How to apply
Research Students
Entry requirements
You must normally hold a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree in an appropriate subject and/or an MA with distinction or near distinction in a degree subject related to the proposed research.
It will greatly benefit your studies if you are able to live within reasonable travelling distance of the College whilst you are studying, with easy access to research libraries and research facilities. If you apply for part-time study, you must demonstrate that you will spend a minimum of two and a half working days a week in study.
If English is not your first language, you must either provide proof of your ability to write and read English to IELTS level 7 or its certificated equivalent (certificates must be no more than 2 years old), or show that you have a studied a degree taught in English in the UK.
You must show that you can meet the financial requirements of research study. If you receive an offer, you will be expected to provide evidence that you are able to pay your tuition fees. This can be from sponsorships, bursaries or scholarships. If you intend to pay your own fees you will have to do this from a capital sum invested in a bank account or other accessible cash fund. Please note that property is not eligible for this purpose.
Application Documents
Please download and complete the following documents and return them to the Research and Policy Administrator, Ms Frith Hooton, f.hooton@heythrop.ac.uk:
Postgraduate Application Form (Please note that you cannot save this form. Please 'save as' to your own machine, then print it out and sign it before sending. A scanned PDF of the form once completed and signed is fine.)
Guidance notes for completing the Postgraduate Application Form (includes reference cover sheet and guidance for referees)
Equal Opportunities Form
Please include with your Application and Equal Opportunities Forms the following documentation:
1. A statement of the proposed research of 1500-2000 words, plus a bibliography (not included in the 1500-2000 words) that demonstrates that you have a clear idea of the body of material from which your research results will be drawn, and in the case of empirical research, that you have a well-formed understanding (albeit initial) of how that research will be conducted.
2. References – please arrange for the College to receive two academic references to support your application. These should be from people who will normally have doctorates themselves or be accredited lecturers at an institute of higher education, who have good knowledge of academic work you have already undertaken, and are capable of giving the College a professional opinion concerning your abilities.
3. A full transcript of marks from previous relevant BA and MA qualifications. Note: it is essential to supply actual marks, a copy of your degree diploma or certificate is not sufficient.
4. If English is not your first language, you must either provide proof of your ability to write and read English to IELTS level 7 or its certificated equivalent (certificates must be no more than 2 years old), or show that you have a studied a degree taught in English in the UK.
5. A copy of the photograph page of your passport.
Application process
Applicants may send in applications at any time. There are two points of entry to research programmes. You may begin your study on 01 October (Michaelmas Term) or on 01 January (Lent Term) in any one year. Please specify your desired starting month in the 'Academic year' box on Page 1 of the application form.
All applications are considered by the Director of Research, the Research Degrees Convenor and the relevant Head of Department before a decision can be made. We try to turn these around as quickly as we can, but unfortunately resources do not always allow us to respond immediately upon receipt of the application, so we ask for your patience in this regard. If a response is urgently required please email the Research and Policy Administrator at f.hooton@heythrop.ac.uk.
Please remember:
It is your responsibility to ensure that the documentation is all correctly presented. Applications which are incomplete will automatically be deferred to the next cycle.
If you submit an incomplete application you will receive one email notice, giving details of the missing material. If your application remains incomplete at the beginning of the next cycle it lapses.
Interview Procedures:
Information relating to interview procedures can be found in the Support for Research students page.
Formulating an initial Research Proposal
To find out more about research at Heythrop please visit our prospective research students’ page:
http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/prospective-students/research-students.html
A list of the main research strengths of each department can be found on the Research home page, and a full list of the research interests of staff can be found in the Staff Research Directory In formulating your research proposal you may approach a member of academic staff. If they are willing to help you develop a research proposal, you should not envisage extensive contact or intensive help, but rather one or two (at most) meetings.
If you have any questions about whom you might approach or how you do this, you should contact Dr Edward Howells by email (e.howells@heythrop.ac.ac) or letter in the first instance.
General Guidance and full information on policy and procedures
Full information on all Heythrop research policies and procedures can be found in the Code of Practice for Research Degrees.
Fees 2012/13
Home/EU Full time: £4,200
Home/EU Part time: £2,205
Overseas Full time: £10,763
Overseas Part time: £5,372
Funding your research degree study
A number of funding bodies are able to provide full or partial scholarships for research degree study, and the College holds a subscription to the booklet ‘The Alternative Guide for Postgraduate Funding’ which gives useful information on what is available. If you would like a copy please request one from the Research and Policy Administrator at f.hooton@heythrop.ac.uk.
