postgraduate research degrees - … research degrees contents why choose a research degree? 3 what...

World-leading research with real-world impact

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREES

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Research of national and international excellence is at the heartof academic life at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).If you choose to embark upon a research degree here, you canbe sure this would be one of the most rewarding experiencesin your academic life. UCLan enjoys an established reputationfor research in a wide range of academic disciplines and has agrowing community of researchers who are respected by theiracademic peers and tackle real-world issues. In the most recentUK-wide Research Assessment Exercise, 11 areas of the University’s research were judged to be world-leading, with a further six assessed as being of international significance.

Opportunities are available in all UCLan academic schools to undertake supervised research at Doctoral and Master’s level. Most research degreescan be studied either on a full-time or part-time basis.


ContentsWhy choose a research degree? 3

What you need to know before applying for a research degree 4

How to write a research proposal 6

World-leading research with real-world impact at UCLan 8

Professional Doctorates 13

Training 16

Research conferences and events 18

Funding your research degree 20

How to apply for a research degree 21

About UCLan 22

Research degrees are a great way to satisfy your own personal and professional curiosity in a specific area of academic interest, to gain invaluable skills and knowledge to progressyour career and ultimately to add to the global bank of knowledge in your chosen field.

At UCLan we offer the following types of research degree:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – a PhD is the most common research degree and allows you to adopt the title Doctor (Dr) on successful completion. A PhD will normally take between 3 and 4 years full-time or 6 to 7 years part-time to complete.

• Professional Doctorates – a Professional Doctorate is regarded as being of the same status as a PhD and also allows you to adopt the title Doctor (Dr) on successful completion. These programmes are normally undertaken by experienced practitioners in their sector or discipline.

• Master’s (MSc/MA/LLM) by Research – a Master’s by Research will normally take between 1 and 2 years full-time or 2 to 3 years part-time to complete and is an alternative to a taught Master’s programme.

3www.uclan.ac.uk/research

WHY CHOOSE A RESEARCH DEGREE?

Research degrees, most commonly PhDs, differ from taught programmes in that they offerthe opportunity to conduct your own bespoke research project, working alongside an expertin your chosen field, who may be conducting world-leading or cutting-edge research themselves.

British PhDs are internationally recognised and allow you to adopt the title of Doctor (Dr)upon successful completion.

Research degrees are also quite different from the taught programmes in that you will develop your own research proposal, set your own timelines in discussion with your supervisor, and organise your own day-to-day timetable, so you will need to be highly organised, self-motivated and committed to achieving your goals, within the timeframe required.

You will be supported and guided throughout by your own personal team of supervisors,who will have extensive knowledge in your field of interest, and who will help keep youmoving in the right direction, help you remain on schedule, be your mentor, but also challenge you and your research as you progress.

A PhD can open doors to careers in a wide range of professions, including academia, pure and applied research in public, private and voluntary sector organisations, and professionalcareers in engineering, law, education, medicine and more – in fact, in some areas, holding aPhD is a prerequisite for establishing yourself at the appropriate entry level in your career ofchoice.

A PhD is a challenging undertaking, but one that will reward you both personally and professionally. It will help you develop a wide range of transferable skills, helping to makeyou highly employable and a valuable asset to any organisation.

Most research degrees can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis, and you can start your research degree on 1 October, 1 January, 1 April or 1 July each year.

Deciding to undertake a research degree is a potentially life-changing step. Before applying,you need to consider:

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWBEFORE APPLYING FOR A RESEARCH DEGREE

• what your commitment is to undertaking a research degree

• how you will fit your research degree around your other commitments over an extended period, particularly if you are working and undertaking your degree part-time

• what your career aspirations are and how your research degree will support these

Q What’s involved in a research degree?

• A PhD enables you to work independently to explore your own chosen field, supported by a supervisor, who will help you develop your research topic and keep you on track.

• Towards the end of your research degree, you will be required to write up your thesis. • You will also take part in an oral examination (viva), conducted by specialists in your field of research, during which you

will need to show how you have critically investigated your area of research and made an independent and original contribution to knowledge.

• Throughout your degree, you will not only spend time conducting your research, but also undertaking relevant training and perhaps at times attending taught sessions, as appropriate.

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Q What training is available?

See the training section of this brochure for more information about training or visit our website at www.uclan.ac.uk/researchA

Q What are the study requirements of a research degree?

• Research students will be expected to attend regularly for supervision, training and other research activities. Your subject area and study mode will determine the amount of time you need to spend studying on-campus - normally you are expected to be resident in the UK and live within daily travelling distance of the University. Some programmes will include periods of fieldwork away from the University either in the UK or abroad.

• Expected study hours per week for research degrees are:full-time research students - 36 hours per week, part-time research students - 18 hours per week.

• In order to complete your research degree on schedule, you need to study for 44 weeks per year.

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Q What support is available?

Your director of studies will meet with you regularly to supervise your PhD and ensure that you have training and support throughout your research degree. As a research student, you will have access to a wide range of specialist facilities and resources, dependent on your chosen area of research. You may also be able to take the opportunity to teach, with support available to you as a novice teacher.

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Q Can I work while I study?

Although we understand the financial pressures that students are under, you are strongly advised not to take on any additional work, unless you can be sure that your research work will not suffer. Full-time students are advised not to take on more than six hours work per week.

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Q Can I gain some teaching experience?

At various times in the year, there may be opportunities to gain some teaching and demonstrating experience. If you do not hold an appropriate teaching qualification, we provide support and training to enable you to achieve this.A

Q What will I do when I graduate?

Doctoral graduates can be highly employable in a wide range of occupations, both within the higher education sector and in public, private and third sector organisations. Graduates can fulfil very diverse roles, both using their specialist knowledge and their high-level research skills. Vitae’s website at www.vitae.ac.uk provides information on the first destinations of UK doctoral graduates by subject, as well as by broad disciplines.

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Q How do I write a research proposal?

Your research proposal is an outline of your proposed research project. It should highlight the originality and significance of your proposed research, explaining how it adds to, develops or challenges existing research in your field.

Potential supervisors and funders will review your research proposal, so you should make contact with potential supervisors before completing and submitting your final proposal. Additionally, different schools and research areas withinUCLan may require a slightly different approach to writing your research proposal, so please contact the Research StudentRegistry to identify potential research supervisors - email [email protected] or call +44 (0)1772 895082.See page 6 of this brochure or our website at www.uclan.ac.uk/research for further guidance about how to write a research proposal.

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Q How do I find a supervisor?

Once you have developed an outline of the area in which you would like to conduct your research, you need to research and identify potential supervisors. If you are assessed to be a research student with good potential, with an initial researchidea that has the necessary scope, we will help you find a suitable research supervisor, who will then support you in designing your research proposal.

• You can find a list of the areas of research supported at UCLan on pages 8-11 of this brochure and on our website at www.uclan.ac.uk/research

• You can also review UCLan research staff profiles on our website at www.uclan.ac.uk/research• Each UCLan academic school has a Research Degree Tutor who can help you identify a suitable supervisor

- contact the Research Student Registry, who will put you in touch with the appropriate Research Degree Tutor - email [email protected] or call +44 (0)1772 895082.

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HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Potential Outcomes:Explain in this section the defined outcomes you wouldlike to have achieved at the conclusion of your project.

Methodology: In this section, you should explain the methodologicaltools you will employ in your study.

Bibliography:You should include a bibliography with briefdetails of any existing literature you have reviewed in your area of study, to ensure your proposal will add to existing knowledge.

Aims:Here you need to focus on the key questions your research will address and identify the potential timescales you will need to complete your project.

Title: Include a draft title for yourproposed research projectalong with details of whichdiscipline area it falls within.


“Coming to UCLan to study for a PhDwas the best decision I have ever made!”Maureen Kalane - PhD student, communication

I graduated with a Master’s degree fromone of the top eight traditional UK Universities, and, when I was applying for universities for my PhD, what was important to me was to find a modern,progressive and world-class university -one with a department that is rated highin the field of communication in the business and organisation context, and aculturally dynamic academic and social environment; and a university in a citythat is not too big - for affordability, comfort, safety and a friendly environment.When I did an online search, I was particularly impressed by UCLan, whichimmediately struck me as a dynamicmodern University and one strategicallyplaced in a city with the attributes I waslooking for.

Clearly, coming to UCLan to study for aPhD was the best decision I have evermade, in terms of choice of study environment - I got far more than I bargained for! UCLan is a modern university with an international focus, and is highly student-centred, catering for both the academic and emotionalwellbeing of students.

The research student support staff in particular arehighly professional, friendly and helpful; they gave me a wonderful first impression of UCLan at application and enrolment stages and continue to offer me and other postgraduate studentsworld-class customer care.“

I find that there is a culture of excellence at UCLan in everything, including teaching and research, and the Universityboasts world-class researchers that haveearned respect from academic peers globally. Lancashire Business School isalso outstanding in terms of teaching,

training and resources and research output. It has a vibrant Division of Communication, Marketing and PublicRelations, the teaching staff are highly experienced and I am personally being supervised by a team with a very soundacademic background, who also have experience in business, the corporateworld and public service.

I highly recommend UCLan to internationaland local students. UCLan is simply amazing and has given me so much exposure academically and otherwise

within a short span of time, through mentoring by my supervisory team andpostgraduate training programmes provided by the research student office.

I also like the fact that UCLan is situated in the amazing City of Preston, rich withcultural diversity and friendliness, and oneof those rare and spectacular places surrounded by hills and greenery and alsoonly half an hour or less to big cities likeManchester, Liverpool and Blackpool,with London just over two hours away.

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Research is at the heart of UCLan’s mission to work in partnership with businesses, the wider community and other educators, locally, nationally and world-wide. We actively promote research innovation, creativity and a research culturebased on quality and excellence. UCLan has a growing community of researchers who are respected by their academicpeers and tackle real-world issues and challenges. UCLan hasidentified four strands to demonstrate how our researchers address these challenges:

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYUCLan researchers address some of the biggest (and smallest)science and technology challenges. For example:

• research at the interfaces of biological, chemical and physical sciences exploiting the unique advantages of nanoscale structures and materials

• fundamental research into the physics of the Sun, stars, galaxies and the Universe

• user-led, application and cross-disciplinary research in areas such as digital manufacturing and advanced signal and image processing

• nuclear safety and nuclear security

• intelligent energy and the interaction between energy and society

Research degrees are available in:

• astronomy and astrophysics

• computing

• digital engineering

• energy and power management

• fire and hazard sciences

• forensic sciences

• materials science

• nuclear research

• physics

• tribotechnology

At UCLan, we are dedicated to developing a culture of breakthrough research. UCLan researchers cover a wide range of disciplines with talented teams working to solve thebig research questions that can really make a difference in the world. We are striving to inspire positive change by bringing academic excellence to life through innovation,research-informed approaches and real-world practicality.

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WORLD-LEADING RESEARCHWITH REAL-WORLD IMPACTAT UCLAN


• translating health and psychological evidence into high quality clinical and psychological care and treatment, and improved quality of life

• cutting-edge clinical research on drug design and delivery and neuronal and tissue dysfunction

• user-led applied research to develop and test healthcare technologies, instruments, devices and equipment

• influencing policy making and planning to improve practice and reduce inequality

• the Health Research Methodology and Implementation (HeRMI) hub provides methodological expertise to support the health and wellbeing research themes

• UCLan also hosts the Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit. This provides the dedicatedexpertise and support needed for the development, set-up and management, analysis and publication of clinical trials for researchers both nationally and internationally

HEALTH AND WELLBEINGIn conjunction with the healthcare industry, service users and the wider community, and in a strong cross-disciplinary environment,UCLan has a strong and broad-based engagement with health and wellbeing research encompassing:


• biomechanics and rehabilitation

• cancer research

• dentistry and medicine

• families, children and life transitions

• health and international justice

• mental health and wellbeing

• midwifery and maternal child health

• nanotechnology and bioengineering

• pharmacy and biomedical sciences

• psychology

• stroke research

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SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENTWith a wide-ranging research expertise across public policy development, business practice, environment, leisure activities,justice and equality, UCLan researchers are making a real contribution to improving our everyday lives. For example:

• national and international collaborations to help solve crimes and inform policies

• a focus on sustainability to improve our built and natural environment

• exciting archaeological activity taking place all over the world, including world-renowned sites such as Stonehenge

• research in social work, law, human rights, justice and equality, often user-led and interdisciplinary, to influence legislation, social policies and practice

• Cutting-edge research related to the practice, coaching, science, management and social aspects of sport


• archaeology

• built environment and sustainability

• business and management

• evidence-based policing

• healthy settings

• law

• social inclusion

• social work and social policy

• sport and exercise sciences

• tourism



• art and design

• history

• journalism, media theory and practice

• language, linguistics, culture and society

• literature and cultures

• modern languages and cultures

• philosophy

CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONUnderstanding culture and improving communication is becoming more important as we are increasingly living in andoperating across diverse communities. Our research contributesto this in areas such as:

• sign language linguistics

• art and design as a tool for change

• language usage within cultural, social, political, institutional and forensic contexts

• real-world philosophy

• digital media and the digital economy

• modern history eg labour history and labour identities and its relevance to the modern world

Pursuing a PhD at UCLan is one of themost important, independent decisions I have made so far in life. The opportunityto come to England and pursue a Doctorate does not happen often, and,for those who plan to pick up this opportunity, the decision about which university to approach can be a difficultone. Initially, I faced the same dilemma,but when I came across the InternationalPhD Scholarship programme at UCLan, it was by far the most appealing offer I received.

The University offers funding and supportbenefits, which ease the financial and social constraints, providing a secure andadvanced learning environment.

UCLan is emerging as one of the top-notch universities in North West England, incorporating world-class research and events, and offering an avalanche of opportunities, especially in the science and technology fields. I would certainly recommend a researchdegree here at UCLan for upcoming researchers who are in pursuit of an eminent academic career.

“An avalanche of opportunities at UCLan!”Gurpreet Singh - Final year PhD student, inorganic chemistry

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“ The state-of-the-art laboratories are fantastic, anda very friendly mentor-student relationship makes a researchdegree feel like a convivial and collaborative work environment.”


PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATES

Part-time, 4-7 years, January start

The DBA is specifically designed for experienced practitioners in business, industry and the professions, who areseeking to engage in a part-time research-orientated programme of postgraduate study, leading to the awardof a Professional Doctorate. The DBA isregarded as being of the same status asthe more commonly known PhD and permits you to use the title of ‘Dr’ upon

satisfactory completion.

As a Professional Doctorate, the DBAconsists of two stages: stage 1 is a taughtprogramme taken on a part-time basisover a two year period, followed by stage2, a research programme which youshould aim to complete in a further twoyear period of part-time study, althoughthe maximum period of study is sevenyears. The taught element of the programme consists of six taught modules,

each being completed through a four dayintensive workshop plus a period of privatestudy both before and after the workshop.The research element of the programme involves working on a DBA project, supported by a team who will help youdesign and implement it.

Contact: Lancashire Business School Tel: +44 (0)1772 894606Email: [email protected]

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) - mixed mode

Professional Doctorate in Education - mixed mode

Part-time, 5-7 years, January start

This programme builds upon an existingsuite of awards for the professional education of practitioners. The two-stagestructure (MEd/EdD) means educationalpractitioners can progressively developtheir research in practice part-time, culminating in doctoral research. TheDoctorate uses existing Master’s modulesfor Stage 1. Stage 2 comprises new modules at Level 8 taking participantsthrough to their final thesis. This

programme is about researching and developing educational practice - thereforeyour work environment will form a keylearning resource. Study days and contactwill involve you with a community of professional practitioners and researchers,through which you will engage in peercritique, collaborative learning and dissemination, and reflection. You will beencouraged to take an active part in thecommunity of practice around the Doctorate, face-to-face, online, in seminarsand research events. Teaching and learning

methods will include case analyses, workshops, visiting speakers, directedand independent reading, work-basedlearning, learning sets, practice-focusedassignments and research supervision.

Contact: School of Education and Social Science Tel: +44 (0)1772 893980Email: [email protected]

Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance - mixed mode

Full-time - 4 years, part-time - 7 years,September, December, January, March,April, June and July start dates

The Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (D.Prof) is an exciting andoriginal initiative, capable of providing ahigh-level, vocationally-focused award to abroad range of professionals, including,but not limited to, coaches (in sport andbusiness), scientists in support roles, medical/paramedical practitioners, military

and other structured service providers, andall those involved in the performing arts.Offering an equivalent to PhD level, theD.Prof provides an opportunity for thoseworking in elite performance to completea programme of study focused on individual needs. The award of D.Prof consists of two components - the taughtelement of the programme and a period of independent research, leading to thesubmission of a thesis for the ProfessionalDoctorate.

The programme has been designed to reflect professional considerations and offers a flexible and independent learningenvironment.

Contact: Aine MacNamara Tel: +44 (0)1772 894573Skype: ainemacnamaraEmail: [email protected]

UCLan offers a range of Professional Doctorates across a number of disciplines, includinglaw, education, sport, health, the creative arts and business. These are aimed at experienced practitioners in their particular field who wish to take their own studies andresearch further to doctoral level. These include:

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Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice - mixed mode

Full-time, 3 years, or part-time, 5 years,October and February start dates

The Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice is a logical next step for thosewho work within the legal profession orin related fields, such as criminal justice orsocial welfare, and who wish to continuetheir academic study. As the legal marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, postgraduate academicstudy which has a clear relationship with legal practice is becoming more

attractive for those individuals wishing to enhance their career prospects. It ispossible for individuals to obtain creditfor any postgraduate study already completed (eg the Legal Practice Courseor an LLM), so that you only have to ‘topup’ the number of modules to gain theaward. Students can choose from arange of taught postgraduate modules(including those on the Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Legal Practice and those offered across our suite of LLMs).

Students will also complete a 60,000word thesis on an area of legal practice.

This programme can be studied full-timeon-campus or part-time by blendedlearning.

Contact: Jane Anthony, Dean, Lancashire Law School Tel: +44 (0)1772 893088Email: [email protected]

Professional Doctorate in Health - mixed mode

Part-time, 5-7 years, September andJanuary start dates

The Professional Doctorate in Health (PrD)is an exciting initiative, providing a high-level, vocationally focused award,suitable for a broad range of healthcarepractitioners, including, but not limitedto, nurses, medical/paramedical practitioners, allied health professionals,practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, midwives and

healthcare educators. Offering an equivalent to PhD level, the PrD providesan opportunity to complete an advancedprogramme of study, focused on your individual needs. The programme buildsupon an existing suite of awards for theprofessional education of practitioners.The two-stage structure (MSc/PrD) meansthat you can progressively develop yourresearch in practice part-time, culminatingin doctoral research. The Doctorate usesa range of Master’s modules for Stage 1

and Stage 2 comprises the doctoral research at Level 8, taking you through to your final thesis. Depending on themodules chosen, the modes of study may include campus study or elearning.

Contact: Dr Victoria Hall Moran Tel: +44 (0)1772 893830Email: [email protected]

Doctor of Arts in Creative Arts (Music Industry Management and Promotion)Doctor of Arts in Creative Arts (Music Practice)Doctor of Arts in Creative Arts (Arts Health)

Doctor of Arts in Creative Arts (Creative Practice)

Full-time 3 years, part-time 6 years, ora combination of full and part-time,September start

These practice-based modular doctoralprogrammes allow students to specialisein research at the very highest level, whilstreceiving guidance in current researchmethods. Practice is at the forefront ofthe programmes and students will receiveone-to-one supervisory guidance (at timeswith two or more members of staff) withexperienced specialists and tutors, who areleading the field in practice-based work.

There is also the possibility of collaborationbetween different disciplines, so someonewith an interest in the intersection between music and art, for example, may be able to explore these disciplines at doctoral level.

The programmes are in essence dividedinto two parts: a Level 7 taught elementand a Level 8 research element. Music Industry Management and Promotion,Music Practice and Arts Health also haveseparately validated Master’s routes,whereby students may enrol for one of

these Master’s programmes and then decide to continue with the Level 8 research element of the Doctorate.

In some instances, students who alreadyhold a relevant Master’s award and havea specific area of research interest may beable to be accepted on to the ProfessionalDoctorate at Level 8.

Contact: Nick CasswellTel: +44 (0)1772 4293Email: [email protected]

Professional Doctorate in Applied Policy Science - on-campus

Full-time 3 years, part-time 5 years,September start

This doctoral programme in Applied Policy Science provides the policy-relevantskills and knowledge to empower participants to address complex issuesconfronting civil society in policy and governance and enable them to competeand excel in careers in public, policy andpolitical-facing roles.

Part of the programme is delivered as

taught modules, including one in a leading Westminster policy ‘think tank’.However, the majority of this programmecomprises major pieces of student-centredresearch and the production of a dissertation and a thesis. Consequently,students will be encouraged to tailor their studies to align the programme withareas of personal or professional interest.

Centred on a conceptual and theoreticalrepertoire applied to real-world policyproblems and contexts, the Doctorate in

Applied Policy Science develops the abilityto apply a policy science approach to create, critically evaluate and communicatepolicy-relevant knowledge. It includesmodules on policy, governance, globalisation, policy research and advocacy,constitutional frameworks and researchmethods.

Contact: Dr Rick WylieTel: +44 (0)1946 517204Email: [email protected]


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TRAINING

In 2001, the UK Research Councils, in collaboration with the UK GRAD Programmeand the HE sector, developed the JointStatement of Skills Training Requirementsof Research Postgraduates. This documentsets out a joint statement of the skills thatpostgraduate researchers funded by theResearch Councils would be expected todevelop during their research training.

Since that time, Vitae have interpreted these skills into a framework - the Researcher Development Framework. Vitae is a UK organisation, which champions the personal, professionaland career development of doctoral researchers and researchstaff in higher education institutions and research institutes. The Research Development Framework (RDF) enables institutions to develop training within a structure mapped to each of the domains.

All UCLan research staff and student training is mapped to thefour domains, and starts with research students entering UCLan,and continuing all the way up to our Professoriate. UCLan wasawarded the HR Excellence in Research Award, at a time whenonly 28 universities had achieved this accolade. Now, the HR Excellence in Research Award is held by over 120 organisationsacross Europe. It acknowledges institutions which are implementing the principles of the European Charter and Code of Recruitment of Researchers and have robust plans in place to enhance working conditions for researchers.

Our students can therefore have confidence in our researchtraining programme, and we strive continuously to provide ourstudents with the most topical, valuable and career-enhancingtraining opportunities, as well as delivering this training in innovative ways.

Training courses include:

• Academic Writing - Organisation and Structure • Academic Writing - Style and Originality • Effective CVs and Covering Letters• Epigeum - Online Learning Suite• Graduate Career Skills Programme• Graduate Research Skills Programme - 2 week block• Identifying Your Future Career • Introduction to Research Ethics• Managing Annual Progression• Managing Research Programme Approval • Managing Transfer from MPhil to PhD • Obtaining Ethical Approval at UCLan• Practice Based Research • Statistics for Researchers - Designing Your Study• Statistics for Researchers• Thesis Structure • Undertaking Your Literature Review

For full details of our current research training programme, see our Training Brochure on the website atwww.uclan.ac.uk/research

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I chose UCLan because they have a greatforensic department and I couldn't bemore happy with my choice. UCLan has a great infrastructure and my team of supervisors is amazing. Ever since I gothere, I was in a welcoming environment,filled with everything I need to develop asa researcher and a professional. Here, Ihave the opportunity to attend differentcourses aimed at helping me developskills relevant to professional life, so Iknow that when I graduate, I'll be able to use them to the fullest.

I think that forensic genetics is a very importantfield of study because it has the possibility of helping thousands of people.

I want to use my degree to help developthe research in the field in my homecountry, and I think that UCLan has thebest course that I could ask for.

“My team of supervisors is amazing!”Lais Baptista - PhD student, forensic genetics

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UCLan holds a number of conferences and eventseach year, specifically for our research students. These include:

• Research Now

An annual conference for new research students, allowing them toshowcase their own research to peers,and gain experience of how to present and promote their research.

• Annual Postgraduate Research Conference

A poster competition for all UCLan research students to showcase their research.

UCLan has also pioneered the engagement of current undergraduatesand even those still at school or college in real academic research programmes,through initiatives such as the Undergraduate Research scheme, aimedat our undergraduate student body, and the Young Researchers programme,targeted at years 12 and 13 in schoolsand colleges.

RESEARCH CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerry Kelleher, along with winners Aisha Bismallah and Karl Povey, and UCLan Director of Researchand Innovation Professor Robert Walsh at the British Conference for Undergraduate Research ‘Posters in Parliament’ exhibition at theHouse of Commons.

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When I initially started my undergraduatedegree in astrophysics at UCLan, I had nointention of undertaking a postgraduatedegree. However, the enthusiasm and excellence of the lecturers excited me toconsider further studies, with UCLanbeing the obvious choice.

During my Master's degree I was encouraged to attend conferences andfound myself at international meetings inSlovakia, Spain and Belgium. After a oneyear Master's degree at UCLan, my desireto do research had been further driven by my world-renowned supervisor andthe dynamic team that I had become apart of.

Thus, when I was offered a PhD position,there was no question that I wanted tocontinue to be a part of this vibrant team.

During my PhD I havewritten multiple peer-reviewedpublications and successful proposals, thanks to the support of my department.

Consequently, I have attended and presented at more than six conferences in places such as Asia, Australia, Americaand Europe, with the highlight of my PhD being a year of study in Philadelphia.The result of these activities is the international recognition of my researchby the scientific community and exposureto prospective employers and collaborators.My ultimate goal is a successful career inacademia.

“I have received international recognition of my research by the scientific community”Kelly Hambleton - PhD student, astrophysics

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UNIVERSITY-FUNDED STUDENTSHIPSUCLan advertises a range of funding schemes at different timesthroughout the year. These include the University’s own studentships and bursaries and those from external organisationsincluding the Research Councils, the NHS, commerce and industry. Most funding is for PhD places. These are frequentlyopen to international applicants and may offer full or part-funding.When studentships at UCLan become available, these opportunities are advertised via the national press, on websitessuch as www.jobs.ac.uk and also on the University’s Research Bursaries and Studentships webpage at www.uclan.ac.uk/bursaries. Appointments will then bemade, following shortlisting and interview.

UK/EU STUDENTSFunding can be sourced from a number of organisations, but competition for funding is often very fierce. Schemes vary andmay provide either full funding or partial funding for tuition fees.Some may also include a maintenance grant. Options include:

Research Council FundingThe University offers a number of Research Council studentshipseach year. These will be advertised on the UCLan website. Theseare only open to UK or EU residents and eligibility for fundingentitlement varies for UK and EU students. You should consultthe website of the relevant Research Council for further details.

Company sponsorshipIt may be worthwhile enquiring at your place of work to see ifthere is a sponsorship scheme for staff development available toassist you in funding your research degree.

Other trusts and charitiesInformation about charitable or educational trusts can be foundin the following publications:

• Directory of Grant Making Trusts • The Grant Register • Charities Digest • The Educational Grants Advisory Service

LoansIt may be possible to obtain a Career Development Loan for programmes which have relevance to your vocation. For furtherinformation, visit the Career Development Loans website atwww.gov.uk/career-development-loans. It may also be possible to secure a bank or building society loan to cover costs.

Other sources of informationThe Department for Education and Skills (DfES) also issues anumber of publications. Lists can be obtained from: PO Box5050, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6ZQ. Tel: +44 (0)845 6022260.

Web informationThere is a wide range of information on the web relating to postgraduate funding. The Prospects website atwww.prospects.ac.uk offers useful advice on postgraduatefunding opportunities. The Euraxess - Researchers in Motionwebsite at www.ec.europa.eu/euraxess is useful to search forinternational funding opportunities, including travel to conferences,organising meetings, short research visits, fellowships etc.

INTERNATIONALSTUDENTSFunding schemes for international students are very competitive. To be successful, you normally need to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. You should make enquiries about funding opportunities at an early stage, approximately 12-18 months before you intend to commence your research degree. As a start point, youshould contact the Ministry of Education in your own country. Your local British Council office may also provide helpful information.

Chevening ScholarshipsThis is a UK Government scholarship scheme that offers exceptional candidates the opportunity to study for postgraduate research degrees at leading universities. The programme covers a wide range of disciplines. For details of the latest scheme, consult the website atwww.chevening.org.

It is important that you know how you are going to fund your research degree and to ensure that you have the resources to pay tuition fees and living expenses. You are advised to explore funding opportunities at an early stage of the application process.

FUNDING YOUR RESEARCH DEGREE


Stage 3: Your application

StudentshipsWhen studentships for postgraduate research degrees become available, theyare advertised on the University’s research studentship webpage atwww.uclan.ac.uk/research whichalso includes all the forms you need tocomplete.

General applicationsYou will need to submit an applicationform either by post to the address onthe application form, or by email to [email protected].

Appointments will be made followingshortlisting and interviews.

It is important to enclose all requestedinformation, so that the University canmake an informed decision about your application - you should include:

• a completed application form • your research proposal • copies of your first degree/Master’s

degree qualification certificates and transcripts, with certified translations where applicable. We reserve the rightto request sight of original certificates or further information

• evidence of your English language qualification, where English is not your first language - see our website at www.uclan.ac.uk/research for full information

• two academic references - you must send reference forms to your academicreferees. These may be submitted separately, and the completed references should be forwarded to the address on the reference form

• for international students, a copy of your current passport and visa, if applicable.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A RESEARCH DEGREE

If you would like further information about how to apply for a research degree, how to finda supervisor, how to write a research proposal or have any other queries, please contact ourResearch Student Registry at [email protected] or call +44 (0)1772 895082. We will do our best to help you. The following step-by-step guide may also assist in understanding the application process.

Stage 2: Before applying

Subject areaAvailable research areas are listed onpages 8-11 of this brochure and the latest information can be viewed on our website at www.uclan.ac.uk/research.If you are submitting your own proposalfor a research project, we suggest thatyou contact the relevant UCLan School’sResearch Degree Tutor to discuss yourtopic before applying - contact [email protected] orcall +44 (0)1772 895082 for details.

Entry requirementsEntry requirements for research studentscan be found on our website atwww.uclan.ac.uk/research.

Tuition feesTuition fees for Home/EU research students can be found on our websiteat www.uclan.ac.uk/research.

FundingIf you are fully or partially funding yourself, you should ensure that youhave sufficient monies for tuition fees, any bench fee and living expenses for

the duration of your research degreeprogramme. You should make enquiriesabout funding opportunities before applying, and if you are an internationalstudent, this should be at an early stage,approximately 12-18 months beforeyou intend to commence studying.

If you are unable to self-fund your research degree, you may be able toobtain funding elsewhere.

See page 20 of this brochure for further information.

Stage 1: When to apply

New research students can start on anyof the following dates: 1 October, 1 January, 1 April or 1 July. Applicationforms are accepted throughout the year

and you should indicate your preferred start date on the form. However, thereare admission deadlines for each entrypoint set by the Research Student Registry. Applications for studentships,including RCUK Studentships, will have

separate deadlines. If you are an international student, you need to takeinto consideration the time to obtain avisa, and additional time will be needed,if you need ATAS Clearance for yoursubject.

Global linksUCLan offers a truly international experience - we have students and researchers from over 120 countries and over 125 partnerships with other institutions across the globe. Over a fifth of our student body are on courses offered through international partnership arrangements and our commitment to international collaboration has seen us develop offices inChina, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nigeria and India.

In 2012, we opened a UCLan campus in Cyprus and furthercampuses are planned in other parts of the world over the coming years.

State-of-the-art facilitiesUCLan has invested over £100 million in the past five years innew buildings and facilities, including the £12.5 million J B Firthbuilding, designed to house the University’s forensic science,chemistry and fire study and research facilities. Our students andresearchers enjoy excellent IT support, including a pioneering virtual learning environment and an ultra-modern library and resources centre, offering contemporary study and research facilities. Other landmark buildings include a School of Dentistry,which, when it opened its doors in September 2007, was one of only two new dental schools to be created in England for over100 years. The University also recently invested over £15 millionin the iconic Media Factory building, which incorporates state-of-the-art facilities for digital media and performing artsstudents.

Enterprise cultureThe University has a strong focus on entrepreneurship and hasestablished a range of business incubation facilities for its students,graduates and local businesses. UCLan ranks in the top three nationally in the UK for the number of graduate business start-ups and is number one nationally for the sustainability ofthese businesses, with around 77% still trading successfully after two years.

UCLan’s roots go back to 1828, and our student and staff community now numbers over38,000. Our motto, ‘Ex solo ad solem’ which means ‘From the Earth to the Sun’, sums upour mission to help people from all walks of life make the most of their potential. UCLan’smain campus is in the City of Preston in the North West of England, a rich and culturally diverse place, with a relatively low cost of living. Good transport links mean the city is ideally placed for national and international travel.

ABOUT UCLAN

22

AccommodationUCLan has a range of excellent accommodation options, all either owned or leased by, or registered with, the University. Forfurther information, visit www.uclan.ac.uk/accommodation

Programme feesFor latest information about fees for our postgraduate programmes and other information regarding funding, call the Research Student Registry on +44 (0)1772 895082or email [email protected]

Where we areGood transport links mean that UCLan is ideally placed for national and international travel: we are just over two hoursfrom London by rail, less than an hour from Manchester and Liverpool, and their respective international airports, 20 minutesfrom the coast and one hour from the beautiful scenery of theLake District.

For full information about how to get to UCLan, visitwww.uclan.ac.uk/maps

Travel times to Preston from:

City Distance Travel time by train (approx.)

Manchester 31 miles 53minsLiverpool 36 miles 57minsLondon 229 miles 2hr 15minsBirmingham 107 miles 1hr 38minsEdinburgh 185 miles 2hr 35mins

LONDON

MANCHESTER

PRESTON

EDINBURGH

LIVERPOOL


For further information about research degrees at UCLan, contact us:Tel: +44 (0)1772 895082Email: [email protected]/research

Facebook.com/official.uclanTwitter.com/uclan

University of Central LancashirePrestonPR1 2HEUK

www.uclan.ac.uk

Information correct at time of going to print – August 2014

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