Connect with us @ChooseBristolPG bristoluniversity UniversityofBristol UniversityofBristol weibo.com/bristol Postgraduate research guide bristol.ac.uk 1 Contents Welcome 2 Contacts Our University 4 Tel +44 (0)117 394 1649 Why Bristol 6 Postgraduate research 8 Email [email protected] Global perspectives 10 For up-to-date information visit Cutting-edge research 12 bristol.ac.uk/pg-study Research institutes 14 Careers 16 Bristol Doctoral College 18 Ranked 49 in the world Supporting you at university 20 (QS World University Ranking 2020) Accommodation 21 Life in Bristol 22 Visit us 26 How to apply 28 49 Fees and funding 30 This guide contains information for students Funded cohort-based planning to start university in autumn 2020. We doctoral training 32 have made every effort to ensure all details are Faculty of Arts 34 correct at the time of going to press (July 2019). However, since this information is subject Faculty of Engineering 36 to change, you are advised to check the Faculty of Health Sciences 38 University’s website,bristol.ac.uk/pg-study, for the latest updates. Sixth in the UK, Faculty of Life Sciences 39 Design: pelotondesign.co.uk 47th globally Faculty of Science 40 Print: Belmont Press (QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2019) Faculty of Social Sciences Photography: Bhagesh Sachania Photography, and Law 42 Chris Bahn, Dan Rowley, Destination Bristol, FineTime Photography, Jenny Hardy, Paul Box, Programme A-Z 44 Stefan Line, University of Bristol 6 Our location 45 © University of Bristol 2019 POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH GUIDE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH GUIDE 2 WELCOME WELCOME 3 Welcome As the Pro Vice-Chancellor Together, we can explore what possibilities exist The University of Bristol is consistently ranked when we ask profound questions rather than within the top ten universities in the UK*, and for Research and Enterprise, settle for quick fix answers; when we challenge attracts some of the best and brightest students I am delighted to introduce ourselves to step out of the ordinary framework from the UK and overseas. Please look through of day-to-day life and approach the world from this guide and see what interests you. I very you to the postgraduate new perspectives. much hope that I shall have the pleasure of welcoming you to the University of Bristol in research community at the You will join a supportive environment that will the near future. University of Bristol. challenge and stretch you, right in the heart of one of the most beautiful, vibrant and green Professor Nishan Canagarajah TOur global reputation for research excellence, cities in Europe. We continue to invest heavily Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise in our campuses, upgrading and transforming innovation and creativity is supported by a *QS World University Rankings 2020 strong track record in industry collaboration facilities to build the best possible learning and a research-rich culture, where we combine space for our students. At the centre of our a rigorous approach to learning with an main Clifton campus is our new PGR Hub, innovative edge. which is dedicated solely to researcher development and wellbeing. Today’s challenges are not confined by borders – geographical, disciplinary or otherwise. As a research student in Bristol, you will Globally, we face a range of complex issues: automatically become a member of the how to address diverse health needs, tackle Bristol Doctoral College, which works climate change, confront social injustice, and across the whole University to coordinate a harness the benefits of technological growth and central support framework for all research innovation. At the University of Bristol, we seek students. You will hear from them regularly creative approaches to such global problems with news of the Personal and Professional through working collaboratively on frontier- Development programme for research students, expanding research. their Research without Borders festival of postgraduate research, and of regular activities in the PGR Hub. Our researcher inauguration event is a welcome ceremony and reception open only to our new postgraduate researchers and your supervisors. bristol.ac.uk bristol.ac.uk POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH GUIDE WELCOME TO BRISTOL 4 OUR UNIVERSITY OUR UNIVERSITY 5 Our university The University of Bristol is A programme of major redevelopment at our main Clifton campus began in 2018. internationally renowned Designed in consultation with students, the and is one of the very project will transform the centre of our campus into a vibrant hub for the University and city best higher education community. Work is also underway on the institutions in the UK, Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, our new campus in the centre of the city, which will focus thanks to its outstanding on teaching and research in digital technologies. staff, superb facilities and As a member of the Russell Group, Bristol is one of the UK’s leading research universities. talented students. The University is rated in the top 10 in the UK1 and is a top five UK university for research2. The University has had a reputation for innovation since it was founded in 1909. It 1 QS World University Rankings 2020. was the first institute of higher education in the 2 Times Higher Education analysis of the latest country to admit women on an equal basis with Research Excellence Framework (2014). men, and in 1946 established the UK’s first university drama department. More recently, the University has influenced many aspects of society through cutting-edge research in areas as diverse as infection and immunity, human rights, climate change, and cryptography and information security. As a world-class research institution, Bristol offers outstanding facilities, such as the Life Sciences Building, which features a five-storey laboratory wing, a state-of-the-art greenhouse and one of the largest teaching labs in the UK. The Faculty of Engineering has invested more than £19 million in new facilities to support hands-on learning, including a 500m2 teaching lab, a propulsion lab, a satellite lab and ground station, and our creative workshop, Hackspace. bristol.ac.uk bristol.ac.uk POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH GUIDE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH GUIDE 6 WHY BRISTOL WHY BRISTOL 7 Why Bristol Our outstanding research enhanced greatly by the social, cultural and GW4 Alliance ‘This course has opened sporting landscape offered by Bristol itself. When you join the University of Bristol research many doors for me to profile is underpinned by The Bristol SU Postgraduate Network is open community, you will become part of the GW4 the contribution of our to all postgraduate students, both taught Alliance, comprising four of the most research- undertake research training and research, and an important forum for intensive and innovative universities in the and conduct my own postgraduate researchers representing the postgraduate voice. UK: the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. This network offers postgraduate research project under and the help they receive The Bristol Doctoral College community research students access to a collaborative (see pp18-19) builds opportunities for the the supervision of highly network, expert training opportunities and from the Bristol Doctoral more than 3000 postgraduate researchers shared resources. To find out more, visit qualified and internationally College. This supportive across the University. www.gw4.ac.uk/doctoral-training. recognised academic environment will help The PGR Hub is a physical space in the heart of campus dedicated to researcher development Your development researchers.’ you achieve your research and wellbeing, and is open to postgraduate The University encourages personal growth ambitions. researchers from all disciplines. alongside the pursuit of academic excellence. Daria (PhD Psychology) There are also numerous representation We ensure that research students excel in Our research environment positions within schools and faculties for their studies and emerge as both outstanding The University of Bristol is recognised globally postgraduate researchers to represent and researchers and well-rounded, highly for the excellence in research and the standard champion the views of their sub-communities employable individuals. of its teaching. Our research students enjoy the to the wider institution. Personal and Professional Development opportunities to collaborate with world-class (PPD) programme researchers and the benefits of living in a Engaging with the public Our externally evaluated and quality assured first-rate British city. Engaging with the public about our research and teaching is an integral and exciting part of PPD programme is designed to ensure that all Supporting researchers academic life at Bristol. It ensures our work has postgraduate research students have access to Professional support, career development impact and relevance beyond the University’s the training and resources needed to help get and funding opportunities are just some of the walls and that society’s values and opinions the most out of their time at Bristol, and acquire reasons why the University is one of the UK’s inform our research. the knowledge and experience to succeed in best employers of researchers. We are a top whatever career path they may choose. five UK university for research (Times Higher Research without Borders, the University’s The central PPD programme for research Education analysis of REF 2014) and the annual festival of postgraduate research, is students is organised by the Bristol