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5 routes to getting a Doctorate

While most of those studying for a PhD take the PhD by thesis pathway, there are five viable routes to achieving a Doctorate degree

PhD by thesis

This is the most common means of getting a Doctorate degree. Over the three or four years of research at university, your PhD supervisor will support you as you aim to produce a thesis based on your research proposal .

A thesis is typically 60,000-90,000 words in length - although this can vary between institutions. For instance, the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences expects a thesis to be 70,000-100,000 words including references, bibliography and appendices, while the University of Cambridge has set an upper limit of 80,000 words.

Once completed, you'll need to defend your PhD thesis in front of a panel of examiners during your viva voce .

PhD by publication

This route involves submitting previously published work - such as books, book chapters and journal articles, which together form a coherent body of work and show evidence of an original contribution to a particular field of study.

It's often taken by mid-career academics that haven't had the opportunity to undertake a standard Doctorate degree.

Generally, a minimum of five to eight published pieces are required, but this varies between institutions and depends on their length. The published work will be assessed to the same rigorous standards as a traditional PhD by thesis.

You must also provide a written supporting statement, which can range from 5,000 to 20,000 words, and present your work to an academic committee. A supervisor will assist you with selecting which publications to submit and with the supporting statement.

Some universities accept only their own graduates for a PhD by publication, while others restrict this route to their academic staff. In general, you should have graduated from your first degree at least seven years ago to be eligible.

For example, The University of Manchester has published its own Guidance for the PhD By Published Work , with eligibility only extending to current members of staff.

Professional Doctorate

Geared primarily towards current professionals in vocational sectors such as healthcare , teaching and education , and engineering and manufacturing , this type of Doctorate degree includes a significant taught component and a smaller research project.

Professional Doctorates are often taken on a part-time basis and can last between two and eight years. Like their standard PhD counterparts, they usually begin in October or January.

While you won't typically be looking to get an academic job , your research is expected to contribute to theory as well as professional practice. Projects often revolve around a real-life issue that affects your employer.

Several professional Doctorates, such as the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), are accredited by a professional body - for instance, the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The British Psychological Society (BPS) - and may also lead to a professional qualification .

Common titles for graduates of professional Doctorate degrees include:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Unlike many professional Doctorates, the EngD is typically offered as a full-time course and is aimed at young engineering graduates with little or no professional experience.

Explore what's currently available at Find a Professional Doctorate .

Integrated PhD

This four-year qualification, also known as the New Route PhD, involves studying a one-year research Masters degree (MRes) before progressing onto a three-year PhD.

Offered by a select number of universities across the UK, integrated PhDs are supported by the government and the British Council through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) . Visit Research Council funding for further information on research and funding for different types of PhD.

The integrated PhD involves a combination of taught materials, practical experience and advanced research. This allows you to learn subject-specific methodologies, while building the transferable skills that will enable you to become a leader in your chosen profession.

Institutions can also develop personalised integrated PhD programmes to meet each student's needs. For example, universities may offer you the opportunity to gain a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education - perfect if you're considering a career as a higher education lecturer .

As PhDs are based primarily on independent research rather than time spent in lectures and seminars, distance learning has always been a viable route for many Doctoral students.

PhDs by distance learning offered by course providers such as The Open University are therefore a good option to consider if you've got family or work commitments or are an international student - as this gives you the chance to undertake Doctoral research without having to live close to your chosen institution. It's also a suitable mode of study if your subject requires you to be based in a specific location away from the university.

For the most part, you'll be in touch with your supervisor by phone, email or Skype/Zoom. You'll need to bear in mind that even if you opt for this form of research, you'll generally still need to attend university for one or two weeks of each academic year for meetings and to receive research skills training. Your final examination may be undertaken either face-to-face or virtually.

With online PhDs, you can usually register as a full or part-time student. The level of fees you pay varies between institutions - some charge the same as for a standard PhD while others offer a reduced rate.

Check that any funding you plan to apply for is available to distance learning students, as this isn't always the case.

Search for distance learning PhDs .

Find out more

• Explore what is a PhD?
• Sort out funding for postgraduate study .
• Consider what to do after completing your PhD .

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University's principal research degree for graduate students and is available in all faculties and departments.

A Cambridge PhD is intellectually demanding and you will need to have a high level of attainment and motivation to pursue this programme of advanced study and research.

In most faculties, a candidate is expected to have completed one year of postgraduate study, normally on a research preparation master's course, prior to starting a PhD.

Completion normally requires three or four years of full-time study, or at least five years of part-time study, including a probationary period.

Terms of research are normally consecutive and, for full-time students, require residency in Cambridge. Not all departments offer part-time research degrees.

Various routes to the PhD are possible and, if you are made an offer of admission, it will be made clear whether you are required to study for a master's degree or certificate in the first instance, or will be admitted directly to the probationary year for the PhD. You are registered for the PhD only after a satisfactory progress assessment at the end of the probationary year (five terms for part-time degrees). The assessment is designed also to focus your mind on the stages necessary for the completion of your research within the normal time limit and to address any structural problems that have arisen during the first year. Students must pass the first year assessment in order to continue their PhD study.

During your PhD, your effort will be focused on writing a dissertation. The word count of the dissertation is dependent on the department and the Student Registry or Educational Student Policy will be able to tell you the maximum word limit. This must represent a significant contribution to learning, for example through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of a new theory, or the revision of older views, and must take account of previously published work on the subject. Some Cambridge dissertations go on to form the basis of significant publications.

Although you will spend long hours working independently, your department and College will both support you throughout your PhD. You are also able to attend regular seminars in your subject area and could be involved in teaching, perhaps giving seminars or supervising, or in the social life of your department and College.

PhD course search

Go to the Course Directory and filter courses using the relevant checkboxes.

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How to apply for doctoral study

Select a research programme and choose how you want to study. find a supervisor and develop your own project or choose one of our academic-led projects..

• The Recruitment and Admissions team

The Doctoral College Recruitment and Admissions team is working remotely. We can be contacted by emailing [email protected] .

We will also be available to talk to through live chat at the next postgraduate virtual open day .

• Select a research programme

The first step to applying for doctoral study is to identify your subject area of interest and select a research programme.

Choose a research programme .

Study options

Our programmes have a range of options for doctoral study, including:

• traditional PhD - an independent, supervised research project making an original and significant contribution to knowledge. Can be studied full, or part, time. It can be completed in two years, but most students take between three and four years to complete when studying full time.
• integrated PhD - where the research project stage follows successful completion of an initial taught phase. Can be studied full or part time. Students register for five years and most students take between four and five years to complete when studying full time.
• professional doctorate – at an equivalent level to a PhD, in a professional context, with a structure combining taught modules with a research phase. It is studied part time and varies in duration, from four to eight years.
• MPhil – a supervised research degree with a shorter timescale than a PhD. It can be studied full or part time. Students normally take between one and three years to complete when studying full time.
• Two ways to apply

There are two main routes to doctoral study, depending on your area of interest:

• choose to lead the development of your own research project
• choose to apply for a defined, academic-led project

Choose to develop your own research project

Identify a supervisor.

If you decide to develop your own research project, you must first find an academic who would be interested in supervising you. You don't need to find a supervisor if you apply for a defined, academic-led project or programmes that begin with a taught phase, for example, an integrated PhD or a professional doctorate.

You can find a suitable supervisor on the research and staff pages for each department. You can also browse Pure , the University’s research portal, for profiles of individual academics as well as the research centres, institutes and units to which they belong. Your proposed research area must be related to the academic's research interests.

Make contact and discuss your proposed research. At this point, you may be asked to prepare a proposal for consideration before an offer is made.

Tips on writing a research proposal

If you are required to submit a research proposal, it should be at least 1,000 words in length (2,500-3000 words for School of Management ) and include the following:

• Aim and objectives: What are the central aims and research questions that will guide your research? Explain what questions you are trying to answer or which hypotheses you want to test. Prioritise one or two central questions from which you can derive secondary ones.
• Rationale: Contextualise your aims and objectives in a broader field of study, identifying the main literature or authors that you are addressing.
• Methodology: Explain how you are going to conduct your research; what information you would need, how you would collect it and how you are going to analyse it. This only needs to be indicative at the moment.
• Timeline: Provide a summary of what you are planning to do and when.
• Bibliography: Provide a short bibliography of key publications related to your research question.

Choose to apply for a defined project

If you wish to apply for a defined, academic-led project, you can see which opportunities are currently available via Find a PhD .

Application deadlines

The application deadlines are three months before the intended start date (for Overseas applicants) or two months before the intended start date (for Home applicants).

For example, for an end-of-September start, the deadline is:

• 30 June (Overseas applicants)
• 31 July (Home applicants)
• The application process

To apply for either your own research proposal or a defined project, you must use the online application form .

On the application form, you will need to provide:

• your personal details
• your passport details if you need a Student visa (previously a Tier 4 visa)
• the date you plan to start
• your plans for finance and funding
• your education details
• proof of your English level if English is not your first language
• details of your intended research and the names of your intended supervisors
• the names and contact details of your referees, including at least one from academia if you have been studying recently
• your supporting information

Supporting information

You must provide all of the necessary supporting information listed below. If you don't submit this, we will ask for it later and if you don't provide it, we won't be able to assess your application.

• a scan of your undergraduate degree certificate and your postgraduate degree certificate if you have one
• a scan of your degree transcript and your interim degree transcript if you are still studying
• two references - one of these must be from the institution where you have studied most recently
• the name, or names, of your intended supervisors (up to three)
• details of your proposed research
• an up-to-date CV
• an indication of your funding plans

International students

If you are an international student you should also provide:

• an authorised translation of your degree certificate and transcript if they are not in English
• your English language assessment certificate (if available)

Student part-time visa

If you are a non-EEA student wishing to undertake a part-time doctoral course longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Student part-time visa (previously a Tier 4 (General) student part-time visa).

This does not apply to Distance Learning courses if your study visits to the UK are shorter than 56 days in any 6-month period, where a Short-term study visa will be required.

Strict restrictions are attached to the Student part-time visa, which we strongly recommend you understand before you proceed with your application.

• After you have applied

When we receive your application we may contact you for more information or invite you to meet a potential supervisor to talk about your proposal.

Track your application

We aim to make decisions about applications within six weeks of receiving all your supporting information. You can check the progress of your application by logging into our Doctoral Application Tracker .

We will send you Application Tracker login details after you submit your application. If you forget your password, you can reset it.

Accepting your offer

We will let you know whether or not you have been successful through the Doctoral Application Tracker . If you have been successful, we will make you an offer. You should accept or decline your offer through the Application Tracker as soon as possible.

Receiving an unconditional offer

If you receive an unconditional offer, you have met all the required academic conditions and we are offering you a place.

Receiving a conditional offer

If you receive a conditional offer, you may not have met all the requirements, but we hope you will be able to do so. These requirements may include English language scores, degree results or satisfactory references. You must meet all these requirements and submit evidence of them through Application Tracker before you can start your research with us. When you meet the conditions of your offer, we will contact you about the next steps.

Withdrawing your application

If you change your mind for any reason and no longer want to study at Bath, email [email protected] to withdraw your application.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Doctoral Recruitment

On this page.

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

Applying for a phd is not quite as daunting as you might think. a postgraduate student recruitment officer from the university of sussex shares his tips for putting together a phd application.

Ben Osborne

There are many different reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD – to move into an academic role at a university, to continue studying a subject you are passionate about or to further your career. 

Whatever your motivation, many students are now choosing to pursue a PhD abroad. This guide will help you understand how to apply for a PhD at a UK university and answer any questions you might have around doing PhDs.

How to apply for a PhD

Application rules and methods vary for each university. The number of courses that you can apply for in a year will vary. For example, at the University of Sussex , you can apply for up to three postgraduate courses per year using the postgraduate application system.

If you are applying for more than one degree, you must submit a research proposal/statement specific to each area of study you apply for.

You can also apply to different universities to improve your chances of being accepted to a PhD course of your choosing. 

What qualifications do I need?

Each PhD will have specific entry requirements and you will also need to meet a university’s general entry requirements.  This may be an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. For some PhDs you may need a master’s qualification, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

International students may also be required to prove language proficiency. This will vary across institutions so do check what level universities expect before starting your application. 

Applicants should always check the specific entry requirements in a university’s online prospectus before making an application.

When should I start applying?

This will depend on when your term start date is. Most research degrees will start in September but some courses offer additional entry points in January or May.

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May, and the deadlines for applying are usually one month before the course start date for UK applicants, and three months before for international applicants.

If you’re applying for funding from an external organisation you’ll need to be aware that they may have different deadlines for the funding application. So give yourself plenty of time to research your funding options, and ensure you know how long the application process takes. 

Many universities offer a number of funded PhD opportunities and PhD scholarships for UK and international students, and it’s always worth investigating funding routes such as research councils and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas.

In some cases, it may be possible to study a PhD by distance which means you’ll be able to learn online and have virtual meetings with your supervisor.

If this is something you would be interested in doing you should check before applying whether your university can accommodate this option. 

Nine things to know before doing a PhD Starting a PhD during the pandemic Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

How should I look for a supervisor?

Usually if you are applying for a funded project, or to a research centre or group, you will normally be asked to provide a statement explaining your suitability for working in that area, and if successful you will be allocated a supervisor.

If you wish to propose your own area of research, you need to decide on a research topic, and you will be expected to write a research proposal. In some cases you may only be required to provide a summary of academic interests and this can be used to match you to a researcher that suits you.

If you are proposing your own research topic, there may be a research database at your university that you can search, or your university will match you with a supervisor during the assessment of your application. It may be possible to request supervision by a particular member of faculty – this will be considered but not all requests can be accommodated.

If you do find a potential supervisor who matches your research area, check their online profile for indications of their doctoral supervision capacity. If they are open to doctoral applications, you can contact them directly to check their availability for supervising you.

It is a good idea to draw up a shortlist of two to three potential supervisors, and take an in-depth look into their research history. You can also find out more about your potential supervisors by looking in the reference sections of academic textbooks and searching for articles in research databases and academic blogs.

When you contact your potential supervisor, it is important to tell them something interesting about yourself, and explain your research interests and how you feel your research proposal matches their expertise.

How do I write a research proposal?

If you are proposing your own research you will need to write a strong proposal that formulates a precise, interesting research question, and establishes the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking.

You’ll need to make sure your proposal describes the data or source material your research requires, and outlines a clear and practical methodology that enables you to answer the research question and that states clearly what you hope to discover at the end of your research, and what new areas it might open up.

The precise content and structure of your research proposal will depend on your subject area, and the University of Sussex has some helpful resources on our website to guide you through the process.

How long does the application process take?

Completing an application and writing a research proposal may take some time and should not be left until just before the application deadline.

It’s not easy to give a definite idea of how long it takes to hear if your application has been successful, as it will depend on when the application is made and the nature of the specific PhD, and you would need to meet any conditions contained within the offer before you can start the PhD.

What are the associated costs?

There won’t typically be an application fee for PhDs but there are tuition fees. If a university does charge application fees they will usually be between £50-£100.

The tuition fees for students studying in the UK are set by UK Research and Innovation . Fees for international students are £18,975 for non-lab-based subjects, and £22,975 for lab-based subjects per year.

You’ll also need to factor in living costs, but there are a number of funding routes you can apply for to help with this. As well as PhD scholarships and funded research projects there are research council awards, PhD loans for those eligible, and various organisations to which international students can apply for funding, such as The Gen Foundation and Open Society Foundations.

It’s important to be aware of the costs involved, but it’s also worth remembering that the educational, career and personal benefits of PhD study can be worth it.

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PhD applications are different to other university courses. In this section you can find out how to apply for and fund a PhD.

• Newcastle University
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What is a PhD?

A PhD refers to a Doctor of Philosophy degree. It is a postgraduate research degree awarded by universities in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as a mark of advanced knowledge in a particular subject.

Most PhD's take three to four years of full-time study. This can vary depending on the field of research and the individual's progress. During a PhD students will conduct original research. This is under the guidance of a supervisor or a team of academic advisers.

PhD students will normally write a thesis or dissertation based on their research findings. They must defend their research in front of an examination committee (this oral test is called a viva ). The thesis is assessed, and if it meets the required academic standards, the candidate is awarded a PhD degree.

More information

Finding and applying for a phd.

Discover the options for finding a PhD, when to apply and how to make a successful application.

Funding a PhD

Find out about the funding options for a PhD and how to apply for them.

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• Postgraduate doctoral
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Professional Doctorate

Our Professional Doctorates are for working professionals who are looking to make a unique contribution to their area of practice.

At Imperial, they're available through the following qualifications.

MD(Res) in the Faculties of Medicine and Engineering

• MD(Res) in Bioengineering Research offered within the Department of Bioengineering
• MD(Res) in Mechanical Engineering Research offered within the Department of Mechanical Engineering
• MD(Res) Clinical Medicine Research offered within various departments within the Faculty of Medicine

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Entry requirements for UK applicants

We are looking for bright, enthusiastic and dedicated students to join our research community. We accept research applications from across the world.

General entry requirements for UK students 

At Sussex, our usual entry requirements for UK and international students are: 

• at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree 
• a Masters degree if you are applying for research degrees in the arts or social sciences.

We will also consider candidates who can demonstrate appropriate alternative learning such as experience gained in the workplace or professional qualifications.

If you are an international student see the international qualifications we accept .

Specific entry requirements for UK students

You must also meet our specific entry requirements for each research programme. These are listed with each PhD degree .

Check: 

• the grade required for your PhD
• if you need to have a Masters qualification. 

Interviews 

For some research degrees we may ask you to attend an interview. 

If you are an international student, you may be interviewed over the phone or via Skype.

You might also be interested in:

• student support
• tips for applying for a PhD
• applying for accommodation
• how to apply for a PhD

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Professional Doctorates (EdD/DHSC)

• Are you an experienced professional in education or health and/or social care seeking to develop themselves personally and professionally?
• Are you already qualified to masters level and looking for the next challenge?

Our Professional Doctorate programme could be the opportunity and challenge you seek.

What is a Professional Doctorate EdD/DHSC?

A Professional Doctorate is the highest degree qualification it is possible to achieve. It has been developed to meet the needs and interests of those working in education or health and social care with a thirst for professional excellence and knowledge. It supports original research that will have an impact on professional practice and/or policy, as well as theory.

Professional Doctorates are studied part-time and designed to enable committed professionals to study and develop their own practice-based research in a structured and supported environment. They offer you the chance to enhance your career at doctoral level, enabling you to make a unique contribution to your profession or area of practice while continuing to work and progress in your field.

Successful completion of a Professional Doctorate (Doctorate in Education or Doctorate in Health and Social Care) confers the use of the title ‘Dr’.

What Professional Doctorates can I study at The OU?

Doctorate in education (edd).

This is an innovative programme of part-time study designed for professionals working in the field of education and related areas who want to extend and deepen their knowledge and understanding of contemporary educational practice. It is for professionals in education, including school leaders, teachers and trainers, but also other professionals working in any educational context in formal and non-formal settings including the public, voluntary and private sectors.

The EdD programme not only draws on existing research expertise across the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS), but it also draws on the wide educational research expertise across the University.

We welcome research proposals that fall into one of the following areas of study:

• Childhood, Youth and Sport
• Education, Learning and Development
• Applied Linguistics
• Learning Analytics and Learning Design
• Professional and Digital Learning

Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC)

The Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC) is an innovative programme of part-time study designed predominantly for health and social care professionals, including registered nurses and social workers, but also other professionals working across health and social care including the public, voluntary and private sectors. The degree will also be open to people working as carers, whose role involves them working with the health and social care sector. Informal carers, ‘experts by experience’ advocates and ‘expert patients’ may also make an application to the programme. Applicants whose field of practice is through an informal, rather than paid, role, will need to carefully describe their field of practice and what access arrangements would be needed.

The Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC) programme is located within the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) and therefore draws on existing research expertise specifically from within the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS) and the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care (HWSC).

• Health, wellbeing and healthcare practice
• Social work and social care

What will I get from a Professional Doctorate at the OU?

The OU has a successful track record of delivering innovative and highly flexible education, and of supporting students to combine study alongside professional and personal commitments. The Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, in which the EdD/DHSC are located, has a world-class reputation for pioneering participatory and inclusive research, and has a history of engaging with communities of practice and policy-makers to generate critical, impactful and solution-orientated research. The OU has a long history of Professional Doctorate programmes, having delivered a well-established Doctorate in Education (EdD) for over 25 years.

Studying with students on both the EdD and DHSC you will have access to professional researchers across a broad range of education, health and social care fields of practice. This means your study and research will be able to reflect the increasingly multidisciplinary and multi-agency culture of these areas of practice. You will acquire skills in research and enquiry and be able to use these to carry out research that will contribute to professional knowledge and practice. Our doctoral training programme will help you develop transferrable skills that will be invaluable throughout your career.

International recognition

The UK Professional Doctorate is an internationally recognised and respected academic qualification and many of our Professional Doctorate graduates come from outside of the UK. Employers across the world recognise and value the quality of a UK university education; however, before you apply to study a Professional Doctorate, you should ensure that potential employers (within the country in which you wish to work) recognise the Professional Doctorate qualification. You may need to obtain equivalency certification at your own expense in order for your degree to be recognised within the country you wish to work.

How does it work?

The OU does not offer research degrees by distance learning or correspondence. The Professional doctorates are blended-learning part-time research degrees (rather than a distance learning degree or a taught course).

Professional doctorates have a dedicated website for interaction and access to resources.

4–8 years

Participation and supervision

You will study together with students enrolled in other Professional Doctorates.

You will be required to maintain regular email contact with your UK-based supervisors and travel to the UK at your own expense to attend residential weekends and for your viva examination.

You will be allocated two supervisors – your main one in year 1 and a co-supervisor from year 2 – and will have regular supervision sessions with them via a variety of options including telephone, online conferencing or face-to-face.

Pattern of study

These are structured part-time programmes of study in two stages: Stage 1 (2 years structured) and Stage 2 (2–6 years supervised research component).

Stage 1 of the programme aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge to support your engagement with the research and the practice field in which your project is located. This phase will involve you studying self-taught online modules on topics including:

• the context of education or health and social care research
• literature reviewing
• the principles of research design
• research ethics
• methodology
• approaches to data collection and analysis.

Stage 2 forms the ‘research’ component of the programme. During this time, you will carry out your study and work towards completing your thesis. In both stages (1 and 2) you will be supported through online seminar discussions and annual residential weekends at the OU’s campus in Milton Keynes.

Residential weekends

There is an annual residential weekend which is compulsory for all students to attend. The Year 1 residential weekend will provide an initial induction to the professional doctorate and will consist of supported discussions, seminars and workshops providing a great opportunity to meet up with your peers, supervisors and the programme team.

• Year 1 residential weekend is expected to take place in October 2023.

As well as supported self-taught modules there is a programme of evening and weekend seminars on subjects such as:

• Developing as a Researching Professional
• Connecting research and practice
• Getting your research published (peer-review).

While the programme is structured to meet the needs of those learning at a distance, there are plenty of opportunities to work alongside a community of other doctoral researchers.

You will complete two formative assessments in both Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme and will receive feedback from your main supervisor. In addition, there is a summative assessment at the end of Year 1 and Year 2. The Year 2 summative assignment will be the end of the first stage of your studies. You must pass each summative assessment before you can progress to the next stage of your studies.

The assessment in Years 1 and 2 will focus on developing your literature review, refining your research questions and extended proposal for research, preparing you for Stage 2 of the programme. Stage 2 has a structured schedule of submission of formative assignments which will pace your through ‘work in progress’ pieces that work towards your thesis chapters and provide regular opportunities for feedback.

At the end of your research you must complete a 65,000-word thesis which you then defend to the satisfaction of the examiners via an oral examination. Your thesis must meet the expectations specified in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications .

The thesis must demonstrate the relationship between theory and practice in education (EdD) or health and social care (DHSC), and the ability to select and apply appropriate research methods.

Entry requirements

Am i eligible.

You can register for a Professional Doctorate from anywhere in the world.

Applicants should normally hold, or be expecting to obtain before the start of the degree in October, a Masters Degree in Education or in Health/Social Care, or a related discipline from a UK/EU university or another recognised degree-awarding body. Applicants should also have at least two years of relevant professional experience or, on the DHSC, informal expertise as a carer, expert patient or advocate.

In exceptional circumstances, we may accept applications from candidates without a masters degree, if they are able to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate research. This requires evidence of publications, written reports or previous research relevant to the nature and scope of the proposed work.

English language proficiency

To study with us, you will need to have a good command of English. If your first language is not English, you will need to verify your competence in the English Language in all four elements (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The University requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four categories (or approved equivalent). If you are an overseas student, you must have your level of proficiency certified through a provider approved by UK Visas and Immigration and provide your certificate and grade with your application.

If you need to prepare for an IELTS test, you may want to consider doing the free course Inside IELTS: Preparing for the Test with the Experts .

Find out how to apply .

Introducing our innovative Doctorate in Education (EdD).

By the end of the first year of my EdD, I felt confident enough to call myself a doctoral researcher. The more I study and discuss my research with my supervisor, the more I feel that I am poised to make a significant impact into the world of Higher Education. My supervisor is totally invested in the development of my investigations, and I look forward to our sessions as I always leave them inspired and energised.

I have really enjoyed the first two years of my DHSC. It’s been a long time since I had such a good opportunity to stop and think, which does feel like a luxury at times. The Covid-19 pandemic was a particular challenge to studying. However, the flexibility of OU study really came into its own, and the support of supervisors and the DHSC Team made it possible to get this far.

Your questions

For advice about applying for a research degree, or sponsoring a research student, email the Graduate School or call +44 (0)1908 653806.

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PhD Education / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

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Academic entry qualification overview

• Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 60% or above, a minimum mark of 60% in your dissertation (or overseas equivalent)

English language

• IELTS test minimum score - 7.0 overall, 7.0 in writing, 6.0 in other sections.
• TOEFL (internet based) test minimum score - 100 overall, 25 in all sections.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum score - 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections.
• To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
• Other tests may be considered.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the programme.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

The University requires you to reside within a commutable distance from Manchester during your time as a registered student, unless you are on approved fieldwork/a formal placement or are on a period of Submission pending. This is to ensure that you are able to meet attendance expectations and participate in wider research activities within your discipline area and/or School.

Professional doctorates

Transform your professional practice into a research degree

Find out how you could study for a Professional Doctorate – also known as a 'while-you-work doctorate' – at Portsmouth 

What is a professional doctorate?

Sometimes known as a 'while-you-work doctorate', Professional Doctorates are internationally-recognised qualifications, designed for working professionals in the private and public sectors with an active interest in work-based research.

Unlike a PhD, a professional doctorate is not a pathway towards a career in academia, but an opportunity to combine your professional practice with a research degree. That means you'll complete your doctorate – conducting research relating to your current organisation, and gaining the highest level of skills and knowledge – while continuing your career.

Professional Doctorates involve both text-based study and action research. They're assessed through coursework and a final assessment in the form of a doctoral level, research-based thesis, which also includes a viva voce (oral defence).

See our professional doctorates

Explore our full list of available professional doctorates here.

• Doctorate in Biomedical Science (DBMS)
• Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctorate in Criminal Justice Studies (DCrimJ)
• Doctorate in Education (EdD)
• Doctorate in Health Science (DHealthSci)
• Doctorate in Medical Imaging (DMedImg)
• Doctorate in Nursing (DNursing)
• Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm)
• Doctorate in Security Risk Management (DSyRM)
• Doctorate in Social Work (DSW)
• Doctorate in Sport, Exercise and Health Science
• Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Fees and funding

The cost of our professional doctorates can be found on the individual doctorate pages – click the course you'd like to study from the list above to see the full-time and part-time costs, for UK, EU and international students.

And to explore the ways in which you can fund your professional doctorate, visit our page on funding your research degree .

How to apply

Before you contact us about any of our professional doctorate courses, you'll need to have the following documentation ready:

• A personal statement
• An outline of the research topic
• Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
• Details of 2 referees or 2 references on official headed paper, one of which should be an academic reference
• Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language)
• An up-to-date copy of your CV

You can then apply for our Professional Doctorates directly from their respective course pages – choose the relevant course from the list above to start.

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Postgraduate Research

Where better to start your career in research than here at Hull, one of the UK’s leading research universities 1 ?

Come and join our community of researchers, including some of our most inspirational world-leading academics. 

As well as continuing to be part of Hull’s supportive and welcoming community, you’ll benefit from a thriving, vibrant and supportive research environment, with dedicated support and resources for PhD students. Our postgraduate research students rated us highly in the 2023 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey:

• We’re 10 th  in the UK for satisfaction with Professional Development activities.
• We’re 13 th  in UK for PGR satisfaction with their Research Community.
• 9 out of 10 Postgraduate Research students are satisfied with their research supervision.

What’s more, we offer a number of  funded PhD scholarships  for UK students, so you can get paid to pursue your research passion.

Choose your area of study

Funded opportunities

Doctoral College

“I have developed as a person and this study has opened up many desirable career opportunities that I didn’t have before.” Timea Tallodi, PhD in Workplace Mediation

“I have grown more confident in my ability to undertake quality research because of the training I received at Hull. I feel a sense of accomplishment having finished my MSc, and I look forward to my PhD.” Samson Shittu, MSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Funding your studies

Postgraduate Training Scheme

Benefit from free events like the Thesis Boot Camp. Joining other PhD students at Hull, sessions include motivational talks, goal setting and strategies to help you get over that final hurdle, or kick-start your writing progress.

The library has an exclusive lounge for postgraduate research students and a dedicated skills team to provide a wide range of study and research skills help.

The Doctoral College runs a regular postgraduate writing support group, designed to help all of our research students make progress with academic writing. There are various exercises to get involved in, or you can come along and just write.

Thinking of applying, but don’t know where to start with your research proposal? See our top tips for writing a good research proposal

Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch

1  REF 2021

2  2023 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey for Postgraduate Research

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What qualification levels mean

England, wales and northern ireland.

There are 9 qualification levels.

Entry level

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels - 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

Entry level qualifications are:

• entry level award
• entry level certificate ( ELC )
• entry level diploma
• entry level English for speakers of other languages ( ESOL )
• entry level essential skills
• entry level functional skills
• Skills for Life

Level 1 qualifications are:

• first certificate
• GCSE - grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
• level 1 award
• level 1 certificate
• level 1 diploma
• level 1 ESOL
• level 1 essential skills
• level 1 functional skills
• level 1 national vocational qualification ( NVQ )
• music grades 1, 2 and 3

Level 2 qualifications are:

• CSE - grade 1
• GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
• intermediate apprenticeship
• level 2 award
• level 2 certificate
• level 2 diploma
• level 2 ESOL
• level 2 essential skills
• level 2 functional skills
• level 2 national certificate
• level 2 national diploma
• level 2 NVQ
• music grades 4 and 5
• O level - grade A, B or C

Level 3 qualifications are:

• access to higher education diploma
• advanced apprenticeship
• applied general
• international Baccalaureate diploma
• level 3 award
• level 3 certificate
• level 3 diploma
• level 3 ESOL
• level 3 national certificate
• level 3 national diploma
• level 3 NVQ
• music grades 6, 7 and 8

Level 4 qualifications are:

• certificate of higher education ( CertHE )
• higher apprenticeship
• higher national certificate ( HNC )
• level 4 award
• level 4 certificate
• level 4 diploma
• level 4 NVQ

Level 5 qualifications are:

• diploma of higher education ( DipHE )
• foundation degree
• higher national diploma ( HND )
• level 5 award
• level 5 certificate
• level 5 diploma
• level 5 NVQ

Level 6 qualifications are:

• degree apprenticeship
• degree with honours - for example bachelor of the arts ( BA ) hons, bachelor of science ( BSc ) hons
• graduate certificate
• graduate diploma
• level 6 award
• level 6 certificate
• level 6 diploma
• level 6 NVQ
• ordinary degree without honours

Level 7 qualifications are:

• integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering ( MEng )
• level 7 award
• level 7 certificate
• level 7 diploma
• level 7 NVQ
• master’s degree, for example master of arts ( MA ), master of science ( MSc )
• postgraduate certificate
• postgraduate certificate in education ( PGCE )
• postgraduate diploma

Level 8 qualifications are:

• doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy ( PhD or DPhil )
• level 8 award
• level 8 certificate
• level 8 diploma

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