FOR RESEARCHERS, MRes & PhD APPLICANTS
Some Problems Need Researchers. We Help You Become One.
A rigorous, research-intensive postgraduate pathway demands more than a strong degree. It demands a supervisor who believes in your question, a proposal that demonstrates methodological clarity, and an institution that matches your ambitions. We provide all three.
THE CENTRAL CHALLENGE
We Solve the Supervisor Problem.
Most consultancies will help you write a personal statement and submit your application. Very few understand that for a research degree, the quality of the personal statement is secondary to the quality of your research proposal — and that the research proposal is only strong when it is aligned with a supervisor who is actively interested in your specific question.
UK MRes and PhD programmes are not simply academic courses — they are supervised research relationships. Your research proposal must demonstrate that your question is feasible, that your methodology is appropriate, and that there is an academic at the institution capable of and willing to supervise your work.
LightTouch’s research placement process addresses all three requirements before we submit a single application. We work with you to refine your research question, develop your proposal, identify potential supervisors, and prepare an application that academic selection committees take seriously.
OUR PROCESS
The Doctoral Roadmap: From First Conversation to CAS
1. Research Interest Mapping
We begin with a detailed conversation about your academic background, professional experience, and research interests. No formal topic required — only genuine intellectual curiosity.
2. Proposal Development
Working collaboratively, we develop your research proposal: refining the question, establishing the rationale, building the methodology, and situating your work within existing literature.
3. Supervisor Identification
We identify academics at UK universities whose research aligns with yours and who have capacity to take on new supervisees. Where appropriate, we facilitate initial contact.
4. Application Submission
We prepare and submit the full application: research proposal, academic SOP, academic CV, references briefing, and supporting documents through our institutional partner channels.
5. Offer & CAS Support
Upon receiving an offer, we guide you through condition fulfilment, CAS issuance, visa application preparation, and pre-departure briefing.
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
MRes and Doctoral Pathways We Currently Place Into
MRes Business & Management Studies
Wolverhampton · Greenwich · Birmingham
Ideal for professionals with business backgrounds seeking research credentials. 1 year full-time. Supervisor matching included.
MRes Nursing & Midwifery
Wolverhampton · Derby · Hertfordshire
For qualified nurses and midwives seeking clinical research expertise. 1–2 years. Clinical and research focus.
MRes Environmental Science / Management
Brunel · RGU · Wolverhampton
For professionals in sustainability, environmental regulation, or policy. 1 year full-time.
MRes Architecture & Built Environment
Hertfordshire · Derby · Wolverhampton
For architects and construction professionals pursuing research pathways. 1 year full-time.
MSc by Research — International Business
Derby · Wolverhampton · Greenwich
For career strategists and future leaders targeting PhD or senior roles. 1 year full-time.
PhD Pathways (Advisor-Assisted)
Case by case — supervisor match
LightTouch assists applicants with MRes, Masters, or significant research experience. Full proposal and supervisor identification service.
FREE RESOURCE
Download the Research Proposal Guide
A step-by-step guide written for Nigerian applicants targeting UK MRes and PhD programmes. Covers research question framing, literature review basics, methodology, and what UK universities look for in a strong proposal.
Enter your name and email to receive the guide instantly.
[BDOW INLINE FORM — In BDOW/Sumo, go to List Builder, select your popup, click Inline, copy the embed code, and paste it into an HTML widget here in place of this placeholder block. This activates the lead magnet form for the Research Proposal Guide.]
We respect your privacy. We will never share your details or send you anything unrelated to your UK postgraduate journey.