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Courses

Types of postgraduate courses

We offer several qualifications at postgraduate level, and entry requirements vary from course to course. At present, we offer the following qualifications.

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

This can be given as an interim award en-route to a higher degree, or as a standalone qualification in its own right. The qualification normally takes around nine months to complete.

Masters degree

The Masters degree is a taught postgraduate award, and usually involves the completion of a PGDip followed by the submission of a final project and dissertation. It usually takes 12 months to complete a Masters, and the different specialisms available at BU are:

MBA

An MBA is the abbreviation of the Master's of Business Administration. An MBA is typically a one year programme full time or two years part time in which the student is trained in theory and practice of business managment. Getting an MBA will accelerate your career and is highly regarded by potential employers as a sign of general competency in all the major functional roles that can be found in a modern corporation. MBAs are not recommended for recent graduates as a certain level of work experience is normally required to ensure the student can work collaboratively with others.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil involves critically investigating and evaluating an approved topic, and then presenting and defending a thesis by oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD involves critically investigating and evaluating an approved topic that results in an independent and original contribution to knowledge, then presenting and defending a thesis by oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners.

For guidance, you should expect full-time study of the MPhil to take a minimum of two years and the PhD to take a minimum of three years. You may enrol on an MPhil and, subject to suitable progress transfer to a PhD.

Professional Doctorates

The Professional Doctorates are designed to encourage practising professionals to pursue formal qualifications through in-depth research related to activities performed in the workplace.

These programmes are an emerging part of the postgraduate and professional portfolio of Bournemouth University, and currently feature the innovative Doctorate in Business Administration, administered by the Business School (incorporating the Department of Law), the Media School and School of Services Management, and the Doctor of Professional Practice offered through the School of Health and Social Care.

Full-time research degree usually lasts from two to three years and entails supervised research either on an individual basis or as part of a research team. Research degrees can sometimes be taken on a part-time basis, which typically take between four and six years to complete.