather than a career qualification. Successful transfer to PhD status allows continuation of doctoral research that leads to the PhD award, which supports careers in academia, research, policy, NGOs, cultural institutions and specialist professional roles depending on subject and individual profile.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Funding considerations are not specified in the Upgrade documentation. Students should consult departmental and Doctoral School sources about scholarships, stipends or studentship conditions that depend on registration status (MPhil vs PhD) and speak with supervisors or the graduate funding office about how upgrade outcomes may affect ongoing financial support.