The UK’s European university GRADUATE PROSPECTUS Brussels | Canterbury | Medway | Paris WELCOME FROM THE DEAN I am honoured to lead the Graduate and Researcher College at the University of Kent, which supports, leads and champions our thriving postgraduate community. Our excellent team helps create a caring and stimulating intellectual and social environment, regardless of whether you study at one of our UK campuses at Canterbury or Medway or at one of our European centres in Brussels or Paris; or even further afield at a partner institution. We are especially proud of our diverse student body and our European and international staff, and we believe that not only does the University benefit from this intellectual and cultural diversity, but that it is also beneficial to the wider society. The Graduate and Researcher College works closely with academic schools and centres to enhance the quality of the postgraduate student experience across all campuses and for all students, and to develop vibrant postgraduate communities embedded in excellent teaching and research. I look forward to welcoming you to Kent and working with you to ensure excellence in all aspects of your postgraduate study experience. Professor Paul Allain Dean of the Graduate and Researcher College Teaching Excellence Framework Based on the evidence available, the TEF Panel judged that the University of Kent delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the UK. REF • 97% of research at Kent was found to be of international quality. • Following the REF, Kent was ranked in the top 20 for research output and research intensity in the Times Higher Education, outperforming 11 of the 24 Russell Group universities. Kent online To find out what our students think, see our online video interviews at www.kent.ac.uk/videoaudio/film www.kent.ac.uk 1 CONTENTS Leading the way 2 Our programmes 44 Our changing world 6 Come to Kent 184 Join our community 8 Courses A-Z 190 Our changing world 14 English language Our changing world 34 entry requirements 200 Your finances 36 Useful information 202 Your career 38 Your study choices 40 Our changing world 42 2 University of Kent / Graduate Prospectus 2021 “At this level the faculty treat you more as a peer than a student and want to give you as much freedom as possible to come up with your own theories and ideas.” Ashley Osborne, MSc Infectious Diseases www.kent.ac.uk 3 LEADING THE WAY In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 97% of Kent’s research was judged to be of international quality. Interdisciplinary, international and highly influential, our research addresses some of the most critical issues of our time. It has changed policy and improved lives. Whether you’re studying on a taught Recent and current PhD students We currently attract external funding or research programme, you benefit have worked in areas including: the that regularly exceeds £18 million from the range and quality of the gig economy; wildlife trade; film and per annum. We have doctoral research at Kent. Our research drama practice; autism, intellectual training partnerships with several underpins our teaching, which disability and community care; bodies which give you access to a means you learn about the latest social justice; philanthropy; charting range of funding. These include: developments from those whose resistance activities in WW2 in Paris. work is extending the boundaries • Advanced Research and Innovation of their field. Kent helps you to develop as a in the Environmental Sciences researcher, through initiatives like (ARIES, NERC) Our academics are involved in our Researcher Development • Consortium for the Humanities and research that could lead to new Programme, which helps you to the Arts South-East England approaches to cancer treatment; acquire specialist and transferable (CHASE, AHRC) end plastic pollution; improve UK skills. You are supported by a • Global Challenges Doctoral Centre productivity; and create original thriving intellectual community that (GCDC) • South Coast Biosciences (SoCoBio) forms of poetry and creative writing. includes staff and students from all Doctoral Training Partnership our locations. • South East Network for Social We live in challenging times. The Sciences (SeNSS, ESRC). world needs innovative thinkers Research needs an open mind, prepared to work to address current resilience, a willingness to ask, and In many areas, our research is problems, envisage what might be answer, difficult questions and the leading the way and has had a ahead, and find ways of living that ability to collaborate. It also needs positive impact on people’s lives. sustain our world and our wellbeing. funding. Discover more overleaf. 4 University of Kent / Graduate Prospectus 2021 Opposing indefinite detention What is the reality of indefinite detention in the UK? In a collaborative project called Refugee Tales, asylum seekers and refugees share their experiences with authors such as Ali Smith, Abdulrazak Gurnah and Monica Ali. The result is a set of compelling stories and a literary event that’s like no other – taking place on a long trek through the English countryside. Working towards equality Is a woman’s leadership potential more likely to be overlooked than a man’s? Do flexible hours help or hinder mothers who are working part-time? Do men and women get different advice when considering a senior role? Our research is bringing clarity to many questions of gender equality. www.kent.ac.uk 5 Improving global nutrition Understanding the ‘unbelievers’ With its large population of vegetarians, India is a country What do agnostics and atheists believe? A Kent- where one billion people have low levels of vitamin B12. led research project confounded expectations by To tackle the problem, our scientists have teamed up with revealing that most agnostics and atheists believe researchers in India to develop a biotechnology solution in supernatural powers and in the ‘forces of good that doesn’t rely on animal products. The discoveries and evil’. The results were presented in an academic they’ve made could eventually solve the global epidemic conference held at the Vatican. of B12 malnutrition. Understanding autism Think of an imaginary world – brought to life using drama, puppetry and multi-sensory environments. For autistic children and practitioners, creating and playing in these imaginary worlds can enhance both communication and empathy. Our researchers were pioneers in this field and their latest work explores the experiences of girls with a diagnosis of autism. 6 University of Kent / Graduate Prospectus 2021 OUR CHANGING WORLD Kent’s Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2019 for its pioneering work to conserve biodiversity. Established in 1989, DICE research has had a major impact nationally and internationally. This includes innovative work to tackle the illegal trade in ivory and other wildlife products, as well as projects with local partners in Asia and South America to reduce deforestation and protect orangutans, sun bears and jaguars. DICE has trained conservation scientists and biodiversity managers from 103 nations who are making a difference around the world. In 2020, two of our alumni, Dr Patricia Medici and Rachel Ikemeh, won Whitley Awards: Patricia for her research into tapirs as conservation flagships in Brazil and Rachel for advancing participatory conservation action for rare chimpanzees in Nigeria. One of our current students, Trang Nguyen, was named as one of the BBC’s top 100 women of 2019 for her work setting up WildAct Vietnam, a charity dedicated to creating a fairer and safer working environment for women in wildlife conservation in her home country. DICE’s work has inspired the current generation of conservationists, who will in turn inspire the next, as we work to bring about positive change. “DICE has been at the forefront of conservation training and research for 30 years, bringing together the natural and social sciences and making a real difference on the ground.” Professor Bob Smith, Director of DICE www.kent.ac.uk 7 8 University of Kent / Graduate Prospectus 2021 www.kent.ac.uk 9 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Postgraduate life at Kent Help when you need it Our graduate community includes people Postgraduate study is stimulating and returning to study after a break or studying challenging. As a graduate, you’re used to part-time while continuing to advance their making your own decisions, organising your career, as well as recent graduates inspired by time and completing assignments. If ever you their studies and intent on discovering more. want to talk, though, we are here to listen. Whatever your reasons for deciding on postgraduate Academic staff will be happy to discuss module study, at Kent you’ll sharpen your focus and hone your choices and dissertation ideas with you, while informal skills. You’ll work with outstanding academics who share networking opportunities give you the chance to talk with your passion and can guide you towards new areas in other students. Our Student Learning Advisory Service your field. offers help with study and research skills and can be particularly useful if you are returning to study after a You’ll be able to take advantage of first-class facilities, break. national and international links with leading institutions, and funding opportunities through our membership of Our wellbeing team can help if you have a disability various consortia. You’ll study with people from across or need support with emotional or mental health issues. the world whose interests complement yours and whose There are also support teams in our schools, advice varied experiences will expand your thinking. services run by our student unions (Kent Union and GKSU) as well as faith communities, all ready to listen. You’ll have opportunities to attend conferences, building your own network of contacts.