Who is the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma course for?
The course is aimed at anyone with existing Undergraduate experience (a degree or FHEQ level 5 qualification) and who wishes to take their studies further. Applicants may wish to work on a specialised project or may be looking to develop the skills necessary for Postgraduate study.
Structure of the programme
The Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice is the first part of a two-year Advanced Diploma programme. You can study it as a standalone course, or apply to progress to the second part of the programme: the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences.
Depending on previous academic qualifications, some applicants may be eligible to complete year 2 (the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences) without having completed year 1.
Students who successfully complete both years of the programme will be awarded the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice in the Arts/Sciences worth 120 credits at FHEQ level 6.
What will I be studying?
The Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice will give you broad research skills training which encompasses your chosen research specialism and prepares you for future, Master’s level study.
It will be delivered via three teaching blocks (one per termly unit), via individual and group supervisions and via ICE’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The curriculum will cover both generic research skills as well as subject-specific research skills.
The latter is typically taught via three streams (‘Arts and Social Sciences’, ‘The Human Past’ and ‘Natural Sciences’) so that you will receive training relevant to your chosen subject specialism.
Subject specialisms to be supported in 2023-24:
- Archaeology
- Coaching
- Creativity Theory
- Education Studies
- English Literature
- Film
- History of Art and Visual Culture
- History
- Natural Sciences (predominantly life sciences)
- Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
- Politics, International Relations and International Studies
- Social Sciences (predominantly Sociology and Politics)
If your chosen research specialism is not listed above please do still get in touch with the Course Director to discuss whether your research interest can be supported.
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Unit 1: Thinking like a researcher (Michaelmas term 2023)
This unit focuses on research fundamentals by encouraging students to start thinking of themselves as independent researchers. Research methods in all subject disciplines are grounded in the social and natural sciences and utilise similar techniques to conduct research, especially literature searches and reviews. However, there are distinct differences with regards to theory development, identifying research problems and developing research questions.
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Unit 2: Research design (Lent term 2024)
This unit guides students to develop a working knowledge of the most commonly used qualitative and quantitative research methods. All students will be offered guidance on how best to approach their research questions. Students begin by identifying examples of ‘best practice’ in research in their chosen specialism, before selecting appropriate research methods for their particular research project.
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Unit 3: Collaborative research (Easter term 2024)
This unit develops students’ understanding of their own research, both in the context of their own specific research projects and as part of a wider research community. Students begin unit 3 by reflecting on the development of their research. Students learn different methods for communicating research ideas clearly and succinctly. In subject-specific workshops, students will be given advice and support concerning further study.
Full details of each unit; including learning objectives, outcomes and assessment, will be given in the course guide, which will be available later in the year.
What can I go on to do?
Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences (60 credits at FHEQ level 6)
This course is the second part of the two-year Advanced Diploma programme. It is expected that applicants for this course will have successfully completed the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice, however it may be possible to take the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences as a standalone course depending on previous academic qualifications. A separate course fee will apply for the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences.
Please note that credit awarded by the Institute can in some cases be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However, the amount of credit which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.