Postgraduate Research Degrees

MPhil and PhD By Research

The MPhil degree involves a minimum of two years of full-time research. The resulting thesis must contain a commensurate element of novelty, and should not exceed 50,000 words in length.

The degree of PhD requires a minimum of three years full-time research. The resulting thesis is expected to extend the understanding of a specialist topic beyond the current state of the art, and should not exceed 80,000 words in length.

All students wishing to study for a PhD enrol on a combined MPhil/PhD pathway, and in their second year of study, depending on progress, a decision is made by the department whether to proceed with either an MPhil or a PhD. There is no taught element, although students may attend course modules on an informal basis.

MSc by Dissertation

The MSc by Dissertation involves a minimum of one year of full-time research. Students registered for this type of degree usually have some prior experience in the area they wish to research (perhaps as part of work in industry, or as a project carried out during a first degree). There is no taught element, although students may attend course modules on an informal basis. The resulting thesis must contain an element of novelty, and should not exceed 30,000 words in length. Award of the degree depends on an oral examination of the candidate and the thesis. There is an option to upgrade to an MPhil/PhD if the student makes good progress.

PhD via the Integrated Programme

The Integrated PhD programme (also known as the New Route PhD) normally takes four years and is intended for students who wish to complete both a taught MSc and a PhD:

• Computer Science:

  MSc Computer Science is taught in the first year.

Part Time Study and Distance Learning

Besides applications for full-time study, the School also welcomes applications from Home and EU students wishing to study part-time, and from candidates working in UK industry who would like to register for MPhil/PhD or MSc by Dissertation through external research at their place of work on a part-time basis.

The MPhil/PhD is also available to overseas candidates by distance learning; “distant” students register initially for six part-time research years, although this may be reduced to five or four years if the research is completed and the thesis ready for submission within a shorter time period. Distance learning PhD students are expected to visit Essex for at least a month every year (usually in the summer), and must have suitable facilities available at their place of work in their home country.