How to Apply and Entry Requirements

Entry Qualifications

You will normally need a first degree that is equivalent in standard to a UK classification of Upper Second-Class Honours or better, as well as a good masters level qualification or equivalent experience. In certain circumstances, we will consider students with other qualifications where those qualifications provide equivalent reassurance of the capacity to undertake high quality research.

Professional qualifications, such as exceptional MBA results, can be influential in our decision-making but will rarely be considered an adequate substitute for a masters degree because they do not ordinarily provide evidence of research skills.

If your first language is not English and you have not studied at degree level in English before, we will require a qualification in English such as IELTS minimum of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component).
The decision to offer an award takes into account the quality of the research proposal, the applicant's qualifications, references and, importantly, the availability of two supervisors with relevant expertise, interest and capacity.

The two main types of registration are:

Full-time PhD:
The minimum period of registration is one year, with a limit of three for completion.

Part-time PhD:
The minimum period of registration is two years, with a limit of six for completion.

In exceptional cases you can also apply to undertake a PhD via the join location or distance learning route. Please contact us first if you wish to apply for one of these routes.

How to apply

Applicants must make a formal application using the University's online application form.

We will not be able to process an application until we have all the required details and documents, these are:

details of previous education and qualifications including transcripts
two academic references - including at least one from your current or most recent programme of study
a full research proposal
where applicable results and transcripts to prove you meet the english language requirements

Whilst many enquirers may wish to discuss their application directly with the school in all cases a formal application must be made by completing the university's online application form. The application form must include an outline research proposal. You are therefore asked to give a description of your research project, including the research questions to be addressed, the methodology to be used, the sources to be consulted and a brief timetable. It is also useful to identify:

What the main aim(s) of your research will be
Why you think the project is worth doing
Whether you see any links with previous work
What problems you might encounter
The proposal should be typed using double-line spacing and be at least 3,000 words long

It is important that you provide a detailed proposal so that we can arrange the most appropriate supervision for your chosen topic. A good indication of our staff research interests can be found on the A-Z list on our website. It might also be worthwhile making initial contact with our academic staff, on an informal basis, prior to submitting an application.
If you are applying for a studentship please check the specific scholarship instructions as the department may need additional documents.


Fees for 2013/14 (PhD) are:	Full-Time	Part-Time
UK/EU	£3,900	£1,950
International (Non-EU)	£12,760	£6,380