MPhil/PhD

What is a PhD?

A PhD is a substantial and original piece of research leading to an 80,00-100,000 word thesis, usually completed over three years (or longer if you chose to study part time). People choose to follow a PhD programme for a variety of reasons, from career development to personal interest. The first step should be to contact the department to discuss your research interests, previous qualifications and experience. You will be given advice concerning the appropriateness of your chosen subject and the process of compiling a research proposal. The summary should not be longer than 500 words and it should include the title of your thesis and outline your methodology. An experienced scholar will supervise your research and meet you regularly to discuss your thesis. Students are encouraged to attend research seminars organised by the college as well as relevant conferences, but you will not be expected to attend regular lectures/classes. The staff of the Department have a wide range of interests and expertise including:

medieval poetry and prose
saints’ cults and legends
religious texts and church history
dialectology
sociolinguistics of the Celtic regions
second language acquisition
Arthurian legends
Celtic folklore
women’s history
cultural heritage

What is an MPhil?

An MPhil is an original piece of research leading to a 50,000-60,000 word thesis, usually completed over 1 to 3 years (or longer if you chose to study part time). For students who want to do graduate research rather than a taught course, and may not be qualified to enter directly on to a PhD, the MPhil is an excellent choice. Once again an experienced scholar will supervise your research and meet you regularly to discuss your thesis.

Am I qualified?

There are no age limits, but we usually expect PhD students to have an MA qualification (or a good degree in a relevant subject). If you do not have a Master’s degree, or do not feel ready for research at doctoral level, you can start by applying for an MPhil and upgrade to a PhD after 1-2 years of study (with the permission of the University). Indeed, most students register first of all for an MPhil in the Department.

How much will it cost?

Fees alter each year and depend upon whether you are a U.K/European student or an overseas student. You should contact the Department to ask about current fees

When can I start?

Students can register in January, April or October, but you are encouraged to contact us and make enquiries at any time of the year. Contact Dr Jane Cartwright (j.cartwright@lamp.ac.uk) 01570 424870 to discuss your interests. You will need to provide a detailed description of your proposed research project.

Will I need to live in Lampeter?

Although many of our research students chose to settle in this lovely part of Wales, others live far from college ac arrange to meet their supervisor regularly. It’s also possible to keep in constant contact over the phone or via email. Students are encouraged to visit the Department whenever possible and to take advantage of the excellent facilities available on campus.

Research Fields

Recent postgraduate students at Lampeter have chosen to study subjects from a wide variety of different fields. Here is a list of M Phil and PhD theses which are either currently underway or have been relatively recently completed at the Department of Welsh:

Nigel Binding, ‘Dylanwad y Beibl ar Lenyddiaeth Gymraeg' (The Influence of the Bible on Welsh Literature).

Elizabeth Bowen, ‘Baledi sy'n ymwneud â Merthyr yn y Bedwaredd Ganrif ar Bymtheg' (Ninteenth-Century Ballads associated with Merthyr).

Margaret Davies, ‘Gwaith Morgan Elfael' (The Work of Morgan Elfael).

Donald Evans, ‘Egwyddorion Beirniadol Awdl yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol' (Critical Principles of the Eisteddfod Awdl).

Mair Evans, ‘Y Nofel Hanes 1905-1986' (The Historical Novel 1905-1986).

Wolfgang Greller, ‘The Dentals in Insular Celtic'.

Catrin Hopkins, ‘Gwaith Llenyddol Islwyn (William Thomas) 1832-1878' (The Literary Works of Islwyn (William Thomas 1832-1878).

Tristan Gray Hulse, ‘The Golden Fame of Eagles: The Cult of Relics in Wales '

Gwenno Mai Jones, ‘Dylanwadau ar waith Emrys ap Iwan' (The Work of Emrys ap Iwan: Influences).

G. Mcvey, ‘A Study of the Motifs Contained in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi'.

Jason Mirza, ‘The English Hymns of William Williams, Pantycelyn'.

Ruth Morgan, ‘Menter Cwm Gwendraeth'.

Victoria Morgan, ‘Cornish: Past, Present and Future'.

Gareth Morris, ‘Astudiaeth o Waith Siôn Dafydd Las, yr Olaf o Feirdd Cyfnod y Cywydd' (A Study of the Work of Siôn Dafydd Las, the last Poet belonging to the Cywydd Period).

Kelly O'Connor Salmon, ‘ Ny madeuaf i uyg kwn : Dogs in Medieval Welsh Literature'.

Sue J. Pitman, ‘The Phenomenon of the Head in Pagan Celtic Culture'.

Robert Phillips, ‘Gwrthwynebwyr Cydwybodol yn Sir Gaerfyrddin yn Ystod y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf' (Conscientious Objectors in Carmarthenshire during the First World War).

Elizabeth Schoales, ‘Praise and Propaganda: Prophetic Poetry in Wales to 1400'

Einir Wyn Thomas, ‘Astudiaeth Strwythurol o'r PKM' (A Structural Analysis of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi).

Carol Thomas, ‘ Buched Anna , Buched Meir a Llyma Vabinogi Iessu Grist : Agweddau ar Destunau Apocryffaidd' (The Life of St Anne, the Life of Mary and the Boyhood of Christ: Aspects of Apocryphal Texts).

Penri Williams, ‘Twf Crefydd a Cherddoriaeth yng Nghymru yn yr Ail Ganrif ar Bymtheg' (The Growth of Religion and Music in Seventeenth-Century Wales).

B. K. Walsh, ‘A Study of The Secret Commonwealth and the fairy belief complex: A Late Seventeenth-Century Text Concerning the Folklore of the Scottish Highlands'.

Irene Williams, ‘Heddychwyr a Heddychiaeth Cymru yn yr Ail Ryfel Byd gyda Sylw Arbennig i Wrthwynebwyr Cwm Gwendraeth' (Pacifists and Pacifism in Wales during the Second World War with specific reference to Conscientious Objectors in the Gwendraeth Valley ).

Kate Wooldridge, ‘Medieval Welsh Women: Art and Patronage'.