Study

Study with CCRI. We can support you with your research, training and more.

Postgraduate research

Over the past 25 years the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) has supervised over 30 students to the successful completion of their PhD. The CCRI has a thriving research student community, with students studying on both a full-time and part-time basis. Many of our former students have gone on to distinguished careers in academia, the third and private sectors.

The CCRI fosters a vibrant research culture that includes a range of training and intellectual exchange within the Institute, that research students are actively encouraged to take part in.

Members of the CCRI staff run a Winter School, which is aimed specifically at the needs of research students. Its main aim is to deliver advanced training in research methods, inter-disciplinary approaches and theoretical constructs, as well as providing an opportunity for students to present their research to a sympathetic audience. It also aims to foster knowledge exchange and debate between students, as well as between staff, external speakers and students.

This close association with the staff of the CCRI helps ensure that research students feel supported and part of a larger research community. This relationship is further enhanced as students also have the opportunity to be actively involved in contract research projects being undertaken by the CCRI.

Student studying

In addition, studentships are sometimes built into research projects. Where this is the case, they will be advertised through these pages as well as on jobs.ac.uk and various social media. 

Students can be supervised to study in any of the research areas that the Institute is active in. An MPhil or PhD will open the door to work in full-time research, management posts in a wide range of rural and environmental organisations or to careers in local authorities or government agencies concerned with rural issues. Research Degrees are primarily carried out through individual supervision.

As an MPhil or PhD student you will critically evaluate an approved topic, resulting in an independent contribution to knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of research methods through a thesis and coursework. For the PhD you will also be required to make an independent and original contribution to knowledge. Other options are Masters of Research (MRes) which is a taught course or the Masters by Research (MSc) which is entirely project-based.

The duration of study is dependent on the qualification being studied for, but all can be studied full- or part-time, and for PhD students there is the additional option of gaining a PhD by publication rather than the traditional route.

Prospective students should also visit the postgraduate information on the University website and are strongly encouraged to email Dr Dan Keech, dkeech@glos.ac.uk to discuss their ideas.

Meet our postgraduate students

View our postgraduate students and find out more about their role with CCRI.

Postgraduate case studies

  • CCRI Winter School 2023 Report

    CCRI Winter School 2023 Report

    Earlier this month, the CCRI hosted its annual ‘Winter School’, an opportunity for post-graduate students to gather and present their work to fellow students and academics from within the CCRI.

    Read more

  • PGR Student News – Autumn 2022

    PGR Student News – Autumn 2022

    The post-graduate community in CCRI has expanded and been busy throughout the autumn. Find out what they have been up to over recent months,

    Read more

  • CCRI welcomes new post-graduate students

    CCRI welcomes new post-graduate students

    The CCRI has recently welcomed four new postgraduates to its vibrant student community.

    Read more

Get in touch

For further information on studying with CCRI, please contact us.