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 an upper second honours degree (2:1 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.

What can I research?

There are several research topics available for this degree. Examples of research areas include:

• Designing future cities to resist terrorist threat
• Designing out anti-social behaviour: What impact can designing out crime have on anti-social behaviour?
• Exploring the lived experience of punitiveness
• Immigration and crime
• Investigative decision making and the historic case
• Nudge psychology and evidence-based policing
• The ‘Crime Drop’

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).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor.
• A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• 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.

Why choose Huddersfield?

• Our teaching staff rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications, as well as being top five for those holding doctorates.
• £36,101.44 is the average salary of our postgraduates fifteen months after graduating.
• 97% of our postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.