Structure of the degree
Print version
We are a postgraduate-led Department that recruit 80% more postgraduates than undergraduates each year, this means we can balance research with our commitment to teaching. Teaching, particularly at Masters-level, is research-led, and the classroom provides a key platform for disseminating research as well as for developing new ideas and financing staff recruitment in emerging areas of research interest. We offer 13 Masters Programmes, including 7 with ESRC recognition and 2 MScs with NERC studentships that feed into our PhD programme.
In the first year PhD candidates usually take a number of graduate courses for further professional development and to enhance their technical and theoretical knowledge base in their field of study. This training will typically consist of taking relevant courses on research methodology and/or specialised topics offered in the Department’s taught Postgraduate programmes (MA, MSc, or MRes). The precise training requirements of candidates are established in consultation with their supervisors. Currently more than 30 methodological and thematic postgraduate courses are open to PhD students in the Department, and it is often possible for students to take courses in other departments of the College and within the University of London.
Candidates are initially registered as MPhil students on entry into the graduate programme, with an upgrade to PhD status after defending their research plans before a review panel at the end of the first year. Candidates who possess a degree equivalent to an MPhil can register for a PhD on entry, with their registration requirement reduced by one year.
Students have a first and second supervisor for their PhD. The first supervisor is the primary point of call for supervision, with the second supervisor being closely involved but rather more informally. Both supervisors are present at progress meetings. Student progress is independently monitored by the Postgraduate Research Committee (PARC).
In the first year PhD candidates usually take a number of graduate courses for further professional development and to enhance their technical and theoretical knowledge base in their field of study. This training will typically consist of taking relevant courses on research methodology and/or specialised topics offered in the Department’s taught Postgraduate programmes (MA, MSc, or MRes). The precise training requirements of candidates are established in consultation with their supervisors. Currently more than 30 methodological and thematic postgraduate courses are open to PhD students in the Department, and it is often possible for students to take courses in other departments of the College and within the University of London.
Candidates are initially registered as MPhil students on entry into the graduate programme, with an upgrade to PhD status after defending their research plans before a review panel at the end of the first year. Candidates who possess a degree equivalent to an MPhil can register for a PhD on entry, with their registration requirement reduced by one year.
Students have a first and second supervisor for their PhD. The first supervisor is the primary point of call for supervision, with the second supervisor being closely involved but rather more informally. Both supervisors are present at progress meetings. Student progress is independently monitored by the Postgraduate Research Committee (PARC).