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Materials and Physics Postgraduate Research

Overview

The University of Salford welcomes applications to study materials and physics via our MPhil and PhD research programmes. The prestigious Physics and Materials Research Group encompasses experimental, computational and theoretical areas of physics, chemistry, engineering and mathematics.

Course Details

All about the course

Materials and Physics postgraduate research is available in a range of pathways:

• Master's by Research
  • One year full-time
  • Two years part-time
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
  • One year full-time
  • Two years part-time
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Three years full-time
  • Six years part-time

Our research students have access to a wide range of supervisory expertise, training, and excellent facilities.

What will I be doing?

Training and skills development

Our COMPASS training programme is designed to equip you with skills not only needed for your university studies but also for your future career, whether in academia or in public and private sectors. All of our postgraduate research students receive an extensive range of free training activities that develop both research and transferable skills.

All students will be expected to attend research methods seminars during your first year of study. Typical sessions cover topics such as conducting a literature review, methods of data collection, research governance and ethics, analysis, presentation, interpretation, and rigour qualitative research.

Assessment

As a postgraduate research student, you are required to meet a series of milestones in order to re-register for each year of study. These 'progression points' are an important guide for you and your supervisor, and must be completed at agreed dates.

Typical progression points for the PhD route include:

• Learning Agreement: completed during the first three months
• Annual Progress Report: completed at the end of each year of study
• Self-Evaluation Report: completed at the end of each year of study
• Interim Assessment: completed with a panel interview at the end of year one
• Internal Evaluation: completed at the end of year two and year three

Research Facilities

Our physics laboratories include various spectroscopy facilities (Raman, photoluminescence, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, spectrophotometry), chemical vapour deposition, high-pressure facilities (up to 2 Kbar high-pressure gas facility and diamond anvil cells for experiments up to 1 Mbar), X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Doctoral School

Becoming a world-class researcher is challenging yet rewarding. It takes amazing dedication and plenty of hard-work.

If you are a current or prospective research degree candidate, find out how our Doctoral School is here to give you support to help you reach your goal.

Employment and Stats

Globally, a postgraduate research qualification is usually pre-requisite for an academic career. Today, you will find that many of our PhD alumni hold postdoctoral positions in academic research in higher education.

Our physics and materials postgraduate student alumni have a strong track record in pursuing diverse and exciting opportunities in the private sector, both in the UK and throughout the world. Examples include working in the defence industry (BAE Systems, QinetiQ), the oil and petrochemicals industry (Petroleum Geoservices, ATMOS International), and the semiconductor and commercial coating industries (NXP Semiconductors, Hardide, Cacuum Equipment Ltd.).

Others have secured roles working at instrumentation companies designing new products for scientific analysis (Kratos Analytical, waters) and medical imaging (Agilent Technologies).

Requirements

What you need to know

Making an application

We offer four entry points - January, April, July and October. An application to study can be submitted at any point during the year.

Entry requirements

Ideally, you will hold an Honours degree in physics, or a physics-related subject. Please refer to the entry requirements section for specific details.

All applicants must attend an interview.

International applicants will require IELTS 6.5 or equivalent English Language Qualification.

Applicant profile

We are looking for applicants with a passion for furthering knowledge in a physics or materials-related field. Evidence of your ability to study and critically appraise literature independently, is essential.

You will be assigned a supervisory team to help guide and mentor you throughout your postgraduate research and studies. However, you will be expected to take responsibility for managing your learning, and to initiate discussions, ask for support, and be proactive in your approach to study.

International students - Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

International Students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before they begin studying their course. You might need to obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK in order for you to comply with Home Office regulations.

What qualifications do I need?

Standard entry requirements

Applications for the PhD must have a minimum of an upper second class undergraduate degree. A Masters degree is preferred but not essential. However, applicants without a Masters degree must provide evidence of previous research methods training.

Applicants for the MPhil degree must have a minimum of a lower second class undergraduate degree, or relevant experience.

On your application form, you should include two referees who can comment on your suitability to study at postgraduate level, and you should also indicate a preferred research area or the title of a specific project, where appropriate. You must also indicate the type of financial support you have (or require).

Alternative entry requirements

We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully.

Once we receive your application, we'll assess it and recommend it for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme, if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or by using a formal test.

To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).

How much?

As a postgraduate research student, you will need to pay annual tuition fees. These vary according to the programme you are studying. Both we and other organisations offer a range of scholarships and discounts to postgraduate research students.

Additional costs

You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on residential travel and accommodation visits.