Research degrees in Library, Archive, Information and Publishing Studies

Information for potential research students

The PhD in library, archive, information technology or publishing studies is a research-based 3 year programme (5 years part-time) awarded on the basis of a thesis of approximately 100,000 words culminating in an oral defence in front of two examiners (viva voce). Students are assigned a main and subsiduary supervisor who guide and monitor research throughout their period of study.

Students are initially registered for an MPhil. Upgrade to PhD status is dependent on satisfactory progress and usually takes place in the second year (or 3rd year for part-time students). To upgrade to PhD status, students need to produce a chapter of a thesis (approximately 10,000 words) and give a seminar of their work-in-progress in front of staff and fellow research students based in the Department of Information Studies.

To be considered as a research student, potential candidates need to write a detailed research proposal of around 1500 words. The proposal should be on a subject area relating to one of the stated discliplines in the Department, linked to the research interests of a member of academic staff.

Potential candidates should ensure the proposal includes a tentative title, the purpose of the research to be undertaken, proposed methodology and initial bibliography. The research proposal may be sent in advance of making a formal application to ensure the subject area is covered in the Department.

To formally apply for the PhD, potential candidates need to complete an application form which should include full transcripts of previous degree studies and appropriate references, one of which must be from an academic source. A copy of the research proposal should also be included.

International Students must also provide evidence of English Language proficiency, for example, IELTS overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests.

All Research Degrees in the Department of Information Studies commence in the autumn term i.e. September/October. The next intake of research students will be Autumn 2011.

There are two deadlines each year for applications. 15 January of the year of entry is for those who wish to be considered for funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, any of the Graduate School's Postgraduate Awards or the British Council. Students who seek to apply for a scholarship from somewhere else which will require a decision before August 2011 should also submit a formal application by this date. The second deadline, 15 June, is for those who do not wish to be considered for any scholarships. Applicants may be invited to an interview (usually held in February or March for January applications) and will be notified as soon as possible of the success of their application after these dates. Please note, if you miss the early deadline you will have to wait until the final submission date for your application to be considered.

DIS was successful in obtaining one nomination within the AHRC's block grant annually for a scholarship for a full time UK or EU student each year from 2010 to 2013. Nominations for this scholarship will be considered as part of the application process for places on the doctoral programme. If you wish to be considered, please make a note of this in your application papers. Candidates should hear whether DIS is proposing to nominate them by May 2011, but it is not known when the AHRC decisions will be announced. There are no guarantees of success in the AHRC scholarship competition, however, and candidates are strongly advised to make alternative funding arrangements should their AHRC scholarship application not succeed. Applicants for all other scholarships must submit a separate scholarship application directly to the funding body (including for UCL's Graduate and Overseas Research Scholarships).

For entry in September 2011 the application deadlines are:

15 January 2011 (Scholarship candidates)
15 June 2011

Candidates who apply after these dates will be considered at the next round of entry.

For information on how to apply see
Graduate study

Information for international students can be found at
International students

If you are applying for a scholarship please ensure you fully complete sections 21 and 22 of the application form. If you intend to make an electronic application, you are strongly advised to let the Research Administrator know as soon as your application has been formally submitted. The Research Administrator can be contacted by email infostudies-adminphd@ucl.ac.uk and is available to answer any queries relating to research studies in the Department.

We look forward to receiving your application.

DIS Research:

Research Students:

Page last modified on 09 jun 11 17:16