Course description
A research degree is essentially a period of intensive, supervised, research work in your chosen area. It builds on your previous academic or professional experience.
We support and value our PhD students, who make a vital contribution to the intellectual life of the University.
We award research degrees in several disciplines. Social policy and town planning are recognised for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding.
All students on this research degree take modules from the MA Social Science Research Methods (SSRM). The MA SSRM is seen as part of the PhD training.
You can take advantage of a wide range of training opportunities to improve your employability and personal skills. This includes developing your knowledge and understanding of research methods and methodology.
Our staff members take part in a range of research-related activities, including
• writing books and articles for journals
• delivering papers at national and international conferences
• involvement in practical research projects, collaborative research and consultancy
We carry out various research projects in areas such as • law • social policy • sociology • health promotion • psychology.
Associated careers
Our research is often applied, which prepares you to tackle issues of immediate relevance to voluntary or statutory agencies. You can go on to find an academic or other research career.
Many people take part-time degrees in collaboration with their current employer.
Course content
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
You critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic, to demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. You must then present and defend your thesis by oral examination.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
To gain a PhD we expect you to make an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
Supervision
We allocate you a supervisory team of two or three research specialists.
You have regular scheduled meetings with your supervisors when you agree targets for written and oral presentation of your research progress. We expect you to present seminar papers on your work and to submit written papers for comment. We also expect you to attend relevant seminars from the appropriate research seminar series.
Research training
In addition to your subject-focused research activity, you must complete research training modules, unless you have previously studied these on an appropriate masters degree. Fees for these modules are covered in the full-time fee. Part-time students must pay for these additional modules. Please contact us for further details. During your research leading to your thesis, you work under the guidance of your supervising team.
