What research degree can I do?

The Doctor of Philosophy is our premier research degree. The PhD is awarded on the basis of a thesis (300 pages or 100,000 words) and examiners must be satisfied that you have discovered, interpreted and communicated new knowledge through original research, worthy of publication in international and national peer reviewed journals, which might reasonably be expected from a competent, hard-working student after 3 or up to 4 years of full-time study (5 years or up to 7 years for part-time or split-site study). Examiners must also be satisfied that you possess good general knowledge in your area of research.

You will be admitted as ‘Provisional PhD’ in the first instance.  Within 12 months of your start date you will need to apply for a transfer/upgrade to ‘PhD’; this involves submitting a written report and having a formal oral examination with at least two assessors.  You will then be required to undergo a similar, but informal, assessment to transfer to your 3^rd and final year.

The Master of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of a thesis (200 pages or 60,000 words) and examiners must be satisfied that you have been able to interpret and communicate knowledge through research and/or scholarship of publishable quality which would satisfy peer review, and which might reasonably be expected to be completed after 2 or up to 3 years of full-time study (4 or up to 6 years for part-time study). You must also satisfy the examiners that you possess a good general knowledge in your area of research. This degree would be suitable if you have 2 years of sponsorship for your research degree study.

The Masters by Research is a completely research focussed degree and is awarded on the basis of a thesis (100 pages or 30,000 words).  The candidate must satisfy the examiners that all of the research AND the thesis were completed within 12 months (24 months part-time). This is a demanding degree and the entry requirement is a British BSc 2.1 (or equivalent) or higher.  It is therefore necessary to have the research question and research project description confirmed and in place before the research commences.  Our School does offer taught Masters courses, as well as Master of Research (MRes), either of which may be more suitable to your needs because they are structured courses with taught elements, and which provide training for research methods and skills.  Further information about these courses is available at http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/study/masters/index.htm.

This is a combination of part-time and full-time study and is intended for highly qualified individuals. The standard period of study is 5 years, with a maximum time limit for submission of your thesis of 7 years.  The entry requirement is a relevant degree equivalent of a British Bachelor (Honours) 2.1, and a Masters degree.  The English Language requirement is higher than normal and is IELTS 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in any skill area (or equivalent).

You would be required to be in full-time residence in Leeds for at least 8 months within the 5 year standard period of study.  At least 6 months must be spent in Leeds in Year 1 so that appropriate training can take place.  You must be present in Leeds during Year 2 for the formal assessment for transfer to full PhD registration and then at a later stage for the examination of the thesis.

The supervisors are appointed at the University of Leeds and a “local” advisor must also be appointed.  The “local” advisor should be employed by a HEI, Research Institute or Commercial or Industrial Organization with significant research component or reputation and should be readily available for consultation.  The “local” adviser must be familiar with the UK system for the award of research degrees, and must be approved by the University of Leeds. You must provide a statement of support confirming that relevant resources and facilities are in place for your research.

A clearly planned research project must be in place before the research commences.

The aim of the Integrated PhD programme is to train geophysicists for high-level careers in resource exploration. The programme incorporates our well established, national/international market-leading MSc in Exploration Geophysics with a PhD. This is a 4 year programme with entry in September of each year; there is an additional optional 12 months to write the PhD thesis. The entry requirement is at least a 2.1 UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in geological, geophysical, or environmental sciences, physics, mathematics, mining, or related discipline. All candidates will need a good level of mathematics with a high grade at GCE A Level (or equivalent) PLUS computer literacy as required by entry to the MSc programmes. If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet the University's entrance requirements for English language before registration. You will need to provide evidence that you have a minimum of 4 years of funding for the course.

You will initially register for 'Postgraduate Research' study and during your first year, you will study compulsory assessed modules to a total value of 90 credits, as well as two research skills modules totalling 30 credits, and then commence work on your PhD. Your research project will commence in Year 1 and continue through to Year 4 of your research degree programme. During the summer of Year 2, you will undertake an individual research project, distinct from your PhD research project, culminating in a dissertation as an assessed part of the Masters. Years 3 and 4 will be devoted entirely to your PhD research project. In order to proceed to consideration for PhD registration, you must normally have passed your Masters with 'Merit' (60% or higher). Early exit paths are available throughout the course. You will be trained throughout to our School's own high standards. For further information about the taught modules for this course, please visit: http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/admissions-and-study/masters-degrees/masters-courses/msc-exploration-geophysics/.