Programme of study for the degree of Master by Research  Programme of study for the degree of Master by Research 2026/27

PGRs may undertake study for the degree of Master by Research in one of the following categories:

• Master of Arts by Research MA
• Master of Education by Research MEd
• Master of Science by Research MSc
• Master of Science (Engineering) by Research MSc (Eng).

PGRs may undertake study for the degree in any faculty of the University under the supervision of a member of staff who satisfies the eligibility requirements specified by the relevant committee.

Supervisors will be appointed at the commencement of the programme of study.

Candidates will normally be required to have obtained at least a first class or an upper second-class British Bachelors Honours degree (or an equivalent recognised qualification) in a related discipline.

The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. Some schools/faculties/or programmes have a higher English language entry requirement than the minimum outlined.

Details on English Language qualifications can be found on our entry requirements page.

Candidates will normally be expected to start the programme in September, October, February or April.

PGRs may study on a full-time or part-time basis.  

Full-time candidatures

Study on 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) basis with a standard period of study of 12 months and a final submission deadline of 12 months.

Part-time candidatures

There are two models for part-time study with different FTE attendance:

• Study on 0.5 FTE basis with a standard period of study of 24 months and a final submission deadline of 24 months. 
• Study on 0.75 FTE basis with a standard period of study of 18 months and a final submission deadline of 18 months.

Milestones and deadlines are provided in a section that follows on this page.

This programme is not available for study by split-site or distance learning modes.

Other requirements for the degree, including examination requirements are set out later in this programme of study and in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

Candidates accepted directly to the degrees of MA, MEd, MSc and MSc(Eng) are not required to undergo formal assessment for transfer to a definite degree category. There should, however, be regular reports by the supervisor on the PGR’s progress. As a minimum, there should be:

• a report at the mid-point of the first year (six months for full-time PGRs, 12 months for PGRs studying at 0.5 FTE and nine months for PGRs studying at 0.75 FTE)
• for part-time PGRs, a progress review at 17 to 18 months for PGRs studying at 0.5 FTE and 13 to 14 months for PGRs studying at 0.75 FTE).

Candidates accepted directly to one of the Masters degrees by research may be permitted to transfer registration to the degree of Provisional PhD by special permission of the relevant committee.

Candidates wishing to transfer registration to the degree of Provisional PhD must submit a request for the transfer, which must be considered and approved by the relevant committee by no later than:

• 18 months of part-time Master by Research study at 0.5 FTE
• 12 months of part-time Master by Research study at 0.75 FTE
• nine months from the date of commencement of full-time Master by Research study.

The period of study registered on the Master by Research programme will be counted towards the doctoral candidature.

The PGR will undergo a formal, rigorous assessment procedure for transfer to full PhD status in accordance with normal practice for transfer to doctoral registration. This should take place before the end of 12 months of full-time study, 24 months of part-time study at 0.5 FTE or 18 months of part-time study at 0.75 FTE, which includes the period of registration for the Master by Research.

The decision to transfer to full PhD status will be considered by a Transfer Assessment Panel and based on the submission of a transfer report and oral examination.

Candidates for one of the Masters degrees by research must present a thesis (30,000 words maximum) on the subject of their research which must contain matter at a level suitable for publication and must satisfy the examiners as specified in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

In the case of the degrees of Master of Education, Master of Science and Master of Science (Engineering) the language of the thesis shall be English. In the case of the degree of Master of Arts, in the area of modern languages, the language of the thesis shall normally be English, although, if the particular subject so demands, the relevant committee may be prepared to give permission at the time of the applicant’s acceptance as a candidate for the MA degree by research for a thesis to be submitted in a language other than English.

Candidates for the degrees of MA, MEd, MSc and MSc(Eng) by supervised research will not be permitted to submit their thesis for examination before completion of either:

• one calendar year of full-time study
• 18 months of part-time study at 0.75 FTE
• two calendar years of part-time study at 0.5 FTE.

For the degrees of MA, MEd, MSc and MSc(Eng) the last date for the submission of the thesis shall normally be at the end of the period of study prescribed in study modes and programme length. This may be extended by not more than three months on academic grounds by prior permission of the relevant committee.

In exceptional circumstances, the last date for submission may be extended on other than academic grounds and with prior permission of the relevant committee by:

• six months for full-time PGRs
• nine months for part-time PGRs studying at 0.75 FTE
• 12 months for part-time PGRs studying at 0.5 FTE.

Following examination, the examiners will be asked to make one of the following recommendations:

• a) Pass with distinction
• b) Pass
• c) Pass (subject to the correction of ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor amendments’): these corrections must be made within up to six weeks or six months respectively from the date of the oral examination. The internal examiner is responsible for ensuring that ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor amendments’ are corrected by the candidate. The degree will not be awarded until confirmation that the corrections have been completed is received
• d) Referral (see the 'Referral' section that follows)
• e) Fail: the candidate has no further opportunity for submission for the degree.

​​Referral

If the thesis is not considered to be of sufficiently high standard to recommend the award of the degree but there is evidence of the potential of a successful MPhil submission, then on the recommendation of the examiners the candidate will be granted permission to resubmit the work in a revised form for the degree of Master of Philosophy within a period of 15 months, on one occasion only and on payment of an additional fee.

The recommendation of the examiners is subject to confirmation by the Graduate Board’s Examinations Group which will consider the examiners’ report.

On completion of the research programme PGRs should have shown evidence of being able to:

• interpret and communicate knowledge in their discipline through originality in their application of knowledge and a practical understanding of established techniques of research at a level suitable for publication in reputable journals/publications as appropriate to the field of research
• present and defend research outcomes much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of a discipline or area of professional/clinical practice
• demonstrate an independent and comprehensive contribution to knowledge in the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills
• take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• formulate ideas and hypotheses proactively and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• critically evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• demonstrate knowledge of and be able to critically assess, analyse and engage with the ethical and legal context of their research and any ethical and legal implications of their research.

PGRs will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities through the research training and research specified for the programme:

• the skills necessary to undertake research at a higher level, for a future career as a researcher and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional/clinical practice
• evaluating their own achievement and that of others
• self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations
• independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development.

For Master (MA, MEd, MSc and MSc(Eng)) by Research) the learning context will include the analysis of, and decision making in, complex and unpredictable situations. The structure of the programme will provide research training, depth of study and opportunities for drawing upon appropriate resources and techniques.

Opportunities will be provided for PGRs to develop:

• interests and informed opinions
• their involvement in the design and management of their learning activities
• their communication of their conclusions.

PGRs will be expected to progress to fully autonomous study and work.

Achievement will be assessed by the examination of the candidate’s thesis, or alternative form of thesis, and performance under oral examination and will involve the achievement of the candidate in:

• evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within a significant aspect or different aspects of the discipline or area of clinical/professional practice which leads to the production of material at a level suitable for publication
• drawing on, and selecting appropriately from, a range of research techniques and methodologies in their enquiries into the discipline or area of clinical/professional practice
• demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area
• drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study
• evaluating and criticising received opinion
• making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data
• the written style and overall presentation of the thesis.

Full time

• Standard period of study: 12 months
• Maximum time limit: 12 months
• Earliest submission (reduction): 12 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: six months
• Annual progress review: not applicable
• Supervision meetings: 10 meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than eight weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 37 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 26 days per year
• Maximum extension on academic grounds: three months
• Maximum suspension/extension on non-academic grounds: six months

Part time (0.5 FTE)

• Standard period of study: 24 months
• Maximum time limit: 24 months
• Earliest submission (reduction): 24 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: 12 months
• Annual progress review: 17 to 18 months
• Supervision meetings: 5 meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than 12 weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 19 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 13 days per year
• Maximum extension on academic grounds: three months
• Maximum suspension/extension on non-academic grounds: 12 months

Part time (0.75 FTE)

• Standard period of study: 18 months
• Maximum time limit: 18 months
• Earliest submission (reduction): 18 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: nine months
• Annual progress review: 13 to 14 months
• Supervision meetings: 8 meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than 10 weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 28 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 20 days per year (19.5)
• Maximum extension on academic grounds: three months
• Maximum suspension/extension on non-academic grounds: nine months