Prospective students

Master of Research Programme(MRes)

The University of East London has offered the Master of Research (MRes) Programme since September 2003. The programme is also available as a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma. The following gives a brief introduction to the programme. Further information can be obtained by contacting Paul Kiff in the Graduate School at p.kiff@uel.ac.uk. An application form can be downloaded from here.

The University of East London is keen to encourage applications from overseas students. For taught postgraduate programmes such as the M.Res those with an equivalent degree classification of a first from a recognised university may receive a scholarship of £2,000. Likewise, students with a degree classification of Upper or Lower Second from a recognised university may receive a scholarship of £1,500 or £1,000. Please click here for further details of the international scholarship programme.

The MRes programme aims to prepare students to undertake advanced research in academic, industrial settings and to provide a foundation for doctoral study. Students are introduced to debates about the nature of research and theories of knowledge production and are helped to develop a range of personal and professional skills necessary for the organisation and management of research. Training in a variety of research approaches and methods is provided.

Although the MRes at UELdoes not guarantee access direct to the PhD phase of an MPhil/PhD programme, many UK Universities are now demanding the prior completion of an MRes or equivalent at Masters level before accepting applicants on to any PGR programme

In the UEL MRes:

Strong emphasis is given to the development of skills in collaborative teamwork

Students work in interdisciplinary groups to prepare presentations

Individual research projects leading to a dissertation may be carried out in a wide range of specialist areas

Learning through experience of real-world research problems and projects is promoted wherever possible

For the MRes programme, the entrance requirement is an Honours degree or postgraduate diploma or professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree. Other qualifications or experience which demonstrate that a candidate possesses appropriate knowledge and skills at Honours degree standard may be acceptable. The entrance requirement for the Postgraduate Certificate or for the Postgraduate Diploma award is a degree or other qualification at equivalent level. A lower qualification together with appropriate experience or, exceptionally, substantial related experience alone, may be acceptable.

The MRes programme may be completed in one-year in full-time mode or within six years from first registration in part-time mode. After successful completion of one core module, one compulsory advanced module, two option modules and a dissertation, students will be awarded the degree of Master of Research.

Modules within the programme provided directly by the Graduate School are listed below but potential students should be aware that, for the 2 option modules, they may select from any of the M level modules available on any Masters programme run by UEL.

Graduate School provided modules:

GSM 001 Essential Research Skills

GSM 002 Designing and implementing survey research (Advanced)

GSM 003 Research to evaluate quality, impact and effectiveness (Advanced)

GSM 004 Dissertation

GSM 005 Quantitative data analysis methods (Advanced)

GSM 006 Creating and analysing qualitative data (Advanced)

Students who successfully complete the core module and 1 advanced module will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Research.

Students who successfully complete two further optional modules will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Research.

The programme employs a wide variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, staff- and student-led seminars, skills workshops, simulation exercises, group projects and independent study.

Assessment is by coursework and a dissertation. Assessed coursework includes essays, reflective accounts of students' learning, literature reviews, written reports on the research process, individual and group presentations, and group projects. Taught modules are assessed at the end of each semester. There are no unseen examinations.

Students choose their own topics and settings for specialist research studies, and may undertake work-based research if they wish

Research attachments to project teams may be arranged as part of the programme

Students on research attachments will be assigned project-based mentors

The programme prepares students for research at doctoral level, and for careers in research in a wide range of academic, professional and industrial settings.

Students have opportunities to engage with a wide range of experienced researchers through seminars, workshops, conferences and research attachments

Students are encouraged to participate in the full range of research seminar series and public lectures organised at UEL, to involve themselves in relevant professional groups and learned societies, and to attend and present at local, national and international research events.

For more information, view the full programme specification.

UEL HOMESEARCH