Apply for a postgraduate research qualification

Find a supervisor

We currently offer a wide range of research opportunities allowing you to undertake in-depth study in a specific area.

You should identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply.

Check research opportunities for links to research search tools to identify supervisors who share your research interests or to search for research staff by School.

Preparing for postgraduate research success

Application submission deadlines 

Session 2024-2025 Semester 1 PhD commencement October 2024

  • UK applicants - 16 August 2024
  • International & EU applicants - 03 June 2024

Session 2024-2025 Semester 2 PhD commencement January 2025

  • UK, International & EU applicants - 27 September 2024

Please note that some research degrees may have alternative application deadlines and details can be found via Research Opportunities A-Z.

Fees and funding

Supporting documents 

An online application, complete with all supporting documents, is required before an offer for a place on a PhD programme can be considered. Please include the following supporting documentation with your application:

  • Two letters of reference
  • Transcripts and certificates
  • Research Proposal: applicants should follow specific instructions provided by Schools or scholarship application procedures where available. Please also see general guidelines.
  • English Language Certificate: applicants whose first language is not English are required to include evidence of their English Language ability. College of Social Sciences English language requirements for PhD should be a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 with no sub test less than 6.5 or equivalent.

Please refer to the Research Opportunities A-Z for specific entry requirements and supporting documents for each School/Subject area.

Apply online

Once you have all your supporting documentation you can apply online through the Online Application System.