The Graduate School
Join an active and supportive research community
The Graduate School is home to UWL’s community of doctoral students and the centre for the main postgraduate research training activities. It aims to ensure that the University provides a consistent quality environment and support for all doctoral students. It also provides training and support to experienced and new supervisors, monitoring of supervisors’ role and assessing students’ progress against milestones.
Why study with us?
- UWL is ranked 2nd globally for overall satisfaction and research community in the latest Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)*
- Our research degrees have a 90% overall satisfaction rate in the latest Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)
- UWL is ranked in the top 100 universities in the UK for the overall quality of our research in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment
- Almost 80 percent of our research is rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment
My doctoral experience at the University of West London was outstanding. The University offers everything you need as a student to succeed in your studies and I received a huge amount of support.
The Vice-Chancellor's PhD scholarships
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Further information
Particular attention will be paid to applications aligned with one (or more) of our research strategic priorities:
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) – We encourage applications promoting and embedding EDI values throughout the whole research process. We also encourage original research addressing key EDI-related challenges.
- Interdisciplinarity - We encourage applications sitting across several UWL Schools/Colleges and demonstrating innovative research focus and/or methodologies.
- Impact - We encourage applications demonstrating effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia.
Our strategy
Our aim is to grow our research capacity and improve our research national and international standing, and in doing so, to increase the number of research students to 1,000 by 2029.
The Graduate School strategy aligns with the University values, including:
- Excellence: we commit to excel in all that we do
- Innovation: we commit to be creative, responsive and progressive
- Integrity: we commit to be honest, ethical, authentic and accessible
- Inclusivity: we commit to respect and embrace equality and inclusion
- Social responsibility: we commit to act for the public good
- Courage: we commit to take the risks necessary to achieve our goals
Research degrees
At the University of West London, we offer a wide range of PhD and Professional Doctorate courses.
By studying for a research degree with the University of West London, you will be joining a daring, collaborative research community with direct access to one of the world's cultural and academic capitals.
Doctoral journey and key milestones
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PhD - full time
Within 3-6 months: formal registration (through the research proposal being approved by the University Research Degrees Sub-committee)
Within 18-22 months: transfer from MPhil to PhD event
Within 36-48 months: thesis submission and viva examination
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PhD - part time
Within 6-9 months: formal registration (through the research proposal being approved by the University Research Degrees Sub-committee)
Within 36-48 months: transfer from MPhil to PhD event
Within 60-72 months: thesis submission and viva examination
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Professional doctorate
Within 24-28 months: completion of taught modules
Within 24-36 months: formal registration (through the research proposal being approved by the University Research Degrees Sub-committee)
Within 36-48 months: Transfer from MPhil to Professional doctorate event
Within 60-72 months: thesis submission and viva examination
Meet the team
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Professor Caroline Lafarge
Head of the Graduate School
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Professor Aude Bicquelet-Lock
Director of Research and Development
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Professor Maddie Ohl
Director of Studies for the Graduate School
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Professor Pauline Fox
Director of Studies for the Graduate School
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Maria Pennells
Senior Administrative Officer
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Celeste Leung
Administrative Officer
Wellbeing and support
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Study support
We want you to get the most from your course so you can reach your full potential. We offer a range of study support services to help you with your studies.
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Student Hub
The UWL Student Hub page contains more information for current students.
Research
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Research Centres and Groups
Find out about our multi-disciplinary areas of expertise, PhD research, and teaching.
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Research impact
Learn how our PhD research has helped communities locally, nationally and internationally.
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Research degrees
Find out more about PhD and Professional Doctorate opportunities and how we will support you within our active and interdisciplinary research community.
disclaimer
* Rank out of 53 institutions.