2. Qualifications on offer MSc or PhD in Chemistry Undertake research in Forensics or Chemistry MSc or PhD in Physics Undertake research in Astrophysics, Forensic Facial Imaging, Materials, Optics or Physics Although your higher degree from SPS would be under the title of Physics or Chemistry these titles cover a vast array of research possibilities

3. What is a higher degree by research? You undertake a research project and submit a thesis at the end of the course. There are no set taught modules, although most students follow one module in their first year. You have your own supervisor who will help guide your project and you will be attached to one of our research groups, but your research is largely independent and you can study a topic that interests you. No set lectures or seminars means you are your own boss! You can study either full-time or part-time

4. Available Projects Funded projects are NOT the only possibilities There are independent study options that you can tailor to your own preferences Invent your own project and propose the idea to a potential supervisor To apply for specific projects look on the SPS website

5. EuroMasters A two year Masters degree in conjunction with 5 South East Universities SEPnet (South East Physics Network); Queen Mary London, Royal Holloway London, Southampton, Surrey and Sussex. The first year will be taught and the second year students will undertake an advanced research project Students will have the opportunity to study at any of the 5 partner universities or a research institution including Cern, Switzerland, the UK’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS, Diamond or NPL. Kent offers EuroMasters research strands in Atomic and Condensed Matter and Astrophysics. The programme is therefore structured for two different 'streams' of students, one specialising in astrophysics and the other specialising in condensed matter physics.

6. EuroMasters Funding SEPnet scholarships which cover tuition fees and may provide up to €13,000 towards living expenses are available for this programme; please state your interest when making enquiries or when applying.

7. Funding University Funding: Funding for specific projects – announced in the spring and emailed to all final-year students The projects are listed on the SPS website If you gain a place on a departmental funded project you will be required to undertake a set amount of unpaid demonstrating work. The funding will pay your tuition fees and a grant of approximately £13,290 per year which you do not have to pay back

8. Funding Other Funding: EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and other funding may be available each year but only for specific projects Details of this is always published on www.jobs.ac.uk and on the SPS website

9. Funding Self-Funding: More and more students are deciding to fund themselves. The current fees are: £3,500 per year full-time £1,880 per year part-time These fees are subject to change

10. Paid work in the department Most postgraduate students will have the opportunity to sign-up for paid demonstrating (i.e. teaching support and marking) work There are also opportunities to become involved in paid outreach and recruitment activities.

11. Our Students Here are two of our Postgraduate students, Holly French and Jodie Smith. Holly is working on a PhD in Chemistry with her research project in Forensic Science. Jodie is working on a PhD in Physics with Prof. Newport researching the properties of glass.

14. How to apply Before applying you may wish to discuss your proposed research project with a potential supervisor. A list of staff and their areas of expertise is available on our website You then need to submit the formal application online at the following website: http://www.kent.ac.uk/studying/postgrad/apply/index.html In addition to all the requested information on the application form, SPS asks that you also state the following on your application the name of the supervisor with whom you would like to work how you intend to pay for your studies and whether this funding is confirmed

15. How to apply You will also need to provide one or two academic references. There is an area on the form to name your referees, however, it is your responsibility to ask your referees to email their references to admissionspg@kent.ac.uk and spsrecruit@kent.ac.uk Without these references you application CANNOT proceed and it will not be seen by the academic you wish to work with.