Senate

Subject: Degree of Master of Research

Origin: Learning and Teaching Committee; PDQ Team

Background

1. The Programme Development and Quality Team considered the desirability of introducing the MRes degree at its September 2005 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 put forward a proposal that the University introduce the MRes degree; to invite the Research Team to comment on the proposal in principle and on the criteria that were proposed for the use of the title; and to ascertain the views of the departments currently offering Masters programmes with a significant research training component.

3. 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

4. In the light of the feedback received, it was agreed to recommend to LTC that the criteria for use of the MRes title be 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.

A typical MRes programme might comprise 60 credits in each category.

5. LTC at its meeting on 10 November endorsed the criteria proposed. It also accepted a suggestion that the preparation of a paper in a format appropriate for publication in a journal in the relevant subject could provide an excellent training exercise and that departments should be encouraged to include such a requirement within an MRes degree programme.

6. LTC considered it important that departments introducing MRes programmes were mindful of the guidelines of the Research Councils on the recognition of Masters programmes offering research training,

7. The Committee endorsed the following additional observations from PDQ:

(i) that a set of generic ILOs might be produced that could be incorporated in any MRes programme.

(ii) that the use of the MRes degree title should not signify that the programme had research council recognition.

(iii) 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.)

8. LTC RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Senate that the University introduce the degree of Master of Research (MRes) and that the criteria and further guidance for use of the title be as set out under (4) – (7) above.

Author – Robert Bowyer

Date – November 2005