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Postgraduate Study at Bangor

Research Study

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Bangor has a strong research base across a spectrum of academic disciplines engaging in research at national and international levels. The University provides strong support for research activities including encouraging links with commercial and industrial bodies in the UK and overseas. The University also aims to be responsive to local and regional needs and is particularly conscious of its North Wales location and role as a research resource and a training base for Wales.

Research is carried out either directly in the Schools or in Research Units, Centres and Institutes associated with one or more Schools. Find out more from our Research Units, Centres and Institutes directory.

Postgraduate degrees available at Bangor University include:

  • PhD Doctor of Philosophy - 3 years / 6 years
  • MPhil Master of Philosophy - 2 years / 4 years
  • MRes Master of Research - 1 year / 2 years
  • MSc Master of Science - 1 year / 2 years
  • MA Master of Arts - 1 year / 2 years
  • MEd Master of Education - 2 years / 4 years
  • MMus Master of Music - 1 year / 2 years
  • MTh Master of Theology - 1 year / 2 years

MPhil/PhD study

Bangor University currently has around 547 students who are studying an MPhil or PhD either as full time or part-time course.

A PhD usually takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis and 4-5 years if studied as a part-time programme. To obtain a PhD the student is expected to conduct independent research that will make an original contribution to knowledge about that particular subject and present this in the form of a thesis.

An MPhil will usually take 2 years to complete on a full-time programme and 3-4 year as a part-time programme. Research at MPhil level should represent an extension of existing knowledge, although the demands of originality are less than that for a PhD.

MRes

The Research Masters degree is typically a science or social science qualification that is more research-orientated than a normal taught Masters programme, usually consisting of 40% taught component and 60% research. It is seen to be a good route into PhD level study.

Professional Doctorate

The professional Doctorate combines research and practical experience with a substantial taught core, and is increasingly available in a variety of vocational areas. Like the PhD, this usually takes 3 years to complete. At Bangor University, the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) is offered. 

Research study abroad

Some research degrees offer the opportunity to gather research data overseas – please contact the individual academic School for details.

Fellowships

Fellowships usually pay a salary for a fixed period of time at different stages in an academic's career. Depending on the fellowship, they can also cover the cost of a replacement lecturer for those members of staff wanting to conduct a period of concentrated research. For more information on Fellowships, please visit the Research Office website

Further information

Further information about research at Bangor University can be found on our Research Office website.

Information about specific research degree opportunities at Bangor University can be obtained from the websites of our constituent academic Schools or from our course search facility.

Application forms and guidance notes can be obtained here.

If you have any questions or queries not answered by the above links, please feel free to contact:

Michael Rogerson
Postgraduate Marketing Officer
Bangor University
College Road
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 2DG

e-mail: m.rogerson@bangor.ac.uk
phone: 00 44 (0) 1248 383648
fax: 00 44 (0) 1248 3268