Diploma in Academic Research and Methods

Course details

This intensive program delivered by HBKU’s partner, UCL Qatar, will provide students with the fundamental skills, training, and knowledge to make a career transition or to pursue research-oriented graduate studies. Throughout the program, students will develop their research and academic language skills and gain autonomy required for work at the graduate level. 

Overview

The Diploma in Academic Research and Methods is a postgraduate diploma course at pre-Master’s level, offered to those students who do not meet UCL Qatar MA and MSc programmes’ direct entry requirements. In addition, the Diploma facilitates the transition from a variety of educational backgrounds to the taught research-oriented graduate studies offered by UCL Qatar and other leading institutions. 

Programme Information

Preparation for MA/MSc level study

UCL Qatar MA and MSc degrees are taught programmes which require a high level of pro-active learning and learning autonomy, the ability and willingness to process and utilise large amounts of academic literature, and the ability to think abstractly and conceptually. This means students need very strong academic skills, including the ability to organise ideas and notes, to structure their thoughts in writing and in oral presentations, and to research and integrate sources to support a personal, coherent argument. Finally, students need to be able to contextualise an issue or debate, engage with theory and apply it to specific case studies. These are precisely the areas the Diploma will prioritise.

The Diploma is intended to prepare students thoroughly for the academic studies and research skills required at postgraduate level at UCL. Students will improve their academic English and study skills. Specifically, the Diploma will develop students’ ability to write argumentative essays, take and use notes from a Master's level lecture, prepare for and participate in seminars, give academic presentations, and carry out independent research. This includes knowing how to analyse and evaluate sources that are referenced in their research.

In addition, students will be encouraged to adopt good academic habits and practice: to critically read academic texts and evaluate the different perspectives expressed in those texts; to write extensively and understand the basic structures and styles of argumentation; and to be aware of the rules and expectations at postgraduate level while engaging actively with their fields.