Hello.

I was given the impression before I took my current job that a PhD would be part of the package. I have now been told that I will not have the time to do it in addition to my other duties. Having expressed that I would still quite like to pursue it I have been reluctanly offered an MSc (I already hold a MEng) or an MPhil. If after I have completed the MPhil, I find that I do not have time to continue to PhD will it be viewed by industry and academia as a 'failed PhD'?

Thanks.

If you want to do a PhD then the best option would be to start with the MPhil. If you complete the MPhil within a couple of years it won't look like a failed PhD, as two years isn't enough time to fail a PhD. As long as you can explain your situation at interview you'll be fine. Is your MEng an undergraduate degree?

Yes it is. Does that change things?

Not really - had you already taken a postgraduate Masters course then starting an MSc might look like you were just trying to collect qualifications. As that isn't the case, the MSc might be worthwhile. However, in our opinion, it would only be a better option to the MPhil if:

a. It is very unlikely your MPhil registration being changed to a PhD
b. You don't want to do a PhD
c. You want to do a PhD, but in a different lab/department/university

Bear in mind that we don't know very much about your specific situation, canvas as much opinion as you can.

Thanks for the advice.