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 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, 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?

There are several research topics available for this degree.

• Advanced Co-Simulation Procedures and Application on Pantograph-Catenary Interaction
  • Outline: The development of co-simulation procedures has led to the development of sophisticated numerical dynamic analysis tools.
  • Funding: Please see our Research Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.
  • Deadline: Our standard University deadlines apply.
  • Supervisors:
    • Dr Pedro Cabaco antunes
    • Professor Joao Pombo
• Our research is focused around two themes: novel-materials and particle accelerators.
  • We research and develop new approaches and methods to accelerator applications and materials development that will have a real impact on global grand challenges in areas such as the environment, health, security and energy.
  • There is a wide range of topics which can be researched, including the following areas:
    • Artificial Electromagnetic Materials: designing and fabricating artificial materials, such as metamaterials and spatially dispersive media.
    • Medium Energy Ion Scattering: probing the atomic composition of the first few layers with our accelerator system, which is part of the UK National Ion Beam Centre
    • Particle Accelerators: we work in conjunction with international labs and industry to develop the next generation of accelerators for a range of applications from ion therapy and imaging, energy production and transmutation, curing leather, purifying water, and many others.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching: A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance.
• Assessment: Feedback, normally written, is provided on all assessments following submission.
• Progression: You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

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.
• 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.

Researcher Environment

Our postgraduate researchers contribute to our thriving research culture at Huddersfield, in return we provide an experience that enhances your potential and inspires you to think big and become a globally competitive researcher.

• Join our community of like-minded people who are passionate for research and gain access to world-leading facilities, advanced research skills training, and expert careers advice.
• We are in the top 50 UK universities for research power, and nearly two thirds of our research environment is classified as world leading and internationally excellent (REF2021).