Doctoral Researchers: Changing from PhD to MPhil
If you are switching from PhD to MPhil you can continue to study with your ongoing Student visa permission. As this is treated as an integrated programme of study it is an exception to the general rule that a Student visa cannot be used to study at a lower level.
If relevant, completing the master’s degree with Student visa would satisfy the study requirement to be granted 2 years permission on the Graduate route.
You will probably complete your degree earlier than originally expected and if so you can expect early completion to be reported by the University and UKVI to shorten/cancel Student permission to be no longer than 4 months beyond the end of the actual completion date (see the separate sections on studies ending early and visa cancellation).
Last updated: 15th January 2025