Home Research PhD and MPhil Degrees

PhD and MPhil Degrees

Undertaking a research degree is an exciting opportunity to determine your own research specialism. By choosing to study with us you will benefit from working with specialists in their respective fields who have national and international reputations.

About Our Research Degrees

Our projects and academic supervisors

Business Research Degrees

Take a look at our qualified supervisors and explore our business research specialisms.

Dance Research Degrees

Meet our dance and performance supervisors and find out what you could research with our Dance Department.

Education Research Degrees

Meet our supervisors and explore our education and teaching projects.

English and Creative Writing Research Degrees

Find out more about our supervisors and English and Creative Writing research interests.

Law Research Degrees

Study for your postgraduate research degree under the guidance of our expert Law supervisors.

Psychology and Criminology Research Degrees

Browse our psychology and criminology research opportunities and meet our supervisors.

Social Work and Social Policy Research Degrees

Meet our qualified research staff and view our research projects.

Sport Research Degrees

Discover our research degrees across a range of sport disciplines and explore our projects.

Theatre Research Degrees

Find out what you could research with our Theatre team and meet our supervisors.

Loans

Finance and funding

You can read more about the scheme on the UK PhD loans page on the FindaPhD website and on the gov.uk website. Loans are paid over the maximum period of candidature (four years for full-time and seven years for part-time).

South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

We are one of just four universities making up the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) - an exciting collaboration delivering the latest in research methods and skills training for social scientists.

Backed by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the South Coast DTP provides a range of funding opportunities to doctoral students, and fantastic opportunities for postgraduate and postdoctoral study.

Entry Requirements full MPhil/ PhD registration

What you will need

The standard requirement for an MPhil/PhD is a first or upper-second honours degree and/or usually a relevant Master's degree. Candidates with other qualifications are considered individually on their merits. All students are interviewed by their potential supervisor(s) and a Research Degree Coordinator or nominated other.

Your research project must be 'approved' by the Research Degrees Group 3 months (full time) / 6 months (part time) into candidature.

The Research Degrees Group will take account of the field in which you wish to work, the availability of resources, the nature of the University’s current research strengths, and the particular needs that you may have for specialist facilities.

All projects are considered by two experienced scrutineers who advise on the strengths and weaknesses of the research proposals presented to the Group.

How To Apply

Next steps

You should review the University's research specialisms before completing a speculative application.

If you are interested in doing a research degree:

  1. Please complete Section 1 of the Application to Register on a Postgraduate Research Programme Form.
  2. Email the form to pgradmissions@chi.ac.uk.

Your form will be circulated to the appropriate academics so we can identify any supervision options and arrange an interview with you.

You should register for the award you intend to graduate with, either a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or an MPhil (Master of Philosophy).

Pre-PhD Preparation Programme

Developing the skills to improve your research

Pre-PhD Preparation Programme

On our Pre-PhD Preparation programme you will attend six tutorials at a low cost to develop your preliminary research plan. You will work towards creating a succinct proposal suitable for an MPhil/PhD Research Programme.

 

Postgraduate Research Support

Supporting you throughout your degree

Postgraduate research at the University is supported through the Research Office.

The postgraduate research support team within the Research Office is based on the Bishop Otter Campus and can be contacted on 01243 812137 or via pgrsupport@chi.ac.uk.

The Research Office offers:

  • Administration and support for the whole student life-cycle, from initial enquiry to award.
  • Induction into research student life.
  • Administration of the PGR Travel and Conference fund.
  • Coordination and delivery of the Postgraduate Research Training and assistance with access to research training resources and events.
  • Administration of the Application for Ethical Approval.
  • Training and support to supervisors.
  • Coordination of internal and external student surveys for PGR students.

As a member of the student community you are also entitled to other forms of University support including metal health support, the Chaplaincy, disability and academic skills support and specific international student support. As a student you will have access to the University Sports Centre, Students' Union, University accommodation and the Careers and Employability Service.

Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2020

Please download the PRES 2020 Privacy Notice [PDF].

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