phd qualification level uk

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Education and learning
Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work

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

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

Undergraduate courses
Events and open days
Fees and finance
Postgraduate courses
How to apply
Postgraduate events
Fees and funding
International students
Continuing education
Executive and professional education
Courses in education
How the University and Colleges work
Term dates and calendars
Visiting the University
Annual reports
Equality and diversity
A global university
Public engagement
Give to Cambridge
For Cambridge students
For our researchers
Business and enterprise
Colleges & departments
Email & phone search
Museums & collections
Course Directory
Qualification types

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Postgraduate Study

Why Cambridge overview
Chat with our students
Cambridge explained overview
The supervision system
Student life overview
In and around Cambridge
Leisure activities
Student unions
Music awards
Student support overview
Mental health and wellbeing
Disabled students
Accommodation
Language tuition
Skills training
Support for refugees
Courses overview
Department directory
Funded studentships
Part-time study
Research degrees
Visiting students
Finance overview
Fees overview
What is my fee status?
Part-time fees
Application fee
Living costs
Funding overview
Funding search
How to apply for funding
University funding overview
Research Councils (UKRI)
External funding and loans overview
Funding searches
External scholarships
Charities and the voluntary sector
Funding for disabled students
Widening participation in funding
Colleges overview
What is a College?
Choosing a College
Terms of Residence
Applying overview
Before you apply
Entry requirements
Application deadlines
How do I apply? overview
Application fee overview
Application fee waiver
Life Science courses
Terms and conditions
Continuing students
Disabled applicants
Supporting documents overview
Academic documents
Finance documents
Evidence of competence in English
Terms and Conditions
Applicant portal and self-service
After you apply overview
Confirmation of admission
Student registry
Previous criminal convictions
Deferring an application
Updating your personal details
Appeals and Complaints
Widening participation
Postgraduate admissions fraud
International overview
Immigration overview
ATAS overview
Applying for an ATAS certificate
Current Cambridge students
International qualifications
Competence in English overview
What tests are accepted?
International events
International student views overview
Akhila’s story
Alex’s story
Huijie’s story
Kelsey’s story
Nilesh’s story
Get in touch!
Events overview
Upcoming events
Postgraduate Open Days overview
Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD Study webinars
Virtual tour
Research Internships
How we use participant data
Postgraduate Newsletter

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.

Term Information

Explanation of terms, postgraduate admissions office.

Admissions Statistics
Start an Application
Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

Bringing a family
Current Postgraduates
Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Contact the University
Accessibility
Freedom of information
Privacy policy and cookies
Statement on Modern Slavery
University A-Z
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Research news
About research at Cambridge
Spotlight on...

My Account |
StudentHome |
TutorHome |
IntranetHome |
Contact the OU Contact the OU Contact the OU |
Accessibility Accessibility

Postgraduate

International
News & media
Business & apprenticeships
Contact Contact Contact
A to Z of courses
Course types
Masters degrees
Postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate certificates
Microcredentials
Postgraduate modules
Postgraduate distance learning
Postgraduate qualifications
Postgraduate entry requirements
How will I study?
Tutors and assessment
Support, networking and community
Disability support
Fees and funding
Postgraduate loan
Credit or debit card
Employer sponsorship
Mixed payments
Credit transfer
OU bursaries
Grant funding
Study costs funding
Carers' Bursary
Care Experienced Bursary
Disability financial assistance
STEMM bursary
Over 60s bursary
Creative Writing Scholarship
Hayes Postgraduate Scholarship
Disabled Veterans' Scholarships
How to apply
Research degrees
Research areas
Degrees we offer
Fees and studentships
Application process
Being an OU research student
Student views

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What is a phd.

A PhD is a Doctorate of Philosophy, a prestigious qualification which is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve, demonstrating talent, academic excellence and a thirst for knowledge. In a modern knowledge-based economy, highly educated and skilled people such as doctoral graduates, are in great demand. They form the most highly educated and skilled group in the UK and internationally. Many will go on to use their skills within academia or in research-intensive occupations in industry. However, there will be others who will draw on their research background and the skills gained through a doctoral degree in a wide variety of other occupations. Examples of the type of employment opportunities taken up by PhD holders can be found at Vitae: researcher careers .

What will I get from a PhD?

You will get a huge sense of personal achievement. Our doctoral training programme will help you develop transferable skills that will be invaluable in your subsequent career. The research techniques and methodologies you master will enable you to make a direct contribution to the advancement of knowledge in your particular subject area.

Successful candidates are awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and are permitted to use the title ‘Dr’.

How does it work?

The maximum registration for a PhD programme is four years with full-time study, or eight years with part-time study.

All PhD students are initially registered for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and the PhD registration is confirmed after the successful completion of an upgrade assessment (at the end of year 1 for full-time students and year 2 for part-time study). You will be registered for a PhD when you pass this upgrade. Your academic progress will be monitored throughout your degree studies, via formal progress reports and regular meetings with your supervisors.

You complete a body of primary, novel research and submit a doctoral thesis of up to 100,000 words, which you then defend via an oral examination (the viva) to the satisfaction of the examiners. Your thesis must meet the expectations specified in the Quality Code .

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary according to the research topic and/or specific studentships. The normal minimum entrance requirement is an upper second class honours degree or masters degree, relevant to the proposed area of study, from a recognised higher education institution in the UK or other recognised degree-awarding body. The comparability of qualifications from outside the UK with The Open University requirements will be determined through reference to UK ENIC .

The research topic pages (within research areas ) give details of specific entry requirements, and provide contact details to discuss your suitability for the PhD.

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 demonstrate 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.

Application closing dates

Entry may be permitted for direct registration with The Open University at the following points of year: October and February. This ensures that students benefit from development and training in peer groups. For further information on how to apply, see our Application process section. Application deadlines may differ between research topics and studentships; full details of topic application period is detailed in the topic page (within research areas ).

PhD student, Hannah Sargeant. Her research is focussed on water production from Moon rocks as part of the ProSPA instrument that will be flown to the Moon in 2025.

My PhD journey so far has been a wonderful learning experience that made me reflect upon my beliefs and stretch my thinking.

The sweetest thing about the PhD is that you’ve worked hard for it. It is an opportunity to make an original contribution to an academic area I have always found fascinating.

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.

The Open University

Study with us
Supported distance learning
Funding your studies
International students
Global reputation
Apprenticeships
Develop your workforce
Contact the OU

Undergraduate

Arts and Humanities
Art History
Business and Management
Combined Studies
Computing and IT
Counselling
Creative Writing
Criminology
Early Years
Electronic Engineering
Engineering
Environment
Film and Media
Health and Social Care
Health and Wellbeing
Health Sciences
International Studies
Mathematics
Mental Health
Nursing and Healthcare
Religious Studies
Social Sciences
Social Work
Software Engineering
Sport and Fitness
Postgraduate study
Masters in Art History (MA)
Masters in Computing (MSc)
Masters in Creative Writing (MA)
Masters degree in Education
Masters in Engineering (MSc)
Masters in English Literature (MA)
Masters in History (MA)
Master of Laws (LLM)
Masters in Mathematics (MSc)
Masters in Psychology (MSc)
A to Z of Masters degrees
Accessibility statement
Conditions of use
Privacy policy
Cookie policy
Manage cookie preferences
Modern slavery act (pdf 149kb)

Follow us on Social media

Student Policies and Regulations
Student Charter
System Status
Contact the OU Contact the OU
Modern Slavery Act (pdf 149kb)

Imperial College London Imperial College London

Looking for funding?

Use our scholarships search tool to look for available scholarships. Also explore our latest funded PhD vacancies .

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common type of doctoral degree and the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve.

It normally takes between three and four years of full-time work to complete. It is also possible to undertake a PhD part time, over five to six years.

The main activity of a PhD is to carry out an original research project under the direction of one or more supervisors, to be written up as a thesis.

Different routes to achieving a PhD

There are a number of ways to achieving a PhD at Imperial:

by undertaking a course of study based on your own research proposal
by joining a research project that comes with funding attached (known as a studentship)
by combining it with Master's study in an integrated route that typically lasts four years

Pursuing your own research idea

To search for PhD opportunities based on your own research proposal you first need to identify a research group within Imperial whose area of expertise best matches your idea.

Use the links below to search the different PhD opportunities within our academic departments, centres and institutes. This includes information about current studentships and often guidance on finding a supervisor.

Our interdisciplinary approach means our expertise often spans departmental boundaries – and so do our courses – so you may find opportunities in an unexpected area of the university.

Faculty of Engineering

Aeronautics
Bioengineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
School of Design Engineering
Earth Science and Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Medicine

Department of Brain Sciences
Department of Immunology and Inflammation
Department of Infectious Disease
Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction
Department of Surgery and Cancer
National Heart and Lung Institute
School of Public Health

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Life Sciences
Mathematics
Centre for Environmental Policy

Imperial College Business School

Doctoral programme

Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

PhD in Arabic, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish Studies
PhD in science communication studies

Global Challenge institutes

We have six Global Challenge institutes, which were created to address some of society's biggest challenges.

If you have an idea for a PhD that falls within the remit of one of our Global Challenge institutes please contact them directly to discuss before making a formal application.

Data Science Institute
Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment
Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering
Institute for Security Science and Technology
Institute of Global Health Innovation

Energy Futures Lab does not offer PhD programmes, but does deliver the MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures .

Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies | Imperial College London-Technical University of Munich

We have recently formed a strategic partnership in education, research and innovation with the Technical University of Munich, one of Germany’s most international and entrepreneurial universities, producing highly ranked research, like Imperial, in science, engineering and medicine.

As part of the partnership, Imperial and TUM have launched a 'Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies' with the aim of co-developing cross-disciplinary clusters of PhD students who will have access to world-leading academic supervisors and state-of-the art facilities at both institutions.

The first round of the programme will focus on the theme of 'Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Robotics'.

Find out more about the Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies and apply

We value your privacy

We use cookies to allow this site to work for you, improve your user experience, and to serve you advertising tailored to your interests. Let us know if you agree to all cookies. You can manage your preferences at any time

Your Privacy

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

The shortcut to your shortlist

Make your university search faster and less stressful. Get a personalised shortlist by selecting what matters to you.

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

Popular universities

University of Kent
University of East Anglia UEA
University of Chester
Coventry University
University of Aberdeen
University of Portmouth
Nottingham Trent University
University of Sunderland
London Metropolitan University
London South Bank University
University of East London
BROWSE ALL UNIVERSITIES

Course search

Popular undergraduate courses.

Computer Science
LLB Bachelor of Laws
Biomedical Sciences
Physiotherapy
Sports Science

Open days search

Upcoming open days.

Ravensbourne University London
University of Glasgow
University of Gloucestershire

Article search

What is a PhD?

Are you considering a phd degree we take a look at what a phd is, how long it takes and how you can go about getting one..

What’s a PhD?

What does phd stand for, how long is a phd, how much does a phd cost, how to get a phd, can you do a phd without a master’s, is a phd worth it.

A PhD is the highest postgraduate-level qualification offered by universities in the UK. It’s for those who are looking to build on what they studied during their master’s degree, or for those currently working who wish to research a particular area within their field.

PhDs are research-based degrees. The student comes up with an original research question, often in collaboration with a university professor, and explores that topic in depth. At the end of the degree a final thesis is produced that could range from 40,000 to 120,000 words.

The number of students enrolling in PhD degrees is increasing year-on-year. From 2015/16 to 2019/20 enrolments increased by 2.9%, according to 2019/20 HESA data on student enrolments . This highlights the growing interest in and demand for the postgraduate qualification.

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. You’ll often find this abbreviated to just ‘Doctorate’ as a PhD falls under the umbrella of doctorate degrees.

They vary in length, based on what you decide to research and whether you choose to study part-time or full-time. Full-time PhD students often take three or four years, with part-time students taking up to seven. Some universities even offer deadline extensions of up to four years.

You can expect to pay anywhere from £3,000 to £6,000 per year. This applies to all UK and EU students, with other international students paying more. Most PhD students fund their degree through scholarships, bursaries, and grants. Many UK research organisations also offer studentships through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) , which can be another form of funding.

Bursaries and scholarships
Postgraduate funding

Having a strong interest in a particular subject is the first step to a PhD. You’ll either be applying for an already funded project being offered by a university, or you’ll be pitching your own research proposal. Admissions teams want to see your dedication and enthusiasm, so make sure you’re passionate about the subject first.

Universities tend to list available research projects and who’ll be supervising them on their website. Don’t hesitate to contact any professors you know that are doing research in an area you’re interested in. They may have a PhD position available they haven’t yet advertised.

When applying, you’ll need a:

Cover letter
Research proposal (if pitching an original research idea)
Reference (may be asked to provide three people, who know you in an academic setting or can comment on your research capability)

Use your application as a chance to really convey your passion for the subject. It’s important to expand on your interest, explain why you have that interest and cite examples of you pursuing this interest through past experiences. You’ll be studying for at least three to four years and the admissions teams will want to make sure you’ll be dedicated.

Yes, but this will depend on the course you’re applying for and what previous experience you have. Most PhD degrees will require you to have completed a master’s degree or equivalent, but exceptions can be made if you can demonstrate your capability. Universities want to see that you’re passionate, hard-working, and determined.

This is up to you and your career aspirations. Consider how important it is that you have a doctorate degree and what contribution it’ll make to your future.

Boost your employability

Many choose to do a PhD because it’ll increase their chances of employment. This’ll depend on what you want to study and what industry you want to work in, but doing so could increase your job prospects. Recent data from HESA on graduate activities by level of qualification found that 78.9% of doctorate students were employed upon graduating in the academic years 2017/18 to 2019/20. Only 3.4% were unemployed.

Helps you pursue an academic career

Many students use a PhD as a pathway into academia, progressing into full-time roles at a university or other higher education institution. This could be as a professor, researcher, or other role. PhD students are often employed by the university while they study, helping in lectures, labs, tutorials or as research assistants.

Make a significant contribution to your field

Doctorate degrees offer the opportunity to explore an original research question and advance your knowledge in your chosen field. It's a satisfying position to be in and comes with recognition from your peers. This could also open up a wealth of further research to be explored by either you or your peers.

Develop a range of transferrable skills

Through a doctorate degree you’ll learn a range of invaluable skills, transferrable beyond your studies. These can include:

Project management
Time management
Independence
Writing and presentation skills
Communication skills
Research skills
Teaching others

NHS nurses talking about their experience and role

Study Nursing, why & how to study

Read about studying Nursing and what it’s like to be a nurse – to see if it could be the...

Fresh vegetables in woman head symbolising health nutrition and diet

Study Dietetics, why & how to study

Promote healthier living with the skills you gain on a Dietetics course. Find out about...

Study Radiography, Why & How To Study 

Study Radiotherapy and you could play a vital role in diagnosing or treating patients...

Is this page useful?

Sorry about that..., how can we improve it, thanks for your feedback.

Log in
Site search

What is a PhD?

As the highest degree level achievable at university, completing a PhD shows that you've made a meaningful new contribution to your chosen research field

PhDs at a glance

Involves three or four years of full-time study, or up to seven part time.
Typically undertaken after achieving a Masters degree.
Can either be funded or self-funded.
Assessed through a written thesis and oral exam.
Many Doctoral graduates choose to pursue an academic or research career.

What is the meaning of PhD?

The term PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'philosophiae doctor'.

A PhD degree typically involves students independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, before producing a publication-worthy thesis.

While some Doctorates include taught components, PhD students are almost always assessed on the quality and originality of the argument presented in their independent research project.

How long is a PhD in the UK?

Full-time PhDs usually last for three or four years, while part-time PhDs can take up to six or seven. However, the thesis deadline can be extended by up to four years at the institution's discretion. Indeed, many students who enrol on three-year PhDs only finish their thesis in their fourth year.

While most PhD studentships begin in September or October, both funded and self-funded PhDs can be undertaken at any point during the year.

If you're planning on studying for a PhD abroad, take a look at our individual country profiles .

Do I need a Masters to do a PhD?

The majority of institutions require PhD candidates to possess a Masters degree , plus a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above. However, some universities demand only the latter, while self-funded PhD students or those with significant professional experience may also be accepted with lower grades.

You may need to initially register for a one or two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Master of Research (MRes) degree rather than a PhD. If you make sufficient progress, you and your work will then be 'upgraded' to a PhD programme. If not, you may be able to graduate with a Masters degree.

If you need an MPhil or MRes before enrolling on your PhD, search Masters degrees .

What does a PhD involve?

A standard PhD degree is typically split into three stages. A three-year PhD may follow this pattern:

First year - You'll meet with your supervisor to discuss your research proposal and agree an action plan with deadlines. You'll then complete your literature review, in which you'll evaluate and critique existing works to inform the direction of your project and ensure that your research will be original.
Second year - Your focus will shift to gathering results and developing your thesis, and potentially begin writing chapters of your thesis. You may also present your results and ideas at academic conferences, gain teaching experience, collaborate with other students on similar projects, communicate the benefits of your research to the general public through workshops, lectures and presentations, or submit work for publication in an academic journal or book.
Third year - Primarily involves writing your thesis, though your research may still be in progress. After your supervisor gives their approval, you'll submit your thesis before undertaking a one to three-hour oral exam ( viva voce ) in which you'll discuss and defend your thesis in the presence of at least one internal and external examiner.

How do I find a PhD?

As a PhD is different to other degrees, you're committing to more than simply an advanced qualification. You've chosen to engage in a large-scale independent research project and so you'll need to take into account a range of factors that will drive your search.

A methodical approach to the process is required and you'll need to consider the subject you're interested in carrying out research in and the type of Doctorate you're looking for, making sure this is the right project for you. Only when you're fully prepared and have a good idea of your research proposal should you search for PhD opportunities .

What other types of Doctorate are there?

Alternative types of PhD include:

Higher Doctorate - These are usually granted on the recommendation of a committee of internal and external examiners, which assesses a portfolio of published, peer-reviewed research you've undertaken over the course of many years. This type of Doctorate is usually for those with several years of academic experience. Common award titles include the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL), Doctor of Divinity (DD), Doctor of Literature/Letters (DLit/DLitt/LitD/LittD), Doctor of Music (DMus/MusD), Doctor of Science (DS/SD/DSc/ScD) and Doctor of Law (LLD).
Integrated/New Route PhD - This four-year PhD course is offered by over 30 universities and involves taking a one-year MRes before studying a three-year PhD. It combines taught elements with independent research, allowing students to learn different methodologies while building their transferable skills.
Professional Doctorate - Geared towards students of vocational subjects such as medicine, education and engineering, professional Doctorates are focused on teaching and so normally involve smaller research projects and thesis component. They're often favoured by those aiming for a career outside of academia and are usually supported by employers.

How much does a PhD cost?

Tuition fees vary, but usually fall between £3,000 and £6,000 per year for UK students and those from the European Union (EU) with settled status. UK Research Councils pay universities £4,596 per year (from 2022/23) on behalf of each funded PhD student, so this gives a good indication of the average figure.

For EU students looking to pursue a Doctorate in 2022/23, you'll need to have gained settled or pre-settled status to be eligible for student finance - see PhD loans .

Non-EU students may pay considerably more for their tuition fees.

Despite this, many PhD students are now part or fully funded - scholarships and bursaries are widely available, and particular attention should be paid to Research Council grants .

PhD studentships and assistantships involving a mixture of research and teaching are also common, with scientific studentships usually paid at a higher rate.

How do I apply for a PhD?

Some students propose their own research area and apply for funding, while in some cases a supervisor may already have funding for a project and advertise it like a job. When making a PhD application, you'll typically be asked to submit:

an academic CV
your academic transcripts
two or three academic references
a personal statement
a research proposal.

International students without settled UK status looking to study certain courses in medicine, mathematics, engineering and material sciences are required to comply with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) . This involves undergoing a security clearance process with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. International students may also have to prove their English proficiency.

What can I do next?

Your ability to critically analyse, display intellectual maturity, and research independently and honestly is highly valued within academia and the workplace.

Many students who undertake a PhD get an academic job or become an industry researcher, possibly following the PhD with postdoctoral study, then a fellowship or lectureship.

Other career options will depend on your study area.

Discover what a PhD degree can lead to at your PhD, what next?

Find out more

Consider your PhD options at 5 routes to getting a Doctorate .
Get help with choosing your PhD supervisor .
Explore funding postgraduate study .

How would you rate this page?

On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like

Dislike 1 unhappy-very
Like 5 happy-very

Thank you for rating the 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.

.css-185owts{overflow:hidden;max-height:54px;text-indent:0px;} How to apply for a PhD in the US

Giulia Evolvi

Women in STEM: undertaking PhD research in cancer

Grace McGregor

PhD diary: Where do I begin?

Charlie Pullen

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

Discover more about this subject area

PhD Education / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

View full page

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.

Postgraduate Qualifications Explained

What's in a name? Postgraduate qualifications at UEA

Research with us
Postgraduate Research
What to expect from your PhD
Application Deadlines
How to write your research degree proposal
Latest PhDs and Research Studentships
How To Apply
Make An Enquiry
Find a PhD Supervisor
Studentships and Stipends
Stipends and Fee Levels
Self-Funded PhD Research
ARIES - Environmental Sciences
CHASE - Arts and Humanities
NRPDTP - Biosciences
Agri-FoRwArdS Researchers
Critical Decade for Climate Change Leverhulme Doctoral Scholars programme
EDESIA Supervisors
Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Research Studentships
EDESIA FAQs
EDESIA Case Studies
MRC DART iCASE - Antimicrobial Resistance
SENSS - Social Sciences
Environment
Funding and how to apply
Professional Doctorates
Postgraduate Research Themes

PhD by Publication

Master's by Research
Arts and Humanities Graduate School
Medicine and Health Graduate School
Science Graduate School
Social Sciences Graduate School
Earlham Institute
John Innes Centre
Quadram Institute Bioscience
The Sainsbury Laboratory
Training Programme
Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership
John Innes Centre /The Sainsbury Laboratory Rotation
EDESIA - Plants, Food and Health
University of Suffolk Graduate School
Training Pathways
Facilities for Postgraduate Researchers
Annual Reports
Meet our Research Students
New Students FAQs
Make an enquiry
How to Apply

There are many different types of postgraduate research degree. Each has its own type of qualification and an abbreviation to go with it.

This handy guide will help you choose the right type.

Master’s by Research – MA (Res), MSc (Res), LLM (Res)

Profd (health and social care).

Cookies on our website

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use our site. And we'd like to serve you some cookies set by other services to show you relevant content.

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.

Two PhD students walk through the School of Business, Management and Economic's Jubilee building at the University of Sussex

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.

Professional Doctorate in Education EdD

The EdD is a doctoral level qualification designed for professionals working within the education sector, providing a structured programme of advanced scholarship and research which is of equivalent level to the traditional PhD, but orientated towards professional practice.

Key information

4-6 years part-time
September 2024

Course information

Please select the page of your interest

Showing content for section Overview

The EdD is a doctoral level qualification designed for professionals working within the education sector. It provides a structured programme of advanced scholarship and research which is of equivalent level to the traditional PhD, but which is orientated towards professional practice.

The course is aimed at professionals across a range of educational contexts – including teachers, lecturers, learning support professionals, trainers, educational consultants and early years practitioners.

On this course you can:

Undertake a structured doctoral programme
Engage in explicit reflection on professional knowledge and practice
Experience peer learning and networking opportunities afforded by the cohort approach

Contact information

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Benefits of an EdD

Routes that Prof Doc graduates have pursued after successful completion of their studies include:

Head teacher
Educational consultant

The taught element of the programme is completed over two years and focuses on developing the knowledge and skills to enable you to successfully complete a doctoral level research project.

On successful completion of the taught phase and submission of a research proposal, you will be assigned a supervisory team to support you in the completion of your doctoral thesis.

What you'll study

Core modules, professionalism and professional practice - 30 credits chart your pathway to becoming an impact-driven professional and scholar through this reflective development module., educational research methods and ethics - 30 credits on this module, you will work towards developing a small-scale research project which can serve as a pilot for your thesis research..

You’ll cover philosophical, theoretical, methodological and ethical perspectives in educational research and showcase a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be used in educational contexts.

You’ll be expected to think about your own positioning as a researcher as well as to develop an understanding of research methods that will contribute to your doctoral thesis.

You’ll develop a two-part portfolio that will include an ethics application and research plan for conducting a small primary research project.

Publication, Dissemination And Impact - 30 credits In this module, you’ll explore the challenges of presenting, disseminating and publishing research to a range of academic and non-academic audiences.

The aim is to familiarise you with the dissemination and publication of research in academic and professional contexts, including journal articles and conference papers and to introduce other approaches, such as social media.

Research Proposal - 30 credits For this module, you’ll consolidate your learning on the course to produce a well-structured and achievable proposal for an independent research project.

You’ll identify and refine appropriate research questions to underpin your project, before critically evaluating the relevant academic and professional field of study to identify gaps in the research. You’ll critique the research methodology and methods for your project, and identify and appraise the ethical issues relating to your proposed project, before producing a formal research proposal.

Research Project - 360 credits This is the research phase of your EdD, and the module under which you’ll write your thesis advancing thought leadership around an education issue of personal and societal importance.

You’ll work closely with your supervisors to develop your 50,000 word doctoral thesis over the course of 2-4 years.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Teaching and assessment

The taught element of the course (year 1 and year 2) is delivered through workshops held on campus and through online discussions. The programme of the workshops includes seminars led by the course team and opportunities for interactive group work, to ensure you're supported to complete the assessments of the taught phase.

Workshops on campus take place on Friday afternoons and Saturdays in October and February. You'll also have access to our online learning platform, Moodle, which contains relevant links and resources and will enable discussions to continue between workshops. You'll also have a personal tutor to support you in the completion of your assessments.

The research element of the course (following validation of the two years of the taught phase) is based on independent research led under the supervision of experienced staff members. Additional research training opportunities are provided by our Graduate School.

You'll continue to have access to our library facilities, library support, study rooms and societies throughout the year.

Teaching staff

These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:

Media ready expert

Dr Jessica Massonnie

[email protected]

School of Education, Languages and Linguistics

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Dr Nikki Fairchild

Associate Professor in Creative Methodologies and Education

UoA Coordinator (Education)

[email protected]

Dr Matthew Round

Associate Head (External Accreditation)

[email protected]

How you're assessed

There is a wide variety of different assessments aimed at integrating academic knowledge and professional practice, including:

a reflective practice assignment
a small scale research project
a portfolio demonstrating suitable dissemination and impact strategies
a research proposal
a thesis viva voce examination

Entry requirements

September 2024 start.

An upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience, and demonstration of the ability to study at postgraduate level (60 level 7 credits, for example a PgCert, or equivalent). Applicants must be professionally engaged in the field of education in a way that enables them to achieve the programme learning outcomes. All applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees.

Home/CI part-time students: £3,400 p/a*

EU part-time students: £3,400 p/a* (including Transition Scholarship )
International part-time students: £9,050 p/a*

*All fees are subject to annual increase.

This course is eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan .

Tuition fees terms and conditions

How to apply

Before you start your application, you'll need to have the following documentation ready:

A research proposal and personal statement
Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
Proof of a relevant postgraduate degree with at least 60 credits having been completed
Details of 2 referees or 2 references on official headed paper, one of which should ideally 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

Apply now for 2024

Electronic and Electrical Engineering MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

We have a large and vibrant community of doctoral students researching a broad range of topics in electronic and electrical engineering. Our graduates are in high demand, going on to careers in industry, academic research, and permanent academic positions at top institutions. Many of our graduates now hold senior positions in the industry.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Entry requirements

A UK Master’s degree, or a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. The qualification may be in any relevant subject, e.g. electronic engineering, communication engineering, computer science, chemistry, materials science (the latter two for electronic materials research).

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance . This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Thanks to the breadth of research we carry out in the department, we offer doctorates across a wide range of topics in electronic and electrical engineering from nanotechnology and novel materials, to circuits and systems, radar, communications, photonics, optical networks and large-scale networks.

Who this course is for

Applicants should have a strong academic record in a relevant discipline, previous research experience, and be highly motivated and interested in continuing their research in the field of electronic and electrical engineering. If you are interested in joining us as a research student, we strongly encourage you to look at the EEE research pages to identify areas of interest to you. Selecting the correct research project or area of research interest is a hugely important first step, so we recommend that you contact potential supervisors directly to discuss possibilities before you apply.

What this course will give you

Our department is the oldest electronic engineering department in England and one of the most highly regarded and research active. Our research is at the cutting edge of the discipline and we have an enviable track record of exploiting our research in new technologies.

Our facilities are world-class with access to the state-of-the-art London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) and excellent in-house design and test facilities for radio frequency, radar, communications, optical networks, materials and photonics. On top of this, we also offer comprehensive training packages, dedicated staff, world-renowned academics, and support from UCL's graduate school.

The foundation of your career

Our graduates are in high demand, going on to careers in industry, as postdoctoral researchers and, in many cases, continuing to permanent academic positions at leading educational institutions.

Graduates from this programme have taken up positions at companies such as Cisco Meraki, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia-Siemens, Barclays, Toshiba, Microsoft, European Space Agency and Deutsche Telekom, with some progressing to Directorships. A significant number use the PhD as a stepping stone to careers in other sectors, including management consultancy and finance. Several have started up their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs.

Our graduates have also become successful academics and researchers at institutions including the University of Liverpool, Queen Mary, University of London, University of British Columbia, National University of Singapore, Aston University, City University, University of Hokkaido and at UCL.

Several have been awarded prestigious fellowships, including Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society University Fellowships, Leverhulme Trust Early Career Awards and EPSRC Fellowships.

Employability

Graduates from this programme are highly employable. They are well-prepared for a career in industry or to conduct powerful, influential research in this multi-disciplinary field. Many have gone on to successful careers in large organisations, top academic institutions and founded their own start-up companies.

The EEE department is located in the heart of London and has deep industry connections. This provides unique and invaluable opportunities to students such as industry-supervised research projects, sponsored studentships, site visits, placements and invited talks from experts connected to the university. Events like our Festival of Research celebrate our industry collaborations, highlight our impacts and enable networking across students, researchers and industry.

We collaborate with institutions, organisations and academics world-wide across most of our postdoctoral provision, and our renowned academic team bring their own experience and expertise to the table.

Our doctoral students engage widely with the world outside academia via mechanisms including Knowledge Transfer (KT) programmes, public engagement and outreach activities. In the former case, we have seconded students to collaborating companies via KT studentships to carry out highly industrially-relevant work. These students are often employed by the company at the end of their PhD.

Teaching and learning

This MPhil/PhD programme provides a route for students to carry out their own research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Students will normally work within a research group, and closely with their supervisor(s), to develop each stage of their research. Throughout their degree, students will have regular meetings with their primary supervisor, contact with their secondary supervisor, and participation in group meetings.

Students initially register for an MPhil degree and transfer to the PhD programme after a year, pending success in a transfer/upgrade examination. For a successful upgrade to PhD, students must prepare a written report, give an oral presentation and pass an oral examination.

The final examination for a PhD degree is by the presentation of a thesis, which is assessed by both an external examiner (someone from outside UCL) and an internal examiner (from within UCL). The thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline.

This MPhil/PhD comprises mostly self-directed study under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Full-time study equates to 36.5 hours per week; pro-rata for part-time. During the research degree students will have regular meetings with their Primary Supervisor (at least once every month) and consult regularly with a Subsidiary Supervisor.

If a student has external funding, they should ensure they meet the Terms and Conditions of their funder in this regard.

Research areas and structure

Communications and information systems: telecommunication networks and services; wireless communications; IP networks; sensor networks; information security and retrieval
Electronic materials and devices: optical materials and electronic devices; quantum nanoelectronics; diamond electronics; laser processing; resistive switching
Optical networks: optoelectronic devices and systems; large scale optical networks; dense WDM optically routed networks; optical packet networks; high speed optical systems
Photonics: connected electronic and photonic systems; ultrafast photonic devices; wireless over fibre devices and systems; photonic generation of THz signals; advanced liquid crystal devices; uncooled and coherent wavelength division multiplex technology
Sensors, systems and circuits: radar and sonar; antennas and EM modelling; medical electronics; RFID systems; IC design.

Research environment

This department offers an exceptionally vibrant and innovative research environment for students. Our research spans a broad range of topics in electronic and electrical engineering with research groups specialising in Electronic Materials and Devices, Information and Communication Engineering, Optical Networks, Photonics, and Sensors Systems and Circuits. We collaborate widely, both with other departments in UCL, and with leading research groups and industrial partners around the world. This generates a highly stimulating environment that has led to brilliant careers for most of our graduating students.

The length of an MPhil/PhD in this department is normally three years’ full time. Full-time research degree students are required to register for an MPhil degree for not less than 9 months after initial registration. They must then fulfil academic requirements to upgrade to PhD degree no later than 12 months after initial registration. A full-time student must be registered for at least two calendar years before they will be allowed to submit their thesis for examination for the PhD.

The length of an MPhil/PhD in this department is normally five years part time. Part-time research students in this department are required to register for an MPhil degree for a minimum of 15 months after initial registration. They must then fulfil academic requirements to upgrade to PhD degree no later than 22 months after initial registration. A part-time student must be registered for at least three calendar years before they will be allowed to submit their thesis for examination for the PhD.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs.

As each PhD research project is unique in nature, additional costs related to consumables, equipment, materials, attending and presenting at conferences, poster printing, etc. will vary. Prospective students are advised to contact the project supervisor for more information on additional costs for specific research projects.

A student conference and travel fund is available to students within the department to help with costs associated with attending and presenting at conferences. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

A number of competitive EPSRC funded studentships are available each year for UK and EU students who meet residency requirements.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Deadlines and start dates may be dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In most cases you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application. For more information see our How to apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

[email protected]

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students .

Prospective Students Graduate

Graduate degrees
Taught degrees
Taught Degrees
Applying for Graduate Taught Study at UCL
Research degrees
Research Degrees
Funded Research Opportunities
Doctoral School
Funded Doctoral Training Programmes
Applying for Graduate Research Study at UCL
Teacher training
Teacher Training
Early Years PGCE programmes
Primary PGCE programmes
Secondary PGCE programmes
Further Education PGCE programme
How to apply
The IOE approach
Teacher training in the heart of London
Why choose UCL?
Entrepreneurship
Inspiring facilities and resources
Careers and employability
Your global alumni community
Your wellbeing
Postgraduate Students' Association
Your life in London
Accommodation
Funding your Master's

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

Performance cookies

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

Course type

Qualification, university name.

3980 degrees at 151 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

About Postgraduate

The multifaceted world of theatrical performance and expression offers many opportunities for study and advanced research. Undertaking a distance learning PhD in theatre and dramatic arts is an opportunity to fully immerse into acting techniques, directing principles, and the broader landscape of stagecraft. Typical UK entry requirements include a relevant undergraduate degree in theatre or a related field and typically, applicants have spent several years working in the profession.

A PhD is a research-based degree; therefore, you’ll also need to submit a proposal for the theme of your work and exploration, and this will form the basis of your course content. Additionally, since the degree is studying remotely, you’ll need to ensure that you have access to the resources needed to contact your academic supervisor and conduct yourresearch.

Full-time courses are usually three years in duration, and there are five such programmes in the UK, delivered by three different universities.

What to Expect

You will perform your research under the guidance of an academic supervisor, who will encourage you to explore advanced themes and ideas. You might investigate the role of theatre in education, or perhaps a historical analysis of the dramatics arts, or even the cultural context of existing theatrical work.

You can expect a lot of self-guided study, and since the course is studied via distance learning, your tutorials, assignments and assessments, will all be conducted digitally. You’ll learn to represent your research in a number of different ways, from long-form writing, to discussions and presentations.

Once graduated, you’ll be qualified as a highly skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different creative industries.

Related subjects:

PhD Agriculture, Animal Care, and Veterinary Science
PhD Archaeology
PhD Architecture
PhD Biology and Life Sciences
PhD Building, Planning and Construction Management
PhD Chemistry
PhD Communications and Media
PhD Computer Science and Information Technology
PhD Creative Arts and Design and Illustration
PhD Economics
PhD Education
PhD Electronic and Electrical Engineering
PhD Engineering
PhD English Literature
PhD Environmental Health and Safety, Protection and Conservation
PhD Financial Management and Accounting
PhD Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics
PhD Gallery, Conservation and Museum Studies and Museology
PhD Geography and Earth Sciences
PhD Health Care Management and Health Studies
PhD History
PhD Humanities and Social Sciences
PhD Industry, Logistics, Manufacturing and Production
PhD Journalism and Publishing
PhD Languages
PhD Law and Legal studies
PhD Leisure, Hospitality Management and Event Management
PhD Linguistic Studies
PhD Literature
PhD Management, Business and HR
PhD Marketing and PR
PhD Mathematics
PhD Music Technology and Production and Sound Engineering
PhD Nursing and Midwifery
PhD Other Sciences and Research
PhD Performing and Dramatic Arts, Acting and Music Studies
PhD Philosophy
PhD Physics
PhD Physiotherapy and other Therapies
PhD Psychology
PhD Religious Studies and Theology
PhD Social Work, Community Work and Counselling Skills
PhD Sports and Recreation
PhD Surgery, Medicine and Dentistry
PhD Teaching and Training
PhD Tourism and Travel
PhD Transport Services and Aviation

Course title (A-Z)
Course title (Z-A)
Price: high - low
Price: low - high

Archaeology PhD

Bangor university.

Research Areas Archaeology with specialisations in Prehistoric landscape archaeology The Iron Age Celtic societies Early medieval Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
4 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Management and Business

Aberystwyth university.

At Aberystwyth Business School, we attract professionals from around the world who aspire to the challenges of the global business Read more...

University of Gloucestershire

A design research degree offers you the opportunity and time to explore innovative research practice through original, critical works. Read more...

4 years Full time degree: £3,400 per year (UK)
6 years Part time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD Business and Management

University of chester.

Business and Management (BAM) is home to an intimate and burgeoning community of research active academics and doctoral students who want Read more...

MPhil/PhD at UCA

University for the creative arts.

MPhil/PhD at UCA at UCA A PhD is an advanced postgraduate qualification that will require you to plan and complete your own focused Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £5,670 per year (UK)

PhD in Film Media and Screen Studies

Manchester metropolitan university.

RESEARCH CULTURE We are home to a substantial community of researchers undertaking critical analysis of film and screen. Our research is Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £4,850 per year (UK)
6 years Part time degree

PhD Creative Arts and Cultural Industries

Soas university of london.

This research degree provides advanced training and research experience at a doctoral level in the broad areas at the intersection of the Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £4,860 per year (UK)
6 years Part time degree: £2,430 per year (UK)

History, Philosophy and Culture PhD

Oxford brookes university.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our research and the support that we give to our postgraduate research students. The School has an Read more...

Business School MPhil/PhD

Middlesex university.

This programme will give you the opportunity to carry out cutting edge research that will help you understand the challenges of business Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £6,300 per year (UK)
6 years Part time degree: £3,150 per year (UK)

PhD Sociology and Social Anthropology

University of hull.

Social science research at Hull is focused on creating a positive impact on the real-life conditions and experiences of individuals and Read more...

5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Fine Art and Design

Sheffield hallam university.

Course summary Undertake doctoral research in an approved fine art and design topic. Join the vibrant research community in the Culture Read more...

4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
7 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil Electrical and Electronic Engineering

City, university of london.

Working alongside leading experts, you will research topics at the cutting edge of electrical and electronic engineering. Develop Read more...

2 years Full time degree: £6,360 per year (UK)
3 years Part time degree: £3,180 per year (UK)

Epidemiology and Population Health PhD

London school of hygiene & tropical medicine, university of london.

& Structure The MPhil and PhD are aimed at students who anticipate a career in which research plays a major role and who want to focus on Read more...

4 years Full time degree: £6,740 per year (UK)
8 years Part time degree: £3,370 per year (UK)

PhD (Prof) Education

University of roehampton.

A professional doctorate with an unusually broad range of available subject specialisms, based within an established School of Read more...

3 years Full time degree

Allied Health Studies MPhil/PhD

University of worcester.

Research at Worcester has grown significantly in the last 10 years as the University itself has expanded. As a research student you will Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £4,950 per year (UK)
5 years Part time degree: £2,475 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate research opportunities in Biological and Environmental Sciences

Liverpool john moores university.

Excellent research opportunities await at the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, enabling you to work at the forefront of Read more...

7 years Part time degree: £2,325 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate Research in Mathematics

University of east anglia uea.

We are a top tier, research-led university and are committed to making a substantial impact on the global challenges facing society. Our Read more...

6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Creative Writing PhD

Bath spa university.

The PhD in Creative Writing combines a proposed manuscript (e.g. novel, short story collection, poems, playscript, narrative non-fiction, Read more...

24 months Full time degree: £7,325 per year (UK)

Cranfield School of Management’s PhD

School of management, cranfield university.

Cranfield School of Management’s PhD programme is internationally renowned, for its rigour, structure, faculty support and global Read more...

3 years Full time degree: £4,715 per year (UK)

PhD - Faculty of Science & Technology

Bournemouth university.

From Archaeology & Anthropology to Environmental & Biological Sciences, Technology, Assistive Technologies, Design & Engineering, or Read more...

1-20 of 3980 courses

Course type:

Distance learning PhD
Full time PhD
Part time PhD

Qualification:

Universities:.

University of Greenwich
University of Warwick
Durham University
University of West London
Royal Northern College of Music
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
Rose Bruford College
Bishop Grosseteste University
Hull York Medical School
ICMA Centre (University of Reading)
AECC University College
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Cardiff University
University of Portsmouth
University of Nottingham
University of Huddersfield
University of Suffolk
Kingston University
Canterbury Christ Church University

Related Subjects:

IMAGES

What is a Master's Degree? A Complete Guide to Postgraduate Options
PhD meaning and its tale
Understanding further education levels
Further Education Glossary Part Three: Levels of Qualifications
Types of Level 5 Diploma
What is a CertHE Qualification?

VIDEO

Thabi Leoka: What we know so far
WATCH: Directors’ qualifications: importance of due diligence prior to appointment
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2024-25 in the UK
Directors’ qualifications: Importance of due diligence prior to appointment
The impact of education on a family
Which Universities Provide Research Degree in UK?

COMMENTS

What qualification levels mean
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 ...
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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.
PhD
A PhD is a Doctorate of Philosophy, a prestigious qualification which is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve, demonstrating talent, academic excellence and a thirst for knowledge. ... The comparability of qualifications from outside the UK with The Open University requirements will be determined through reference to UK ENIC.
Ready for a Doctorate? Clarifying Your PhD Requirements
Standard PhD requirements in the UK are a Bachelors degree with at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1). You may also need a Masters degree with a Merit or Distinction grade. All your previous qualifications must be in a field of study relevant to the PhD you are applying for. Typically, Arts and Humanities PhDs are more likely to ...
PhD
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common type of doctoral degree and the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. It normally takes between three and four years of full-time work to complete. It is also possible to undertake a PhD part time, over five to six years. The main activity of a PhD is to carry out an original ...
Applying for a PhD in the UK| FindAPhD.com
In July 2022, the UK and Indian governments signed a memoradum agreeing to automatically recognise undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in each other's countries. This means that if you studied your Bachelors or Masters in India and are now applying for a UK PhD, your qualifications will recognised as equivalent to British ones.
What a PhD Actually Looks Like in the UK
A doctorate in the UK is a third-cycle qualification. It usually takes between three and four years to complete a UK PhD. This guide focuses on how PhD programmes in the UK are structured including assessments, examinations and supervision. ... The length of a UK PhD thesis varies by subject. Dissertations in the Arts, Humanities and Social ...
What is a PhD?
A PhD is the highest postgraduate-level qualification offered by universities in the UK. It's for those who are looking to build on what they studied during their master's degree, or for those currently working who wish to research a particular area within their field. PhDs are research-based degrees. The student comes up with an original ...
Studying A PhD in the UK
Popular PhD course: Management MRes + MPhil/PhD. Entry requirements: A first-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification. UCL encourages applicants from various disciplines to apply and requires them to have taken the GMAT or GRE General Test. International fee: £29,000.
5 routes to getting a Doctorate
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).
What is a PhD?
The term PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'philosophiae doctor'. A PhD degree typically involves students independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, before producing a publication-worthy thesis. While some Doctorates include taught components, PhD students are ...
How to apply for a PhD in the UK
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.
Find your ideal PhD, with the UK's most comprehensive search
A PhD is a postgraduate degree. It stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy' and is one of the highest academic qualifications you can achieve. Courses involve both research and academic learning where you take on a significant amount of independent work. For most PhDs, you'll research for, write and publish an extensive thesis on a specialist ...
PhD Education
English language. International applicants must provide one of the following: 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 ...
PhD Study in the UK
You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments. Our guide explains the best ways to fund international PhD study in the UK, with information on all the main scholarships available to you.
Postgraduate Qualifications Explained
Master's by Research - MA (Res), MSc (Res), LLM (Res) A Master's by Research is a short, twelve-month full-time or two-year part-time research programme, with the results written up in an original research thesis of up to 40,000 words. Assessment of your thesis will be through an oral examination by experts within your field of research.
Entry requirements for UK applicants : How to apply for a PhD
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.
National qualifications frameworks in the United Kingdom
The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ) for qualifications awarded by bodies across the United Kingdom with degree-awarding powers. Credit ... Level 6 qualifications are at a level equivalent to bachelor's degrees with honours, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas. Level 5
Professional Doctorate in Education
The EdD is a doctoral level qualification designed for professionals working within the education sector. It provides a structured programme of advanced scholarship and research which is of equivalent level to the traditional PhD, but which is orientated towards professional practice. The course is aimed at professionals across a range of ...
Education levels and qualifications explained
It is a Level 7 qualification and can take anything between one and four years of study. A large amount of independent study is required. What is a PhD degree or doctorate? A doctorate is the highest level of degree that can be obtained and is Level 8 on the educational scale.
PhD Qualification Equivalencies
Systems in other countries (such as the UK) follow a similar sequence. This means that qualifications at corresponding levels of this system are usually equivalent for the purposes of application to further programmes of study, such as a PhD. However, the number of previous qualifications and the exact results required may differ between countries.
Electronic and Electrical Engineering MPhil/PhD
A UK Master's degree, or a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. The qualification may be in any relevant subject, e.g. electronic engineering, communication engineering, computer science, chemistry, materials science (the latter two for electronic materials research).
PhD Degrees
Nutrition and Dietetics is an evolving field which focuses on the exploration of nutritional sciences and dietetics. A PhD programme in England delves into rigorous academic and research training, studying topics such as clinical nutrition, public health nutrition and policy making. There are more than ten PhD programmes in nutrition and dietetics offered in England and to qualify for a PhD ...

Cookies on GOV.UK

What qualification levels mean

Entry level

Related content

Help us improve GOV.UK

Study at Cambridge

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD course search

Term Information

At a glance

University Policy and Guidelines

About this site

Postgraduate

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What will I get from a PhD?

How does it work?

Entry requirements

English language proficiency

Application closing dates

Your questions

The Open University

Undergraduate

Follow us on Social media

Imperial College London Imperial College London

Looking for funding?

Different routes to achieving a PhD

Pursuing your own research idea

Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Imperial College Business School

Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

Global Challenge institutes

Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies | Imperial College London-Technical University of Munich

We value your privacy

Your Privacy

Manage consent preferences

The shortcut to your shortlist

Popular universities

Course search

Open days search

Article search

Popular topics

What is a PhD?

What’s a PhD?

Boost your employability

Helps you pursue an academic career

Make a significant contribution to your field

Develop a range of transferrable skills

Related articles

Study Nursing, why & how to study

Study Dietetics, why & how to study

Study Radiography, Why & How To Study

Is this page useful?

What is a PhD?

PhDs at a glance

What is the meaning of PhD?

How long is a PhD in the UK?

Do I need a Masters to do a PhD?

What does a PhD involve?

How do I find a PhD?

What other types of Doctorate are there?

How much does a PhD cost?

How do I apply for a PhD?

What can I do next?

Find out more

How would you rate this page?

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

Ben Osborne

How to apply for a PhD

What qualifications do I need?

When should I start applying?

How should I look for a supervisor?

How do I write a research proposal?

How long does the application process take?

What are the associated costs?

You may also like

.css-185owts{overflow:hidden;max-height:54px;text-indent:0px;} How to apply for a PhD in the US

Women in STEM: undertaking PhD research in cancer

PhD diary: Where do I begin?

Study Radiography, Why & How To Study 