PhD or MPhil Research

All Royal Holloway staff are active in their own research and between them can supervise a very wide range of PhD subjects. There are currently more than 40 research students enrolled in the department. The intellectual and practical culture of the Department is supportive, and staff regularly meet with research students in a seminar to share new work.

Student support and training

Writing a thesis is not as solitary an occupation as it once was. Each doctoral student has the help of at least two members of staff: the supervisor, who is a specialist in the topic of the thesis, plus one or more advisors who help with other areas of the work and act as an annual check on progress. There is also a weekly class in the first term (held early on a Wednesday evening to enable part-timers to attend) in which the basic methodologies and techniques of theatre research at postgraduate level are explored. All new postgraduates attend the class and must pass the bibliographical and technical tests set at the end of term. This is followed by a project based course in the second term, with approximately four meetings. Attendance requirements are modified for students who have done appropriate training at MA level.

Picking a subject

The right topic and the right supervisor for you is the most important consideration. The specialisms of staff and their areas of supervision are indicated under 'staff research interests' - see link. You are welcome to email or write to individuals with whom you might wish to study, before you make a formal application. You are also welcome to contact the Director of Graduate Studies, currently Sophie Nield

PhD by practice

The University of London offers to possibility of submitting MPhils and PhDs examined partly by written thesis and partly by the submission of practical work. The practical work may take many forms, but must be identifiable as a piece of research and not merely creative expression.

Entry

A first class or good second class humanities degree is the normal entry requirement. Mature students with professional theatre experience are also welcomed. It is usual to commence in September, but it is possible to start at the beginning of any term. Part-time students are treated in exactly the same way as full-time students for all practical purposes; it is merely assumed that they will proceed at a slower pace. Students are normally registered for an MPhil in the first instance, and then upgraded when appropriate.

Funding

The College offers some scholarships, though competition is strong. The Arts and Humanities Research Board now prefers to fund postgraduates who undertake a preliminary training for research, and students seeking such funding are advised to take the MA(Research) in the first instance. Students following this course have an excellent record in obtaining further funding.

Application

Application forms should be returned to the college admissions office, accompanied by two essays or other recent pieces of critical writing.

Candidates in Britain at the time of application will be invited to interview; everyone is welcome to visit the Department.

For enquiries, forms or a brochure please contact us

• the research outcome (paper, presentation, performance, guest workshop etc)
• the academic context (refereed conference, host venue etc)
• importance/ relevance to your Doctoral project
• career impact
• estimated budget (to a maximum of £400)

Please also submit a brief supporting statement from your supervisor, and a copy of the invitation/ acceptance that you have received from the event organisers.

This money MAY be combined with your existing one-off allocation of £250 if you wish, though we would advise students in the early stages of their research to consider work they may wish to have supported in later stages of their project.

Applications should be submitted to Sophie Nield, (ccd to Johanna Pursey), and will be reviewed by members of Research Committee before a decision is made.

Applications will be assessed on their importance to the development of your research, your career trajectory, and relevance to the research profile of the Department. This round is open from now until June 10 2009.

Postgraduate Book Fund

The Department has allocated £500 towards the cost of purchasing for the Library books relevant to your research and/or career development. Please send your recommendations to Sophie Nield. You must include title, author and publication details, and very short statement detailing its relevance to your project. Deadline for receipt of recommendations is June 10 2009.