To make your application for an MPhil/PhD please work through the following steps:
Before applying
- Check that you meet our entry requirements
- Check that your chosen School can provide supervision in your research area. You will be asked to confirm this in your application form
- Consider your funding options and check if we offer any studentships in your research area
- You are strongly encouraged to contact the PhD Coordinator for your research area before you apply. You can find their details on your relevant research area page
When to apply
- You may apply at any time of the year, however, we ask that you refer to the recommended ‘Apply by dates’. These are the latest dates by which you will have enough time to complete all the pre-arrival stages in time for your preferred start date
- You may start your Research Degree in either January or September
- The assessment of your suitability and the availability of supervision can take some time, typically up to eight weeks from submission of your application
- If you are an overseas applicant, we advise you to apply well in advance of your preferred start date as the Student Visa application process can be very lengthy
- If you do miss the relevant ‘apply by’ date we will do our best to process your application in time, but you may have to consider a later starting date
| Your preferred start date | Recommended ‘apply by’ date if you are an Overseas applicant requiring a Student Visa | Recommended ‘apply by’ date if you are a Home applicant |
|---|---|---|
September | 31 May | 31 May |
| January | 31 August | 31 August |
Final deadlines for January 2025
- Application Deadline (International) – 30 August
- Application Deadline (Home) – 30 August
- Last date for International conditional/unconditional offers where ATAS is required – 15 November
- Last date to ask for an IHQ – 25 November
- Last date for International conditional/unconditional offers – 29 November
- Meet conditions and pay deposit (International) - 6 December
- Last date to request CAS (outside UK) – 9 December*
- Last date for Home conditional/unconditional offers – 3 January
- Meet conditions (home) – 7 January
- Last date to request CAS (inside UK) – 10 January*
- Enrolment – 13 January
- First week of teaching – 20 January
- Last date for enrolment – 3 February
*Provide all documentation required to prove your eligibility for your visa application. If the documentation provided by the deadline, does not meet the requirements, we are unable to guarantee your CAS.
Please note that if you have to apply for ATAS, this can take up to 6 weeks.
For further details please see our PG how to apply page.
Final deadlines for September 2025
- Application deadline (International & Home) – 30 May
- Last date for International Conditional/Unconditional Offers where ATAS is required – 4 July
- Last date for International Conditional/Unconditional Offers – 18 July
- Meeting conditions and paying deposit (International) – 1 August
- Last date for Home Conditional/Unconditional Offers – 20 August
- Last date to request CAS (outside UK) – 25 August (midnight BST). You must provide all documentation required to prove your eligibility for your visa application by this deadline. If the documentation provided by the deadline does not meet the requirements, we are unable to guarantee your CAS
- Meeting conditions (Home) – 9 September
- Last date to request CAS (inside UK) – 12 September (midnight BST). You must provide all documentation required to prove your eligibility for your visa application by this deadline. If the documentation provided by the deadline does not meet the requirements, we are unable to guarantee your CAS
- Enrolment – 15 September
- First week of teaching – 22 September
- Last date for enrolment – 6 October
Please note that if you have to apply for ATAS, this can take up to 6 weeks.
Completing your application
The requirements for each research degree will differ, but in neral, you will need to submit:
- A research proposal, which should be between 2,000–3,500 words (four to seven pages) long. For guidance, please see our How to write your Research Proposal page.
- Scanned copies of all your relevant qualifications and transcripts (if your award is pending, please upload a transcript of the modules already undertaken)
- If your secondary level education was not conducted in the medium of English, proof of your English language abilities, for example IELTS or TOEFL certificates
- Two academic references - it is your responsibility to contact your referees and arrange for a reference letter to be provided whether by upload to your application form or emailed to [email protected].
Please note that you will not be able to submit your application if you have not completed the box which asks for the name of the member of staff you have consulted before applying.
Ready to apply?
Go to your research area and follow the link to your chosen course: