Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Degree of Master of Research

Origin: PDQ Team

The Programme Development and Quality Team invites Learning and Teaching Committee to recommend to Senate that it introduce the degree of Master of Research.

Background

1. PDQ considered the desirability of introducing the MRes degree at its September meeting. It was noted that two departments had recently proposed new programmes with a significant research training component to lead to the degree. Several departments already offered programmes with a similar research training component but leading, in the absence of an MRes at Loughborough, to the degree of MSc. Enquiries pursued by the Research Student Office showed little consistency across the sector in the use of MRes and MSc/MA qualifications, even for programmes recognised by the research councils to provide appropriate research training.

2. It was agreed to recommend that the University introduce the MRes degree; and that, subject to any further advice from the Research Team, programmes leading to the degree comprise 180 credits at postgraduate level including a research training component amounting to at least 50% of the programme. The research training component would normally include the production of a dissertation.

3. It was agreed to invite the Research Team to comment on the proposal and to ascertain the views of the departments currently offering Masters programmes with a significant research training component.

4. PDQ returned to the matter at its October meeting when it considered feedback from the Research Team and departments already running potential MRes programmes, together with observations from the Curriculum Sub-Committee and a note of the position on proposals presented to the CSC meeting on 13 October for programmes to lead to the MRes degree.

Recommendations

5. In the light of the feedback received, it was agreed to refine the criteria proposed at the previous meeting for use of the MRes title as follows:

· programmes to comprise 180 credits at postgraduate level

· programmes to include a research dissertation (or series of mini research projects) of a minimum of 60 credits (and maximum of 90)

· programmes to include a minimum of 60 credits of research training/methodology/skills modules that might be generic or discipline specific

· the balance of the programme credit to be derived from advanced taught modules in the discipline.

It was considered that a typical MRes programme might comprise 60 credits in each category.

6. It was suggested that a set of generic ILOs might be produced that could be incorporated in any MRes programme.

7. The use of the MRes degree title would not signify that the programme had research council recognition.

8. PDQ felt that departments should not be compelled to use the MRes title for programmes that met the appropriate criteria. (The Research Team also felt there should be some latitude on the adoption of the title.)

9. It was resolved to recommend accordingly to LTC.

Author – Robert Bowyer

Date – November 2005