MPhil, PhD Postgraduate research opportunities in Humanities and Social Science

Fees and funding

How to fund your postgraduate research

Securing funding can be one of the main hurdles you face when considering postgraduate research. However, help is available. LJMU has a team of fees and funding experts who can offer advice based on your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 231 3153/3154 or via studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk

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

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:

• Minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree and Masters degree with a research dissertation in a relevant subject.
• In exceptional circumstances we may consider applicants without a Masters degree based on the level of research training completed in their undergraduate degree programme and any subsequent research work.
• We also welcome applications from those with non-standard qualifications who can demonstrate knowledge, experience, and skills developed in the workplace or other setting relevant to the programme of research. If you do not hold the standard academic entry requirements, please use your personal statement to provide further details. Non-standard applications will be considered by the Admissions Tutor(s) on a case-by-case basis.

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 apsadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

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 attaching official copies of documents (e.g. certificates) and official institution letterhead references.
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 

PhD Application Info

If you wish to enquire about making an application for a PhD or express your interest, please send a CV, brief personal statement and outline of your intended research proposal (no more than 500 words) to apsadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

The department can then discuss appropriate supervision. you may then be invited to make a full application or offered information about your potential application.

Should you then wish to make a full application please be aware of the following guidelines prior to submission.

Your application should include two main elements: Personal Statement and Research Proposal. We recommend the following structure:

1.   Personal Statement

Approx. 500 words to include:

a) Short paragraph on current role and responsibilities

b) Main paragraph on CV highlights ('greatest hits')

c) Short paragraph on future aspirations including reason for the study and proposed location

2. Research Proposal

Approx. 1500 words to include:

a) Working Title of proposed research

b) Research Aim(s) (maximum three aims)

c) Research question

d) Background Statement - paragraph including information on the research field

e) Literature Review - paragraph highlighting exemplars in relation to the proposed field of study

f) Methods - paragraph including information on the proposed method of study e.g. practice-led or thesis only

g) Proposed Structure - in bullet point form (typically three bullet points will suffice at this stage)

h) Indicative Bibliography - including approx. 10 publications