Postgraduate Prospectus

Research degrees | www.essex.ac.uk
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Doctoral Programme
Our three-year programme combines
specialist training with preparation and
submission of a thesis, where your first
year requires you to take a number of
taught modules, which may correspond
to the taught elements of a Masters.
After your first year, you continue with
supervised research and receive training
in professional and research skills, and
attend graduate research workshops.
Our doctoral programmes are available
in accounting, economics, political
science, refugee care, sociology
and statistics.
You may commence your PhD in October,
January or April. Our Integrated PhD
and our Doctoral Programme commence
in October.
Professional doctorates
Professional doctorates are available in a
number of subjects offered by our School
of Health and Human Sciences and Centre
for Psychoanalytic Studies. Our doctorates
combine professional training, teaching and
research in a way that is relevant to current
practice. We offer them for initial training
(full-time) or for experienced professionals
(part-time).
Code of practice for
research degrees
We have a formal code of practice for
our research students, outlining the
responsibilities of both you and us. This
covers admission and selection procedures,
through to supervision and progress
monitoring, to final examination.
Skills training
Research skills training is provided
by your department, school or centre, and
developed through one-to-one guidance
by your supervisor and more formal
workshops, seminars and specific
research methods modules. Most of our
departments, schools and centres have
an annual research student conference,
where you can present your work.
Our skills programme for research
students provides you with an opportunity
to acquire generic skills to help you through
your PhD, and prepares you for when you
graduate. For further information, please
see page 39.
Supervision
You will be allocated a supervisor whose
role it is to guide you through the different
stages of your research degree. In some
cases, you may have joint supervision by
two members of our staff. The support
provided by your supervisor is a key feature
of your research student experience and
you will have regular one-to-one meetings
to discuss progress on your research.
Initially, your supervisor will help you
develop your research topic and plan.
Twice a year, you have a supervisory board
meeting, which provides a more formal
opportunity to discuss your progress and
agree your plans for the next six months.
Distance learning
If you are resident overseas, and hold
very high qualifications and/or have
considerable relevant expertise, you may
register for a part-time research degree
without residence at our University. You
must demonstrate that you have the
necessary basic research skills (or that
arrangements have been made to acquire
such skills) and evidence of a high level
of ability in the English language, if your
first language is not English. Supervisory
arrangements will be specified
individually and will include, for example,
the frequency and mode of contact
with your supervisor and the periods
of time to be spent at Essex.
22 | Postgraduate Prospectus 2012