For entry to a research MPhil or PhD programme, applicants should normally have, or expect to obtain the equivalent of an upper second class British Bachelor (i.e. 2.1 or 1st) in in a discipline appropriate to their intended area of research. If you have a lower second class Bachelor degree (2.2) then you will be required to also have the equivalent of a British Master’s degree.
Substantial prior research or professional experience, may, in some instances, be acceptable in place of a first degree qualification.
If English is not your first language you will be asked to attach a copy of your English Language Certificate. We require a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent).
Research topics vary, and may be interdisciplinary (involving staff from several departments of the University), so it is important for you to contact the academic staff in the department(s) concerned as early as possible, to formulate a research proposal. If you cannot find the details for your chosen department on our website, the Graduate School will be able to put you in touch with an appropriate person.
Once it has been established that the University has the necessary expertise to be able to supervise your project, contact the Graduate School, who will send you an application form and further guidance on applying for a research degree.
When selecting postgraduate students, programme leaders and supervisors pay particular attention to each applicant's personal statement and the reports from referees, as well as academic qualifications. You must take care to complete each section of the form carefully, so that the application can be processed as quickly as possible. The application form must contain a detailed research proposal, which needs to have been discussed with the potential academic supervisor before being submitted.
More detail about postgraduate study by research can be found here.
Important Information for all Postgraduate Applicants:
If you are a non-EU/EEA (including Switzerland) national and are planning to take postgraduate study in the UK in certain, Technology, Engineering or Science subjects then you will now need to obtain an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate before applying for your Visa, Entry Clearance or Extension of Stay as a student.
Further details on the ATAS certificate
