Postgraduate Programme Specification for MRes, PgCert Research, PgDip Research Research Training

The MRes programme aims to prepare students to undertake advanced research in academic and 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.

• Strong emphasis is given to the development of skills in collaborative teamwork
• Students work in interdisciplinary groups to prepare presentations and to organise a research conference
• Individual research projects leading to a dissertation may be carried out in a wide range of specialist areas
• Learning from experience about 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 demonstrates 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.
• All applicants with appropriate qualifications will be invited for an interview. In lieu of the interview overseas students may be asked to supply detailed written evidence of research or writing or other work of a standard sufficient for successful postgraduate study. Following the interview the interviewer will write a brief report on the basis of which a place may be offered to the applicant. Any applicant refused a place will be invited to contact the Admissions Tutor to receive informal feedback on the reasons for refusal.

The MRes programme may be undertaken in one-year or longer. After successful completion of four taught modules and a dissertation, students will be awarded the degree of Master of Research.

Students who complete successfully the modules Understanding the Research Process and Context and Research Preparation and Planning will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Research.

Students who complete successfully the modules Understanding the Research Process and Context and Research Preperation and Planning and two option modules will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Research

Programmes employ a wide variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, staff and student led seminars, skills workshops, simulation exercises, group projects and independent study. Opportunities for attachment to current research project teams are offered.

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 programme modules are assessed at the end of each semester. There are no unseen examinations in the compulsory modules of the programme, although these may feature in some optional modules

• The masters programme is highly relevant to those wishing to work in academic and industrial research. It is also relevant to those wishing to gain a masters level insight into research production and consumption. It also serves as a foundation for MPhil/PhD study.

• Students chose 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.

• Every student is assigned a personal tutor who has expertise in the student's specialist area and whose task is to advise and support the student's studies
• Students' learning needs are discussed at the beginning of the programme and programmes of study are designed accordingly
• Individual research training needs are catered for in flexible programmes of specialist study

• 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