What different types of research degree are there?

There are four main types of research degrees offered at the University of Northampton: 

Self-proposed MPhil and PhD projects
These are the most common type of Research degrees, where students propose and design their own research. Self-proposed research degrees are not always funded, so you would need to ensure you have appropriate funding in place to pursue this type of research degree.

PhDs by Means of Published Works 
This pathway allows individuals with a substantial body of published work to consolidate their research achievements into a PhD. If you have existing publications or a portfolio of scholarly work, this option might be suitable for you. 

Studentships
Studentships are usually pre-designed projects which are advertised from time to time throughout the year. This option is great if you know you want to do an MPhil/ PhD but aren’t sure exactly what you'd like to research. Studentships are generally funded, covering costs such as fees, maintenance grants, and project budgets.

Professional Doctorates

A professional doctorate is an advanced postgraduate degree qualification that merges taught components with individual research tailored to a student's area of expertise. These programmes are gateways for professionals to elevate their career to a doctoral level, enabling them to make unique contributions within their industry. Unlike the traditional PhD's, which focus on creating new knowledge through research, professional doctorates focus evaluating, synthesizing, and applying existing knowledge in innovative ways within a specific field.  They are ideal for working professionals aiming to enhance their expertise and influence within their profession. The University of Northampton proudly offers two such esteemed pathways: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the Doctor of Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (D Prof Prac).