The Graduate School | Thinking of applying

This guidance will assist you in applying for your chosen postgraduate research degree and will outline how your application will be considered, what will be expected of you and what you can expect from the University.

Important Information

The University offers several research degree programmes. Please see individual programmes for further information:

If you are interested in a particular research area or working with a particular member of academic staff, it is often worth discussing your research ideas with them before submitting an application.

See our current funded studentships.

Investigating potential supervisors is an important part of the application process for postgraduate research. You need to work with academics who are interested in your research area and will be supportive of you in your research degree.

Explore our Research and Innovation Groups to find academics conducting research in your area of interest. Once you've identified potential postgraduate research (PGR) supervisors, reach out to them to discuss your research proposal and ideas. Engaging early with your potential supervisor is key to shaping your postgraduate research journey and aligning your interests with their expertise.

A research proposal must be submitted unless you are applying for a funded studentship which has a specified project. Please use our proposal template for this. To have the best chance of success your research proposal should be on a topic that matches the themes of one of our Research and Innovation Groups.

Your proposal will be no more than 2000 words and will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the research you plan to undertake and the context.

Essentially, the reader will be given answers to the questions “what?”, “why?” and “how?” i.e. what is the research, why is it being undertaken, how is it going to be conducted.

In the case of PhD, the expected original contribution to knowledge and the planned form of submission e.g. thesis, portfolio or publication, must be clear. Where the planned submission involves creative work, this should also be highlighted.

You should also indicate whether you have considered any potential ethical issues associated with your proposed project.

A typical proposal will contain:

A statement as to the nature of the submission e.g. thesis, portfolio or publication (in the case of PhD), and whether the submission will include any creative work or other outputs.
An introductory section which sets out the research question and/or the context in which the research sits. This should include a brief description of relevant previous work with key literature references, or information sources if appropriate.
A statement of aims and objectives
Information about the work that is going to be undertaken including the planned methodologies and why they have been chosen.
A provisional project plan or Gantt chart is useful.
A statement outlining the likely contribution and impact of the work to the field of study.
A list of key references.

The above layout is not meant to be prescriptive and different disciplines may structure proposals differently which is perfectly understandable and acceptable.

You can apply for a research degree at various points in the year.

October admissions: Closing date for applications — 1st May, notification of decision — 1st July.
January admissions: Closing date for applications — 1st October, notification of decision — 1st December.
April admissions: Closing date for applications — 1st January, notification of decision — 1st March.

To apply please visit the relevant programme pages:

Please note the following documents must be uploaded as supporting documents:

A single research proposal of approximately 2,000 words is required unless you are applying for a funded studentship which has a specified project. (Only one research proposal is permitted.) Please use our proposal template for this.
Two references on headed paper. At least one referee should be able to comment on your academic / professional ability.
Applications that do not include references and / or a research proposal will be rejected as will applications that include multiple research proposals.
Applicants from countries where English is not the first language are required to provide evidence of the required English Language proficiency e.g. IELTS or TOEFL certificates which must be uploaded as supporting documents.
Evidence of qualifications e.g. degree certificates and transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.
If you are applying for a PhD direct and you hold a relevant Masters degree you should submit as a supporting document an outline of the title and content e.g. an abstract of your Masters degree and one of your referees should be an independent academic referee who can comment on your performance on the Masters degree.
If you are applying for a PhD by Publication please submit your proposed publications as a supporting document.

Your research application will initially be considered by two members of academic staff who will make recommendations to the Research and Innovation Group (RIG) Lead and Faculty Research Degrees Committee (FRDC). The reviewers will consider the quality of the research proposal and its match to the research interests and themes of the relevant RIG. In the case of PhD applications, the proposed original contribution to knowledge will also be considered.

If the reviews are positive, you will be invited for an online interview. This will be conducted by your proposed supervisory team.

It is important that you are aware of the criteria for approving research degree applications. The Faculty Research Degrees Committee (FRDC) shall ensure that

You have appropriate qualifications and / or experience.
You are proficient in English Language (a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required including a minimum of 5.5 in reading and writing).
Academic reviewers are content with the quality of the research proposal and its fit with the themes of the Research and innovation Group.
Satisfactory references have been received.
You have been interviewed by the proposed supervisory team and have demonstrated the motivation and potential to complete on time, awareness of the University’s ethical guidelines.
Any specific needs have been considered and where the need for additional support is identified this is provided or reasonable adjustments are made.
There is supervisory capacity and expertise to supervise you.
There are adequate resources within the Faculty.