Research Students
Research students are the lifeblood of our research community and we support research students in all subject areas through our university-wide network of Research Centres. Staff with doctoral qualifications are increasingly found in senior positions in all sectors, where the combination of subject expertise, intellectual capacity, writing skills and independence are highly valued. After completing their studies, many go on to become academics in universities, or researchers in industry, business and the public sector, ensuring that the country can sustain a vibrant knowledge-based economy.
Studying for a research degree is a very significant commitment and research students need to be well qualified, highly motivated and capable of working independently. A minimum of three years’ full-time study is needed to complete a doctoral level programme and four or five years is not uncommon. Each student’s research degree programme is personalised to match their interests to the research priorities, staff expertise and research facilities available at the University and therefore, all potential research degree students are interviewed.
The University currently offers three types of research degree, two at doctoral level and one at masters level, which can in some cases be studied full-time, part-time or by distance learning.
The Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is recognised worldwide as the “gold standard”, and is often an essential requirement for those wishing to follow an academic or research career in industry or commerce. Despite the name, PhD research can be carried out in all subject areas, including Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Health, Engineering and Technology. The key principle of a PhD programme is that it should result in a new contribution to knowledge.
The Doctor of Business Administration or DBA is a part-time professional doctorate offered by the Birmingham City Business School, which is ideally suited to those who are currently in employment and have significant experience of working in a commercial or public sector environment. In the DAB the research is carried out within the employing organisation.
The Master of Philosophy or MPhil is a Masters level research degree programme which typically requires two or more years’ full-time study. Whilst the MPhil is a stand-alone research degree, many students start the MPhil programme and subsequently transfer to the PhD programme. Note that the MPhil is a research degree programme not a taught course and should not be confused with the MRes common at many institutions.
If you are interested in studying for PhD, DBA or MPhil, please contact the relevant Research Centre of Excellence to discuss your ideas.
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