MPhil/PhD Business and Social Sciences

Research students are a key and valued part of the research activities within the Faculty. They help to build a strong research reputation, are vital members of our Research Centres and occasionally help with teaching undergraduate students. The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences (FBSS) is one of the most research-intensive parts of Kingston University. It has an energetic research culture and therefore a plethora of research projects currently on offer. The MPhil takes up to two years full-time or up to four years part-time. It is awarded on the basis of a thesis of about 40,000 words which has been successfully defended in an oral examination.

A PhD will typically take:

three to four years of full-time study; or
four to six years of part-time study.

You will normally need a postgraduate masters degree or a first/upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to your proposed research programme. Please check the relevant faculty's research degrees webpage for specific requirements.

Word length for the PhD thesis varies according to discipline, and is about 40,000 words for healthcare, science and engineering, or 80,000 for other subject areas. On completion it will be the subject of an oral examination, in which you will show how you have:

• critically investigated your area of research; and
• made an independent and original contribution to knowledge.

Initially, your admission will be provisional and subject to formal confirmation after your first year of study. In exceptional circumstances, we may consider you for admission to a research degree without the conventional qualifications. If you have substantial relevant professional experience, including publications or written reports, the University will consider these as a potential alternative basis for an application for admission to a research degree programme.