The Loughborough Doctoral Experience

An introduction to postgraduate research at Loughborough University

a LOUGHBOROUGH DOCTORAL COLLEGE WELCOME

Welcome from Loughborough Doctoral College

Loughborough University’s research contributes to new knowledge and understanding at the very highest levels. We help businesses and industry to compete more effectively, shape public policy and ultimately, help to improve the quality of people’s lives.

All doctoral researchers at Loughborough University are welcomed into the Doctoral College, where the vitality, visibility and value of our students is at the heart of our doctoral experience. You will benefit from our extensive doctoral training programme, alongside our suite of activities designed to provide practical and pastoral support at every stage of the research process. We also link with other specialist support services across the University, such as our Careers Network, to enable you to access help and advice in order to realise your ambitions.

This booklet has been designed to tell you more about the Doctoral College and Contents how we aim to support your doctoral experience.

An introduction to Loughborough Doctoral College 01 Professor Elizabeth Peel Our research degrees 02 Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Doctoral College) Why do a doctorate? 03 The PhD process 04 Why Loughborough? 06 Our research strengths 08 Our doctoral community 12 Development opportunities 14 Accommodation 15 Fees and funding 16 Next steps 18

To find out more about Loughborough University’s research opportunities, the benefits of doctoral study and what you can expect as a student at Loughborough, please visit: lboro.ac.uk/pg-research-degrees

For a list of our current research opportunities, please see: lboro.ac.uk/phd-opportunities b 01 OUR RESEARCH DEGREES WHY DO A DOCTORATE?

Our research degrees

Our PhDs and EngDs give you the flexibility and freedom to carry out original quality research, whilst supporting you to solve real world problems. “What I enjoy most about studying for a PhD is the amount you get to learn each day. Whether teaching undergraduate students, learning to use new software, Degree Duration Key fact running experiments or speaking with experts in your field at conferences or PhD 3 years full-time The highest academic qualification you can attain. meetings with industry – almost every (6 years part-time) Your research must make a significant original day you stumble across new information contribution to, and show a critical appreciation of, which answers questions you previously existing knowledge in the subject. hadn’t thought to ask.”

Available in some areas of engineering or Andy EngD 4 years full-time PhD Aeronautical and Automotive applied science. An EngD involves collaboration Engineering with industry and combines formally assessed taught modules with innovative research related to real industrial problems.

PhD by 3 years full-time* Available in the areas of Architecture, Design Practice (6 years part-time) and Creative Arts, and Social Sciences and Humanities, a PhD by Practice accommodates the Why do a doctorate? communication of knowledge that may not be best represented and communicated in written form, At Loughborough, we are looking for doctoral researchers who have active, allowing innovative practices of research enquiring minds and are enthusiastic about becoming a world expert in and representation. their chosen field to solve vital real world issues. Studying for a doctorate PhD in 3 years full-time The PhD in Creative Writing addresses an offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth but you Creative (6 years part-time) overarching research question through will need to be flexible, resilient, tenacious and hard-working. Writing academic research and a creative component. This could be a cycle of poems, a novel, a section In return, you will develop expert Studies to promote an outstanding, of a novel, a novella, a play script, or a collection knowledge in your chosen area and gain a interdisciplinary research environment to of short stories. wide range of invaluable skills to enhance ensure your work is informed by the latest your employability and advance your developments, insights and discoveries. *Not available in all areas career, whether this be within academia, industry or elsewhere. With strong industry As part of our vibrant research community, links, we regularly host careers events you will have the support of the Doctoral and offer networking and placement College who will help you every step of the “Loughborough University to me is the epitome of hard opportunities across a range of sectors. In way to achieving your goals, so that one work. From the department staff and researchers to the addition, we invite pioneering international day you can inspire others to follow in students – everyone strives to be the best. It felt inspiring scholars to our Institute of Advanced your steps. to be a part of such a machine making waves throughout the research community.”

Chris PhD Physics lboro.ac.uk/why-study-phd

02 03 THE PHD PROCESS THE PHD PROCESS

The PhD process

A research degree programme can take on a variety of forms but a typical PhD might look like this:

2 3 1 REVIEW EXISTING CONDUCT RESEARCH YOUR RESEARCH Different research projects will require different Undertaking a review of the existing DEVELOP YOUR research activities. You will use primary and research and literature in your field is secondary sources and may undertake fieldwork, RESEARCH a key step in the PhD process. interviews, surveys, observations etc. QUESTION In critiquing existing knowledge, you will You will need to establish what information you develop a deeper understanding of the Your question guides your research want to collect, how you will collect it, how you topic and identify how your research will and keeps you on track. Ensure it is in will analyse the data and ultimately, how you will contribute to the subject. a subject that you are really interested present the data in your thesis. in and are enthusiastic about. When you have an idea, do some preliminary research to see what information is already available; this may generate some more questions in 5 your mind, which you can develop into your research question. The question 4 6 should have clarity and be neither too broad nor too narrow. THE VIVA GRADUATE! It is key to speak with your WRITE UP The viva voce is an oral examination supervisors about your idea, so that which requires you to discuss your Once you have passed your viva and A PhD thesis is a document you you can establish early on whether research with your examiners, who will submitted a final, corrected version will write, in the region of 80,000 it has potential to form the basis of have reviewed your thesis. The examiners of your thesis, you can graduate as a words (or the equivalent). Your your research project. will ask a series of questions and develop Doctor of Philosophy. Not only does this thesis presents your analysis of a discussion to test your knowledge and allow you to put the title “Dr” at the start the research you have undertaken ability to defend your research. of your name, it also opens up a world and how this answers your of opportunities in research, academia, original research question. industry and many other sectors.

04 05 WHY LOUGHBOROUGH? WHY LOUGHBOROUGH?

Each of our locations offers something very different. Loughborough is a bustling Why Loughborough? market town in the East Midlands, where you LEEDS can explore fantastic countryside and local BRADFORD YORK heritage. London is one of the world’s busiest Our world-class research and passion for AIRPORT LEEDS cities and a hub of industry, innovation and student experience have enabled us to create creativity, famous for its cosmopolitan culture something truly special. and fast pace of life. MANCHESTER Whether you decide to study at our Loughborough or Whether you are located at our Loughborough MANCHESTER or our London campus, you will be within easy London campus, you will join a doctoral researcher LIVERPOOL AIRPORT community from around 100 different countries. reach of thousands of popular destinations This ambitious community of students and staff are across the UK, Europe and beyond, thanks to LIVERPOOL our excellent transport links. committed to helping each other reach their full AIRPORT potential academically, professionally and socially. DERBY NOTTINGHAM We offer: EAST • a minimum of two supervisors for every PhD student MIDLANDS AIRPORT • opportunities to work alongside leading academics LOUGHBOROUGH • dedicated training programmes to hone your CAMPUS research skills LEICESTER • a real community spirit amongst our doctoral NORWICH researchers, supported by the Doctoral College • opportunities for collaboration with other universities BIRMINGHAM and industries to maximise the impact of our research AIRPORT • careers advice specially designed to support the specific skills and experience of research graduates, CAMBRIDGE whatever your career aspirations • state-of-the-art facilities for research LONDON and sport. LUTON LONDON AIRPORT STANSTED AIRPORT

OXFORD LONDON AMSTERDAM CARDIFF CAMPUS LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT* POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH BRISTOL EXPERIENCE SURVEY 2019 IN THE TOP 25% OF UK INSTITUTIONS BRUSSELS FOR RESOURCES FOR DOCTORAL GATWICK RESEARCHERS AIRPORT

PARIS POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE SURVEY 2019 SOUTHAMPTON BRIGHTON IN THE TOP 25% OF UK INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS lboro.ac.uk/pg-locations

*We offer a free coach service from Heathrow to our Loughborough (East Midlands) campus for new international students at the start of the academic year.

06 07 OUR RESEARCH STRENGTHS OUR RESEARCH STRENGTHS

School of Architecture, Building and School of Science Civil Engineering Loughborough scientists are actively engaged in As a leading centre for transdisciplinary research cutting edge theoretical and applied research, in the built environment, many of our research shaping the future and transforming the world outputs are created for, and in partnership with, through technological advances and scientific industrial collaborators to ensure demonstrable discovery. Boasting excellent facilities including impacts on policy and practice worldwide. Our state-of-the-art laboratories, we offer a rich research strengths are recognised through our array of opportunities to pursue impactful seven research groups: research. Split into five science disciplines, the • architecture major research strengths are listed below: • building energy Chemistry • construction management • energy • geotechnics and geomatics • markers and detection • structures and materials • catalysis and functional molecules • transport and urban planning • crime and security • water engineering • chemical process technologies lboro.ac.uk/abce/research lboro.ac.uk/chemistry/research

School of Design and Creative Arts Computer Science Design • vision Through our research programmes, we aim • artificial intelligence to discover, explore and develop new ideas, • autonomous and human-centred systems concepts, methods, tools, services and products • networks and systems that contribute to a healthier, safer, more • theoretical computer science productive, sustainable and equitable world. lboro.ac.uk/compsci/research Our key areas of design research are: Our research strengths Mathematical Sciences • safety • analysis and partial differential equations • human factors • dynamical systems Research strengths in engineering School of Aeronautical, Automotive, • digital design and fabrication and science Chemical and Materials Engineering • geometry and mathematical physics • experience design • linear and nonlinear waves Loughborough has over 750 doctoral Collaborations with key industrial companies • responsible design and research councils ensures research across • mathematical modelling students working on engineering and lboro.ac.uk/design/research the School is well-funded. Our industry and • statistics science research projects, providing sponsor networks provide opportunities to • stochastic analysis Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical world-leading solutions to current and present your research and develop contacts lboro.ac.uk/maths/research and Manufacturing Engineering that often lead to future career opportunities. future global challenges. A selection Ranked 1st in the world for sports-related Mathematics Education Specific areas of growth include: of our research strengths in the subjects and in the top 100 for mechanical, • mathematical cognition engineering and science disciplines • bioengineering and healthcare aeronautical and manufacturing engineering (QS • education design and evaluation • connected and autonomous transportation are listed by school. World University Rankings by Subject 2020), the • higher education pedagogy • energy and environment School has over 100 academics and 200 research lboro.ac.uk/mec/research • low and zero carbon propulsion students who deliver world-leading engineering • materials solutions in: Physics • simulation and modelling • novel materials • communications • quantum and nano-engineering and design Find out more: • control and automation • high frequency solid state physics and Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering: • dynamics and thermofluids engineering lboro.ac.uk/aae/research • energy and power • physics of complexity Chemical Engineering: • high value manufacturing lboro.ac.uk/chemical/research • materials and measurement lboro.ac.uk/physics/research Materials: • systems lboro.ac.uk/materials/research lboro.ac.uk/meme/research

08 09 OUR RESEARCH STRENGTHS OUR RESEARCH STRENGTHS

Research strengths in sport, business, arts, social sciences and humanities Over 500 Loughborough research students across our two campuses are currently completing PhDs in the areas of sport, business, arts, social sciences and humanities, developing expertise that will contribute to solving real world problems. Key research strengths are listed by school.

School of Sport, Exercise and School of Business and Economics School of Design and Creative Arts Health Sciences World-leading research conducted in the Creative Arts Ranked 1st in the UK for the overall quality School has mapped the next generation of Our research projects can be purely of our research, with 100% rated ‘world- insurance services, improved the development theoretical or a practice-led interrogation leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF of green supply chains, and harnessed of creative processes and their outcomes. 2014), our research is split into three broad decision science to promote active ageing. We encourage projects with the potential themes: sport performance, lifestyle for Research strengths are organised around our to make a substantive contribution to the health and wellbeing, and participation in seven academic groups: academic, social and economic impact of our sport and exercise. Our diverse research • accounting and finance research. Key research areas include: portfolio is delivered by world-renowned • economics • applied storytelling academic staff in key areas such as: • work and organisation • fine art • sports medicine • information management • graphic design • molecular biology • international business, strategy and • textiles • epidemiology innovation lboro.ac.uk/aed/research • nutrition • management science and operations • physiology and biomechanics • marketing and retailing School of Social Sciences and Humanities • economics lboro.ac.uk/sbe/research The School, which encompasses geography, • coaching international relations, politics and history, • pedagogy Loughborough University London communication and media, social and policy • gender diversity As an integral part of one of the UK’s top studies, and English, has eight areas of • disability sport research-led universities, Loughborough research activity at its heart: • psychology University London brings benefits to local • art history and visual culture • sociology and international communities through • communication and culture • sport management applied research and sociocultural, • democracy, crisis and security lboro.ac.uk/ssehs/research interdisciplinary thinking. Research is • environmental processes and management organised around our institutes: • families, young people and children • Design Innovation • genders and identities • Digital Technology • migration, identities and governance • Diplomacy and International Governance • textual editing and interpretation • Innovation and Entrepreneurship lboro.ac.uk/ssh/research • International Management • Media and Creative Industries • Sport Business lborolondon.ac.uk/research

10 11 OUR DOCTORAL COMMUNITY OUR DOCTORAL COMMUNITY

“I am proud of the numerous opportunities that Loughborough Our doctoral community has offered me from tuition fee “The thing I enjoy the most scholarships and travel grants about studying a PhD here is for international exchange the community – we meet up See what some of our doctoral programmes, through to the every week in our research groups within the department, researchers from our Loughborough extracurricular activities on offer – there are a wide range we regularly have social events and London campuses have to say of opportunities to get involved together and there’s always about their experiences of studying with and I am able to find something happening to bring my own kind of fun and postgraduate researchers from with us. social space.” across the University together. There’s never any feeling Chidinma PhD Geography and Environment of isolation here.” Jack PhD Communication and Media

“Loughborough University London is an immense “At Loughborough University source of opportunities. London, I really loved being I have been provided based on the Olympic Park with the tools, skills and and taking part in everything. professional networks I made the most out of my in order to pursue a experience and I established successful career in several collaborations at Here academia and industry.” East, too. I am so grateful for this experience and it was always Federico so amazing being based around PhD Design Innovation such innovative practices, people and inspirational projects.” Adaku Jennifer PhD Innovation and Entrepreneurship

lboro.ac.uk/pg-stories lborolondon.ac.uk/doctoral-researchers

12 13 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation

Whether you study in Loughborough or London, on or off campus, we are here to help you find a safe, comfortable and affordable home for the duration of your studies.

Living in Loughborough We have four self-catered halls of residence available to our postgraduate students, located on campus or close by. Rooms are let on a 50-week basis and are competitively priced. • John Phillips is situated in the student village on campus and is exclusively for postgraduates. • Forest Court is on the edge of the town centre and is rented predominantly to postgraduates. • Harry French accommodates a mix of Development opportunities students, with three houses reserved for postgraduates (one of which offers Doctoral researchers at Loughborough are expected to engage in wider two-bedroom flats for small families). Living in London developmental activities beyond the focused scope of their specific research • Falkner Eggington is our largest self- We work closely with a number of experienced, catered hall on campus with a unique mix of reputable organisations to provide you with topic. The ultimate goal of this is to create well-rounded, resilient and ages and cultures. high-quality accommodation, including shared employable researchers. housing and self-contained apartments and Short-term lets houses. Our recommended providers can Developmental opportunities include: All development opportunities are mapped We offer several options for short stay source housing for single students, couples accommodation on campus, ranging from a • formal training workshops and courses directly onto the Researcher Development and students with families. room in our dedicated visitor accommodation delivered through the Doctoral College by Framework (RDF) developed by Vitae (the in University Lodge to visitor flats, houses, and Unite Stratford ONE Professional Services staff UK’s national organisation for researcher development). rooms in our halls of residence. Located on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, • University-wide events, such as the Unite Stratford ONE is just a 10 to 15-minute annual Research Conference and the Privately owned accommodation walk to our London campus or a free shuttle Summer Showcase, where researchers Our Careers Network also provides support to Our Student Accommodation Centre doctoral researchers. Whether your aim is to work bus service is available. It offers a range may give a short presentation or display a advertises a wide selection of privately owned of single en-suite rooms and larger studio poster about their research in academia or industry, our careers consultants accommodation in Loughborough. Suitable can help to identify your options and provide apartments which are suitable for couples. • school or department events, such as a for single occupants, couples and families, practical advice and guidance on how best to seminar series or journal club these properties have been inspected and Student.com market your knowledge, skills and abilities. • engagement with international research approved by us. Designed to help you find your home away leaders through the Institute of Advanced loughboroughstudentpad.co.uk from home, student.com offers a wide range of There are also less formal opportunities rooms that are built and managed specifically Studies events and bespoke workshops to meet and network with other researchers. For for doctoral researchers for students. They provide a variety of example, Café Academique sessions give doctoral accommodation types and contract lengths to • placement opportunities with external researchers a chance to share and discuss enable you to find the right home. The website partners. Student Accommodation Centre their research in a relaxed setting, whilst the has a global team of booking experts who PhD Social and Support Network runs a weekly +44 (0)1509 274488 [email protected] speak 12 languages and provide 24-hour online lunchtime drop-in event that is open to all doctoral support alongside a price match promise. researchers, along with other social activities. lboro.ac.uk/dc-training lboro.ac.uk/pg-accommodation

14 15 FEES AND FUNDING FEES AND FUNDING

Fees and funding

Start dates School/department/institute UK/EU fee (2020/21) International fee (2020/21) UK fee (2021/22) International fee (2021/22) There are four available start dates for postgraduate research courses during the Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 academic year: Architecture (Practice-based) £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, 1 October.

Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 University studentships Our studentships typically cover the full cost of Business and Economics £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 fees and may also include a tax-free stipend for living costs. In some cases, additional funding Chemical Engineering £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 will be provided for research support expenses. Chemistry £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 Loughborough Alumni Bursary Communication and Media £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 We are proud to offer 20% towards the full cost of tuition fees for self-funding postgraduate Computer Science £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 research students who obtained their previous Creative Arts £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 degree from Loughborough University or Loughborough University London. Students Design £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 must not be in receipt of any other award. Design Innovation £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 Other sources of funding A large number of independent organisations, Digital Technologies £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 charities and trusts support postgraduate Diplomacy and International Governance £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 research in a variety of areas. UK Research Councils offer a number of studentships and English £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 grants for doctoral study, which often include the cost of fees and a generous stipend. These Geography and Environment £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 studentships are advertised on our website. Innovation and Entrepreneurship £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 International funding Information Management £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 International students may be eligible for funding from grant awarding bodies in their own International Relations, Politics and History £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 country, such as the Ministry or Department of Materials £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 Education. The British Council also manage a small number of international grants that may Mathematical Sciences £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 be available to you. Mathematics Education Centre £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 UK Government doctoral loans Mechanical, Electrical and The UK Government has introduced new £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 Manufacturing Engineering doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes. Media and Creative Industries £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 The loan is suitable for full and part-time postgraduate research students undertaking Physics £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 programmes lasting up to eight years. For Social and Policy Studies £4,407 £17,200 To be confirmed by UKRI* £18,100 eligibility information, please see our website.

Sport Business £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100 Find out more: lboro.ac.uk/pg-research-funding Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences £4,407 £22,350 To be confirmed by UKRI* £24,100

* Tuition fees for UK students are set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and we expect these to rise from the 2020/21 fee in line with inflation. The fees for 2021/22 are likely to be available in spring 2021 and will be confirmed on our website. The tuition fees above are for new full-time students commencing the first year of study in the specified year only. If you are starting your PhD in January, April or July 2021, your fees will be at the 2020/21 rate. October 2021 and January, April and July 2022 start dates will be subject to the 2021/22 rate. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures. Part-time fees are charged at 50% of the full-time fee. If you are an international student considering part-time study, please contact [email protected] to discuss your eligibility. 16 17 NEXT STEPS NEXT STEPS

CONTACT A SUPERVISOR REGISTER If you’re applying for YOUR INTEREST an advertised project, FIND OUT WHAT’S If you can’t see an advertised we recommend getting CURRENTLY AVAILABLE funded or unfunded project in touch with the primary that interests you, you Take a look at our website supervisor before applying can register your interest to learn more about the to discuss the research research areas we to receive regular email in more detail. If you specialise in. We also offer updates from us, including a number of part or fully when the latest research would like to develop your opportunities become own research project, funded studentships and available. these are updated regularly you should identify a throughout the year. lboro.ac.uk/pg-updates potential supervisor and work with them on your lboro.ac.uk/pg-research-degrees research proposal before submitting an application. You can find a supervisor on the school/department website.

NEXT STEPS APPLY ONLINE All applications are made through our website. To apply, you will need to DEVELOP YOUR upload your degree certificate(s) and RESEARCH PROPOSAL transcripts, evidence of your English language proficiency and two references, If you would like to develop your own one of which should be from your most project, you will need to submit a recent academic qualification. If you research proposal with your application are awaiting results, you should upload summarising the research you wish to the documents you currently have and undertake. Some advertised projects add any outstanding ones when they also require these and will state this are available. If you are applying for an on the listing. General advice on what advertised project, you will need to quote to include in your research proposal the reference number stated on the can be found on our website but listing. Please be aware that it usually as requirements can differ across takes approximately four weeks to assess your application. subject areas, it’s really important that Find out more: you discuss this with your potential lboro.ac.uk/pg-research-apply supervisor(s) before submitting it. lboro.ac.uk/pg-research-proposal

18 19 TOP IN EVERY UK UNIVERSITY 10 LEAGUE TABLE

General enquiries Loughborough Doctoral College Loughborough University @LboroDocCollege Leicestershire LE11 3TU UK /lborouniversity T: +44 (0)1509 228292 E: [email protected] /lborouniversity lboro.ac.uk/doctoral-college /lborouniversity 78443/CPS/NOV20