Postgraduate Prospectus

www.essex.ac.uk | Taught courses
Masters courses
A Masters course is an academically
rigorous programme during which you
explore your chosen subject in depth,
reaching a high level of specialist
knowledge in a short time. You draw
on your knowledge and skills from your
undergraduate study or your professional
life to produce work of a high academic
standard, informed by current thinking
and debate.
A Masters course lasts for twelve months
(full-time) and consists of taught modules
and normally a research-based dissertation
totalling 180 credits. The balance of taught
modules and research varies according
to the subject but, typically, the research
element will count for 60 credits and there
will be 120 credits of taught modules,
varying from 10 to 40 credits each. There
are usually several compulsory modules
and a range of optional modules. (If you
are from the EU, then you should note
that our Masters courses are regarded
as ‘second-cycle’ qualifications under the
Bologna Declaration and consist of 90
ECTS credits).
Our courses start in October, so you
take taught modules during your autumn
and spring terms. If any of your taught
modules include an examination, this will
be in May and June. Your dissertation
or other project-based work is submitted
in September.
Studying with us gives you an opportunity
to develop your own ideas and interests,
and to engage with thinking at the leading
edge of your subject, as part of the research
community in your department, school
or centre and our wider academic and
professional community. Our graduates
go into a variety of jobs, where the key
employability skills and knowledge they
have gained through postgraduate study
at Essex are put to good use.
If you achieve your Masters, you may wish
to extend your knowledge with a research
degree and many who graduate from Essex
choose to stay here for research study.
Some of our Masters may be taken as the
first part of an Integrated PhD, leading to
your PhD after a further three years of
full-time study.
Certificates and Diplomas
In some of our subjects, Postgraduate
or Graduate Certificates and Diplomas
are available, which last for six to nine
months (full-time) and consist of 60 or
120 credits of taught modules, respectively.
Our Graduate Diplomas equip those with a
Bachelors degree with specific knowledge
to proceed to a Masters in a different
subject area. Our Postgraduate Certificates
and Diplomas consist of the modules and
assessed work of a Masters, without your
dissertation element.
Tatiana Porto, Sao Paulo,
Brazil – MSc Biotechnology ’11,
MPhD Biochemistry
I always had the UK in mind
for postgraduate studies
because of its tradition, quality
and worldwide impact. I care
about research and teaching
standards, so Essex’s results in this
helped make my decision to move from
Sao Paulo to Colchester.
As my undergraduate course in Brazil
focused on a chemical approach, I
needed a biological understanding
to pursue a career in this area. During my
MSc Biotechnology, I got these essential
skills and knowledge, and tested this
during my summer research project.
I decided to stay at Essex for my PhD
as I was enjoying my work so wanted
to extend my research in this area and
continue working with my supervisor,
who is extremely helpful.
Essex offers everything you need,
as well as support that is extremely
important for an international student.
The University’s international community
helps you establish contacts which
can be important later and the friendly
environment is stimulating; I love
the mix between lecturers, staff
members, researchers, lab
technicians, undergraduates
and postgraduates.
Student
profile
Postgraduate Prospectus 2012 | 19