The UK s European university EXTERNAL RESEARCH DEGREES 2013
2 External research degrees DID YOU KNOW? Kent can claim to be Britain s only international university according to the Sunday Times University Guide.
External research degrees 3 EXTERNAL RESEARCH DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES The University of Kent has an excellent reputation for research, both in the UK and internationally. We offer an extensive range of research degrees and have developed an external research degree programme that gives you the opportunity to remain in your home country while studying for a fully accredited UK qualification. Highly ranked university Kent s excellent performance in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) confirmed our position as one of the UK s leading universities. Our academic schools and centres were found to be engaged in research of international and world-class standing; our postgraduate programmes are informed by this research, which gives our students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge relevant to contemporary issues. Global outlook Kent has an excellent international reputation and is engaged in collaborative research with universities and organisations from around the world. Many of our programmes have a strong international focus and Kent s global perspective is strengthened by our long-standing links with institutions worldwide. Known as the UK s European university, we also have specialist postgraduate centres in Brussels, Paris and Athens. Strong academic community At Kent, our postgraduate students are part of a thriving intellectual community that includes staff and students from all our locations. We are proud of the interdisciplinary nature of our postgraduate research and dynamic publishing culture, all of which further enhances Kent s position as a research-intensive university. The external research degree programme The University attracts students from all over the world to study with our highly respected academics, but we also understand that not everyone who wants to undertake a research degree is in a position to move to Kent. With this is mind, we have developed an external research degree programme that allows students to benefit from our excellent international reputation while conducting research at an external location. External research degrees are designed for those who are in the process of establishing their careers or who need to study alongside other commitments; they are ideal for individuals who are looking for an opportunity to undertake a PhD but may not be in a position to relocate or take time out from work. Due to the nature of the external research degree programme, you need to be extremely organised, self-motivated and work well independently. You also need easy access to all the facilities and resources required for your proposed programme of research and the means for rapid communication with your supervisors, for example, telephone, Skype or email. I have been in my field of study since 1992 and have published numerous abstracts and articles but never found the time to pursue my PhD. I am a working adult who is not in a position to take time off from my career to pursue a traditional degree. The external research degree fits my needs perfectly. Gary Hart External research student, School of Biosciences
4 External research degrees EXTERNAL RESEARCH DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES Supervision If you are accepted as an external research degree student, you will be assigned both a main supervisor and a supervisory team, drawn from the University s academic community. Your main supervisor is responsible for providing advice and guidance in the planning and development of your research project. Your progress is carefully monitored by the University and you are required to meet the standard reporting and progression review expectations. Assessment Following submission of a thesis, students are examined (in English) in accordance with the University Regulations (an oral examination is usually included). This is normally held at the University, but may be conducted elsewhere subject to the agreement of the examiners. Registration periods MA/MSc candidates Full-time one year Part-time two years MPhil candidates Full-time two years Part-time three years PhD candidates Full-time three years Part-time five years Entry requirements and applications As an external research student at Kent, you are required to meet the same entry requirements as all other research degree candidates at the University. It is also important that in your application to the University, you make a compelling case for external research candidature. For example, your research may be such that you need to be in a particular place or close to a particular resource; you may already be working in a business and that continuing to work there will contribute to the research you are planning; or you may be unable to take time away from your existing profession. The University carefully considers all applications on a case-by-case basis. See opposite page for details on how to apply. Annual tuition fees Non-laboratory Full-time 8,719 Part-time 5,813 Laboratory Full-time 10,406 Part-time 6,938 Fees quoted are for the 2012/13 academic year and will be subject to change for 2013/14. They cover the cost of one year of study only. Your academic school will pay for at least one visit to you by your supervisor during your period of registration but you are required to meet all costs incurred in visiting your supervisor.
External research degrees 5 How to apply 1. Find out whether we offer research programmes in your subject area. Full information about our postgraduate research programmes can be found at: www.kent.ac.uk/pg 2. Check the website of your chosen academic school to find potential supervisors with expertise in your research area. You could also use our quick finder at www.kent.ac.uk/ research/expertise as some subjects may be offered in more than one school. 3. Contact the academic school(s) to inquire whether your chosen supervisor(s) would be supportive of your application for an external research degree. 4. Once you have agreed a supervisor, apply online at www.kent.ac.uk/pg indicating that you are applying as an external research degree candidate. 5. You will then be asked to provide some specific additional documentation, including a plan outlining the contact arrangements between yourself and your supervisor, in order for your application to be considered by the Dean of the Graduate School. If appropriate, the University may also require that a local supervisor (conditions apply) is appointed to provide day-to-day advice. Full details of the application process and requirements are available online at www.kent.ac.uk/ uelt/quality/regulations/research/ phdres.html and www.kent.ac.uk/ uelt/quality/regulations/research/ extdegresproc.html. You will be notified by the Graduate School when a decision has been made regarding your application. I have supervised two external PhD students: one lives in Hong Kong, the other in Seoul. Both were busy people with demanding jobs. But using this method, they were able to share in the research environment at Kent and successfully complete their theses. We communicated frequently by email and during their visits to Kent, the students were able to join research seminars and present their work to other students and staff. John Baldock Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Social Policy FUNDING For details of potential funding opportunities, please refer to the scholarship finder at www.kent.ac.uk/pg
6 External research degrees GENERAL INFORMATION The University of Kent has three faculties, 23 schools and teaching centres, plus a diverse range of both subject-specific and interdisciplinary research clusters, centres and groups. Useful Contacts: International Development T: +44 (0)1227 824904 E: international@kent.ac.uk Schools and teaching centres by faculty Faculty of Humanities American Studies Architecture Arts English European Culture and Languages History Faculty of Sciences Biosciences Computing Engineering and Digital Arts Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science Medway School of Pharmacy Physical Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences Anthropology and Conservation Economics Federal Studies Journalism Kent Business School Kent Law School Politics and International Relations Professional Practice Psychology Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research Sports Studies For information about other types of research degrees offered by the University of Kent, including jointly supervised PhDs, see: www.kent.ac.uk/studying/ postgrad/types/index.html The Recruitment and Admissions Office T: +44 (0)1227 827272 E: information@kent.ac.uk Graduate School T: +44 (0)1227 827838 E: graduateschool@kent.ac.uk I communicated with my supervisors via email and Skype, and once a year, I made a trip for an in-person review of my work. Both of my supervisors worked well with me long distance and were prompt in all their communications with me, with answers to my questions and detailed comments on my submitted chapters. I was very pleased at how attentive they were to my needs, even though I was a long way away. Jamie Crouse External research student, School of English
External research degrees 7 Terms and conditions: the University reserves the right to make variations to the content and delivery of courses and other services, or to discontinue courses and other services, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. If the University discontinues any course, it will endeavour to provide a suitable alternative. To register for a programme of study, all students must agree to abide by the University Regulations (available online at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations). Data protection: for administrative, academic and health and safety reasons, the University needs to process information about its students. Full registration as a student of the University is subject to your consent to process such information. The information given in this booklet is correct at the time of going to press. The University reserves the right to modify or cancel any statement in it and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any such changes.
COME AND MEET US Open events and individual tours If you are in the UK, you are welcome to attend one of our postgraduate open events, which are held several times a year. Alternatively, individual visits can be made to our campuses by prior arrangement. See www.kent.ac.uk/opendays DPC 110abc 07/12 PUB181 Kent representatives To meet a Kent representative in your own country, see www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/ representation University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: information@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk