Prospective Research Students

The following pages will provide anyone interested in undertaking a research degree at Worcester with information about subject areas in which we supervise, how to go about applying and some information on what funding is available. You will also find plenty of valuable information under the heading Information for Current Research Students.

Postgraduate research is a high priority at the University of Worcester. The importance placed on research excellence ensures that as a research student you will be trained and challenged to produce research of the highest standard.

There is a thriving community of over 100 research students at the University, based within the Graduate Research School. Current student research interests include; allergens in carpets and the influence of vacum cleaning on allergen removal and concentrations in the air; children with learning disabilities in Mumbai, India; the perception of male student atheletes on the importance of winning within University sports, crime and outrage during the Great Irish Famine; how the identity category of disability might be (re)constituted during a creative performance process etc.

Categories of Research Degrees

MPhil (Master of Philosophy) normally requires two years' full-time or four years' part-time study. Students who have been awarded an MPhil degree will have demonstrated to an external examiner their ability to undertake an appropriate research programme or to produce a critical analysis of existing knowledge in a defined field.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) by thesis normally requires three years' full-time or six years' part-time study. PhD research should include a distinct contribution to the current knowledge of the subject. The thesis should show systematic study and independent, critical and original powers and should be worthy of publication in whole or part.

PhD by Portfolio is a route open only to current staff of two years standing or former staff who have left the University's employment in the last two years. It is a route that allows individuals to use existing research outputs - which may include books and journal papers, but also software, performances and many other forms of output - to build a portfolio which fulfils the criteria of a PhD by thesis, i.e. at base it must be a distinct contribution to the current knowldege of the subject. The portfolio is accompanied by a 10,000 word document that acts as a commentary and justifciation for the portfolio. A full guide can be found here.

The University is seeking to expand further its research degrees portfolio to include Masters by Research (MRes) and Professional Doctorates.

University of Worcester research degrees are validated by Coventry University. As of April 2008, the University has awarded 24 MPhils and 82 PhDs.