Query re level of MA and PhD

[MillontheFloss]

Not for myself but BiL. In order to get accepted onto a PhD is it necessary to have a distinction at MA or is it one of those things where it isn't essential but you're competing against those who do have distinctions?

Any advice appreciated as I'm not in academia/ education myself.

The latter

but also, you can apply for a 1+3 straight from first degree - usually the '+3' bit is dependent on the '1' being passed satisfactorily, but if you have a great prospective research idea or area, then it's reasonably common. usually a couple of places on each MA course are folk who have already been awarded a phd slot on completion.

but yy, competitive always, unless you have a niche...

Competative if you want funding. Is he self funding?