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 level of attainment required for entry 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

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

What can I research?

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

• Burnout in Optometrists
  • Outline: This study aims to explore the factors leading to burnout or symptoms of burnout in optometrists, who are actively working in the profession, within the United Kingdom.
  • Funding: Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of £2500 per annum are required.
  • Supervisors: Dr Lauren Coetzee
• Validation of a new clinical test of crowding distance in practice
  • Outline: Visual crowding is the inability to recognise a target object in clutter. When objects are too close together, they are perceptually jumbled. If far enough apart, they are free from clutter.
  • Funding: Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of between £3-£15,000 per annum are required depending on the nature of the project.
  • Supervisors: Dr Sarah Waugh

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. 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.

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 - 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 your study at the University. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

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.

THE Impact Rankings

• We currently hold the following THE Impact Rankings:
  • 6th out of 796 global institutions for reduced inequalities in the THE Impact Rankings.
  • 45th out of 850 global institutions for decent work and economic growth.
  • 50th out of 745 global institutions for peace, justice, and strong institutions.

World leading

• Our researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives:
  • We are in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power.
  • Three quarters of all our research is world leading and internationally excellent.
  • Over 60% of our 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.