Postgraduate course structure

Type and duration of courses

Taught degrees
Research degrees
Graduate Programme
Tutor and Postgraduate Forum

Taught Degrees

Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s Degrees are normally one year full time study. The coursework element takes 8 months, after which a postgraduate Diploma of Bangor University may be awarded. If you reach a sufficiently high standard in the Diploma assessment, you are given the option of carrying out a research project and submitting a dissertation (usually taking 4 – 7 months) for a Master’s degree. On most of the Master’s courses it is possible to opt for a Postgraduate Diploma level.

Research degrees

MPhil and PhD are research degrees and are awarded after the examination of a candidate's thesis, produced following a period of research.

While most candidates pursue research degrees on a full-time basis, in certain circumstances it is possible to offer them on a part-time basis. You may register for these degrees at the beginning of any month. The usual period of registration for research degrees is:

Full-time: MPhil 2 years / PhD 3 years
Part-time: MPhil 3 years / PhD 5 years

It is possible for you to complete the MPhil after studying for only one year full-time or two years part-time. If you are a PhD candidate with a relevant Master's degree or at least two years' relevant experience, your period of registration could possibly be of only two years' duration full-time or three years part-time. This arrangement would have to be agreed by your Head of Department and Supervisor before your research is started. We expect PhD students to produce and submit a thesis for examination within four years of starting a three-year programme.

Graduate Programme

We provide a series of transferable skills courses to broaden your portfolio of skills on the Graduate Programme. If you are registering for a higher degree by research on a full-time basis, and have received no previous training in research methodology, and have not previously followed a Master's course with research methodology elements, you will be expected to take these courses during your first two years and achieve a minimum of 30 credits. If you accumulate 60 credits, you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate of Attainment.

You register for the transferable skills courses at the beginning of your degree programme, having consulted your supervisor on which of the courses are most relevant for you. The choice of courses will depend very much upon the nature of your intended programme of research and also upon the topics you covered at first degree level (and subsequently).

Visit our page listing the transferable skills courses available to all research students.

There is also a short summer school Realising Academic Potential: presenting and publishing academic and scientific papers.You are especially recommended to take this course at the end of your penultimate year.

Tutor and Postgraduate Forum

All students will receive academic support, advice and guidance, during your postgraduate course. Each department has appointed a member of academic staff as the Senior Postgraduate Tutor.

The Postgraduate Forum is a chance for you to discuss your opinions. It is an association of postgraduate students which has been established with the support of the University to provide a voice to articulate the special needs of research students. Each department in the University is represented on the Forum, which in turn is represented on the Graduate Committee, the body responsible for the development of research programmes.