How to apply

Entry requirements

In order to study a postgraduate research degree with us, you'll need a strong academic record with a degree in a relevant subject area.

The minimum entry requirements for PGR (Masters by research or PhD) study is 2.1 honours degree. 

For PhD, a Masters or Integrated Masters degree isn’t a requirement but is advantageous given the volume of applications we receive – ideally you will have achieved a distinction or at least a merit, especially in your Masters dissertation or final research project.

We also welcome applications who do not hold a relevant Masters degree but may have substantial research/professional experience.

•    If your first language is not English, you'll also need to demonstrate proficiency in English language by meeting the School of Design English Language requirements: IELTS - an overall band of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component skill

You can improve your academic English level to the standard needed to study a postgraduate research degree by taking one of the following pre-sessional courses:

• 6-week: Language for postgraduate researchers
• 10-week: Language for Social Science and Arts: postgraduate researchers

Please see our entry requirements page for alternative English Language tests we can accept. 

The application process  

Applications for postgraduate research courses are made online through our application portal. As part of the application process, you'll need to provide a number of documents:

• a copy of your transcript from your previous or current degrees, listing all courses and marks achieved
• a copy of your certificates from your previous degrees
• a detailed research proposal on your intended topic
• two academic references.

If your first language is not English you may also need to provide evidence of English language proficiency.

You'll also need to supply the names of supervisors you would be interested in working with, explore the research interests of our staff.

Once you have submitted your application, it will be sent to our admissions team and the Director of Postgraduate Research for consideration. We aim to process your application as soon as possible which is usually within 2-4 weeks of receipt. Please note that we may ask you for an interview as part of the application process.

Deadline and timescales

We have two main start dates for our postgraduate research degree programmes: 1st October and 1st February.

We would recommend starting at these times whenever possible so that you have the benefit of a full induction programme. Deadlines to apply for these start dates are below. Applications submitted after these dates will be automatically considered for the next available start date unless otherwise stated. We may be able to consider other start dates throughout the year at the discretion of the School. If you would like to be considered for a different start date, you should apply at least 3 months (for UK applicants) or 4 months (for international applicants), before your proposed start date.

If you are applying for funding you should ensure you apply for the academic place of study well in advance of any scholarship deadlines. The majority of scholarship deadlines are in January and will stipulate an October start date. 

Scholarships deadlines

If you intend to apply for scholarship these usually have deadlines early in the year and most require you to have already secured your place on a course. We advise you to apply for a place at least 6 weeks before a scholarship deadline.