MPhil, PhD Postgraduate research opportunities in Astrophysics

Fees and funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

• Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
• Access to programme-appropriate software
• Library and student IT support
• Free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

• accommodation and living expenditure
• books (should you wish to have your own copies)
• printing, photocopying and stationery
• PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
• mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
• field trips (travel and activity costs)
• placements (travel expenses and living costs)
• student visas (international students only)

• study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
• academic conferences (travel costs)
• professional-body membership
• graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Employability

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Studying for a postgraduate research degree enhances your employability in a number of ways.

As well as enabling you to focus on your specific areas of interest and expand your subject knowledge ready for employment in your chosen sector, a postgraduate research qualification enables you to take charge of your career path by demonstrating your contribution to an area of knowledge. It enhances your self-confidence and showcases your ability to work independently and ‘go it alone’.

According to a report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), more than a quarter of graduates felt that their employment prospects were increased by their PG qualification. And when it comes to earnings, those with a postgrad qualification have been shown to earn an average of 24% more than those who leave education with an undergraduate degree.

Some postgraduate research students are already in full time employment when they begin their studies, whilst others are recent graduates looking to extend their research capabilities and subject expertise.

A good proportion of our students return to their existing roles with enhanced career prospects, others move on to further study or take up teaching roles in educational establishments.

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Teaching methods

To complement your research, specific training needs will be identified on an individual basis. You can study topics such as:

• Advanced Presentation Skills 
• Applying for Ethical Approval 
• How to be an Effective Researcher
• Poster Presentation/Design
• Postgraduate Employability Skills
• Project Management
• Writing Skills including Creative Planning for Writing your Thesis
• Surviving the Viva
• Speed Reading

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Final examination for both the MPhil and the PhD is by thesis and oral examination.

The MPhil differs from the PhD in terms of the depth of study required and the extent of your personal contribution to knowledge. It requires competence in conducting an independent enquiry as well as in the use of appropriate research methods and techniques. Examiners will expect you to display satisfactory background knowledge of the subject.

To gain a PhD you are expected to show mastery of a special field and to have made an original personal contribution to the understanding of a problem, the advancement of knowledge, or the generation of new ideas. Examiners will expect you to be at the forefront of understanding in your chosen topic.

Entry requirements

You will need:

• a Masters degree with a research dissertation in a relevant subject 

Additional information:

• IELTS 6.5 minimum 5.5 in each component)
• 58-64 (minimum 51 in each component for UKVI purposes)
• RPL is accepted on this programme

If you have any specific queries, please contact FETPGRAdmissions@ljmu.ac.uk 

For entry to MPhil - a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject

For entry to PhD - a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject, preferably also a Masters degree in a relevant subject.

Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.

View country specific entry requirements

Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

You will apply for the majority of postgraduate courses using our online application form. You should complete the form thoroughly and provide a detailed personal statement which reflects your suitability and aptitude for the programme.

All research degree registrations are subject to approval by the Faculty and University’s Research Degrees Committee. The Applications process is as follows:

1. Complete and submit your application using this online form
2. You will receive an acknowledgement
3. Your application will be considered by the Admissions Tutor
4. We will take up your academic references
5. You may need to provide further information or attend an interview
6. You will be informed if your application has been successful and will find out about any conditions of acceptance