The Research Training Programme
At Cranfield, we provide all our doctoral students with world-class training in research methods.
Sessions are run by Cranfield faculty members and occasionally by senior academics from other universities who are recognised experts in their field.
Full-time study
If you enrol as a full-time student you will follow our MRes programme in your first year of study. This is our Master’s of Research in Management Research. It provides a thorough training in the methodologies for conducting management research and an understanding of contemporary management issues. The MRes is a taught course which runs three days a week during term time. You must attend for the whole period.
Students who have maintained good progress throughout the MRes year and have passed all the MRes assignments (including a dissertation) will normally transfer to full-time PhD status for a further three years.
Part-time study
If you follow the part-time route – a six-year registration – you will complete one module of the MRes, the Research Methodology Course, in your first year. This runs on Mondays during term time and, like the MRes, is formally assessed. Additionally, you will need to attend for two days of student presentations – the first in February; the second in June. Attendance of the whole course is mandatory.
Both programmes begin with an induction week in early October.
During this first year you will work closely with your supervisor in developing your research topic. At the same time, you will start to engage in the School’s wider research activities, such as the popular Doctoral Colloquia series, and perhaps participate in your research centre’s meetings and events.
Students develop strong support networks with their cohort and other students during this time and typically maintain these friendships throughout their studies.
The MRes
The Research Methodology Course