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"The MPhil programme was an excellent opportunity for me to develop my research skills. The experience I gained designing a project, collecting and analysing data, and communicating my results will be indispensable in my PhD."

 

 

 

 

Overview

This course is designed to provide further training in research in Materials Science after a minimum of at least 3 years’ university-level education to UK Bachelor’s level, or overseas equivalent.  Students should have achieved at least a good upper second honours degree prior to admission and the department will take into consideration their academic results, content of references, and prior research experience when deciding whether or not to offer a place.  Applicants should identify potential supervisors, and provide a short project description, in the application form, so that their papers can be considered by appropriate members of academic staff, and a suitable project area identified.  Candidates will be interviewed by telephone or Skype.  It is important to note that limitations on space and the equipment and research facilities available mean that we cannot always make an offer, even to a well-qualified applicant.

Prospective applicants are welcome to make contact with academic staff to discuss the research opportunities available. 

Students are admitted to the  MPhil by Research in October, January or April each year although the majority begin their academic studies in October, along with the main intake of PhD students.  Up to 5 MPhil students are admitted each academic year.  Each student is assigned a principal supervisor (and sometimes a co-supervisor) from among the academic staff working in his/her area(s) of research interest, and may also be supervised on a regular basis by other members of the research group. 

Students are expected to carry out independent research which as assessed by an oral examination of a 15 000 word thesis and the general area(s) of Materials Science in which it falls.  Although there is no requirement for attendance at formal courses of lectures, MPhil students are encouraged to participate in many of the training opportunities and other activities available to PhD students in the Department and become fully integrated members of the Department’s Graduate School.