MPhil/PhD Research

The postgraduate division facilitates all postgraduate research students within the faculty. Generally, PhD and MPhil candidates are expected to critically investigate an approved topic and to demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to their chosen field. Following are the aim and learning outcomes set by the faculty for the PhD and MPhil programmes.

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)    Master of Philosophy (MPhil) 
Aim  To enable students to develop their capabilities to conduct independent research and to transfer knowledge at the forefront of a discipline by making an original contribution to knowledge.    To enable students to develop their capabilities to a level for pursuing PhD studies, and to show originality in the application of knowledge.  
       
Learning Outcomes  To be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy, a Candidate shall demonstrate:

A systematic understanding of advanced knowledge which is at the forefront of a particular field

A thorough understanding of research methodologies and techniques of an advance level

Ability to design and implement research project independently which is original and pioneering in a discipline

Quality of the research which is up to the standard of peer review  
  To be awarded a Master of Philosophy, a Candidate shall demonstrate:

A systematic understanding of knowledge on identifying problems or new sights in a particular field

A thorough understanding of research techniques and methods employed

Ability to develop research skills applicable to a particular field

Aptitude to pursue PhD studies  

How to start

A prospective student should follow the following list of preliminaries before commencing the research:
 

  • Check whether the candidate satisfies the eligibility requirements for the selected programme
  • Go through the research interests of respective departments and select a department where student wishes to register.
  • Contact the HOD or the RC of the department and express his research interest in which case the department could direct the student to contact a potential supervisor.
  • *Alternatively, student can directly contact a prospective supervisor.
    *If the student is not certain which department or supervisor to contact, could contact the Director/ PGS for advice.
  • Develop a research proposal and the full application (form is available at PGS division or downloadable from website) with the support of the agreed supervisor.
  • Submit the completed application and submit to the supervisor who will forward the form through the proper channels.
  • When the application form is received by the HOD, an interview will be arranged in coordination with the PGS division to evaluate the application.
  • The department will verify the acceptability of student’s application at the interview and recommend to the FHDC through Director/PGS.
  • Director/PGS will forward the application to the FHDC for approval and recommend to the Faculty Board.
  • The Faculty Board will approve and forward the form for Senate approval through Senate Higher degrees committee.
  • When the process is complete, the student will be informed to formally register for the programme.