The University has an excellent reputation for the quality of its research degree training with 1,200 research active staff and thirty-five departments being graded 4, 5 or 5* in the 2001 National Research Assessment Exercise. In March 2004, in the Institutional Audit conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, the University was praised for its arrangements for the induction, supervision and monitoring of postgraduate research students.

Faculties ensure that students receive the appropriate training, guidance and advice to enable them to complete their research studies within the required period. 80 per cent of full-time PhD students complete theses within a period of four years.

The University recognises that research degree programmes support personal development as well as the development of subject knowledge and research skills. Students have access to a varied programme of formal training sessions designed to support personal development and competence in more general skills. There is a graduate training and support centre with dedicated training staff.

Many schools have scholarships and information about Research Council and AHRB awards. There are also centrally funded scholarships for research degree study. Up to date information can be found on the scholarships office website and a booklet is produced each November.

Students can register in a wide range of schools and admissions tutors can advise applicants about their choice of research projects. Each student has at least one supervisor, who draws on their own special experience of the subject to guide the student's work, and give encouragement and critical advice.

The supervisor will advise on training and the preparation and submission of the written thesis. The thesis presents the student's own research and conclusions in detail and is presented for examination.

The examination process always involves an external examiner, and includes an oral examination of the student. The University has a examplary success rate in the number of students obtaining research degrees.

For more information about supervisory expertise and research projects in faculties and consult the University’s postgraduate coursefinder