Postgraduate Research

Qualifications on offerMSc or PhD in Chemistry

Undertake research in Forensics or Chemistry

MSc or PhD in Physics Undertake research in

Astrophysics, Forensic Facial Imaging, Optics, Materials or Physics

Although your higher degree from SPS would be under the title of Physics or Chemistry these titles cover a vast array of research

possibilities

What is a higher degree by research?

• You undertake a research project and submit a thesis at the end of the course. There are no set taught modules, although most students follow one module in their first year.

• You have your own supervisor who will help guide your project and you will be attached to one of our research groups, but your research is largely independent and you can study a topic that interests you.

• No set lectures or seminars means you are your own boss!

• You can study either full-time or part-time

Available Projects• Funded projects are NOT the only possibilities

• There are independent study options that you can tailor to your own preferences• Invent your own project and propose the idea to a potential supervisor

• To apply for specific projects look on the SPS website

EuroMasters

• A two year Masters degree in conjunction with 5 South East Universities SEPnet (South East Physics Network); Queen Mary London, Royal Holloway London,

Southampton, Surrey and Sussex.

• The first year will be taught and the second year students will undertake an advanced research project

• Students will have the opportunity to study at any of the 5 partner universities or a research institution including Cern, Switzerland, the UK’s Rutherford Appleton

Laboratory, ISIS, Diamond or NPL.

• Kent offers EuroMasters research strands in Atomic and Condensed Matter and Astrophysics. The programme is therefore structured for two different 'streams'

of students, one specialising in astrophysics and the other specialising in condensed matter physics.

EuroMasters Funding

SEPnet scholarships which cover tuition fees and may provide up to €13,000 towards living expenses are available for this programme; please state your interest

when making enquiries or when applying.

FundingUniversity Funding:

• Funding for specific projects – announced in the spring and emailed to all final-year students

• The projects are listed on the SPS website

• If you gain a place on a departmental funded project you will be required to undertake a set

amount of unpaid demonstrating work.

• The funding will pay your tuition fees and a grant of approximately £13,290 per year which you do

not have to pay back

FundingOther Funding:

EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and other funding may be available each year but only for specific projects

Details of this is always published on www.jobs.ac.uk and on the SPS website

FundingSelf-Funding:

More and more students are deciding to fund themselves.

The current fees are:

£3,500 per year full-time

£1,880 per year part-time

These fees are subject to change

Paid work in the departmentMost postgraduate students will have the opportunity to

sign-up for paid demonstrating (i.e. teaching support and marking) work

There are also opportunities to become involved in paid outreach and recruitment activities.

Our Students

Here are two of our Postgraduate students, Holly French and Jodie Smith.

Holly is working on a PhD in Chemistry with her research project in Forensic Science.

Jodie is working on a PhD in Physics with Prof. Newport researching the properties of glass.

How to applyBefore applying you may wish to discuss your proposed research project with a

potential supervisor.

A list of staff and their areas of expertise is available on our website

You then need to submit the formal application online at the following website:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/studying/postgrad/apply/index.html

In addition to all the requested information on the application form, SPS asks that you also state the following on your application

• the name of the supervisor with whom you would like to work• how you intend to pay for your studies and whether this funding is confirmed

How to apply• You will also need to provide one or two academic references. There is an area

on the form to name your referees, however, it is your responsibility to ask your referees to email their references to admissionspg@kent.ac.uk and

spsrecruit@kent.ac.uk• Without these references you application CANNOT proceed and it will not be

seen by the academic you wish to work with.