Research Degrees - Keele University
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The Centre for Professional Ethics

(PEAK)

Why Study Ethics at Keele?

Professional Ethics at Keele

PEAK can provide supervision for research degrees in areas related to the research interests of its staff. See our research page and staff pages for further information.

Research students will be based in the Centre for Law, Ethics and Society within the Research Institute for Law, Politics, and Justice. Applications are made via the Graduate School. However, potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed area of research with us first, and to identify potential supervisor(s) in their applications. 

Aims of the Programme

A research degree is a programme of supervised independent research that aims to develop the student’s research skills. The programme includes structured research training in both research methods and skills, and in a range of transferable and personal skills such as communication and career management. The final output is a thesis (PhD: 80,000-100,000 words, MPhil: 50,000-60,000 words) setting out the nature, method and conclusions of the research. A research degree programme thus constitutes both research training and the development of a piece of original research.

Many students select their own research topic on the basis of their own interests and experience. Other students work on projects devised by academic staff, either independently or in collaboration with external partners. We have submitted bids for further research studentships for specific ethics and ethics-related projects from funding bodies in the UK and EU. If successful, these will be advertised on www.jobs.ac.uk, but please contact us if you would like to receive details via email of any studentships or bursaries that do become available.

Our research page has further information about the PEAK research environment, as well as details of staff research interests.

Funding

There are a number of possible ways students can fund their research degree. Some past students have been successful in obtaining funding from sponsoring organizations and research councils such as the AHRC. Research Studentships are occasionally be available and will be advertised on the home page of our website. Details of any studentships or bursaries offered university-wide, along with Keele's general guidance on obtaining funding from external sources are linked available on the Graduate School website.

Further Information

Entry requirements and progression arrangements are described in the Research Institute's Postgraduate Research Handbook and in the University's Code of Practice on Research Degrees.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information about research degrees. Choosing an institution and supervisors for a research degree is a big decision, and we would be happy to discuss your ideas for a research thesis with you, either via email, on the phone, or in person.

Useful links for prospective students