Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor’s degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of tertiary or higher education. The organisation and structure of postgraduate education vary in institutions within Kurdistan region. Many postgraduate courses contain both taught and research elements. One can often tailor degrees to fit one’s specific needs in the following qualifications.

Postgraduate High Diplomas studies are almost always taught course qualifications. They usually follow the same programs as a Masters degree’s but are assessed only by examinations without a dissertation requirement. Masters degrees are usually awarded for one year’s study and are assessed by exams and a short thesis. A thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for a degree or professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings.

Masters degrees in Kurdistan region can consist of both taught and research elements. MPhil is a two or more years’ research programs ending in a dissertation or a thesis of 50,000-70,000 words. Many institutions in Kurdistan region allow successful MPhil students to convert directly to the second year of a PhD course after their first year. Doctorates take three or more years of independent study and research. Almost all Doctorates are completed purely by research, ending in a dissertation or thesis of 70,000-100,000 words (shorter in science).

General Requirements to Apply for Postgraduates

Applicants applying for the Master’s degree should hold the Bachelor’s degree;
Applicants applying for the Ph.D. degree should hold the Bachelor’s or the Master’s degree;
The applicant should hold a certificate from an institution recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education;
The applicant’s average grade point for the Bachelor’s degree should not be less than 65% and 70% for PhD or the applicant should be in the first quarter of his/her graduation class;
The applicant should not be over 45 years of age for the Master’s degree and 50 years for the Ph.D. degree;
There should be a relationship between the applicant’s education and the program for which he or she is applying.

MSc. and Ph.D. thesis Writing Guidelines:

Click here to download a copy of the “MSc & Ph.D. Thesis writing guidelines at SPU“.