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Studying part-time

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Students accepted for a part-time postgraduate degree at Cambridge will need to check what visa support can be provided for their particular programme as this can vary depending on the attendance requirements and structure.

The information on this page is relevant to part-time postgraduate degrees. If you will be undertaking part-time study at a different level, or on a non-credit course or non-degree award-bearing programme, you are advised to contact the relevant Department, Faculty or Institution at the University to check whether visa support is possible for the course you intend to do.

If you already have a UK immigration status that permits you to undertake your course of study, you will be asked to provide evidence of this during the admissions process. If it is confirmed you can undertake the programme with this status, the information on this page will not be relevant unless your existing immigration permission does not cover the length of your course. In this scenario, you will need to consider what you intend to do when it expires and the information on this page may be relevant. You will need to provide evidence to the University of continued valid immigration permission that allows study, in accordance with the University's Home Office compliance requirements. Pending applications and permissions granted in expired passport may need to be verified with the Home Office. 

Part-time degree courses where attendance is required for short teaching sessions

Students on part-time courses longer than 6 months where the majority of the time is spent outside the UK and attendance in Cambridge is only required for short teaching sessions can be supported under the visitor immigration route. This includes part-time degrees at the Institute of Continuing Education, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and some courses at Cambridge Judge Business School. Examples of programmes include Cambridge Executive MBA, Master of Accounting (MAcc) and Master of Studies (MSt). These courses are not eligible for student visa sponsorship due to the structure and attendance arrangements, and it is not possible to take individual circumstances into consideration. 

Prospective students should ensure they are familiar with the restrictions of studying with a visitor immigration status as outlined on our short period of study page. These courses cannot be sponsored for a student visa.

Part-time PhD programmes

Part-time PhD students visit Cambridge for short periods of attendance under the visitor immigration route. Students will be based overseas, studying for the majority of their time outside of the UK and only intend to come to Cambridge for short periods for certain activities across the year. From a visa perspective, attendance arrangements are considered to be study via distance learning and it is not expected for students to be in the UK for an extended period of time, or undertake frequent and successive visits. Prospective students should ensure they are familiar with the restrictions of this immigration status as outlined on our short period of study page.

The University will only sponsor a student visa for a part-time PhD if the reason for studying part-time, rather than the equivalent full-time option, is owing to a disability. In these circumstances, the student is expected to be based in Cambridge for the majority of the course and engaging with their studies. If this is applicable, students should ensure they read the responsibilities guide on a part-time student visa to understand the requirements and restrictions. This visa does not permit any work or allow dependant family members to live in the UK. 

Current PhD students considering changing from full-time to part-time study should read the information under ‘Changing your mode of study' on our  Changes in Circumstances  page. 

Part-time MPhil or MRes programmes

International students who are admitted onto an MPhil or MRes degree and require visa sponsorship are expected to study full-time. The University will only sponsor a student visa for a part-time MPhil or MRes if the reason for studying part-time is owing to a disability, or if the programme does not have a full-time equivalence. In these circumstances, the student is expected to be based in Cambridge for the majority of the course and engaging with their studies. If this is applicable, students should ensure they read the responsibilities guide on a part-time student visa to understand the requirements and restrictions. This visa does not permit any work or allow dependant family members to live in the UK. 

The frequency of required attendance, structure and length of these degrees mean students would not normally be able to study under visitor immigration permission. It may, however, be possible to consider this on a case by case basis for study on a part-time research Masters if the student will mainly be based overseas for their studies and it is agreed only short periods of attendance in Cambridge are required. 

Master of Education (MEd)

Students who will be studying part-time on most MEd routes in the Faculty of Education can be sponsored by the University for a part-time student visa. This will enable students to be based in the UK during their studies but the  requirements and restrictions  of the visa should be considered prior to accepting an offer of admission. Students who do not hold a UK or Irish passport will be required to provide evidence of a student visa or an alternative UK visa which permits study on a course of more than 6 months, in order to commence the course. MEd Transforming Practice has different attendance requirements and cannot be sponsored for a student visa; attendance at teaching sessions is supported under the visitor route . 

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• Part Time PhDs – Everything You Need To Know
• Types of Doctorates

Introduction

Whilst the core activities of a part time PhD are identical of that to a full time PhD, its arrangement is different. This difference is not only in programme duration but also in fees and funding opportunities. In addition to this, part time study also has different benefits and challenges. Therefore, whilst your personal situation may not be ideal for a full time PhD, it could be perfect for a part time one. We’ve outlined these differences as well as the pros and cons of part time study to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Why Do a Part Time PhD?

Undertaking a part time PhD can be a great option for you if you fall into one of the four categories:

• Financial – a part time PhD provides the opportunity to earn whilst you study. Although you could secure a full time studentship, the stipend it offers may not be enough in all cases, for example, if you’re financially responsible for multiple family members.
• Career – working individuals, especially those who have already advanced several stages in their career, may opt for a Professional Doctorate. A Professional Doctorate is equivalent to a part time PhD, but focuses on a specific professional practice relevant to the individual. It’s usually undertaken when you wish to apply research skills in a professional environment or become more specialised in your industry.
• Caring obligations – part time study offers a greater deal of flexibility compared to its full time equivalent. This can be desirable in situations where the individual has considerable caring obligations, such as a young family.
• Intensity – many students feel that a pursuing a research degree over a longer period of time drastically lowers the intensity of postgraduate study. Part time PhD hours per week are typically around half that of its full time equivalent. This can come with a wide range of physical and mental health benefits.

Part Time PhD Fees

The average tuition fee for part time PhD study in the UK is approximately £2,356 per academic year for home students, and between £8,000 to £12,500 for international students.

This is typically 50% of the fee charged for an equivalent full time doctorate. However, a handful of universities use a prorated fee of up to 60% so it’s important to check the individual fees for each university you are applying to. These additional costs usually cover the admin/overhead fees associated with your time at the university.

Besides the tuition fee, there are several other costs which you need to account for. You can learn about these costs in our full cost breakdown of UK PhDs .

Part Time PhD Funding and Scholarships

As a part time student, most universities will expect you to fund your own studies. This is because nearly all part-time students will work a paying job alongside their studies which can be used to support their education.

However, you may still apply to department or university funding opportunities such as subject-specific bursaries. Besides this, external bodies such as Research Councils , research charities and industrial institutions also offer grants and PhD studentships for research projects related to their field. It’s worth remembering these opportunities are usually very limited and are awarded based on a candidates strength and not their personal situation.

One benefit of selecting a research project related to your employer is that it opens an additional opportunity for funding. It’s not uncommon for an employer to contribute to an employee’s tuition fee if there is a mutual benefit to be had.

How Long Is a Part Time PhD?

The average duration of part time PhDs in the UK is between 6 to 7 years. This is double a full time doctorate.

Universities also set registration periods which limit the minimum and maximum amount of time you can be enrolled in a course. For doctorates, the minimum duration is usually 4 years and the maximum 8 years.

How Many Working Hours per Week?

You will be expected to work half the number of hours of a full time student. Although full time students are expected to work 35 hours a week, in reality, most will work closer to 40 – 45 hours. Therefore, you’ll be expected to dedicate approximately 20 hours each week towards your degree.

However, you won’t always be able to achieve this many hours due to your other commitments. Therefore, working to a frequent and consistent schedule will be more important. Working on your research in irregular intervals or whenever time permits will be an inefficient approach – it’s far better, plus psychologically easier, to commit to a consistent schedule. Though your PhD supervisor may be able to offer guidance in this regard, ultimately the PhD is yours to shape.

Most part time programmes will also have some doctoral training courses with fixed dates, especially those which are organised by industry experts or visiting lecturers. There may also be time restrictions to be aware of if you are a postgraduate researcher involved in laboratory work, particularly where special equipment is needed as this may be rented by the university research centre and only available during certain times in the year.

Part Time PhDs for International Students

If you are an international student wishing to undertake a part time PhD programme in a foreign country, you will need to meet additional requirements.

For example, to study in the UK, you will need to secure both a work visa and a stable job. This is to prove that you can support yourself throughout the full length of your course. Unfortunately, even if you’re able to secure departmental or external funding, you won’t be able to use this to prove an income. Additionally, an international PhD student in the UK will need to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the application process. These entry requirements apply whether the overseas student is pursuing a PhD part-time or for full-time studies.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Challenges of a Part Time PhD

It’s generally accepted that undertaking a PhD part time is more challenging than undertaking it full time.

Age – although this shouldn’t be a factor, we know it can cause concern for some. If you have already been working for several years, you may find that some of your research colleagues or academic staff members are the same age or younger than yourself. This could cause apprehension or cultural issues if you fail to keep an open mind.

Detachment – as a research student, you’ll often doubt whether you’re working on the right thing or making sufficient progress. You can expect this feeling to be compounded if you’re studying on a part time basis. This is because you’ll have less interaction with your department, peers and supervisor given you won’t always be on campus.

Time management – juggling a career or significant family obligations with the demanding requirements of a doctoral degree can take its toll. Over the 6 to 7 years, you’ll no doubt encounter periods when your external commitments require more of your time, whether its intensive projects or the need for frequent travel associated with part time courses. During these times there is potential for your research to slip, or worse, become an unwanted burden.

Motivation – having to balance your time and focus with your other commitments can make it difficult to immerse yourself in your research. This often results in a lack of ‘momentum’, which coupled with a journey that’s twice as long, increases the risk of your passion fading out. Unfortunately, because of this, many supervisors observe the drop-out rate of part time students to be greater than that of their full time peers. This isn’t due to a lack of dedication or commitment, but due to the individual no longer being able to balance several demanding obligations without jeopardising their mental or physical well-being.

Funding opportunity availability – as mentioned earlier, since part-time applicants are able to work alongside their studies, there are fewer funding opportunities available to them.

Relevancy – as your doctoral study will take 6 to 7 years to complete, there is a risk that your research will no longer be relevant. This could be for several reasons. For example:

• An individual may be working on a research project very similar to yours. Assuming they are working full time and complete their project before you, it could render your project ‘unoriginal’ depending on the amount of overlap between your findings. It is important to discuss this with potential supervisors who may be aware of similar PhD projects being undertaken.
• New technology or knowledge may be developed which renders your original research question obsolete if the premise it was built on becomes ’outdated’.
• New observations could be made which have the potential to jeopardise your work. For example, a new study may be published which identifies significant limitations behind a method outlined in your research proposal. This would cast serious doubt into the validity of your research findings, and in some cases, may require you to start over with an alternative method.

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PhD Education / Overview

Year of entry: 2025

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• 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)

Full entry requirements

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Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 20 January 2025.

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.

• For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025

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For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £6,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £22,000
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £3,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £11,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Your fees will cover the cost of your study at the University, as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and graduation (excluding graduation robe hire).

Payment of tuition fees will also entitle you to membership of The University of Manchester library, the Students' Union and the Athletic Union.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Environment, Education and Development studentships is 20 January 2025.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships 2025 Entry
• School of Environment, Education and Development Postgraduate Research Studentships 2025 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme 2025 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards 2025 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2025 Entry
• School of Environment, Education and Development Enhancing Racial Equality (SERE) Studentship 2025 Entry

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Part-time study

MPhil, PhD, DHSC and EdD degrees are all available for part-time study. MPhil and PhD students are normally required to be resident in the UK, whereas the DHSC and EdD programme is available to students living anywhere in the world.

Studying part-time may be more convenient if you need to balance your studies with work and family commitments. Part-time students are supported by their supervisors and can access a wide range of virtual services and facilities, including the rich online resources of the world-class OU Library, Research Skills training modules, and live training and meetings via Microsoft Teams.

Access to tailored online spaces and communities provides a rich source of links to streamed events and training resources.

If you study for a PhD, you will be encouraged to come to campus for meetings, seminars and events in your research area, to make sure you can get the full benefit of integrating into the research environment. If you study for a Professional Doctorate, you will need to come to campus for residential weekends.

Can I work while I study?

There is no limit to the number of hours part-time students can work. Part-time students are expected to commit to spending a minimum of 18.5 hours a week on study.

How long does a part-time research degree take?

The time to complete your degree may vary. However, the minimum registration period for a part-time PhD is 48 months (4 years) while the maximum is 96 months (8 years). For part-time MPhil students, the minimum registration period is 30 months while the maximum is 72 months. If you are applying for a funded studentship, you should check the funding duration as this may be shorter than the maximum registration period.

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