• Overview
• Applying for Taught Courses
• Applying for MPhil/PhD
• Application forms
• External registration for international students

Overview

To gain admission to a research programme an applicant must comply with the following entry requirements:

• (i) attainment of a good Honours degree (normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree) awarded by an approved University in an appropriate subject, or the equivalent thereof
  or
• (ii) attainment of an alternative qualification or qualifications and/or evidence of experience judged by the School as indicating a student’s potential for research and as satisfactory for the purpose of entry to a research degree programme.

Admission may be subject to preliminary study, which may include assessment. In such cases, registration for a programme leading to a research degree will be subject to satisfactory completion of the preliminary study. The time taken for the preliminary study will not be counted towards the period of registration.

Applications from international students will also be subject to evidence of proficiency in English Language. The School of Education requires 600 TOEFL plus TWE 4.0 (250 computer based TOEFL) or 7.0 IELTS (with no less than 6.5 in any band) or an equivalent qualification, which should not be less than two years old at the time of admission.

Applying for Taught Courses

You will receive a form to complete with your application form asking you to identify the taught course for which you are applying and it is important that you indicate your area of interest or possible research topic.

Applying for MPhil/PhD

For these awards you are required to submit a research proposal which accompanies your application form. This should be about three sides of A4 in length, preferably typed, and should outline the nature of your proposed study. This outline should include:

• The aims or objectives, and research questions if possible.
• The justification for the study or the area.
• An outline of the research design (approach, population, methods, time scale).
• An indication of related literature.
• Any previous work you have done in the area.
• Any facilities available to you for the research or access to the research site, and research subjects.
• The amount of time per week you are able to devote to the study.

You are advised to have a preliminary discussion with a member of academic staff before submitting your proposal. If you have had such a discussion and if you would like that member of staff to be involved in considering your application, please ensure that you enter their name in the relevant section of the application form.

This proposal will not be held as a final ‘contract’ and may well change considerably in negotiation with your supervisor. However, it is an indication to the School that you have the background ideas and knowledge to begin independent research in the broad area of your interest. It also enables the School to send your application to relevant members of staff for consideration.

Application Forms

Application forms are available from:

Helen Joinson
Administrator
Student Research Office
School of Education
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4847/4879
Email: h.e.joinson@bham.ac.uk

Split Location Registration for International Students

International students normally carry out their research and are supervised at the University of Birmingham. However, there are students, often academic staff at overseas institutions though not exclusively, who are looking for flexible study arrangements. In these cases, most of the study period would be spent in their home country with short periods at the University of Birmingham. Those students registered for an MPhil degree must spend the equivalent of a minimum of two months full-time at the University. Students registered for a doctoral degree must spend the equivalent of a minimum of six months full-time at the University of Birmingham. The period need not be continuous but needs to take into account accessing the research training programme. The University will seek to ensure that the facilities for research and study in the home country are broadly comparable to those at this University.