PHD, MPHIL, MSc

Ph.D is Doctor of Philosophy
M.Phil. is Master of Philosophy
M.Sc is Master of Science

Ph.D is an advanced academic degree awarded by universities. Nowadays you need a Ph.D to become a university professor. Most universities require coursework in addition to original research work for Ph.D. degrees. You have to defend your original research work before a panel of expert examiners. The minimum requirement is usually three years. (Some rich and famous people also get honourary Ph.D degrees after they donate a large sum of money to the university (endowment) or after life-long service in their own field).

M.Phil. is a postgraduate research degree. It is a lesser degree than the Ph.D and greater than a M.Sc. You have to do original research and write up a thesis. It usually requires two years. In some universities, it serves as a prerequisite enrollment for the Ph.D.

M.Sc is a postgraduate academic degree, awarded to students after they study sciences and pass the required examination. It usually requires one year, but some require two years in specialized field.

If you get a first class honour in B.A. or BSc, you may go straight to enroll for the Ph.D degree in some universities with a strong recommendation from your professor.