MRes

Duration: One year full-time or two years part-time

Requirements:

Applicants are typically required to have a relevant upper second class honours degree or equivalent. Sometimes applicants with other degrees are assessed in terms of their knowledge and understanding at interview, and an appropriate reading programme prepared for them. We also welcome applications from experienced practitioners with non traditional qualifications. All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Students will be required to attend some sessions at our Plymouth campus.

UCAS code: Apply direct to Marjon

Fees UK students: £6,500

Fees for International students: £12,000

Course Overview

The Master of Research (MRes) is a flexible programme based around three taught research methods modules, an independent project relating to your specialist subject area, and a Masters thesis (supported through academic tutorials). The supervisory team are all research active within their subject specialisms.

The programme promotes collaborative engagement between students and research active academic staff. This engagement has already resulted in a number of research publications. It provides an opportunity for individuals from a range of professional and academic backgrounds to gain a critical appreciation of developments in their specialist subject area and to enhance the analytical and research skills necessary to engage in advanced research projects.

The MRes forms an important part of the Higher Degree portfolio of the University. The MRes programme provides a good grounding in the research process and can be used as a stepping stone into Doctoral research.

It provides an opportunity for individuals from a range of professional and academic backgrounds to gain a critical appreciation of developments in their specialist subject area and to enhance the analytical and research skills necessary to engage in advanced research projects. The flexibility of the programme makes it suitable for both those who are experienced practitioners undertaking senior roles, as well as less experienced students looking to lay the foundations for a new career pathway following an undergraduate degree.

More Info

The following subject specialisms are available:

Social Sciences
English Literature
Journalism
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Learning
Forest School
Sport and Health Sciences
Sport and Exercise Medicine
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Communication Disorders
Psychology
Social Science
Sport Development

Why this course at Marjon?

Design your own research projects with a supervisor with related expertise and a real interest in your ideas.
Be positioned at the cutting edge of contemporary issues and debates about literature.
Flexibility to pursue your research projects over one, two, or three years.
Scope to be original and innovative in your approach and thinking.
Research based Masters which provides an ideal platform for professional development or prepares you for PhD study.

Perfect if you're curious about:

What is it I most enjoy about my subject and how might I pursue this at Masters level?
What are the current issues and debates around my area of interest?
How can I use my projects to further my professional development, or to prepare me for PhD study?
How can I successfully plan and structure my research projects around my busy life?
In what ways might my research projects be original and innovative, and enable me to think outside the box?
What do I want to specialise in when I finish the MRes?

Course Snapshot

Adam - MRes Sport and Exercise Science student

“The MRes course enables students to explore a very specific topic within their chosen subject area. The lecturers are extremely knowledgeable and give help and guidance at every opportunity. You’ll learn essential research design skills to help you to develop your Master’s thesis. The modules are the same no matter what subject you study and you’ll be assigned a specialist tutor from your own subject area who will guide you through the process to ensure you gain the most out of the course.”

Modules

The following modules are compulsory:

Critical Perspectives on the Research Process
This is a taught module that critically explores the characteristics of the research process, contending research paradigms, methodological considerations, research design and selection of research methods, data analysis. The module addresses key considerations relating to validity and reliability and ethical dimensions of research.
Interdisciplinary Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
This is a taught module that critically engages with the key principles and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research methods and their relationship to contending research paradigms. The module will consider these methods in relation to research design, data collection and, data analysis.
Disciplinary Specific Research Methods
The module revolves around a series of academic tutorials linked to subject specialisms, that considers the research process in the context of their intellectual traditions and disciplinary origins. It explores, from a task orientated perspective, the adoption of specific methods in response to challenges presented when carrying out critical investigations within the subject specialism.
Contemporary Contextual Issues
A supervised project based module that enables practitioners to identify and critically analyse the wider contextual issues that define the parameters their subject specialism. Typically projects could explore; scientific, technical, policy and / or strategic developments that impact on areas of professional activity associated with the subject specialism, as well as local, regional, national and global influences on the development of professional roles.
Masters Project
This project, supported through a schedule of academic tutorials, enables the student to explore critically and systematically, an area of particular interest associated with their subject specialism. This could involve engagement with applied or action research.

What might you become?

Your MRes experience with Marjon is customised to reflect your own professional aspirations and increase your potential to progress with your current employer or within the wider sector. The MRes programme also provides a good grounding in the research process and can be used as a stepping stone into Doctoral research.

“MRes is structured with the individual student in mind. Personal supervision from an enthusiastic and highly insightful supervisor offered an open approach to project design. This granted me the means to release my intellectual energies in a productive way. I found the process not only helped to expand my investigative abilities but also increased my self-confidence. MRes was a gateway to PhD, and an enjoyably rigorous undertaking. It has been an experience for which I will always be grateful.”

How will you be taught?

It is anticipated that teaching of the three taught research methods modules will take place on one afternoon per week. Academic tutorials support students with their project work and Masters Thesis. Students have access to the research seminar series and the annual University Learning, Teaching and Research conference.

The project supervisor will have expertise in the chosen area and will provide guidance throughout the process. Where appropriate, a second supervisor will also be involved. In addition to project supervision, research workshops will be offered during the course of the year, when students will be brought together to explore particular research themes and additional electronic resources and tutorial support will be made available as appropriate.

How will you be assessed?

The programme is assessed through a range of methods including essays, reports, research proposals, literature reviews and the Masters Thesis.

Current Students

“Marjon provided me with the appropriate knowledge, expertise and opportunities to be successful in the world of work. The size of the campus ensures that you make effective professional relationships with fellow students and lecturers and these relationships can support your future career. The facilities for sport and personal tutoring are excellent and drive you to succeed. Finally, there are opportunities to undertake placements and work experience to provide you with a comprehensive CV.”

"MA Professional Studies in English Literature has allowed me to develop my own research projects at a pace that suits me. With adjustable deadlines and the option to work from home, this course is perfect for anyone who cannot commit to the contact hours of a taught MA or is keen to develop their research skills. The flexibility of this MA allows me to work independently whilst receiving excellent support from other students and highly dedicated supervisors through one-to-one tutorials."

Lecturers

Mike Baker

Senior Lecturer

Mike works as a Sports Sub-editor for The Guardian and prior to this he was Sports Editor for the Western Morning News.

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Dr Sally Bates

Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy

Sally is a dual trained phonetician and speech and language therapist with a clinical specialism in developmental speech disorders. She teaches clinical linguistics and phonetics, psycholinguistics and developmental speech and language disorders.

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Dr Hazel Bending

Senior Lecturer

Hazel is a chartered psychologist. She teaches psychology, mental health and wellbeing and reflective practice. Her research focuses on how students best learn; investigating how various techniques from using technology to wellbeing can enhance students’ experiences and skills.

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Dr Paul Bentley

Visiting Lecturer in English Literature

Paul is an academic and author, specializing in poetry and culture. His latest book, Ted Hughes, Class and Violence is about the political and cultural importance of this major twentieth-century poet. He has written on a diverse range of poets, including Keats, Sylvia Plath, and Paul Muldoon. His own poems have appeared in Poetry Review and other leading poetry magazines.

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Dr Saul Bloxham

Associate Professor

Saul's research focuses on the prevention and treating non communicable disease through lifestyle interventions. He has established several health and wellbeing clinics in partnership with the NHS and charitable organisations to support patients with back pain, cancer, fibromyalgia and leg ulcers.

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Dr Gregory Borne

Senior Lecturer

Greg is an interdisciplinary social science expert with an emphasis on sustainability. He has worked for international organisations such as United Nations as well as organisations in government, education and the third sector. He is the author of numerous journal articles and four books on different components of sustainability.

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Dr Lance Doggart

Senior Lecturer: Sport & Exercise Science

Lance, a Fellow of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (FBASES) and a staff tutor and assessor for Badminton England, teaches sport and exercise biomechanics, research methods, qualitative and quantitative sport and exercise data analysis and interdisciplinary sport and exercise science.

His PhD was awarded by Liverpool John Moores University in the discipline of sport/exercise biomechanics looking at injury prevention and prediction.

Lance is a qualified sport massage therapist and is a professional member of the STO and FHT.

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Dr Mark Leather

Associate Professor - Education: Experiential, Adventure and Outdoor Learning

Mark is an all-rounder in outdoor activities and is known for his research on Forest Schools, Outdoor Learning and Place Based Outdoor Education. He teaches paddling, sailing, hill walking and expeditions. He is an experienced tutor who is internationally known through his publications, research and conference presentations. He draws on previous experience as an Adventure Centre Manager, Sailing Instructor, Head of Science and as Director of the Counsellor in Training program for Camp America.

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Fiona Nicholls

Senior Lecturer

Fiona, is a qualified teacher and RYA qualified powerboat and senior sailing instructor, BCU Coach Inland kayak and Sea, Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor; teaching across the programme on the moor, crag and sea. She brings infectious enthusiasm as well as a wide networks of contacts from many years managing Plymouth City Council’s outdoor education provision before joining team Marjon.

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Dr Julia Stewart

Associate Director of School

Julia is a senior academic who is an experienced speech and language therapist. She has extensive experience of working with children with a range of disorders and has worked with children of all ages. Her clinical experience includes work in a trailblazer Sure Start Project; in specialist provision for children with developmental language disorders and in community clinics. She is currently working with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to shape the future of practice placement education.

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