Research Degrees
There are a number of ways to undertake research degree study at Roehampton.
Master/Doctor of Psychology (MPhil/PhD)
The MPhil/PhD Psychology programme is for students who wish to devise an independent research project which will result in an original contribution to knowledge in the subject area. Students normally register for the degree of Masters (MPhil) in the first instance and apply to transfer to the Doctorate (PhD) after the first 18 months to three years. It is possible to exit with a stand-alone MPhil award if desired. Students who already have a stand-alone MPhil qualification may be permitted to register as a PhD student from the outset. Students can study on a full-time or a part-time basis.
As part of your study, you will be required to attend aspects of the Research Student Development Programme, including research methods training, during which your previous experience, needs and interests as advised by your supervisory team. When you have completed your programme of study you will submit a thesis for examination.
Professional Doctorates
The professional doctorate is an alternate pathway to a doctoral level qualification and a professionally-oriented equivalent to the traditional PhD. It provides a framework for the demonstration and development of advanced professional knowledge and skills. Although there is a substantial research component, much emphasis is placed on the skills and training needed for professional practice in the field.
The University offers the following Professional Doctorate programmes:
PhD by Published Works
This degree evaluates retrospectively the published work which a candidate has produced. The published works should form a coherent programme of research around a particular theme and can be seen as comparable to the PhD thesis. The published works should demonstrate a substantial, original and independent contribution to knowledge in the subject area. The degree of PhD by Published Works presents an opportunity for people who have not followed the traditional doctoral route, to obtain formal recognition for having developed their research skills and subject knowledge to a doctoral level. This may include people entering higher education in mid-career, especially in practice-based disciplines and people following research careers in industry. PhD by Published Works is only offered on a part-time basis and cannot be taken by international students who require a Tier 4 Visa in order to study in the United Kingdom.
Entry requirements
Applicants wishing to undertake a research degree at Roehampton will typically be required to meet the criteria below. Because there are many routes into a research degree it is understood that some applicants may have non-standard qualifications and/or may have substantial professional experience. In all cases candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to undertake work at Masters/Doctoral level and their suitability to undertake their chosen research project.
MPhil/PhD
To enter on to the MPhil/PhD programme you are expected to hold a master’s degree from a UK university (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area or evidence of equivalent experience and learning acquired in a professional context. The ability to demonstrate experience of independent research and/or relevant professional experience may also benefit your application.
You will be expected to have formulated an outline research proposal at the initial application stage. You will not be asked to provide a full-length research proposal at this stage; rather you will spend the first months of your course developing your proposal under the guidance of your supervisory team.
Professional Doctorates
For entry onto the professional doctorate programmes a combination of academic qualifications as well as relevant professional experience is required.
PhD by Published Works
To enter on to the PhD by Published Works programme you are usually expected to hold a good honours degree from an approved Higher Education Institution. You will also need to have published extensively in your subject area.
English Language Proficiency
If English is not your first language, nor the language in which you received your education, please give details of any English Language courses taken or about to be taken, and attach, if possible, a certificate of proficiency showing ability to speak, write and understand English. Please note that University Regulations require research students to meet a minimum level of English Language proficiency, which is currently IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in all bands with /TOEFL 100 (minimum 19 reading, 20 listening, 20 speaking & 24 writing). We are unable to accept TESOL qualifications as meeting the English language entry requirements.