How to apply

Applying for a research degree involves a different process from undergraduate or Masters level. You'll need to demonstrate that you have not only knowledge, drive, and skill, but also a clear and realistic plan for your project.

This allows us to make sure we can fully support you in pursuing your research, including matching you with the right supervisor(s). It also helps to ensure that your research will be an original and valuable contribution to your field.

You can apply for our research degrees, and begin your studies, at any time during the year. However, if you're applying for funding opportunities or joining an existing research project you may have to apply or start by a specific time.

You can find out more on the University's research degrees application process overview.

Explore your options

To write an effective application, you'll need to explore our research and learn about our researchers. This will allow you to identify potential supervisors, and give you the chance to contact them for advice.

Our School has a very broad range of expertise, with research specialisms spanning disciplines, time periods, and continents. We also offer co-supervision with other subject areas to support interdisciplinary research. This means that whatever your area of interest, you'll find researchers as passionate about it as you are.

Write your research proposal

Your research proposal forms the core of your application. It should be no more than 3,000 words including references and a bibliography. You can find advice on what to include on the University's research proposal overview.

If you're applying for an existing research opportunity, such as a scholarship attached to a particular project, you might not have to include a research proposal in your application. Contact our research degrees team for more information.

Submit your application

The easiest way to apply for a research degree is through our online portal, where you can submit your application, track its progress and accept any offers you receive.

Your application should include:

• Your research proposal
• Details of staff members you'd like to be your supervisor(s)
• A sample of your own recently written work on a relevant topic
• Two academic references
• Copies of your degree certificates (transcripts if you're still studying)
• Copies of an English language qualification certificate if English isn't your first language

Once you've applied, we'll contact you as soon as possible to let you know the result. If we're considering making you an offer, we'll invite you for an interview, or a telephone interview if you're living abroad.

Deadlines 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 start in January and will stipulate an October start date. 

Scholarships deadlines

If you intend to apply for scholarships 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 on the PhD at least 6 weeks before a scholarship deadline.

If you have any queries about the application process, please contact our postgraduate admissions team.