Research degrees
Postgraduate students Keri Collins and Ryan Ladd, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, pictured with the Robot fish known as ‘Gymnobot’.
We have an international reputation for innovative and challenging research. Our PhD students make a vital contribution to our culture of high achievement.
Our research awards include:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Health (DHealth)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Master of Surgery (MS)
- Doctor of Engineering (EngD)
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
For all our research degree programmes, you'll need to produce a dissertation or project portfolio which makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge. Critical judgement at the highest level must be deployed, matched by equivalent literary and/or technical presentation. All our research students have supervisors with whom they meet regularly.
MPhil
The MPhil award is available as a qualification in its own right if you would like to undertake a shorter period of study than a PhD.
PhD
To be awarded a PhD, you must produce material which is deemed 'worthy of peer-reviewed publication'. You will have to take an oral (or viva voce) examination, in which you will be required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners. If you submit a thesis for the degree of MPhil, the examiners may choose not to conduct a viva voce examination.
Standard PhD
You will start on an MPhil and progress to a full PhD. To transfer from MPhil to PhD you have to pass an assessment which normally involves written work and an oral examination. You will be based and supervised at the University but may do some fieldwork elsewhere. You can also spend long periods away or be based externally in industry or at an overseas university if you choose.
Integrated PhD
You will undertake a programme of taught units designed to complement your research and develop the knowledge and skills you need to work most effectively. This programme is similar to an MRes and some departments may award you an MRes on the way to achieving your PhD.
MRes
This is a 1 year full-time taught programme. It is in addition to PhD programmes in the School of Management, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. It provides you with an insight into a range of research activities, techniques and skills, enabling you to carry out your subsequent doctoral research as effectively as possible. It is also available as a stand-alone qualification.
Professional doctorate
Our professional doctorates currently include the degrees of EdD, DBA, DHealth and EngD. You will be focussed on producing research of the highest academic quality in the context of 'real world' professional practice and reflection. You can undertake projects which are very closely linked to research and development in business and industry or to professional practice in fields such as Education or Health.
Modes of study for these programmes are diverse:
- An EngD student in Systems Engineering or Digital Entertainment may spend 75% of their time in a collaborating company.
- The Doctorate in Health involves web-based and face-to-face learning modules and individuals are supported by a Personal Development Adviser.
- The DBA in Higher Education Management is a part-time programme combining doctoral research with professional development units.
- The Doctor of Education (EdD) offers both full and part time options for doctoral research integrated with the advanced study of professional issues.
- The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is a three year programme which consists of three key interrelated elements: teaching, clinical placements and research.
