Rural Studies, MPhil

Newcastle University, the United Kingdom

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MPhil	Full-time	12 months	find out	find out	find out
MPhil	Part-time	24 months	find out	find out	find out
PhD	Full-time	36 months	find out	find out	find out
PhD	Part-time	72 months	find out	find out	find out

About Rural Studies, MPhil - at Newcastle University

MPhil and PhD supervision covers a number of research topics supported by research active academic staff. Our broad range of research areas relate to land use, natural resources and environmental change; rural planning, community governance and resilience; rural change, culture and wellbeing; and rural economy, enterprise and innovation.

Areas of research include:

impact and implications of
- ‘local-global’ processes and relationships for rural areas
- characteristics and performance of rural businesses and households
- rural governance
- demographic ageing and social change
- living with environmental change
Opportunities are available for postgraduate research in the following areas:
Land use, natural resources and environmental change
- multifunctional land use and the evolving role of small farms
- land use and food security
- the management and governance of natural resources
- agri-environment policy
- environmental valuation and choice modelling
- access to land for outdoor recreation and leisure
- protected areas management
Rural planning, community governance and resilience
- relationship between rural development policy and communities in a changing political landscape
- rural policies and the role of communities in policy development
- neo-endogenous or networked rural development
- rural housing and trends in counter-urbanisation
- community asset management
- rural partnerships and stakeholder relationships
- community resilience
Rural change, culture and wellbeing
- perceptions of rurality
- rural social change
- the role of rural women
- the needs of a changing rural community
- wellbeing and quality of life
- rural social capital
- social exclusion and rural poverty
- changing perceptions of farming
Rural economy, enterprise and innovation
- rural enterprise and its economic contribution
- innovation and entrepreneurialism
- networks and knowledge exchange
- the nature and needs of rural enterprise
- technological adoption and innovation in agriculture
- linkages between urban and rural economies
- business collaboration and networking
- expertise and knowledge exchange
- social and community enterprise
- the green economy.

Delivery

We offer a number of different routes to a research degree qualification, including full-time and part-time supervised research projects. We attract postgraduates via non-traditional routes, including mature students and part-time postgraduates undertaking study as part of their continuing professional development. Off-campus (split) research is also offered, which enables you to conduct trials in conditions appropriate to your research programme.

Facilities:

Centre for Rural Economy

The Centre for Rural Economy is a Newcastle University Research Centre specialising in interdisciplinary social science, researching rural development and policy, food and society, and the wellbeing of rural communities.

Notes about fees for this course

See our course fees and funding webpage - http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/degrees/rural-studies-mphil-phd/#fees&funding

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.

We usually expect research experience and/or a postgraduate qualification, such as a MRes or MSc, for PhD study. Please contact us if you are in any doubt.

International Students

To study this course you need to meet our Band 2 English Language requirements:

Direct Entry : IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)

If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a pre-sessional English course.

Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests.

The equivalent academic qualifications that we accept are listed on our country pages.

Pre-sessional English Course Requirements

6 week Pre-sessional entry: IELTS 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)
10 week Pre-sessional entry: IELTS 5.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.0 in all sub-skills)

You can study a pre-sessional English course at our INTO Newcastle Centre.

You may need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate. You'll need to get this before you can get your visa or study on this programme. We'll let you know about the ATAS requirement in your offer letter.

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Rural Studies, MPhil

Study options for this course

About Rural Studies, MPhil - at Newcastle University

Notes about fees for this course

Entry requirements

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Postgraduate pathways and pre-masters at other institutions

Other courses at Newcastle University

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