If you’re considering undertaking a PhD, your first port of call might be some of the UK’s more traditional universities, with their long-established academic credentials.
However, look further and you will find that there is a huge range of world-leading and cutting-edge research going on at some of the UK’s more modern universities such as UCLan, where you can find a culture where you are likely to thrive and become part of a vibrant research team in your area of interest.
Maureen Kalane, a PhD student studying communication says: “I graduated with a master’s degree from one of the top eight traditional UK universities. When I was applying for universities for my PhD what was important to me was to find a modern, progressive and world-class university.
“I wanted one with a department that is rated high in the field of communication in the business and organisation context and that had a culturally dynamic academic and social environment. I also wanted a university in a city that is not too big - for affordability, comfort, safety and a friendly environment. When I did an online search, I was particularly impressed by UCLan, which immediately struck me as a dynamic modern university and one strategically placed in a city with the attributes I was looking for.
“Clearly, coming to UCLan to study for a PhD was the best decision I have ever made, in terms of choice of study environment - I got far more than I bargained for. UCLan is a modern university with an international focus, and is highly student-centred, catering for both the academic and emotional wellbeing of students. The research student support staff in particular are highly professional, friendly and helpful; they gave me a wonderful first impression of UCLan at application and enrolment stages and continue to offer me and other postgraduate students world-class customer care.
“I find that there is a culture of excellence at UCLan in everything, including teaching and research, and the university boasts world-class researchers that have earned respect from academic peers globally. Lancashire Business School is also outstanding in terms of teaching, training and resources and research output. It has a vibrant division of communication, marketing and public relations. The teaching staff are highly experienced and I am personally being supervised by a team with a very sound academic background, who also have experience in the business, corporate world and public service.
“I highly recommend UCLan to international and local students. UCLan is simply amazing and has given me so much exposure academically and otherwise within a short span of time, through mentoring by my supervisory team and postgraduate training programmes provided by the research student office.
“I also like the fact that UCLan is situated in the amazing city of Preston, rich with cultural diversity and friendliness, and one of those rare and spectacular places surrounded by hills and greenery and also only half an hour or less to big cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool, with London just over two hours away.”
For more information about what it’s like to undertake a PhD at UCLan, contact our Research Student Registry on +44 (0)1772 895082, or send an email.
