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• Research degrees

Greenwich Maritime Institute welcomes applications from qualified students wishing to undertake research leading to MPhil and PhD degrees in maritime-related subjects. Together with other Schools in the university, we offer expert research supervision in the fields of maritime policy, maritime labour, maritime history, maritime business, maritime safety, cargo handling and storage, and coastal environment.

As a specialist centre, staffed by world-class active researchers with strong international links, there are many opportunities for contact with those who share their interest in the maritime sector.

Programme of study

The PhD system in Britain requires that students research independently under the guidance of a supervisor on an agreed topic. They then present a thesis, usually of 100,000 words in Social Sciences or the Humanities, which is orally examined by experts, at least one of whom will be from a university other than where the student is registered.

There are no taught courses to be taken and passed with the exception of some training days, though a student will normally be expected to have completed an MA, including some research training. Students usually register at first for a MPhil, which would be a shorter thesis, and transfer to PhD registration once the Research Degrees Committee is satisfied that sufficient progress has been made.

Mode of study

PhD via transfer from MPhil registration:
Full-time ­– minimum of 36 months, maximum 60 months
Part-time – minimum of 45 months, maximum 72 months

Entry requirements

British universities need the following requirements to be met before accepting students for MPhil/PhD registration:

• The applicant must have sufficient qualifications to undertake postgraduate research in the field.
• The university must have a member of staff with sufficient expertise in the field to supervise the student. There needs to be a good match between the choice of thesis topic and the university's areas of competence.

Your application should therefore provide as much detail as possible about your chosen topic.