Graduate

Degree types - Taught and Research Degrees

Taught Programmes

Nearly all taught programmes begin in late September of each year. In theory most research degrees can be started at any time of the year but the majority of students begin their studies in September with a smaller number starting in January and April.

The degree programme descriptions which follow are out of necessity of a general nature and applicants should refer to the relevant departmental entries in the Graduate Prospectus, departmental booklets or on this website for more specific details of the structure and method of assessment of individual programmes.

• Master of Research (MRes)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Clinical Dentistry (MClinDent)
• Master of Fine Art (MFA)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Graduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Certificate

The MRes degree programme normally extends, full-time, over a period of 12 months. The MRes provides a structured and progressive research training programme which can be a foundation for doctoral study, or a research career in industry or the public sector. It includes a grounding in research techniques relevant to the broad disciplinary area, a significant research component which is assessed by means of a written report, and elements designed to broaden students’ experiences by equipping them with a range of transferable skills. Assessment is also by means of written examinations and/or coursework.

All other Master’s degree programmes normally extend, full-time, over a period of 12 months or part-time over two years, and take the form of a series of taught courses plus a research project. Assessment is usually by means of an examination of the taught components in May or June, in addition to any assessment of individual components or coursework that may take place throughout the duration of the programme. Students are also usually required to submit a dissertation or project report at the end of the programme in September.

Graduate Diplomas share an identical syllabus with the taught component of a corresponding Master’s degree, whereas Postgraduate Diplomas are free-standing programmes. In either case, the programme normally extends, full-time, over a period of nine months or the part-time equivalent. Assessment is usually by means of an examination in May or June, in addition to any assessment of individual components or coursework that may take place throughout the duration of the programme. Students may be required to submit a short project report.

A number of shorter Postgraduate Certificate programmes are also taught and some of these share components of the syllabus of a corresponding Master’s degree. A Certificate programme normally extends, full-time, over twelve weeks or the part-time equivalent. Methods of assessment vary and may be by coursework alone.

Research Programmes

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor in Engineering (EngD)
• Doctor of Medicine (Research) (MD(Res)
  
• Doctor in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
• Doctor in Educational Psychology (DEdPsy)
• Doctor in Educational and Child Psychology (DECPsy)
  
• Doctor in Psychotherapy (DPsy)

PhD students undertake a piece of supervised research either independently or as part of a team. The research programme is usually designed to extend over three years full-time or five years part-time. Assessment is by means of a thesis of no more than 100,000 words. The thesis must demonstrate a student’s capacity to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline, and must represent a distinct and significant contribution to the subject, whether through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory, or the revision of older views. It should show the exercise of critical judgement with regard to both the candidate’s own work and that of other scholars in the field.

Students applying for a PhD at UCL are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after the successful completion of one year and with the approval of the student’s department.

MPhil students also undertake a piece of supervised research either independently or as part of a team. The research programme is usually designed to extend over three years fulltime or five years part-time. Assessment is by means of a thesis of no more than 60,000 words. The thesis should represent a contribution to the subject, either through a record of the student’s original work or a critical and ordered exposition of existing knowledge.

EngD students undertake an industrial research project carried out within a company. The remainder of the programme involves taking a specified number of taught components in technical, business, managerial and personal skills at Master's level.

MD(Res) students, who are usually clinicians working in a hospital at the same time as studying, undertake a piece of supervised research either independently or as part of a team. Students are registered for a minimum of two calendar years full-time or two calendar years part-time, before submitting a thesis for the examination. The thesis, which is of no more than 50,000 words, should embody original observations and include a critical assessment of the relevant literature.

The Specialist Doctorates (DClinPsy, DECPsy, DEdPsy, DPsych) provide an education at an intellectual level equivalent to that required for the PhD. The length of the degree programmes is normally as follows: DClinPsy – three years full-time; DECPsy – three years full-time; DEdPsy – four years part-time; DPsych – six years part-time. There is a substantial research component which is examined by means of a thesis of not less than 25,000 words. The thesis must make a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or the exercise of independent critical power. The programmes also include elements of a practical/work related/professional nature and formally taught components assessed by coursework.

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