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A research degree offers a tailored, supervised approach to study and is especially suited to students wanting to focus on a specific area of interest and make an original contribution to knowledge. As well as gaining an additional qualification, a research degree can help you to strengthen your critical and analytical skills, boost your confidence, and give you the opportunity to become an expert in your field.
At Lincoln, we offer several different types of degrees, and which programme is right for you will depend on a number of factors, including your current stage of study and your career aspirations.
MA/MSc by Research are Master’s-level courses that take up to 16 months full-time and 32 months part-time to complete and don’t usually include lectures or seminars. They can provide a good foundation for those wanting to progress to an MPhil or PhD.
This can be a standalone qualification or form part of a PhD and takes 18 months to 32 months full-time to complete. It comprises a substantial piece of research that demonstrates a critical understanding of an aspect of an academic discipline.
A PhD is the highest level of qualification and usually takes between three and four years full-time to complete, or up to eight years part-time. It culminates in a thesis, which makes an original contribution to knowledge in an academic discipline.
For a Master's by Research, you will need to produce a thesis of around 25,000 words, for an MPhil your thesis will be around 40,000 words, while at PhD level it will be 80,000 words.
For an MPhil and PhD, you will normally need to defend your thesis in an oral examination (viva voce), where you are expected to demonstrate an expert understanding of the subject, and to show how your research findings contribute to knowledge or build on existing understandings of the subject.
Our course pages provide the most detailed information about our research degrees, including start dates, entry requirements, fees, programme structure, duration, assessments, and other subject-specific elements such as research facilities and opportunities for collaboration.
Paul graduated with a PhD (Professional) Education and is now a school principal and part-time lecturer at the University of Limerick. He is also a mentor with the Oide leadership team, which is the Department of Education and Skills support service in Ireland.
At Lincoln, I feel I got an education not just a degree. My PhD has given me the research training I needed to approach my role from a more academic viewpoint and allows me to consider the theory versus practice aspect of school leadership. The University also has a great campus with very supportive staff throughout. You get to meet wonderful people and see a lovely city while earning a high-quality qualification.
Postgraduate students are an integral part of our vibrant research community here at the University of Lincoln. Meet some of our student researchers to find out more about their exciting work, which aims to have a real-world impact on lives and communities in the UK and beyond.
If you would like to know more about studying for a postgraduate research degree at the University of Lincoln or would like further guidance on how to apply for your chosen programme, please complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch with further help and advice.
Our postgraduate research students are able to learn from, and work alongside, leading academics, many of whom are working on groundbreaking studies that are addressing the major global challenges that are facing us all today.
