Postgraduate Course Structure
Type and duration of courses
Taught Degrees
Postgraduate Diplomas and Master's Degrees are normally one year full time study. The coursework element takes 9 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 3 month research project and submitting a dissertation 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 one year’s full-time study, or two years’ study if 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 if full-time or four years part-time. This arrangement would need 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.