A postgraduate (sometimes simply known as a graduate) student is anyone who has successfully completed a bachelor degree, and who is now studying towards a higher qualification at university.
There are a number of different types of postgraduate qualifications awarded by the University of Bolton. These fall broadly into two categories:
For details of the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) please see our Teacher Training and Teaching Qualifications| webpage.
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Taught postgraduate awards
Taught masters degrees, postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates
Taught postgraduate programmes usually result in a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Business Administration (MBA), but there are some for which the final award is a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert). These qualifications are also available as interim awards to students registered for masters programmes who do not, for whatever reason, complete the masters degree.
Masters students will be expected to display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills; demonstrate expertise in highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and/or research skills; conduct research, or advanced technical or professional activity; design and apply appropriate research methodologies; communicate results of research to peers; accept accountability in related decision making, including use of supervision.
These outcomes are delivered and assessed through a series of taught modules encompassing relevant subject matter and research methods, and a sustained period of independent research and study under supervision, leading to the production of a substantial dissertation or project. The normal length of a masters degree is 12 months of full-time study or 2-3 academic years part-time, with each stage (PgCert, PgDip, Masters) taking approximately one third of the total period .
For details of the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) please see our Teacher Training and Teaching Qualifications| webpage.
Graduate diplomas
A graduate diploma is considered to be a postgraduate qualification as it is only available to people who already have a bachelor degree. However, the contents of the course are undergraduate in nature. Graduate diplomas are popular in professional subjects such as Law, Accountancy, and Psychology and act as conversion courses for people who wish to change careers and gain professional accreditation.
The University of Bolton currently offers a graduate diploma in Psychology.
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Postgraduate degrees by research
Studying for a postgraduate degree by research leads to the award of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
For both degrees candidates will need to develop a research proposal, under supervision, which evaluates previous research, defines the research question and thesis, and describes the research methods to be employed and the advances in understanding expected to result from the research.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
The research MPhil takes 18-24 months full-time and 36-48 months part-time. Whilst the outcomes are the same as for taught masters degrees, the means of achieving them is through a critical investigation and evaluation of an approved topic and demonstration of an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. Candidates must present and defend a thesis by oral examination.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD is the highest academic award of the university. The PhD requires critical investigation and evaluation of an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge and an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. It is assessed through presentation and oral defence of a thesis. Candidates will need to make a significant and original contribution to a specialised field of inquiry; demonstrate command of methodological issues; communicate results of research to peers and engage in critical dialogue; accept accountability in related decision making, including use of supervision. A PhD will take 3 years of full-time study or approximately 6 years part-time.
The Centre for Materials Research and Innovation at the University of Bolton also offers a PhD by publication for industrially based materials scientists and engineers. This is a work-based qualification which requires students to undertake research/developmental activities in their place of work over a period of three years.
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