MPhil, PhD Postgraduate research opportunities in Humanities and Social Science
- Entry year:
- 2024/25
- Start date:
- October 2024, February 2025, June 2025
- Study mode:
- Full-time, Part-time
- Course duration:
- PhD Full-time: 4 years, PhD Part-time: 7 years
- Campus:
- City
About this course
Excellent research opportunities await in the School of Humanities and Social Science. Work at the forefront of developments with leading experts.
- Study full or part-time over two to seven years
- Choose from a wide range of subject areas (see Details tab for more information)
- Complete your research degree (MPhil/PhD) in a Faculty known for its internationally-acclaimed research
- Explore scholarship opportunities
- Benefit from expert supervision and researcher training
- Enjoy excellent facilities and great employment connections
The programme route you undertake will depend on your qualifications and experience.
You will be allocated up to four supervisors, including a Lead Supervisor who will work with you throughout your studies and provide you with appropriate levels of support and guidance.
Throughout your studies, you will also have the support of LJMU’s Doctoral Academy which offers expert advice and guidance to those enrolled on MPhil and PhD programmes.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
School of Humanities and Social Science
Explore the possibilities
Discover excellent postgraduate research opportunities in LJMU’s School of Humanities and Social Science and benefit from a prolific research and learning environment which is at the forefront of contemporary developments.
The School of Humanities and Social Science provides an ideal environment in which to expand your knowledge and horizons. Our dynamic, professional and experienced staff excel in innovative and exciting research which contributes to teaching and learning methods.
In the 2014 REF, 81% of research submitted by Communication, Cultural and Media Studies at LJMU was recognised internationally or considered internationally excellent. This research helps ensure that our learning is positioned at the vanguard of developments in the field and that you have an opportunity to study alongside leading experts.
You will be mentored and supervised by academic staff who are passionate, experienced and active in critical social scientific research. The knowledge and skills you will acquire during your studies are transferable to a range of academic, professional and commercial occupations. Your self-directed study will be supported by a surrounding framework of expertise, within a scholarly community that hosts regular seminars and lectures and is a fertile platform for the dissemination of research.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Your Learning Experience
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
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.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
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.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
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
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
How to apply
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:
- Complete and submit your application using this online form attaching official copies of documents (e.g. certificates) and official institution letterhead references.
- You will receive an acknowledgement
- Your application will be considered by the Admissions Tutor
- We will take up your academic references
- You may need to provide further information or attend an interview
- 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
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.