Program Overview

Overview

A Master of Science (MSc) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

Key Information

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MSc by Research is a second honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification.
• The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

Start dates

• 1 October 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 20 April 2026

Application deadlines

• For September 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For October 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For January 2026:
  • 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 14 November 2025 for Home Students
• For April 2026:
  • 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

The maximum duration for an MSc by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.

• Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.
• If studying on a part-time basis, you must establish close links with the University and spend normally not less than an average of 10 working days per year in the university, excluding participation in activities associated with enrolment, re-registration and progression monitoring.
• You are also expected to dedicate 17.5 hours per week to the research.

What can I research?

You can apply by:

1. Proposing your own research topic. Explore the skills of our supervisors and/or Research Centres to see if we have the expertise to support your topic.
2. Applying for one of the research topics listed below or for a specific research area within the School.

• Places are always subject to eligibility, a review of your proposal and supervisory capacity.
• There are several research topics available for this degree.
• You may also want to design a project of your own. You can find a full list of broad research areas in Art and Design on our Postgraduate Study in Art, Design and Architecture page.

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• In practice you may meet with your supervisors more frequently. This time should include at least an hour of one-to-one supervision with each student.
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor. Self-directed study and supervision time should equate to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).
• A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance. You are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

Our Facilities

• Dedicated to exploration, students across the School of Arts and Humanities have the opportunity to cultivate, curate and showcase in a range innovative spaces, utilising extensive and purpose-built facilities.
• These include 3D printers for rapid prototyping and modelling, laser cutters, the virtual reality cave, print and dye capabilities, photography studios, digital print centre, specialist film studios including industry-standard equipment, and so much more.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University.
• Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).
• If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.
• In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University.
• Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).
• If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Important information

• We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.
• When you are offered a place on a research degree, your offer will include confirmation of your supervisory team, and the topic you will be researching and will be governed by our terms & Conditions, student handbook and relevant policies.
• Whilst the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure your supervisory team remains the same, sometimes it may be necessary to make changes to your team for reasons outside the University’s control, for example if your supervisor leaves the University, or suffers from long term illness.
• Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.
• Your research project is likely to evolve as you work on it and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of your study. However, we may need to make more significant changes to your topic of research during the course of your studies, either because your area of interest has changed, or because we can no longer support your research for reasons outside the University’s control.
• If this is the case, we will discuss any changes in topic with you and agree these in writing. If you are an international student, changing topics may affect your visa or ATAS clearance and if this is the case we will discuss this with you before any changes are made.