Research Students
Research programmes for MPhil/PhD
PhD research can be undertaken in full-time or part-time mode. A full-time PhD will take from 3 to 4 years and a part-time PhD 5 to 7 years. Students who wish to undertake doctoral studies normally first enrol on the MPhil degree. After completing the first year or so of the MPhil, the student's progress is reviewed and if considered satisfactory, the student may transfer onto the PhD for a further 2 to 3 years of research. Conversely, a student who does not wish to continue at this point may write up and submit the work to be considered for an MPhil degree.
Doctoral/MPhil students are usually provided with two supervisors who will guide them through their research. The supervisors are usually research staff from within CMS, although other supervisors or advisors may be appointed from another School or from outside the university.
Before applying, you should decide which area of research you are interested in and read about types of funding. Then check to see what funding is available and apply. The school offers occasional research studentships. Students would be expected to have a good academic/professional background and work with the existing research groups. Entry requirements are a good first degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
PhD research can be undertaken in full-time or part-time mode. A full-time PhD will take from 3 to 4 years and a part-time PhD 5 to 7 years. Students who wish to undertake doctoral studies normally first enrol on the MPhil degree. After completing the first year or so of the MPhil, the student's progress is reviewed and if considered satisfactory, the student may transfer onto the PhD for a further 2 to 3 years of research. Conversely, a student who does not wish to continue at this point may write up and submit the work to be considered for an MPhil degree.
Doctoral/MPhil students are usually provided with two supervisors who will guide them through their research. The supervisors are usually research staff from within CMS, although other supervisors or advisors may be appointed from another School or from outside the university.
Before applying, you should decide which area of research you are interested in and read about types of funding. Then check to see what funding is available and apply. The school offers occasional research studentships. Students would be expected to have a good academic/professional background and work with the existing research groups. Entry requirements are a good first degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
Research Funding
Pursuing a research degree requires funding - to pay university fees associated with the course and to cover living expenses (typically these are a minimum £10,000 per annum). There are several routes by which students can obtain funding. The normal routes for funding are as follows:
- Self financing
The student pays the fees and supports themselves during the course of the degree. However, as there are considerable additional costs associated with undertaking research, the Head of School will have to approve the application before the student is accepted onto the course. - UK Government Research Councils (e.g. EPSRC)
These grants are extremely difficult to get and are usually in specific areas of research - which will be advertised as part of the grant. If a candidate accepts one of these places, they usually have no say in the nature of the project as this will be spelt out in the terms of the grant details. This route is only open to UK home students with a 2.1 or 1st class first degree. - EU research grant/EU Mobility/study Schemes
These grants are generally only open to EU citizens, but some schemes are open to non-EU citizens. EU research grants are usually as prescriptive as UK Research Council grants. Mobility/study grants generally have a lot more freedom with regard to the nature of the research topic. If you are interested in a mobility/study grant then it is generally up to the student to secure the grant and bring it to the University. - Industry funded grant
These grants are not as selective as UK Research Council grants but they are equally as restrictive. Research topics are specified by the Industrial partner. - School Bursary
From time to time, research group leaders may make limited funds available to support Doctoral research students. For students in receipt of a School Bursary there are no university fees to pay and the student is paid a stipend to assist with living expenses. Bursary places are normally funded for three years. These grants are not as selective as UK Research Council grants but they are usually equally as restrictive.
Areas of research
The School has a number of research groups each of which is managed by a group leader. If you are interested in pursuing research in a particular area please first view the information provided on these pages and then contact the appropriate group leader.
The Research Group Leaders are:
- Prof. David Isaac – Sustainable Environments
- Dr Keith Jones - Sustainable Buildings
- Prof. Mehrdad Shokoohy - Design