Research Degree Programmes at NRI are carried out under the University of Greenwich’s academic regulations for post-graduate awards.

Full-time students normally devote 35 hours per week to the research, and a part-time candidate at least 12 hours per week. Registration in the first instance is normally for MPhil with possibility of transfer to PhD. In some circumstances a direct PhD registration is accepted, but this must be approved in advance by the University’s Research Degrees Committee.

 

NRI will provide you with at least two supervisors who meet the requirements for higher degree supervision. This will be considered by NRI when your application is made: if appropriate supervisory support in your field is not available you may not be able to proceed as this is an integral requirement for your registration. NRI offers the possibility of a “split” research programme where part of your research is carried out overseas or in your home country. In such circumstances we would look to appoint an additional local supervisor.

The registration periods for a research degree are as follows:

MPhil	Min	Max
Full-time	18 months	36 months
Part-time	30 months	48 months
PhD via transfer*	Min*	Max*
Full-time	33 months*	60 months*
Part-time	45 months*	72 months*
* includes MPhil registration period
PhD direct registration	Min	Max
Full-time	24 months	60 months
Part-time	36 months	72 months

 

Fees for MPhil/PhDs are composed of two parts. The level of supervision/registration fee is dependent upon whether you are a home (UK or elsewhere in EU) or overseas (non-EU) national and whether you are undertaking your research on a full or part time basis. The Research Expenses fee is payable in addition to the Supervision and Registration Fee and the level is dependent upon the nature of the research being carried out. The following are given for guidance, but the final level will be agreed and included in your formal offer letter.

 

Overseas/Home	Full Time/part time	Supervision /Registration Fee (per annum)	Research Expenses/ Bench Fee (Estimated Range per annum)
Overseas	Full-time	£8,700	£3,000-£5,000
Overseas	Part-time	£7,000	£1,500-£3,000
United Kingdom and other EU nationals	Full-time	£3,600	£3,000-£5,000
United Kingdom and other EU nationals	Part-time	£1,730	£1,500-£3,000

(Fees are correct for academic year 2007/2008)

Funding

Research students at the NRI are supported from a variety of sources. Some are self-funding whilst others are supported by Research Councils, charities or donor agencies. For further information on potential funding sources, please contact Ms Julie Poulton at the address given below. Please remember that you will need to be able to pay your fees and also support yourself for the period of your study.

NRI operates an annual award scheme (deadline 1 January annually). This award scheme covers the difference in cost between the home and overseas fee rates for MPhil/PhD supervision/registration only. Even with an award it will be necessary for you to cover all other expenses associated with your study. These are awarded on merit and usually only two awards are made annually.

How to apply for MPhil/PhD positions

To apply you should complete the application form and submit it together: with a statement of the specific area of research in which you are interested (where possible this should include a 300-word summary of your research topic); a full curriculum vitae; information concerning funding (do you have funding or are you applying for funding); and photocopies of transcripts or certificates of your qualifications. Without all of this information it will not be possible to proceed with your application. This should be sent to Professor Andrew Westby at the address below. Your application will then be considered. Potential supervisors will be identified. It is a requirement that you attend an interview or be interviewed at a distance.

Provided that you meet the necessary standard for acceptance onto a programme and that we can provide the necessary supervision, you will be sent a formal offer of a place.

More information

Additional information about research at NRI can be found at www.nri.org/research. Further information about postgraduate research at the University of Greenwich can be found at www.gre.ac.uk. You are also welcome to contact:

Professor Andrew Westby	Prof. John Morton
Director of Research	Associate Director of Research (Social Sciences)
A.Westby@gre.ac.uk	J.F.Morton@gre.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1634 883478	Tel: +44 (0)1634 883046

Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom.