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The Graduate School

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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.

Our strategy

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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

Courses for doctoral students

The Vice-Chancellor's PhD scholarships

  • Open

Vice-Chancellor's PhD Scholarships

As part of its research expansion strategy, the University is offering a number of opportunities for fully funded PhD Scholarships. These will be available for all eligible students* (both home and international). 

The University welcomes applicants who wish to study for a PhD research degree in one of its schools or colleges. Visit our PhD opportunities page for more information.

PhD scholars will be expected to carry out teaching or research duties for a maximum of six hours per week (full-time) and three hours per week (part-time).

Full-time

  • Stipend of £22,000 per year (tax free)  
  • Up to £900 per year to attend conferences  
  • Duration: Three years

Part-time

  • Stipend of £11,000 per year (tax free)
  • Up to £450 per year to attend conferences
  • Duration: Six years

Deadlines for applications

  • International students: deadline passed
  • Home students: 30 June 2024

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Applications can be made as part of your PhD application - please state on the application form that you would like to apply for the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship. 

Find out more about the full range of subject areas, terms and conditions and more on the applying for a PhD page.

* Please note that international students cannot apply for part-time scholarships.

Value

UK PhD tuition fees, plus £22,000 per annum (Full time) / £11,000 per annum (Part time)
Off

Application deadline

International students: deadline passed. Home students: 30 June 2024

  • 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.

    Full-time beneficiaries of these scholarships will be engaged on a programme of full-time study and are not expected to undertake paid work for the duration of their course. The stipend will support students towards their accommodation and living costs, and towards any peripheral costs incurred in the course of their study. 

Doctoral journey and key milestones

  • 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

  • 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 

  • 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

Wellbeing and support

  • 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.

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New Vistas Journal

A seminar at the University of West London

New Vistas invites contributions from UWL academics, doctoral students and external authors, covering research and commentary on higher education in its local, national and global context.

Learn more about the New Vistas Journal

Research

  • Research Centres and Groups

    Find out about our multi-disciplinary areas of expertise, research, and teaching.

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  • Research impact

    Learn how our 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.

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