StudyQA — PhD: PhD — Falmouth University (Page 49)

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Description Contents Requirements

Falmouth University has a dynamic research culture and postgraduate researchers play an important role in the life of our research community. Interdisciplinary research is essential to our approach and is positively encouraged in everything we do.

Your research may be attached to one of our Research Centres, but our students' research projects are often interdisciplinary. In addition, your supervision team is likely to be drawn from more than one discipline.

Falmouth offers both theoretical and practice based research programmes leading to a PhD or MPhil currently awarded through our partnership with University of the Arts London.

Programmes of research can be carried out in any field of study that aligns to one or more of the University's key research themes of Digital Economy, Smart Design or Creative Connected Communities, provided that the proposed programme is capable of leading to scholarly research and to its presentation for assessment by appropriate examiners. The University’s subject range also means that students can follow programmes of study in which creative work can form a significant part of the intellectual enquiry.

Research and innovation are central to Falmouth University's identity and aspirations as a global arts university. Our overarching aim is to develop and sustain an entrepreneurial and internationally distinctive research discourse that drives the University's academic profile and underpins its contribution to economic, social and cultural advancement.

Research degree students at Falmouth benefit from the Research Student Development Programme (RSDP) which offers research students support and ongoing training to enhance their studies and future careers as researchers. Our postgraduate Research Student Development Programme will help you identify the appropriate research methods for your chosen subject, and help you plan and structure your project. We also support practice-led research in which your own creative practice plays a role, and documented creative work can contribute to your final thesis, alongside a written component.

Research students work alongside postdoctoral Research Fellows and a steady flow of international visiting researchers. All regularly share their enquiry through a lively and engaging programme of lectures, performances, readings, concerts and a variety of other activities. In addition, our cross-institutional programme enables researchers in all fields to share their work and ideas.

Falmouth University research degrees are awarded through our partnership with University of the Arts London.

The format of study for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) is very different from a taught degree. As a research student you will engage in a programme of independent research and/or creative work, with guidance from your supervisors. Meetings with supervisors take place at regular intervals throughout the registration period. During the first year of enrolment you will participate in an induction programme, undertake training in research methods and attend a series of seminars on research in your field. Workshops will also be provided on topics such as preparing a research proposal, presentation skills and writing skills. Full details on the Research Student Development Programme (RSDP) are available in the Falmouth Research Degrees Handbook.

A PhD is awarded in recognition of the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.

Requirements

A Master's degree in an appropriate subject is considered to be a particularly valuable preparation for a research degree, although the normal minimum entry requirement for a research degree is an upper second class honours degree of a British university or recognised institution of higher education. In some instances, applicants without this requirement may be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate alternative qualifications, professional experience or previous research.
Those for whom English is not a first language will have to pass an Internal English Language Test (IELTS) scoring at least 7.0+ (with a 7.0 in writing) or achieve TOEFL (iBT)* minimum score of 100 (with a score of 24 or above in the Writing Test) in order to be accepted as a research degree student. Scores should be as recent as possible (ie within the last year).
Please note: Falmouth University is no longer able to accept TOEFL iBT test scores taken on or after 6 April 2014 for applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa. This is due to a decision made by the UK Home Office; TOEFL and TOEIC are no longer included in the list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) required by the government for proof of English for visa purposes.