Enhancing postgraduate research in ... - University of Chester · Chester is a city in the North West of England, close to the border with Wales. Chester Railway Station has direct

E n h a n c i n g p o s t g r a d u a t e r e s e a r c h i n a t h r i v i n g e n v i r o n m e n tE n h a n c i n g p o s t g r a d u a t e r e s e a r c h i n a t h r i v i n g e n v i r o n m e n t

This document is available in larger formats upon request. Please

email [email protected] for further details.

The University of Chester is committed to the active promotion of equality of opportunity.

Applications are particularly welcome from those groups currently under-represented in

higher education. For a copy of our diversity and equality policy in admissions, please

contact us at [email protected]

Why Study at the University of Chester?

■ History of the University of ChesterThe University of Chester is an historic University, situated in an historic city. Chester was founded by the Romans

and evidence of their presence can still be found today in the city walls, the Roman gardens and the amphitheatre.

The University was founded in 1839, originally as a teacher training college. Since then, the University has

expanded considerably and now off ers a wide range of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level,

as well as having the power to award its own research degrees. With campuses in Chester and the nearby town

of Warrington, and Thornton Science Park – a brand new state-of-the-art facility housing the Faculty of Science

and Engineering - the University of Chester is an ideal place to study for your MPhil or PhD.

■ How to get to ChesterChester is a city in the North West of England, close to the border with Wales. Chester Railway Station has

direct links to London, Manchester and Liverpool. Manchester is 60 minutes, Liverpool is 45 minutes and

London is approximately 2.5 hours away. There are also excellent road links to these cities.

■ Daily living in ChesterThe cost of living in the Chester and Warrington areas is inexpensive compared with some places in the UK, and it

is easy to cut down costs by shopping in less expensive places and by walking instead of using public transport.

You may fi nd that the diet in Britain is diff erent to what you are used to; however, local supermarkets sell a

variety of food from all over the world, and there is a wide choice of restaurants to eat out in.

The weather is usually mild, with temperatures around 18-25˚C in summer and around 5-8˚C during the day

in winter. It can get very cold at night during the winter, and, although buildings have central heating and are

well insulated, it is essential to buy warm clothes and shoes. Local and national weather forecasts are available

from www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

There is a lot to do in Chester and Warrington, including numerous shops, bars and restaurants in and around

the area. The Welsh countryside is nearby and is popular with walkers. The cities of Manchester and Liverpool

are within easy reach by train.

Contents2 3

g r a d s c h o o l @ c h e s t e r . a c . u k i n t e r n a t i o n a l @ c h e s t e r . a c . u k

Postgraduate Research Study – a Guide for International StudentsPostgraduate Research Study – a Guide for International Students

Why Study at the University of Chester? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Applying for Postgraduate Research Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What Can I Expect During My Studies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Moving to the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Facilities Off ered by the University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Summary of MPhil/PhD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Frequently Ask Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Contact Details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Popular local attractions in and around Chester and Warrington are:

• The UK’s number one zoo: Chester Zoo (located on the outskirts of the city, see www.chesterzoo.org for

details)

• Chester Cathedral (see www.chestercathedral.com for details)

• The Roman Amphitheatre, the city walls and the Roman Gardens

• The Rows (a Victorian fi rst-fl oor undercover shopping area)

• The Grosvenor Museum (located in the centre of Chester, see www.cheshirewestmuseums.org for details)

• Cheshire Oaks (a shopping centre with restaurants, a cinema, a night club and ten-pinbowling, see

www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com for details)

• The Golden Square Shopping Centre (see www.gswarrington.com for more details)

• The UK’s largest indoor karting circuit

• Jodrell Bank observatory (located in the Cheshire countryside, see www.jodrellbank.net for details)

• Sport stadiums

See www.visitchester.com and www.visitcheshire.com for more details of tourist attractions and things

to do in the local area.

■ Places of WorshipThe University of Chester was founded by the Church of England, and the Chaplaincy is an important part

of life at the University. The Chaplaincy team is on hand to help all students and staff , whether Christian, of

another faith or of no faith. There is also a lively Christian Union and a Catholic Society. There are Chapels

on the Parkgate Road and Warrington Campuses with a regular programme of weekly worship. Multi-faith

prayer rooms and quiet rooms for prayer or meditation are also available. For further details, please contact

the Chaplaincy on [email protected]

There are places of worship for most faiths in and around Chester and Warrington. The University’s Student

Support and Guidance Department or Chaplaincy can provide more details.

■ TransportChester railway station is a short distance from the city centre and provides links to Manchester, Liverpool,

London, as well as the North Wales coast.

Warrington has two main railway stations (Warrington Central and Warrington Bank Quay), and is on a

direct line to Manchester.

Both Chester and Warrington have local bus services and are well served by local roads and the motorway

network.

■ AccommodationThere is a wide variety of accommodation to rent in and around Chester. If you are coming to the UK

on your own in September 2015 you may wish to apply for a place in University accommodation. The

accommodation offi ce can off er postgraduate international students accommodation from a range of

catered and non-catered properties, providing they have submitted an application by the advertised

deadline. For further information about University accommodation, please contact the accommodation

offi ce directly at [email protected]

Alternatively you may wish to rent a fl at or a house, especially if you are coming with your family or would

prefer to live alone. The accommodation offi ce uses StudentPad to advertise all private sector properties.

All properties on this site have been accredited or ‘student stamped’ by the local authority housing team.

Please visit www.chesterstudentstamp.co.uk for further information.

Applying for Postgraduate Research StudyWhy Study at the University of Chester?4 5



■ MPhil and PhDThe University of Chester off ers the opportunity to undertake a programme of research, leading to the

awards of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These awards are assessed on the

basis of a thesis reporting individual research conducted over a number of years (typically 2 years full-

time/4 years part-time study for MPhil and 3 years/6 years for PhD).

• A full-time student is required to devote 35 hours per week over 46 weeks per year.

• Part-time students are expected to work for 16 hours per week, 52 weeks of the year.

• Overseas students will not normally be able to study on a part-time basis due to immigration regulations.

Studying for the degree of MPhil or PhD is very much an individual activity and research topics vary

widely according to personal interests. The University off ers access to expert supervision; well-equipped

laboratory and library facilities; training and seminar programmes; and support to prospective students in

developing their research proposal. There are currently over 400 postgraduate research students, based in

departments and research centres across the University.

■ Entry RequirementsTo apply for an MPhil or PhD you should have the equivalent of an upper second class British Bachelor

degree (i.e. a 2:1 or a 1st) in a subject relevant to that which you wish to study. If you have a lower second

class degree (2:2) then you will be required to also have the equivalent of a British Master’s degree. We will

check international qualifi cations for equivalency using UKNARIC. Substantial prior research or professional

experience may, in some instances, be acceptable in place of a fi rst degree qualifi cation. You must supply

us with copies of your certifi cates and a CV. If your fees are being paid by a sponsor we will also need a

letter from the sponsor confi rming this.

If English is not your fi rst language you will be asked to give details of your English language qualifi cations

on the application form, and attach a copy of your English Language Certifi cate. We require IELTS 6.5 (with

no less than 5.5 in each band) and we will not accept certifi cates older than 2 years.

■ Making ContactOnce you have decided that you would like to apply for a research degree at the University of Chester,

and you meet the necessary entry requirements, the fi rst thing you should do is to contact a potential

supervisor to establish whether appropriate expertise exists within the University to supervise your specifi c

project. If you cannot fi nd the details for your chosen department on our website, the Graduate School will

be able to put you in touch with an appropriate person.

We have produced leafl ets for the main areas of research activity within the University and these are available

to download from our website: www.chester.ac.uk/research/degrees. The leafl ets provide information

on the main topics of interest of our researchers, and contain contact details for the departments.

We have produced leafl ets for the main areas of research activity within the University and these are available

to download from our website: www.chester.ac.uk/research/degrees. The leafl ets provide information on

the main topics of interest of our researchers, and contain contact details for the departments.

It is very important that you make informal contact with your chosen department before you complete

an application, as your application cannot be processed if we do not have the appropriate supervisory

expertise.

Once it has been established that the University has the necessary expertise to be able to supervise your

project, you can then make an application. Please note that the admissions process for Postgraduate

Research programmes is now online.

Please apply via the Admissions Information Management System (‘AIMS’) as early as possible. Before you

apply, please read the guidance notes.

Once your application has been submitted, we will usually contact you with our decision within 4 weeks,

however, please ensure you respond to requests for further information as quickly as possible. If you are

unsure of anything, please contact us.

■ The InterviewBefore the University can off er you a place you will need to attend an interview. Interviews are usually held

at the University, although telephone or Skype interviews can be arranged for overseas students, and are

quite informal. The interview usually involves the proposed supervisory team, the Head of Department and

a representative of the Graduate School.

■ The MPhil/PhD ProgrammeStudents who apply for MPhil or PhD are initially registered for MPhil study only. Students have a

probationary period, and they must satisfactorily complete the probationary review in order to have their

registration for MPhil/PhD confi rmed. The probationary reviews are carried out after a period of six months

(i.e. during March, July or November, to correspond with the start dates of September, January and May

respectively). Students who register at other times of year will normally be assigned to the cohort with the

closest starting date to their own, and will be notifi ed of their review date. The expectations of students’

achievements during the probationary period will be moderated against their mode of study and period

of registration. The review is conducted by a Progress Review Board consisting of a Graduate School

Postgraduate Tutor, alongside the full supervisory team. You will need to produce evidence of how your

project is developing, such as:

• A review of what is already known of the proposed area (e.g. a literature review or introductory chapter

to a thesis);

• A research proposal (e.g. the research questions, methodology);

• Applications for ethical approval;

• A personal development record.

The Application ProcessApplying for Postgraduate Research Study6 7

g r a d s c h o o l @ c h e s t e r . a c . u kg r a d s c h o o l @ c h e s t e r . a c . u k i n t e r n a t i o n a l @ c h e s t e r . a c . u k

We currently have leafl ets for the following research areas:


History and Archaeology

Law

Mathematics

Modern Languages

Performing Arts

Psychology

Science and Engineering

Social Studies and Counselling

Social Policy

Sport and Exercise Sciences

Theology and Religious Studies

Art and Design

Biological Sciences

Business

Clinical Sciences and Nutrition

Chester Centre for Stress Research

Chester Centre for Research in to Sport and

Society (CCRSS)

Centre for Work Related Studies

Computer Science

English

Geography and Development Studies

Health and Social Care

After one year (two years for part-time students) you will be eligible to apply to confi rm your target

award. A report must be submitted to the Graduate School; you must also attend an interview, and do a

presentation on your work to date and how you see the project developing.

When you are ready to submit your thesis, you will fi rst submit soft-bound copies to the examiners via the

Graduate School, along with an electronic version. You will also need to attend a viva voce examination.

There are a range of possible outcomes, from approving the thesis or requiring modifi cations through to

the need to be re-examined. Once the thesis has been fi nally approved, you will submit hard-bound copies

for your supervisor and the University Library. A version on CD-ROM is also required for the University’s

electronic repository.

What Can I Expect During my Studies?The Application Process8 9



■ Supervisory TeamYour department will appoint a member of staff to be your Principal Supervisor. S/he should be your fi rst point

of contact if you need to speak to anyone about your studies or any issues which may aff ect your studies,

such as illness. You will also have a Joint Supervisor who will assist with the supervision of your project; and

depending on the nature of your research, you may have an internal or external advisor.

■ Facilities for Postgraduate Research StudentsYou will be given access to use the University’s computing and library facilities, and access to any other

equipment (e.g. use of a laboratory) that you may require. There is also a dedicated Postgraduate Study Centre

and many departments have offi ce space which is available for use by MPhil/PhD students. You should ask

your supervisor in the fi rst instance what the arrangements are for your department.

■ Monthly MeetingsYou will have close contact with your supervisory team throughout your studies. You should have monthly

meetings with your Principal Supervisor, which should be documented. You may, of course, be in contact

with your supervisors more frequently than this, but only one meeting per month needs to be recorded. A

telephone conversation or email exchange can occasionally replace a face-to-face meeting. If you are unable

to attend any meetings due to illness or any other reason, you must inform your supervisor immediately so

this can be recorded.

■ Skills Training and the Researcher Development PlanEvery Postgraduate Research student must complete the Researcher Development Plan to demonstrate their

abilities in a range of areas connected with research, communication skills and other transferable skills. The

Graduate School runs a variety of training sessions during the year which will help you to develop these skills.

■ Student Progress ReviewsYour progress will be reviewed each year during your studies. Full-time students will normally have a

Probationary Review meeting during their fi rst year; a Confi rmation of Target Award meeting; and a meeting

at the end of their normal period of registration. Part-time students will have additional reviews to take into

account the increased length of study for part-time courses.

■ Financial Help – Departmental BursariesDepartmental Bursaries

The University is able to off er some partially-funded (up to 50%) bursaries to PhD students. You should discuss

these with your supervisor, who will be able to advise you on the availability of these for your department.

■ MPhil/PhD Course FeesThe fees for international students for 2014/15 are as follows:

Full-time Part-time

Classroom based £11,800 £5,900

Laboratory based £15,200 £7,600

There are also fees for Submission Pending status, Resubmission status and Re-examination. Our Finance

Department can provide you with more information.

Coming to Live in the UK

■ Visa ArrangementsAll students who are a national of a country listed in Appendix 1 of the Immigration Rules (https://www.gov.

uk/government/publications/immigration-rules-appendix-1) need to apply for a visa to study in the UK.

Applying for a visa can be a lengthy process and you should begin the application process several months

before you intend to start your studies.

UK Visas and Immigration (https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas) provides

information on how to apply for a visa to study in the UK. The website gives details about what requirements

you will need to meet, and the documents you need to show. As a student, you will apply for a Tier 4 (General)

student visa. The website also provides information on what to expect on arrival in the UK and the conditions

of your visa, including your entitlement to work.

On applying for your visa you will need to show that you have suffi cient funds to support yourself in the UK

for a year, including tuition fees and all living costs, as well as evidence that you have a place on a course at a

recognised Higher Education Institution in the UK.

You are advised to check the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/

organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration) for up to date information.

The British Council website (www.britishcouncil.org) also contains useful information on studying in the

UK, and has details of funding available to international students.

■ Academic Technology Approval SchemeIf you are intending to study a technology or science subject you may also need to apply for an Academic

Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certifi cate. You should apply for this before you apply for your visa or

extension. For more details of this certifi cate please see the Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce website

(www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/atas-what/). The information

you will need to apply for an ATAS certifi cate will be provided to you by the Graduate School along with

your off er letter.

Please also see www.chester.ac.uk/international/help/visas for more information.

■ Medical TreatmentInternational students enrolled on a course of at least six months duration are entitled to access health care

benefi ts, however the UK government is changing the way this works and you may be asked to repay the

cost of your treatment at a later date.

For that reason, we would encourage you to research the possibility of getting medical insurance before

you travel to the UK. More information on medical insurance can be found at http://www.ukcisa.org.

uk/International-Students/Preparing--planning/Money-scholarships-cost-of-living/Medical-

insurance/

■ Contact Details for your CountryThe University website: www.chester.ac.uk/international/your-country has contact details for British

Council offi ces in many overseas countries as well as information on equivalent qualifi cations.

Moving to the UKMoving to the UK10 11



Summary of MPhil/PhDFacilities Off ered by the University12 13



Read the relevant departmental leafl et

and make informal contact with a

potential supervisor in your chosen

department.

Arrange funding for tuition fees and

living expenses .

The department will decide whether they

have suitable expertise to supervise your

proposed research project.

Apply online and inform referees.

Attend an interview.

Application Successful, Graduate

School send out an off er letter.Once you have received your

off er letter, apply for your

visa and any relevant related

documents (eg ATAS certifi cate).

Accept your off er.Registration on MPhil/PhD

Programme confi rmed.

Probationary Review.Monthly Meetings, Annual

Progress Reviews, Skills Training.

Confi rmation of Target Award

meeting.

Viva voce (within three months

of submission).Submit soft-bound thesis.

Amendments/

resubmission.

Submit hard-bound thesis and

CD-ROM.

Applicants

Responsibility

University’s

responsibility

Joint

responsibility

Application Unsuccessful:

Graduate School will inform

you in writing. Feedback can be

provided upon request.

■ Student Support and Guidance – International Welfare Offi cerThe University’s Student Support and Guidance staff are available to off er advice on any matter during your

time at the University. They have a dedicated International Student Welfare Offi cer whose role is to provide

support and guidance for all International students before and during your studies at the University.

The Graduate School liaises with the International Welfare Offi cer, who will contact you before you come

to the UK.

■ Study Skills and English Language Services The Study Skills Service of the University off er one-to-one appointments and group seminars on topics

such as essay writing, grammar, presentation or discussion skills. The University of Chester also off ers

supplementary English Language classes and one-to-one tutorials, free of charge, to any degree student

whose fi rst language is not English.

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) team are part of the International Centre, and they

are here to help any student who needs to develop their English language knowledge and skills. You may

be told that you need to attend in-sessional Academic English Language classes so you can improve your

English as you study.

If you do not meet the University’s English language requirements, you can attend an intensive pre-

sessional English language course at undergraduate or postgraduate level before you start your course.

■ Careers and EmployabilityThe University has a dedicated Careers and Employability offi ce based in Chester and Warrington, and staff

are on hand to help with any questions you may have about fi nding work once you have fi nished your

studies.

■ Sporting FacilitiesThe Chester Fitness Centre, located on the Parkgate Road Campus, is open seven days a week throughout

the year, and students benefi t from a reduced membership fee. Students can also use other sports facilities

such as the swimming pool, the Astroturf pitch, multi-use pitch, running track, sports hall, tennis courts

and the squash courts, mostly free of charge.

The Thornton Science Park has a brand new fi tness suite, including a studio for fi tness classes and a 3G

5 –side football pitch.

The Warrington Campus also has a Fitness Centre and off ers a selection of classes run by the fi tness centre staff .

Students can also use other sport facilities such as the athletics track, sports hall, Astroturf and grass pitches.

Contact DetailsFrequently Asked Questions14 15



The Graduate School

Tel: + 44 (0)1244 511358 / 511347

Email: [email protected]

International Offi ce

Tel: +44 (0) 1244 512465 / 512335 / 512472


Accommodation Offi ce

Tel: +44 (0) 1244 513000


Website: www.chester.ac.uk/accommodation

Student Support and Guidance

Tel: +44 (0) 1244 511550 / +44 (0) 1925 534282

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Careers and Employability

Tel: +44 (0) 1244 513066 / +44 (0) 1925 534235

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Website: www.chester.ac.uk/careers

■ How long should the thesis be?There is an absolute upper word limit of 60,000 words for MPhil theses, and 100,000 words for PhD theses.

This includes footnotes and appendices.

■ What happens if I need to take a break from my studies?Students are able to suspend their studies in certain circumstances (e.g. ill health). The time during which

studies are suspended does not count towards the time spent studying; however there are time limits

which apply to the total elapsed time since registration. Suspending your studies for a long period of time

could also contravene the terms of your visa.

■ Can I spend part of the research period away from Chester?MPhil/PhD students must spend at least 30 days per annum on one of the University’s campuses (15

days per annum for part-time students). When you are preparing your project proposal you will need to

explain how you intend to meet this requirement and what you will be doing during your periods away

from the campus. The Graduate School has examples of how you might demonstrate you will fulfi l these

requirements.

■ What is the procedure for Graduation?Once you have submitted copies of your hard-bound thesis and CD-ROM, the Graduate School will let the

Graduation Offi ce know that you are ready to graduate. The Graduation Offi ce will then get in touch with

you about the arrangements for the Graduation Ceremony. Graduation Ceremonies for MPhil and PhD

awards are held in Chester Cathedral every March and November.

■ I want to bring my family to live in the UK whilst I am studying. What facilities does the University have for families?The University has nursery facilities in Chester (Kingsway Campus) and Warrington. The nurseries accept

children between the ages of 0-5 years and are open from 8.00am-6.00pm all year round except for bank

holidays. If you have children of school age you will need to arrange for them to attend school. Schools

are run by local Councils and are split into Primary Schools (age 4-11) and Secondary Schools (age 11-

16 or 18). Information about schools in the Chester and Warrington areas can be found at http://www.

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education_and_learning/school_admissions.aspx and

http://www.warrington.gov.uk/info/200298/education_and_learning

■ I am having problems with my studies. Who can I talk to?You should raise any problems initially with your Principal Supervisor, or another member of your

supervisory team if you feel unable to speak to your Principal Supervisor. Quite often a problem can be

rectifi ed quickly if it is dealt with early. You can also speak to anyone in the Graduate School about any

problems you have with your studies. The University also provides a pastoral support service for students.

The Chaplaincy is an integral part of this, and the University’s Student Support and Guidance department

provides a counselling service for students.

Documents

Enhancing postgraduate research in ... - University of Chester · Chester is a city in the North West of England, close to the border with Wales. Chester Railway Station has direct