Join a community of over 130 research students pushing the frontiers of disciplines including science, creative writing, music and performance, art and design, film and media, education, and heritage.
- Develop transferable skills in professional environments.
- Work under your own initiative and draw on the support of the Graduate College and your supervising tutors.
- Build the resilience to thrive in situations that are often complex and unpredictable, while pursuing the ultimate reward of new knowledge or a significant body of work.
What is postgraduate research?
A postgraduate research degree, such as a PhD, EdD or MPhil, involves independent study and requires you to develop new ideas and understanding in the context of existing knowledge. This is achieved through your own initiative, planning, gathering of information, innovation, and analysis.
All research degrees involve conducting a substantial research project, leading to significant, original contributions to inquiry or creative practice.
As part of Thomas Rolfe's PhD in Museum and Heritage Management, he's investigating how museums act as representatives for local community groups and how they can ultimately be used as tools for social cohesion. Through it, he aims to understand how museums reach new audiences and represent communities.
Thomas Rolfe, PhD student, Museum and Heritage Management
Misha Penton is a contemporary opera singer, experimental vocal composer, media artist, and director. Her research seeks to redefine and re-describe female characters from the Western canon of myth and literature. Through a poetic and creative process of examining and “unpacking” these works, she will unbind the imagery from its traditional and linear landscape of origin.
Misha Penton, PhD student, Voice
About the Graduate College
The Graduate College is here to support students and their supervisors through consultation, advice, training and development workshops. Our aim is to enable you to achieve high standards in your postgraduate research.
We train and support our research supervisors, and work with University teams such as Library and Learning Services, Student Wellbeing Services and Student Finance to make sure you have everything you need to successfully complete your research degree at Bath Spa.
Contact us
- Applications: +44 (0)1225 876180 / pgradmissions@bathspa.ac.uk
- Current student enquiries: pgrcurrentstudents@bathspa.ac.uk
- Library Research Support: repositories@bathspa.ac.uk
- Ethics approval queries: researchsupportoffice@bathspa.ac.uk
Our research
Explore our Research Centres and Groups, which span topics as diverse as art and wellbeing, culture and creativity, early childhood, and mitigating natural disaster risk in some of the world's most exposed communities.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) results
Our research has touched on various areas including the wellbeing of social workers, supporting disadvantaged learners, engaging marginalised groups through art, assessing the effects of video games and emerging digital media technologies.
Nearly 60% of our research was ranked 'internationally excellent' or 'world-leading' according to the results of the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
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"I encourage you to take every opportunity to become involved in the research community at School and University level by joining appropriate research centres and groups and participating in workshops, seminars, study groups, conferences and other events arranged over the year."
Professor John Strachan, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Enterprise
