Master of Research in Philosophy

at Keele University United Kingdom

On this course, you will learn to use chemistry in problem solving, and to present your theories and findings confidently and imaginatively. You will explore scientific instruments and techniques, and enjoy access to dedicated IT facilities. You also may have the opportunity to tailor your studies to reflect your interests, and learn how to pursue your own research. 

Studying English Literature and History at Keele will enable you to develop your appreciation of various global histories and literature, whilst enjoying the rich history of our local area. In your spare time, you might find yourself exploring the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon metalwork most likely deposited in the 7th century in the then Kingdom of Mercia. The Staffordshire Hoard provides a window to England in the 6th and 7th centuries and also to the warrior elite that existed during these times and now rests less than 5 miles away from Keele.

The History element of the programme will carry you chronologically from the medieval period to the present, and span the globe. You will be introduced to a wide range of history – from political, social, economic and cultural history to the history of gender, health, sexuality and religion. Throughout your first year, you may engage in modules that encourage you to explore topics such as how European rulers tried to strengthen their authority with the increase of military power between the late fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, or some of the key defining moments in History which may include the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution or the 1933 Bauhaus movement.  

Throughout the degree you will explore and interpret literary texts that will challenge your views, advance your tastes, prompt your creativity. You'll be encouraged to delve deep into a range of literary works, which may include authors such as Emily Bronte, Aphra Behn, Tsitsi Dangarembga and J M Coetzee. Our intellectually stimulating and engaging approach to exploring novels, poetry, drama, graphic novels and other types of literature produce intelligent, perceptive, socially aware and compassionate individuals who are able to make a real impact. You'll tackle a range of issues and unprecedented challenges of our cultural moment, which could include decolonisation, sustainability and the environment, gender and sexuality, migration, political extremism, or the role of literature as an arbiter of truth in an era of information overload and fake news.

Through a range of activities and assessments, our diverse course will equip you with a wide array of attributes that employers are looking for, including problem solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and digital literacy. You will pursue your passions, grow in confidence, and gain a unique set of transferable skills that will be invaluable for your future career in a variety of sectors.

Whether you want to understand Brexit, the crisis in the Middle East or climate change, you need to understand why governments make particular decisions and how different groups interact within states and across borders.

A degree in International Relations and Politics at Keele will equip you with the necessary tools to understand and explain how power operates and how we might begin to tackle the most pressing domestic and global challenges. You will study contemporary and policy-relevant issues such as democracy, global inequality, protest, globalisation, regime change, energy security, environmental sustainability, human rights, gender politics and terrorism.

You can underpin these issues through an in-depth study of particular countries such as Britain, the United States and Russia, as well as regions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

We have then combined this with our own research into the barriers that underrepresented and non science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM) students face when studying AI/Data Science courses, to create the course content, state-of-the-art delivery design, contextual assessments and pastoral support.

This course aims to support students, from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines by providing those without prior experience, the foundations of areas such as programming and mathematics, so that all students can then progress to more advanced areas such as Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Visualisation, Cloud Computing, the “Internet of Things” and Intelligent Systems. During the course, students will also further develop their academic and professional skills and get the chance to work with other students and external organisations to make real interdisciplinary and societal impact in taught modules, an A.I. and Data Science ambassador scheme and as part of an industrial project/placement.

On this course, you will be trained from first principles in Computer Science and Mathematics. The two disciplines are blended seamlessly throughout your degree.

You will study fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning immediately using real-world datasets in our cutting-edge computing laboratories.

You will undertake significant development projects throughout the course such as a final year data science dissertation led by academics with a range of research specialities which currently include artificial intelligence, big data and statistical modelling. You will explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include cloud computing, as well as academic research, industry-focused professional skills and practical problem-solving ensure you are fully equipped for an exciting and intellectually stimulating journey as a Data Scientist.

On this course you will look at rocks, minerals and fossils, how they were formed, how they can be exploited as a resource, and what they can tell us about the history of the Earth. You will also cover geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes and plate tectonics.

Geology is a practical subject with applied problem-solving laboratory classes and field courses where you will learn how to interpret and map geological features, and explore for future geological resources. We focus particularly on applied research skills: you will learn to collect, analyse and interpret different types of geological data, and to carry out your own research using specialist software and equipment. Furthermore, you will complete a comprehensive fieldwork programme.

Physics will involve regular laboratory sessions, enabling you to investigate unfamiliar phenomena and develop valuable transferable skills such as scientific writing, programming and presentation. Your course will be informed by the research interests of staff.

Our programme is designed as a balanced blend of mathematics, statistics and computer science, tailored to understand the business context of AI and data science applications. You will study fundamental statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods applicable in areas of business such as finance and econometrics. You will also explore the ethical, psychological and social aspects of such applications.

In our computing laboratories, you will have the opportunity to apply your learning immediately using authentic datasets. You will undertake significant hands-on projects, including a final year data science dissertation led by academics with research specialties currently in artificial intelligence, big data and statistical modelling. You will explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include game theory, or international finance, as well as academic research, and practical problem-solving in order to become a skilled professional able to manage data complexity in a field in high demand, both in industry and research.

Fee pressures, margin compression, changing investor preferences and higher customer expectations are driving competition within the world’s financial markets, increasing the demand for highly-skilled professionals able to develop innovative, sophisticated investment management strategies which mitigate risk and maximise returns.

On our MSc, you’ll learn about the principles, tools and techniques of investment management, experiencing first-hand how to apply them in real-life financial situations, analysing case studies and working with real-world data in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Suite. In doing so, you’ll develop the skills needed to tackle the challenges in 21st century capital markets.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of financial and management accounting, economics, international financial markets, statistical analysis, financial modelling, investment and portfolio management and derivatives and financial risk management.

Suited to graduates in finance-related subjects and those working within investment banking, financial services or the financial function of global corporations, this programme is designed to nurture future leaders in the financial services sectors, occupying key roles such as analysts, fund managers and bankers.

Course content has been purposefully designed to track the syllabus of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA), the premier global association for investment management professionals. It will prepare you take the CFA Level 1 exam to qualify as an analyst: we will even contribute towards your entrance fee.

You will be taught by faculty with experience of the real world of finance and business, studying alongside a diverse international body of students from a wide range of national and social backgrounds. You’ll develop as a global citizen, vital in today’s globalised world of work, expanding your professional networks and learning to appreciate different cultural backgrounds and personalities.

The History element of the programme will carry you chronologically from the medieval period to the present, and span the globe. You will be introduced to a wide range of history – from political, social, economic and cultural history to the history of gender, health, sexuality and religion. Throughout your first year, you may engage in modules that encourage you to explore topics such as how European rulers tried to strengthen their authority with the increase of military power between the late fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, or some of the key defining moments in History which may include the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution or the 1933 Bauhaus movement.  You'll explore and research why humans feel, think and act in the ways that they do. You will learn about what the latest psychology research, including studies published by our own friendly and approachable staff, tells us about human behaviour from social, developmental, biological and cognitive perspectives. We will show you how to design and conduct your own psychological studies in our well-equipped labs using a range of techniques including interviews, surveys and experiments.

Ecology and conservation field and lab skills are taught comprehensively across the programme, including extensive use of our green campus. Fieldwork and residential field courses are an integral part of the programme throughout, as are employability skills.