Interdisciplinary StudyMRes

Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a returning researcher or coming from industry, this MRes will take your academic journey beyond disciplinary borders. 

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time on campus. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

You’ll be supported by a team of supervisors, including an academic from Liberal Arts and Sciences and a subject specialist supervisor. The supervisor from Liberal Arts and Sciences will guide the interdisciplinary side of your research while your subject specialist supervisor will help you develop your research and your knowledge of your chosen discipline.

What's more, the MRes contains taught modules where you'll expand your knowledge of critical theory and develop your ability to self-reflect, critique and analyse research. Our students are innovative thinkers and future research leaders in academia, policy, and industry.

• Core module teaching delivered by experts in interdisciplinary research and education.                 
• We're one of the Top 100 universities for Arts and Humanities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).  
• Present your work at a dedicated interdisciplinary symposium.
• Supervision from academics across the University - learn from experts in your chosen fields.       
• An MRes combines the best of postgraduate taught study with in-depth independent research.

Research that crosses subject boundaries

As an interdisciplinary student, you'll have access to a wide range of world-leading researchers and research facilities  at Birmingham. This MRes is for anyone who asks questions that cross disciplines and is ready to focus on their own independent research project. You might want to explore a research topic combining departments across the University, such as English Literature and Biology.

We designed the MRes to be flexible so you can create a bespoke course and tailor the taught modules to your research development needs. There are opportunities to combine resources at Birmingham with external online skills training. The open module allows you to choose from a diverse selection of Masters level modules across the University. 

An MRes is a programme that helps you develop the skills for doctoral study and a future career.

You’ll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and produce a 20,000-word thesis in an area that interests you. You’ll also complete a taught component that develops research and analytical skills.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students will complete an Interdisciplinary Research Project worth 120 notional credits.

Students must choose 20 credits of optional modules from LM modules available at Birmingham (availability and any pre-requisite requirements of modules will be at the discretion of the individual programme leads).

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant area.

Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a subject that’s related to your proposed independent research project.

We will also accept an appropriate level of professional experience in place of an undergraduate degree - please contact the Programme Lead via the enquiry form for further guidance.

As part of your application to this course, please include a Word document or PDF to your application with the following information:

1. Current working title for your research proposal
2. Brief research proposal (approximately 500 words with an extra 300 words for a bibliography with any references). The research proposal should outline which discipline(s) you’re interested in, 1 or 2 research questions you want to investigate, and any methods you plan to use.
3. Any prospective research project supervisors. Please include between 3-5 academics working at the University of Birmingham who match your research interests. You don’t need to contact the academics in advance. If your application is successful, you’ll be assigned one supervisor from the Liberal Arts and Sciences team and one supervisor from your research discipline. We recommend looking at different research institutes and centres to find suitable supervisors.
4. Funding – do you have funding agreed? Are you currently applying for or planning to apply for funding?

If you have an idea for a research project, we recommend contacting the Programme Lead Dr Evelyn Svingen who will provide you with guidance on any suitable supervisors for your research ideas.

This programme provides you with the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary career. For example:

• in academic research or in an interdisciplinary PhD project
• in policy-making or a research role in a non-governmental organisation
• in a research and development role in industry

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.