Postgraduate Prospectus 2020 Postgraduate Prospectus 2020 | Seite 8

CHOOSE YOUR
WAY FORWARD
TAUGHT QUALIFICATION OR
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH?
ON-CAMPUS TEACHING OR
ONLINE PART-TIME STUDY?
DISCOVER FLEXIBLE STUDY
OPTIONS TO SUIT YOUR
SITUATION, AND PATHWAYS
TO MATCH YOUR PASSION.
Taught degrees
Whether you study full time or part time, you can expect
a lot from a taught degree. There’s usually a combination
of formal teaching, tutorials and seminars, along with
individual study, projects and written exams. You can
study on campus – or anywhere, if you choose a distance
learning programme.
A Master’s course (MA, MArch, MBA, MPA, MSc, LLM)
will often call for a dissertation. Excellent teaching is
integral to our taught programmes, but independent
study and research will be at the heart of your
achievements.
Some Master’s programmes are divided into two or
three separate awards. In those cases, you can build
up to a Master’s by taking a Postgraduate Certificate
(PgCert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) – or simply
enjoy the benefits of completing those courses in their
own right.
Master of Research (MRes) provides a structured entry
into research and is great preparation for a PhD or
research-focused career (see page 80).
Degree apprenticeships
Give your employer more and expand your capabilities
with funded, flexible study built around your career.
We’re pioneers of Master’s level 7 apprenticeships
(see page 31).
Learning at Work
Gain a postgraduate degree without leaving your
job. Flexible courses let you tailor your studies with
projects based on your professional work. Set your own
objectives, and choose to study on campus or online, at
your own pace (see page 28).
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Build up to a Master’s
by taking these steps
Step 1
Postgraduate Certificate
(60 Master’s level credits)
Step 2
Postgraduate Diploma
(60 Master’s level credits)
Research degrees
A truly personal quest for knowledge and insight,
research degrees are based purely around pursuing
your own interests. With a diverse community of
academics, we can support research into a wide range
of subjects. Every member of our academic staff cares
deeply about helping you achieve your goals.
So what kind of research degree
could you do?
Your choices depend on your area and experience:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a globally recognised
postgraduate degree involving extensive and original
research into a specific chosen field, typically over three
years full time or six years part time. As well as writing
a thesis, you’ll need to complete a ‘viva voce’ (oral
defence) of your research.
PhD by Publication is based on research you’ve
already carried out and usually consists of several
peer-reviewed publications or other materials, plus a
substantial commentary on your work as a whole. In
addition to your written commentary, you’ll need to
complete a ‘viva voce’ (oral defence) of your research.
Professional Doctorate is for advanced upskilling and
career building, and is globally recognised proof that
you’ve reached the highest level of professional and
academic achievement in your field. You’ll complete
your doctorate while continuing your career, conducting
applied, practice-oriented research. As well as writing
a thesis, you’ll need to complete a ‘viva voce’ (oral
defence) of your research.
Doctor of Medicine (MD) is for qualified medical
professionals who want to gain a research degree. From
lab-based to qualitative research methods, you’ll draw
on your clinical expertise.
Step 3
Master’s top-up – research methods unit
followed by a dissertation or research project
(60 Master’s level credits)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) requires extensive
research and provides similar skills to a PhD, but
you won’t need to deliver the same level of original
contribution or length of thesis. As with a PhD, you’ll
need to complete a ‘viva voce’ (oral defence) of your
research.
Congratulations
You’ve achieved a Master’s in stages
(180 Master’s level credits)
‘I wanted to specialise
more and deepen my
knowledge, to both
further my job prospects
and increase my
understanding. I aim to
eventually work within a
volcanology or seismology
role. I chose Portsmouth
because it is the only
university that had the
exact course I was
looking for.’
Abigail Robins
MSc Geological and
Environmental Hazards
[phone] | [e-mail] | port.ac.uk
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