Online Doctoral Programme

Distance/online learning

Distance learning uses an internet based learning environment backed up by PhD supervision.  Students are able to download research materials, interact with tutors and fellow students, submit work, and check final assessment results.

• Watch a 3 minute video to see how a tutorial is delivered over the internet.
• See a Blackboard module demo to see how it is delivered in a virtual learning environment.

Minimum computer requirements

Due to the nature of this programme, all candidates must have access to a computer with these specifications as well as a headset (with integrated microphone and earphones) so that you can listen and speak through the system.

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Apply now

Apply online

Make sure that you have electronic copies of all supporting documentation, such as transcripts, English language tests and research proposals.

You will be prompted to attach these during the online application process.

You can check out the relevant research centres for lists of PhD subject areas.

Dates

You may apply at any time during the year.

The research institute has four intakes each year: January, April and October.

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Training and support

Workshops, seminars and other events are available for research students to help them develop research skills.

Email Director of PGR Training and Outreach Dr. Monty Sutrisna at m.sutrisna@salford.ac.uk if you have any questions about training and support.

Doctoral training programme

We offers workshops on:

• Research skills and techniques
• Research environment
• Research management
• Personal effectiveness
• Communication skills
• Networking and team working
• Career management
• Subject-specific
• English language support

Attendance at training events is recorded and discussed at major points of assessment.

Researchers Online Advanced Repository (ROAR)

ROAR is:

• An online repository of essential documents such as the training programme handbook and supporting materials from workshops and training events
• A platform for communication among students and staff
• Linked to relevant web sites and resources
• Book reviews by staff and students
• Linked to important university documents and web sites relating to postgraduate research studies

Students can contact Moira Mort on m.mort@salford.ac.uk to request access to ROAR.

International networking opportunities

Students have access to the School's worldwide networks, and are able to take part, exchange ideas, and disseminate research findings.

CIB Student Chapter

The Salford CIB Student Chapter aims to enhance post graduate students' skills, particularly in regards to international collaboration and information exchange concerning research and innovation in built environment research. All our postgraduate students automatically become CIB Student Chapter members upon registration.

More about CIB and the Student Chapter

SOBE International Postgraduate Research Conference

Every year, we organise an International Post-Graduate Research Conference (IPGRC) which disseminates research results to national and international research communities. This event provides an excellent opportunity for built environment postgraduates to present their research in a stimulating and supportive environment as well as to start building their networks with other researchers from around the world.

Personal and career development

Workshops run by The University of Salford Careers Service for research students:

• Career Planning
• Interview Skills
• Developing Effective Interpersonal Skills
• Writing skills
• Teamwork
• Time management

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How to write a research proposal

Students need to be imaginative and practical in writing their research proposal. Innovative research ideas are welcome, however it must be realistic and practical.

The proposal should provide a good idea of your 'research problem' and some indication of why you think it is important.

We need to know that your research proposition is worth undertaking, that you can achieve it, and that you are aware of the constraints of time and other difficulties which affect all research projects.

We will assist students in refining their proposals where appropriate. Email cstresearch@salford.ac.uk

Word limit

2000 words

Sections of your proposal

• Working title
• Introduction/justification/rationale
• Aim/hypothesis
  A simple statement of what the research is seeking to achieve. The aim should be fairly focussed to demonstrate that you have narrowed down the topic to something that is both achievable and manageable.
  Alternatively, the aim may be considered as a hypothesis (question). A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relationship between 2 or more variables that are measurable.
• Objectives
  5-6 bullet points of intended outcomes from the research written as statements. They are written as though you have completed the research and are looking back on what you did in order to meet the aim of the research. Another way of looking at objectives is to think about what it is you need to demonstrate an understanding of in order to meet the aim of the research.
• Literature review
  Two parts: searching for and finding relevant literature; and analysing/reviewing what has been found.
  The literature review included in the Introductory section contextualises the subject area, and a full literature review is provided as a stand alone section.
  In addition, a literature review is also concerned with literature on research strategy/techniques and data analysis methods.
• Research methodology
  Provides a discussion of the research strategy (general approach) to be adopted with appropriate justification including:
  • detail of the implementation of the strategy in relation to the proposed research
  • the technique(s) to be used including justifying appropriate technique(s) for the research strategy adopted.
  • possible problems that may arise in administering the technique(s) along with identifying strategies to minimise the impact of any potential problems.
• Analytical approach
  This addresses the range of data that will be gathered from the research techniques and how this information will be analysed.
• References
  A list of references cited within the main text following a system of referencing such as Harvard, British or Vancouver.

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