Keele University Prospectus Postgraduate | 2017 | Page 18

Postgraduate Prospectus 2017

Not all
postgraduate
courses are
the same
Studying at postgraduate level is much more about
collaboration between academics and students than
undergraduate study. We offer a number of postgraduate
routes to help you get the course that is right for you.

Postgraduate taught courses
Our taught courses combine advanced level tuition with, if you choose a full master’s
course, the completion of a research project and dissertation under the guidance of
your tutor. In most courses, you will take a mix of core and elective modules so that
you can tailor your programme to your own interests.
PgCert and PgDip

A full taught master’s course contains 180 credits.
This is made up of 120 credits of taught units and
60 credits for a dissertation. You can choose to conclude
your studies after the successful completion of half the
taught units and receive a postgraduate certificate.
If you successfully complete all of the taught units,
but choose not to undertake the research project and
dissertation, you will receive a postgraduate diploma.

MA and MSc

Our taught master’s courses are 12 months full-time
or two to three years part-time. The first two-thirds
are taught, with assessment through coursework and
examinations. The final third of the course is a research
project and usually includes writing a dissertation.

MRes

The Master’s of Research provides a great introduction
to r esearch methods and is ideal if you want to pursue
a research-related career or doctoral study. You will
train in a range of research skills and methodologies,
enabling you to approach a research project in a
systematic and professional way. If you wish to take
a doctoral programme in the humanities and social
sciences you may be asked to undertake research
training for a year (or equivalent). An MRes programme
will help prepare you to go on to successfully complete
a PhD. MRes programmes are usually one year in
duration, two years part-time.

Contact hours

Contact hours vary between programmes: science
courses can involve a full schedule of lectures and lab
sessions; whilst humanities degrees may feature only
a few hours of timetabled classes a week, but will require
you to undertake a substantial amount of reading and
research outside of teaching hours.
If you are studying full-time, expect to be working
approximately 40 hours per week towards your degree,
and for part-time approximately 20 hours per week.
Some part-time programmes are delivered via block
teaching; three to five day intensive bursts of lectures,
seminars, and activities held on campus, which can fit
more easily around your working life.

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