To provide a focus for students'' knowledge of recent methodological and theoretical  developments in their chosen field and facilitate their acquisition of relevant subject knowledge;  

To provide a framework within which to design a feasible research project;

To arrive in a position to begin a piece of independent study, with confidence, within appropriate scholarly conventions.

The student will gain the knowledge and skills needed to design a robust research project.

The student''s academic development will benefit from exploring the topic of his/her research with an acknowledged expert in the field.

The student will be prepared to undertake a major piece of independent research.

The student will be prepared to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively

Working with a supervisor identified as a condition of entry onto the programme, the student will consolidate and acquire knowledge of recent methodological and theoretical developments acquired in the appropriate co-requisite subject-specific module.  A programme of directed reading, arrived at in discussion with the supervisor, will allow for identification of a suitable research design and initial project development.  Depending on the project, this may include skills acquisition and guidance on ethical approval protocols.

Supervision - One-to-one supervisory sessions provide a supportive forum in which to explore and consolidate knowledge of disciplinary-specific theories and methods and necessary subject knowledge. On the basis of a programme of reading agreed by student and supervisor, the the student will be in a position to start an independent piece of research