Program Overview

Overview

The MSc by Research at Huddersfield is a one-year full-time research degree that allows students to explore a research topic in-depth. This type of study gives students the chance to delve into a research topic over a shorter period than a more in-depth doctoral program.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

• The normal level of attainment required for entry is an upper second honors degree (2:1) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed program to be followed.
• If the first language is not English, students will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.

Start Dates

• 22 September 2025
• 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, students 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 enrollment, re-registration, and progression monitoring.
• Students are also expected to dedicate 17.5 hours per week to the research.

What Can I Research?

There are different ways to find the right research topic:

1. Find a supervisor and design your own research project – explore the Huddersfield Research Portal to find research and researcher expertise to find the area you’re interested in.
2. For research in science, computing, engineering, health, and social science, there are named projects you can search and apply for instead of developing a research proposal.
3. Browse listed funded opportunities.

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum, students can expect to meet with their supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with the student and their 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.
• Students are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - Full-Time

• In 2025/26, the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University.

Tuition Fees - Part-Time

• In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University.

Why Choose Huddersfield?

• The University of Huddersfield has teaching staff that rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications.
• The average salary of postgraduates fifteen months after graduating is £36,101.44.
• 97% of postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

Researcher Environment

• The University of Huddersfield is in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power.
• Three-quarters of all research is world-leading and internationally excellent.
• Over 60% of the research environment was classified as world-leading and internationally excellent, especially in Music, Biological Sciences, Architecture and Built Environment, Social Work and Social Policy, History, and Communication and Media Studies.