Postgraduate Research Degree Application Form (Mphil/Phd) s1

Postgraduate Research Degree

Application Form (MPhil/PhD)

(Studentships)

University use only: Date application received:

Decision of interview panel: Accept Reject

Date offer letter sent:

Start date: Please complete this form in typescript using the Guidance Notes provided at the end of this form. Please send the completed application form and supporting documents to HRM Services, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ quoting the relevant reference number.

1. Personal Details Title Forename(s) Last name (family name, surname)

Male/Female Date of birth (dd/mm/yy) Previous surname (if applicable)

Nationality

Address for correspondence Permanent address (if different)

Postcode Postcode Telephone number Telephone number Email address Email address

Have you lived in the UK/EU for the whole of your life up to the present day? Yes No

2. Registration Final degree aimed for Mode of attendance MPhil PhD Full time Part time

Proposed start date Name of principal supervisor

3. Previous Study/Qualifications University and Professional Qualifications Achieved/Expected (Please attach official certificates/transcripts of academic record) a. University/Institution attended:

Degree title:

Class or Grade: Year of award: Full time/Part time: Dates of Attendance: Full time Part time b. University/Institution attended:

Degree title:

Class or Grade: Year of award: Full time/Part time: Dates of Attendance: Full time Part time Professional Qualifications (Please provide details, including type of qualification, subject, grade and date.)

Have you made any previous applications or undertaken research degree study at another institution? If yes, please provide details Yes No

English Language Qualifications (Please attach an official copy of your English Language certificate (where appropriate))

What is your first language?

If English is not your first language, please give details of your English Language qualifications:

IELTS Score Date taken/to be taken Other qualification (please specify) Date taken/to be taken Score

4. References (Please give the details of two persons whom you have approached to be your referees. It is your responsibility to approach your referees and ensure that they return the forms to the Graduate School. Please tick to indicate you have done this . See Guidance Notes) a. Name b. Name Position Position Name of Institution Name of Institution Address Address Email Email

5. Financial Support (Please attach copies of sponsorship/scholarship letters where appropriate) a. Please give the reference number of the studentship for which you are applying HRMS/ (You will find this reference number on the studentship advert)

b. Have you applied for any other scholarships/sponsorship? Yes No If yes, please give details, including dates

c. Have you already been awarded any other scholarships/sponsorship? Yes No If yes, please give details, including dates What will this sponsorship / scholarship cover? (e.g. tuition fees, maintenance)

6. Disability 7. Criminal Convictions The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA 1995) Do you have any criminal convictions? Yes No describes a disability as: If you have answered “Yes” to this question, please ensure that “A physical or mental impairment which has a you attach a note to this application form describing the nature substantial and long term adverse effect on your and date of the conviction and the consequences of that ability to carry out normal day to day activities” conviction in terms of sentence served or caution received. N.B. If you do not answer this question, we cannot process your Do you regard yourself as disabled, as application. See the guidance notes for more information. defined by the DDA? Yes No 8. Academic, Professional and Research Malpractice Have you ever been found guilty of academic, professional or research malpractice? Yes No

If you have answered “Yes” to this question, you will be required to provide further details.

9. Publicity 10. Checklist How did you first learn about postgraduate research I enclose the following documents with this form at University of Chester? Please check one box (please check all the appropriate boxes)

University prospectus Internet Evidence of academic or professional Departmental Advisor/Supervisor/Careers Advisor qualifications (including transcripts where British Council Office (please indicate location) > necessary) Copy of Curriculum Vitae (where appropriate – Education Exhibition/Careers Fair (please indicate see guidance notes) venue) > Copies of English Language certificates (where Professional journal/other publication (please appropriate) specify) > Sponsorship/scholarship letter/financial Alumni Friends/Relative statement (where appropriate) Other (please specify) > 11. Personal Statement – please continue on a separate sheet if necessary (Please explain why you wish to undertake research and how it relates to your career/academic objectives. You may wish to include details of other relevant skills and experience, for example, full-time employment, teaching or research experience, foreign language ability, IT skills, driving licence)

12. Proposed Research Area – please continue on a separate sheet if necessary (In 100-250 words please outline your proposed area of research)

13. Research Environment All candidates must address the following questions (please see the guidance notes). 1. Please specify where your research will be conducted and how your research time will be spent, including how you will meet the attendance requirement of at least 30 days attendance per annum on one of the University’s campuses (or 15 days per annum for part-time students)?

2. How will you access appropriate training opportunities (e.g. attendance at generic skills workshops, external training, conference attendance and presentations, university modules)? Please specify where and how training will be accessed, including examples of training already undertaken.

3. What resources will you require for your research, and how you will access them? Please specify (including library, phone, internet, specialist equipment/records, research participants etc.)

4. How will the supervision requirements be met? Please specify the frequency and mode (i.e. meeting, email exchange, phone conversation) of supervision and how the visits will be financed. Note that the requirements are: a. at least one formal ‘meeting’ per month with the principal supervisor and b. at least one face-to-face meeting per annum to be held at the principal research location and c. one meeting per annum with the entire team plus an independent academic to conduct the annual review.

14. Signatures (Before registration we will forward your application form to your principal supervisor for signing) Name of Principal Supervisor (please enter the name of your proposed supervisor)

I can confirm that I have read the proposed research area and that the suitability and feasibility of the project are appropriate.

It is the supervisor’s responsibility to arrange an interview and to complete the relevant form. Please state the date of the interview

______

Signature of Principal Supervisor

______

Date ______

Declaration: I understand that I am responsible for payment of all tuition fees. I agree to comply with the statutes, ordinances, bye- laws, regulations, rules and conditions of the University of Chester for the time being in force, including Health, Safety and Disciplinary Regulations. I agree that all ideas, materials or work produced by me and submitted as part of the requirements of my programme of study and all intellectual property rights therein will become the absolute property of the University of Chester, unless specifically agreed to the contrary.

Data Protection Act 1998 I consent to the University of Chester processing personal data contained in this form, or other data which may be obtained from me or others, including details of academic performance, learning support needs, disciplinary matters, destinations and comments on quality, closed circuit TV and video recording on university premises and holding my photograph which is used on the student ID card for any purpose connected with my studies, my health and safety, implementation of the Rules, to provide data that the University is required to hold or supply to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) or for any other legitimate reason. I consent to the disclosure of such information for academic administration purposes, in response to requests for references relating to continuing education, training or employment, for implementation of the Rules or in relation to council tax matters. I understand that HESA pass data to organisations that need it to carry out their statutory functions connected with funding higher education. I am aware that I may request a copy of information held about me on request and on payment of the appropriate fee and that further information regarding HESA can be found on Sharepoint.

By checking the box, I hereby agree to this declaration:

I Agree

Check the box and TYPE your full name in the box below (failure to do so will result in your form NOT being processed).

Full Name: Postgraduate Research Degree Application Form (MPhil/PhD)

Guidance Notes for Completion of the Form These notes are intended to help you complete the application form, and to ensure that, once completed, your application may be processed as efficiently as possible. The application and accompanying documentation must be returned to HRM Services, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ quoting the relevant reference number.

Section 1: Personal Details Address for Correspondence: this should be an address where you may be contacted throughout the period leading up to your registration as a student. If your correspondence address changes, please inform us immediately. An email address is very helpful, if available.

Section 3: Previous Study / Qualifications Please include copies of your academic transcripts (i.e.degree/professional certificates) with your application, if available. You will be asked to provide originals at a later date.

In this section you should give details of your current or most recent academic studies.

University Qualifications Achieved / Expected University / Institution attended: give the name of the institution and the country in which your institution is located. Degree title: indicate here the type of award you studied for e.g. BA, BSc, MA etc. Class or Grade: Give the grades you attained and indicate the system of assessment used, e.g. degree class, grade point average (GPA) percentile rank, numerical or alphanumerical scale (indicate the minimum and maximum scores) etc. Year of Award: If you have not yet achieved your award please indicate when you expect to receive the results.

Professional Qualifications: List here any non-academic qualifications you hold.

English Language Qualifications: If English is not your first language, you will have to produce documentary evidence of your English language ability. A range of English language tests is acceptable, including IELTS.

Section 4: References You must provide the names and addresses of two referees who have agreed to act on your behalf. It is your responsibility to approach your referees and ensure that they return the forms to the Graduate School. Your referees must have recent experience of your knowledge and expertise.

Section 5: Financial Support Please give as much detail as possible about your known or anticipated funding arrangements. If you are an international student you should note that you will have to demonstrate to the Immigration Officer when you enter the UK that you have sufficient funds to pay for your fees and support yourself throughout the course. Section 6: Disability This section is included for the purposes of monitoring equal opportunities and to ensure the University can provide students with appropriate facilities. It will not affect the University’s decision whether or not to offer you a place and the information remains strictly confidential.

Section 7: Criminal Convictions In order to protect our students, we are required to ask if you have any criminal convictions. You must tick the “Yes” box if you have a conviction, unless it is:  A motoring offence for which you have received a fine or three penalty points; or  A spent sentence (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974), except for certain programmes, particularly in health, social work or other programmes involving work with children. If you have not been convicted of a criminal offence, you must tick the “No” box. If you are not sure whether to tell us about a previous conviction, you should get more advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or probation services, or from NACRO (the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders). You can also contact a solicitor, but you may have to pay for legal advice.

Section 9: Publicity It would be helpful if you give an indication of where you first heard about University of Chester in order for us to target our publicity more effectively.

Section 10: Checklist Please ensure that your application consists of:  This completed application  Copies of Transcripts/certificates  Curriculum vitae (please include a CV if it includes additional relevant information not provided on the application form)  Copies of English Language certificates (where appropriate)  Sponsorship/scholarship letter/financial statement (where appropriate)

Section 11: Personal Statement Include in this section any experience you have gained, whether in formal training or otherwise, which may be relevant to your studies.

Section 12: Proposed Research Area This section provides an opportunity for you to outline, in typically 100-250 words, but no more than 500 words how you would approach the research project outlined in the studentship advert and further particulars. You may wish to expand on the rationale and aims of the project and details of appropriate methodology.

Section 13: Research Environment The following six examples should be viewed only as a guide to the type of arrangements that might be approved. The list is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive. Each application will continue to be viewed on its own merits and further information or evidence will normally be required to support the statements made, especially where the proposed research is to be conducted in a manner that is outside the University’s control. In each application, the following points would need to be addressed. 1. Please specify where your research will be conducted and how your research time will be spent, including how you will meet the attendance requirement of at least 30 days attendance per annum on one of the University’s campuses (or 15 days per annum for part-time students)? 2. How will you access appropriate training opportunities (e.g. attendance at generic skills workshops, external training, conference attendance and presentations, university modules)? Please specify where and how training will be accessed, including examples of training already undertaken. 3. What resources will you require for your research, and how you will access them? Please specify (including library, phone, internet, specialist equipment/records, research participants etc.) 4. How will the supervision requirements be met? Please specify the frequency and mode (i.e. meeting, email exchange, phone conversation) of supervision and how the visits will be financed. 5. Meeting and interacting with other researchers is an important part of a research degree. What opportunities will you have to interact with other researchers (other than by attendance at the University of Chester) (e.g. in different universities, research organisations etc)? Please specify. 6. If English is not your first language, how will you develop English language skills to the level required to defend the thesis in the viva voce examination? Please specify. a. Full-time student based on campus; i. The research will be conducted full-time on the University campus. ii. I will attend the training sessions provided at the University campus and attend appropriate conferences and departmental seminars. iii. My research will be carried out in the Biological Sciences laboratories, where I expect to spend most of my time. I shall also access the library and computing resources on campus. iv. I will normally meet informally with my supervisor around once a week, and formally once per month. I expect to meet with all my supervisors around once per term and there will be a review meeting in the summer. v. I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other researchers at the University campus and also at conferences. b. Full-time student based on campus, but with significant periods away doing ‘fieldwork’; i. The research will be conducted full-time, split between the University campus and the field site. It is anticipated that approximately 3 months will be spent at the field site in the first year, nine months in the second year and then six months in the third year. ii. I will attend the training sessions provided at the University campus and attend appropriate conferences and departmental seminars. My training requirements will need to be identified at the outset, so that I can plan how to fit the training requirements around my fieldwork. There will be some opportunities to participate in training at my field site (e.g. seminars given by visiting researchers). iii. My research will be carried out at a field site in rural Africa, where I require mobile computing facilities and satellite phone. When based on campus, I require a desk, computer, specialist software, library and limited access to laboratories for analysis samples. iv. Whilst on campus I will meet with my supervisor formally once per month and informally (mostly by email) in between as necessary. The frequency with which I meet all my supervisors will depend on the schedule of fieldwork, but there will be a review meeting in the summer. Whilst I am away conducting fieldwork I shall keep in touch with my principal supervisor by email once a week, and during the extended period of fieldwork in the second and third years we will arrange for a video conference meeting every two to three months. My principal supervisor will make a short visit to the field site each year to coincide with my fieldwork. I also have access to supervision from Dr Smith (the director of research at my field site) to deal with urgent problems or site specific queries as they arise. The expenses of fieldwork will be met by the department. v. I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other researchers at the University campus and also at conferences. There are usually around 3 researchers present at the field site at any one time, and occasional visits from more eminent researchers. All the researchers and visitors are based in the same building and there is a group meeting each week to discuss developments at the site. c. Part-time student based at home in Chester; i. The research will be conducted part-time, principally from home in Chester, but I will also attend campus for supervision meetings, departmental seminars and an additional one study day per month thus meeting the requirement for 15 days pa. ii. I will attend the training sessions provided at the University campus and attend appropriate conferences and departmental seminars. iii. My research in principally concerned with studying texts, the majority of which I own or are available on-line. I have a computer and internet connection at home which are sufficient to undertake this work. There will also be occasional visits to libraries (e.g. British Library) and an archive in Stoke. iv. I will meet with my supervisor around once every two months in the department (to coincide with departmental seminars) and will have contact by phone and email in between – these exchanges will be summarised and recorded on a monthly basis. Around once a term I shall meet with all my supervisors and a review meeting will be held in the summer. v. I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other researchers at the University campus and also at conferences. b. Part-time student, conducting research from their place of work, outside of the immediate area; i. The research will be conducted part-time, principally from my place of work in Bangor. I have been given 10 study days per year by my employer and I will use annual leave to ensure that I can meet the attendance requirement – which will normally be in two blocks of two weeks each year. ii. I will attend some of the training sessions provided at the University campus (which will be co-ordinated to coincide with supervision meetings and departmental seminars) and attend appropriate conferences. However, as I also work full-time, I have access to training opportunities at work, e.g. time management, and my employment experience of 20 years means that I anticipate that my skills audit will identify that I already have attained a number of relevant skills. iii. The data collection will take place as part of the normal duties of my employment – and I have a letter of support from my employer confirming access to participants and equipment. There is a small reference library at work, I have access to the National Library of Wales from my home computer and I have made arrangements to have access to the Bangor University library. iv. I will visit the University once per term for a supervision meeting with the whole team, and my principal supervisor will travel to my workplace around once per term. Other contact will be maintained by phone and email, and summarised on a monthly basis. There will be a review meeting in the summer. My line manager at work has a PhD and will oversee the data collection and assist with problems that are encountered as part of my normal work. v. I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other researchers at the University campus, at conferences and in the workplace, where that are monthly departmental meetings to discuss a range of topics including research. c. Full-time student based overseas; i. The research will be conducted full-time at Dubai women’s hospital, in the United Arab Emirates. I will however make two visits per year for three-week time blocks to the University of Chester to attend skills training events, present my research to my home department and meet with my full supervisory team. This will ensure I will meet or exceed my minimum attendance requirement of 30 days per year. ii. I will attend some of the training sessions when I make my visits to the University campus, which will be timed to coincide with the skills training events that are most essential for my skills development. I also have access to a variety of subject specific skills training events at the hospital where I carry out my research full-time. My previous Master’s degree in a related discipline provides fruitful experience that will correspond to many of the elements in the skills audit. iii. Data collection will take place in the hospital, where I have access to the appropriate laboratory samples to carry out my research. I have access to the hospital library in addition to having a desk, computer and excellent internet connections, enabling access to the University of Chester’s on-line library resources. iv. As mentioned above, I will travel to the University twice a year, when I will meet with the full supervisory team and have several meetings with my supervisor. In addition, while I am based in Dubai, I will have weekly email exchanges with my supervisor and monthly skype sessions where we can more formally review progress. v. I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other researchers when I visit the University, but also very regularly in the dynamic research hospital where I will be carrying out my research. There are a variety of seminar series and informal training opportunities ongoing at the hospital and I will attend the relevant sessions. In addition, I will attend one discipline specific conference each year. vi. My first degree was at the University of Sheffield, during which time I honed my use of the English language and received a 2.1 degree. In addition, English is widely spoken in the UAE and I have spoken English since grade school. Finally, my IELTS scores were 7 or above on all four subject tests. d. Part-time student based overseas; i. The research will be conducted part-time, principally at the San Diego Wildlife Park, in California USA. This is my place of work. I have been granted one day each week by my employer to devote to my research. I will use annual leave to travel to the UK once per year to meet my minimum attendance requirement for a period of not less than two to three weeks. ii. I will target my visits to the University campus to capitalise on the relevant sessions of skills training. My 15 years of previous work in zoological settings ensures I possess many relevant subject specific skills already. Through a funding scheme at the zoo, I am able to apply for and attend conferences annually. In addition, there is a researchers’ seminar series in place and I will attend and present at those sessions. iii. The data collection will take place one day per week and I have a letter from my employer supporting this. There is a library at the zoo, where many relevant applied animal behaviour, zoo-based and other journals relevant to my discipline are available. At home I have a desk, computer and reliable internet service. This will enable me to keep excellent contact with my supervisors, access the eVision software and use the on-line provision of resources at the University’s library. iv. I will maintain regular contact with my supervisor through email and monthly skype sessions. My supervisor will also visit me at my place of research once a year. During my annual visit, I will meet with the full supervisory team and hold the annual review meeting. v. I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other researchers at the University campus and also at conferences. In addition, the Conservation Research for Endangered Species program at San Diego brings in cutting edge conservation researchers from all over the world to discuss their research findings and do research at CRES and I actively attend those colloquia.

Section 14: Signatures Before registration we will forward your application form to your principal supervisor for signing. You are required to tick the box and print your name in full. Please note that we cannot process your application until this has been completed.