Overview
The usage in the two ancient English universities of Oxford, Cambridge and in some Scottish universities, particularly the ancient universities differs slightly from that in other UK universities – the MA degree is not a substantive qualification, but reflects the ancient practice of these universities of raising BAs to MAs (and thus full membership of the University) a few years after graduating (see Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)). Conversely, some bachelor's degrees in the higher faculties (i.e., those other than arts) at those universities are postgraduate qualifications (e.g., the BCL and BMus at Oxford). Many have been changed to the corresponding master's degree (e.g., BSc is now MSc), but only within the last generation. The BD remains a higher degree at some older universities (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews and Durham) but is an undergraduate degree at most (e.g., London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow). Oxford and Cambridge grant BAs after three years to students on undergraduate courses lasting longer than this (the undergraduate masters degrees and the MB, ChB in medicine), though not in Modern Languages, which is typically four years in length at any university, or in the Oxford degree of Literae Humaniores, also four years long (and at Oxford Modern Languages combined with Literae Humaniores, known technically in this case as Classics, is five years).
Undergraduate degrees may be awarded "with Honours" or may be "Ordinary" or "Pass" degrees. The meaning of non-Honours degrees changed in the course of the twentieth century, and varies somewhat between England and Wales on the one hand and Scotland and Northern Ireland on the other, and also between institutions. Honours degrees are usually awarded with first, upper-second, lower-second or third class honours.
Usage of titles of masters degrees (in particular the undergraduate masters degrees) is in continuing flux, not least because of discussions of harmonisation of qualifications within the European Union as part of the Bologna process.
There is an international (but not universal) custom that certain degrees will be designated '.... of Philosophy'. Examples are MPhil (Master of Philosophy) and PhD or DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy). Most recipients of such degrees are not 'philosophers'; they can be students of any subject. The origins lie in the ancient practice of regarding all areas of study as elements of 'philosophy' and the Greek meaning, 'love of wisdom'. This is confusing to people looking at university degrees from the 'outside'.
Thus holders of an MPhil degree may have earned it in any discipline including, but not limited to, history, physics and management.
Most universities, worldwide, award doctorates by one of three routes. 'Normal' doctorates are awarded after research and the submission of a thesis. British universities award 'normal' doctorates in the form of PhD or DPhil in all subjects. Higher doctorates are awarded on the basis of a substantial body of published academic work. British universities award these in the form of DLitt (literature), LLD (law), DMus (music), DSc (science), EngD (engineering), DD (theology) etc. Honorary doctorates are awarded to persons of distinction (such as statesmen or philanthropists) or academics that have made a notable contribution to their discipline, through research and publication, and the higher doctorate designations are used. However, some newer universities (e.g. Essex, Stirling, and the Open University) do not do this and instead award DUniv (doctor of the university) irrespective of the field in which the honorary graduate is being recognised.
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Read more about this topic: British Degree Abbreviations