Postgraduate Prospectus 2013 - Swansea University

RESEARCH DEGREES
Research degrees, typically one
– three years in duration, are
academically rigorous programmes
that demand in-depth study of a
topic for a sustained period of time.
The award of a doctorate or other
research degree recognises the
patience and commitment of
successful candidates, the high-level
skills they have gained, and their
ability to present original research
that furthers understanding of the
subject matter.
Research students will normally undertake
some training in research methods before
embarking on their programme of
research. They will have an academic
supervisor who will advise and support the
direction of their research for the duration
of the degree, and a co-supervisor will
provide additional support as required.
After submitting a PhD thesis, students are
normally expected to defend their thesis
orally in a viva voce examination, and to
demonstrate how their research is original
and contributes to the field of study.
RESEARCH DEGREES – INDEX
92 Ageing Studies
94 American Studies
96 Biosciences
98 Business Management
100 Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology
102 Computer Science
104 Criminal Justice and Criminology
106 Cymraeg – Academi Hywel Teifi
108 Economics
110 Engineering
114 English
116 Geography
Choosing a research topic
Research degrees, especially at MPhil
and PhD level, are very different from
undergraduate and taught Master’s
programmes as there is no defined list of
courses to choose from. MPhil and PhD
degrees can be pursued on any academic
topic, as long as the College you are
applying to has the expertise to guide
and supervise your study.
You should normally identify a topic area
within which you would wish to work and
discuss this with the Admissions Tutor for
the subject area before making a formal
application. Even if you have a more
developed research proposal in mind, we
recommend that you approach the relevant
Admissions Tutor for advice.
Potential applicants are partnered with
potential supervisors at an early stage.
This chemistry is vital to ensuring:
• that you receive the advice and
guidance you need to decide whether
or not a research degree at Swansea
University is right for you
• that the supervisor is enthused and
motivated by the topic
• that you move smoothly into an
appropriate research group (where
applicable)
• that you complete and write up your
research within the required timeframe.
Information about the research strengths of
each academic area can be found in the
following subject entries and on the
University website (www.swansea.ac.uk).
These strengths will provide an insight into
the broad subject areas that research
degrees can be supervised in and, ideally,
you should be able to relate your
proposed research area to these topics.
Which research degree?
The University offers a number of research
degrees, including:
PhD: PhD students undertake supervised
research over a three-year, full-time period
of study. Research is then presented in the
form of a thesis of not more than 100,000
words. The thesis must demonstrate the
student’s capacity to pursue original
research and should represent a distinct
and significant contribution to the subject.
118 Health and Social Sciences
120 History
122 Law
124 Mathematics
126 Media Studies
128 Medicine
132 Modern Languages and Translation
134 Physics
136 Politics, International Relations and Development Studies
138 Psychology
140 Sport and Excercise Science
141 War and Society
The first year of registration for a PhD
is a period of official probation, requiring
departmental assessment before the
candidate is allowed to proceed.
MPhil: may be completed in two to three
years’ full-time study (four-five years
part-time). Candidates are required to
submit a thesis of up to 60,000 words
and assessment is in the form of an oral
examination (viva).
In some cases, there may be opportunities
for students to upgrade from the degree
to PhD during the course of their studies.
MA/MSc/LLM by Research: Typically one
year full-time, two to three years part-time.
This is an individual research project
written up into a thesis of 30,000 words.
MRes: The aim of the MRes (Master of
Research) is to provide relevant training
to acquire the knowledge, techniques and
understanding needed for a professional
career, or for progression to higher
academic studies, normally a PhD.
The MRes is achieved through a
combination of taught modules (worth
60 credits) and a research thesis which
presents the outcome of a significant
research project (worth 120 credits).
EngD: The Engineering Doctorate prepares
Engineering students for research and
technology leadership careers in industry
and is fully supported by the Engineering
and Physical Sciences Research Council.
The EngD is a four-year scheme consisting
of one year of taught modules followed by
an industry-linked research project. For
further information, see page 110.
MD: In addition to the PhD, the School of
Medicine offers the postgraduate degree
of Doctor of Medicine (MD) through
supervised research within individual
research groups.
DProf: (Doctorate in Professional Practice):
The DProf is a six-year, part-time Doctorate,
aimed at professionals working in the
health and social care professions as well
as higher education. The programme is
underpinned by a philosophy which values
the professional context of the candidate’s
own practice and is therefore focused on
research conducted by practitioners in their
own workplace. Although the structure of
the programme is similar to the traditional
PhD programme it is structured around
three themes, which include:
• Planning research for practice
• Initiating and managing change
• Evaluation and synthesis of theory
and practice.
The degree ensures that the candidate’s
profession and workplace interconnect
throughout the whole programme, so that
research conducted is relevant to their own
practice and workplace.
Is a research degree right for me?
Yes, if you want to:
• Pursue a career in academia or research
• Explore an individual topic in depth
• Acquire extensive and specialised
research skills
• Enhance your career prospects.
Can I study part-time?
Part-time study is possible for UK and EU
students, but you are encouraged to
contact the Academic Department in
question before applying. Part-time study
is not possible for international students.
Assessment through the medium
of Welsh
You may present research work in the
Welsh language if your supervisors are
able to oversee work through the
medium of Welsh.
For details of the University’s range of
taught Master’s programmes, please
see pages 29 – 89.
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