Who can apply for the MPhil-PhD research degree programme?

Applicants who u k M
distinction for that degree are most welcome. O M u k
university may also apply though, at the very least, we would expect the applicant to have been awarded a Distinction for the Dissertation
u M degree and an overall near-distinction for the degree, if an overall distinction has not been achieved.
L 8 P and have obtained a First Class for that
degree may apply to be considered.

How long is the programme?
The programme is designed to be a minimum of three years for Full-Time students and five years for Part-Time students. Applicants
requiring a United Kingdom student visa must study on a Full-Time basis.

Can I apply for the research degree programme before I graduate?
If you are considered appropriate for entry to the MPhil-PhD programme, a only be sent to you if we are
in receipt of your M its related full university transcript. Submitting copies of all your degree certificates
and/or transcripts, at the time of application, will make additional information available to our academics when they are reviewing your
application. Hence, you are strongly encouraged to send copies of as many relevant certificates and/or documents as possible when
submitting your application.

Do I need to submit an Outline Thesis Proposal with my application?
In the first instance, your outline proposal should normally be limited to 12 sides of double-spaced A4. This limit is exclusive of references
and supporting documents, which are also required.
Background / rationale this should include a review of key literature and outline the theoretical or conceptual framework for the
study
Aims / objectives
Study design this should include the methodological approach and the start / completion dates
Methods should include how site and/or participants are selected and accessed; how many participants are to be used and how
that number was decided including where appropriate the details of sample size calculations; details of how and where any
interviews or observation will be conducted and how any questionnaires will be distributed and returned; details of the information
to be collected including copies of questionnaires, interview guides and observation guides as appropriate; details of how the data
will be analysed; details of how and where the data will be stored and for how long and plans for disposal or archiving; the process for
obtaining informed consent; details of ethical issues for this study
References
Details of persons / agencies / organisations whose permission will be required in order to conduct this study
Details of persons / agencies / organisations who may financially benefit from it outside their normal terms and conditions of
employment
Appendices containing copies of documents to be used in the study (include all that are appropriate for your study, whether or not
they are listed here): letters seeking permission to conduct the study; recruitment poster or other recruitment material; letter of
invitation to the participant; participant information sheet; consent form; questionnaires; interview guide; observation guide.

Then, in addition you should pay extremely good regard while developing the outline proposal by reference to the guidance given at the
following link: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/bbs/research/researchdegrees/researchproposal.aspx

Do I need to submit an International Language Testing System (IELTS) score?
Applicants who do not consider English to be their family language (i.e. the language spoken daily in the home within which they have been
reared) must provide evidence of their suitable competences (written, read and spoken) in English. Usually, this is done by providing an
appropriate score on the International English Language (IELTS) Test. An appropriate IELTS score would be a well-balanced overall score of
7.0 or better.

Such applicants may also offer such competence by providing a score of at least 610 on the Print version of the TOEFL test or of at least 255
on the Computerised version of the same test. Equally, they may also demonstrate due competences in English by providing a Grade C or
better result in the Advanced Cambridge Certificate in English.

Finally, all applicants (even those who consider English to be their family language) are well advised to submit an IELTS or comparable
English Language Test Score. For, in situations when only one applicant can be accepted and two otherwise equally acceptable candidates
have applied (one with and one without an IELTS score), the one with the acceptable IELTS score (as above) will be given preference.

MPhil-PhD
Research Degree Programme
Faculty of Business

Responses to some frequently asked questions


Do I need to submit a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score?
In general the answer is NO. But, GMAT scores are positively welcomed. For, in situations when only one applicant can be accepted and
two otherwise equally acceptable candidates have applied (one with and one without a GMAT score), the one with an acceptable GMAT
score will be given preference.

Do I need to submit copies of all my degree certificates and transcripts for my application to be considered?
Doing so provides additional information available to our academics when they are reviewing your application. Hence, you are strongly
encouraged to send copies of as many relevant certificates, transcripts, and/or documents as possible when submitting your application.

When can I start?
Applications are received for the research degree programme throughout the year. However, successful applicants can commence either at
the start of Semester I, which is normally in September each academic year, or the start of semester II, which is normally in February each
academic year.

Are applicants able to apply for funding whilst studying?
London South Bank University does not generally offer scholarships and/or studentships for its research students. As such, most students
enrolled on the programme are either self-funding or have personally arranged for funding from an organisation, such as their employers
or national government. However, very occasionally, we do also advertise research studentship (scholarship) positions. And when this
occurs, interested applicants should look at www.jobs.ac.uk where any available research studentships would be advertised. If you cannot
find an advertisement on display, you must conclude that there is no studentship (scholarship) currently available.

Can I be considered for a transfer of my current Research Degree Programme from another UK University to
LSBU?
l 8 n C C
your current university, confirming that they have no objections to you being considered as a potential MPhil-PhD research student at
LSBU.

Is distance research studentship available?
While Part-Time Overseas Distance Research Studentship is available, it is a possibility provided certain other features are also possible. We
would require:
1. The fully evidenced support of a local recognised University assuring access to their research and library resources and facilities for the
duration of the programme. This must accompany your application.
2. The ability to be physically present in London for a certain number of days per year in order to have face-to-face meetings with the
Supervisory Team. This may be acutely difficult when a visa to the UK is required.

Consequently, in terms of these practical issues, the University has rarely been able to accept Part-Time Distance Research students.

How much do I pay in fees for each year I study?
The fees you pay would depend on your fee status. This means that you will pay more if you are an overseas applicant (applicants who for
fee-regulation purposes are not nationals of the UK or the other EU countries or otherwise so categorised). Your proposed mode of study
would also affect the fees you pay. Below is an illustration of the current full-time fees, but please note that these fees are updated every
academic year, so you must confirm the exact fees that would be in effect when you commence your study.

FULL-TIME FEES:
HOME AND EU STUDENTS: 3,820 (Half of 3,820 per semester)
OVERSEAS STUDENTS: 9,410 (Half of 9,410 per semester)

Students joining in the second semester of an academic year are required to pay for that academic year, tuition fees for the second
semester only.

Will I need a student Visa to study in the UK?
If you are a national of the EEA (EU plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) you will not need to apply for a student visa.
Most students from outside the EEA will need a student visa to study in the UK.

Application forms and advice about the visa process are available from www.ukvisas.gov.uk or your local British Council office, please note
that some countries have different procedures for the visa application. International applicants must fulfil the student criteria from:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk or if applying for an extension of stay must refer to: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

To apply for a student visa you will need to provide:
A completed visa application form (VAF1) which is available from the UKVisas website
Original unconditional offer letter from LSBU
Our UK Border Agency (UKBA) Admissions Supporting Letter, the details of which you will need to submit in order to obtain an
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before applying for a student visa.
Proof of qualifications - the visa office will want to see original certificates to prove you have the appropriate qualifications
Proof that you (or your sponsor) has the available funds to afford the course fees and your living expenses while in the UK