Masters by Research MA/MSc at De Montfort University

Programme overview

The MA or MSc by Research is a master’s degree that emphasises independent study over taught instruction. It is often used as a training course in advanced research work and lays the foundation towards doing a PhD.

Duration: Full-time: 12 months (plus a 3-month Research Completion Period, if required) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: October 2025 | Location: Leicester, England, United Kingdom

Career pathways

The course will help you to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge required to conduct research in an area of interest to you. If you’re thinking about doing a PhD, it will also provide you with the opportunity to explore whether you enjoy independent study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a 2:1 or first class Honours degree (or equivalent); Relevant experience may be needed for some projects You will be required to prepare a research proposal, approximately three pages long that sets out your research aims context and intended methods; You will then be interviewed by two members of staff and, if successful in your application, be assigned two supervisors; English language requirements: If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course; Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information.

Intake: October 2025

Duration: Full-time: 12 months (plus a 3-month Research Completion Period, if required)

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities