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Phd
& Research Courses
With such a vast range of taught
courses and research programmes on offer worldwide,
it’s fair to say you’ll find the specialist
qualification you’re looking for at whatever postgraduate
level you intend to study.
 You’ll
also be working towards a qualification acknowledged
to be of the highest academic standard the world over;
and as a postgraduate student, the investment you’re
making in your future will be protected by rigorous
internal quality assurance on the part of your chosen
university and by other professional bodies such as
the Quality Assurance Agency, which oversees standards
of UK higher education.
Postgraduate study in countries such as the UK or the
USA is intensive, so the courses are of relatively short
duration. This is a significant advantage for many students
and their employers, since it means that the maximum
professional advantage is coupled with the minimum time
away from work.
Independent study, strong research base
 Research
study, whether at Masters or Doctoral level, involves
individual supervision by a faculty member who has an
interest in the topic.
This emphasis on personal guidance and independent
study is a key characteristic feature of research degrees
in countries such as Britain and America - and is one
of the reasons postgraduates possess the kind of high-level
skills suited to careers in business, applied research
and higher education.
Which course?
Research degrees are awarded to students who have completed
a period of original research and submitted a thesis
for examination.
A research degree – and especially a PhD –
is the ultimate opportunity for students who want to
pursue their own specialist interests.
Research is extremely stimulating and exciting as it
involves producing something that is original. The student
is the expert in that subject and will gradually come
to know as much as his or her supervisor!
 The
PhD is a research programme normally extending over
three or more years, usually culminating a dissertation
or thesis of 70,000 – 100,000 words.
The thesis must present original findings that are,
in principle, publishable. In some subjects such as
art, however, the thesis may be replaced by an original
major work. And in social sciences, several published
articles may be accepted in place of a single long thesis.
A Ph.D. offers the following opportunities to international
students:
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to produce an original piece of research, which
may mean an important boost to the student’s
career
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to become one of the world’s leading experts
in a particular field
-
to receive a sound training in research methodology
and practice – especially important for those
intending to pursue an academic career
All of the above are widely recognised as advantages
of a Ph.D., especially in the higher education world.
New types of doctoral programmes have been developed
in recent years aimed at experienced professionals in
industry or professionals such as education, engineering
and clinical pyschology.
Research programmes can vary from one to three years
or more, depending on the nature of the programme.
Not only is there a wide choice of courses, there is
also a wide variety of different ways in which they
can be studied. For instance, you can study your course
in your home country by distance learning, or study
modular courses where you study one part of a course
at a time – and when you choose to study them.
What to expect
Students undertaking a research degree initiate and
develop their topic under the supervision of one or
two academics. To be successful, research students must
demonstrate intellectual independence. They will be
expected to work on their own to a large extent but
will meet their supervisor(s) at least every few weeks.
Learning costs less in the UK
Postgraduate degrees in the UK can be completed in a
shorter time than those in many other countries, as
courses are more intensive.
This makes the cost of achieving a postgraduate qualification
in the UK considerably less than elsewhere. You only
have to pay fees for one year and you only have to live
away from home for one year.
So though annual costs may look higher in the UK than
elsewhere, the overall cost is lower. This is even more
true if you can find a course that is based in one of
the less expensive parts of the UK.
There are a number of scholarships available to students
planning to study a postgraduate course in the UK. These
include British Chevening Scholarships and those that
are available through the British Council Fellowship
Programme and the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
Plan (CSFP). Details of these and other scholarship
schemes can be obtained from your local British Council
office.
All international students staying in the UK for more
than six months are guaranteed free hospital treatment
plus reduced dentists’ and opticians’ fees
through the UK National Health Service. Doing away with
the need to include health insurance in your budget.
How do I find out more?
To find out more about postgraduate courses in the UK
click your mouse on www.educationuk.org
This will give you access to information on the range
of courses available in the UK.
Another good source of information is your local British
Council office, where you’ll find a wide range
of brochures, guides, prospectuses and CD-ROMs that
you can use.
Contributed by:
The British Council
10 Spring Gardens, London UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 9308466
http://www.britishcouncil.org.
For more information on
studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree
course in the UK we recommend you visit:
College
Search & Higher Education Advice at Courses &
Careers UK
For MBA advice and information
please visit MBA
programs and
MBA Courses
Worldwide
If you are interested in
Medical courses or Nursing programs visit:
Medical
Schools & Nursing Colleges Worldwide
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