1. Postgraduate Research in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
Professor Vera Tolz
Director of Postgraduate Research

2. Supervisory Expertise
Manchester is one of the leading centres for the study of the arts, languages and cultures in the UK.
80% of our research activity was judged as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the national Research Excellence Framework (2014)

3. Supervisory Expertise
Our  300 academic members of staff offer an unusually broad range of supervision expertise
Supervision possible within subject areas as well as across subjects, schools and faculties (e.g., Social Sciences, Environment, Education and Development, Physics and Astronomy)
Research Institutes and Centres:

4. Examples of PG research projects
Translation and analysis of Morrissey
lyrics
Ebola
Siege Warfare

5. Examples of PG research projects
The acoustics of central
Manchester
Thinking through antelopes:
Film, taxidermy and the museum
Variation in English /l/:

6. Excellent Supervision and Support
PRES 2017: over 90% of our PGR students are satisfied with their supervision; 88.7% are satisfied overall
Supervisory Teams: lead supervisor, co-supervisor, academic advisor, plus independent reviewer
Regular supervision meetings and progress milestones, supported by dedicated software
Dedicated Professional Support Staff: help with anything relating to the administration of PGR programmes

7. Types of PhD Standard PhD: 80,000 word thesis
“Alternative Format”: collection of research papers
Practice-based PhDs: (Music, Drama, Creative Writing, Museum Practice, Arts and Cultural Management): include a practical component (a performance, a film, a collection of poems) plus a written critical component.
Mode of Study: full-time (3 years), part-time (6 years)
Start dates: September or January

8. Funding President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards
(Overseas and Home/EU), funded by the University
North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership
(Home/EU only), funded by AHRC
North West Doctoral Training Centre
(Home/EU only), funded by ESRC
Centre for East European Language Based Areas Studies
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
(Home/EU only)

9. Funding SALC Graduate Scholarships
Subject-specific studentships and bursaries
Faculty Alumni Scholarship
Please check our funding website regularly for up-to-date information:
postgraduate-research/opportunities/

10. In-Programme Support Fieldwork bursaries Travel Fund Printing credits
Interlibrary loan vouchers

11. How to apply (Online)
Identify potential supervisor(s) and get in touch about research ideas
Research proposal (of about 1500 words)
Two references, academic transcripts
You may also need: portfolio or writing sample, English language certificate, copy of passport

12. Research Proposal In the proposal you should explain:
the research questions you intend to address
the research context (background) in which those problems or questions are located. In describing the context, you should refer to the current state of knowledge and any recent debate on the subject
the particular contribution to knowledge and understanding in this area that you hope to make
the methods and critical approaches that you plan to use to address the questions you have set
you should say, as far as you can, how the project will develop or how you will structure the work over the period of the award
you should identify and address any ethical issues relating to the research project
a brief indication of any previous experience or preparation that is relevant to your proposed doctoral study
for practice-led subjects, you should include details of your professional or work experience

13. Further questions
Admission: Miss Rachel Corbishley Tel: +44 (0)
Funding: Mrs. Joanne Marsh
Tel: +44 (0)

14. Thank you and we’re hoping to welcome you to one of our programmes next year!