The University of Stirling

Research Degrees

Postgraduate research studies are offered in the Division at both Masters and Doctoral level. Detailed descriptions of each course follow below.

M.Res in Humanities

M.Res in Publishing Studies

M.Res in Renaissance Studies

Doctoral Research

Research Masters Programmes

M.Res in Humanities

(MASTER OF RESEARCH & POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HUMANITIES)

Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.

Zora Neale Hurston

If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?

Albert Einstein

The M.Res in Humanities is a year-long Masters by research programme at the University of Stirling, jointly administered by English Studies and the Languages, Cultures and Religions. This programme offers considerable scope to students who are keen to undertake research training and work independently on their own research and writing for a year (full-time) or two years (part-time) before they embark on doctoral research (a PhD).

Aim of course

The Master of Research (M.Res) is designed

(a) to enable students to become well-trained researchers in a Humanities subject area

(b) to demonstrate their fitness to undertake research to doctoral level

You will work closely with an assigned supervisor from your subject-area to develop your own topics for research, writing substantial essays (5-6000 words) over the course of the programme, culminating in the research and writing of a 15,000 word dissertation.

Entrance Requirements

An applicant who holds a first or second-class single or joint Honours degree in a relevant subject (English, French, Spanish, Religious Studies, Postcolonial and/or Francophone Studies, History of Ideas, etc.) may be considered for admission.

Period of study

Full-time:	MRes	12 months
	Certificate	9 months

Part-time:	MRes	24 months
	Certificate	18 months

Programme of Study

The programme is in three parts, with a total credit value of 180 SCQF points

	Credit value:
a) Critical Practice (Research Training)	20 SCQF points

(b) Subject Specific Module	40 SCQF points

(c) Dissertation (15,000 words)	120 SCQF points

For further information, please contact the programme directors, Dr Antonio Sanchez (Spanish) antonio.sanchez@stir.ac.uk, Dr Cristina Johnston (French) cristina.johnston@stir.ac.uk, Dr Elizabeth Ezra (Global Cinema) e.r.ezra@stir.ac.uk, Dr Alison Jasper (Relgion) a.e jasper@stir.ac.uk

For a print application form, please contact Postgraduate Admission Office:

Note that it is also possible to apply online for this course.

Doctoral Research

Original doctoral research is the traditional preparation for an academic career, though many PhD graduates find their research degrees highly valued in the professions, in the media, in education, and in a variety of other fields. The Doctoral programme centres on the independent development of your own critical position (and often, your own critical method) in the production of original scholarly knowledge. The intellectual support of supervisors and peers is, however, key to the completion of the thesis within a fixed time-period, to a rigorous standard.