Applying for a PhD

Before submitting an application, we encourage you to contact a potential supervisor via email.

To find a supervisor in an area you are interested in and their contact email please see the relevant School/College PhD opportunities page which lists current opportunities and research areas and current and past PhD research projects.

When you email a supervisor, please consider the following to help them assess whether you are a suitable PhD candidate:

• Is the proposed project suitable for PhD study?
• Do you have the academic strength to complete your project?
• Can the project be completed within the required time?
• Do they have the relevant knowledge to supervise your project?
• Can the School/College support your project and do they have the facilities and resources?

If you cannot find the research area you are looking for on the School/College PhD opportunities pages, or have any queries about the application process, please email Postgraduate Admissions.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a UK upper second class honours degree (2:1) and a masters degree with merit or distinction. If your qualifications are not from a UK university, we also consider recognised equivalent qualifications from accredited overseas institutions and equivalent professional qualifications.

If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with no element under 6.0. If you obtained your masters degree in the UK, you are exempt from this requirement. You do not need to meet this at the point of application. You may provide evidence of your English level at a later date.

Funding

You should ensure that you have a realistic plan to secure sufficient funding to complete the research and writing-up process within the normal time period. This is usually three to four years for full-time programmes, and five to six years for part-time programmes.

Some of our full-time PhD students are funded by the University. Studentships cover your tuition fees and normally include an allowance towards living costs - find out more about our Vice Chancellor's PhD scholarships . Studentships are advertised on the University website and Findaphd.com.

Add the name of your supervisor to the front page of your proposal. 

Before submitting your application, you may need to revise your proposal several times. Whilst your potential supervisor may help you do this, it is important that you present them with as clear a proposal as you can when you first make contact with them.

Tips for writing a good research proposal include:

• Put together a precise, interesting research question; this may be a hypothesis to be tested, or a more open-ended inquiry.
• Establish the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking. Is there a knowledge gap?
• Outline a clear and practical methodology which enables you to answer the research question, and to describe and evaluate any data or source material you will draw upon.
• Suggest what you hope to discover at the end of your research and what new areas it might open up.
• Demonstrate that your research will not take longer than four years of full-time study or six years of part-time study.

To get to the online application form, select the relevant PhD course page for your research area.

Your application should be submitted with the following:

• A completed application form
• Transcripts
• Proof of English language ability for overseas applicants from non-English speaking countries
• Your research proposal

Once processed, the School/College may get in touch with you directly to discuss your application and arrange an interview. If you are not successful in being short-listed for interview you will be informed by email.