Accessibility
Registration for full-time funded study is expected to take place at the beginning of the academic year, during the second or third week of September. Students in receipt of funding to undertake full-time study must be available to register at this time. Part-time students may find that an alternative date is more suitable and the University has made provision to accommodate new enrolments throughout the year.
Research students are expected to pursue an investigation of a specific aspect of a subject in depth, under the supervision of a member of staff with similar research interests and the experience to provide guidance at the appropriate level. The student is required to complete a period of study as follows:
The programme of work is structured to enable the student to acquire competence in the methods of research and scholarship, and to produce a thesis demonstrating originality and sustained independent effort. During the study period, the student may attend courses in research methodology and will undertake an investigation as described above.
A candidate for the degree of MPhil will evaluate satisfactorily a chosen topic and will present a thesis clearly showing an understanding of the significance and context of the work.
A candidate for the degree of PhD will, in addition, be required to show that the work makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field.
Within Arts and Humanities, candidates are permitted – subject to certain restrictions – to submit a practical element in accompaniment to the thesis. Details of these requirements are available in the Research Studies Handbook and from the Research Office.
The University has a programme of generic and research skills training for all research students. This important programme, which runs throughout the student’s period of study, offers opportunities to improve awareness of a range of research methods; learn about research planning and time management; acquire effective presentation and other transferable skills; develop writing skills; learn about problem solving and creative thinking; and, to become familiar with a range of information sources and the means of accessing them. Full-time students are required to attend as a condition of continued funding and part-time students are strongly advised to do so. Further details are available at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/staffdev/Research_Training/controller.php.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Published Work is awarded in recognition of research which, as the title suggests, has already been published in book form or in academic journals.Applicants must have a record of publication in a particular area. The works to be considered must be based on original research and must constitute a significant and coherent contribution to knowledge.
Candidates will also be required to submit a thesis of 10-20,000 words demonstrating that the published work fulfils the requirements noted above.
Full details of this degree including eligibility criteria, regulations, rules and guidelines, are available from the Research Office.
This programme is available to applicants who have held a qualification registrable with the General Medical Council for at least three years.
This degree is available to graduates or members of staff of the University in recognition of distinguished contributions to scholarship or original research. Applications to this degree are based on published work and may be submitted not less than six years after first graduation in the University, or in the case of members of staff who are not graduates of the University, not less than six years after taking up appointment. Full details of this degree including eligibility criteria, regulations, rules and guidance, are available from the Research Office.
The Master of Research programme (MRes) was designed to provide a one year foundation to research, but at the same time to allow those who decide not to proceed to a PhD programme to obtain a qualification recognised in its own right. A key element to the programme is the inculcation of generic research skills.