How is the PhD training and research organised?

Students embarking on a programme of doctoral research in this Department initially register for an MPhil. If your research progresses satisfactorily you then 'upgrade' after 12 months full-time, or 20 months part-time, from MPhil to PhD status. We expect that you will complete your PhD in three years full-time, or within five years part-time.

It is advantageous to have undertaken postgraduate training in research methods prior to embarking on a PhD, since this means that you already have many of the skills required to undertake the doctoral work itself. Some funding bodies (e.g. the ESRC) make doctoral awards available only to students who have completed a recognised MSc such as our MSc in Research Methods in Psychology . Although it is possible to register for a PhD here without having obtained one of these qualifications, students who do so are required to take a substantial number of courses in different aspects of research methodology during their first year.

All MPhil/PhD students work directly with one ‘primary’ supervisor, but in addition they have a secondary supervisor (or co-supervisor) who also has expertise relevant to the planned research. This arrangement ensures that you have a high level of support throughout the duration of your research. Together, you and your supervisors set termly objectives to help structure, monitor, and focus your activities so that you are on track to finish within the agreed timeframe.

Participation in research seminars, where you discuss your own research and that of other students and staff, is an important and stimulating element of your training and a key aspect of the vibrant research culture which exists here. All students are actively encouraged to attend seminars and meetings within and outside the department throughout their period of study here.

See further information about life as a postgraduate at Goldsmiths , and for more detail about the structure of doctoral training within the Department of Psychology, please see our MPhil/PhD webpage .