part time phd duration uk

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Part-time study.

Approximately 20-25 per cent of PhDs in the UK are taken part-time ( HEFCE 2015 ). It offers many PhDs the flexibility to combine other commitments alongside their research. For some it is a match made in heaven; for others mission impossible. Before you decide take time to reflect on whether it is right for you.

Key Benefits of Part-Time PhD Study

• Maintain an income while studying
• Maintain your employment rights, such as a pension
• Improve your future employability whilst working
• Ability to balance family commitments with studying
• Keep “in touch” with the working environment
• Opportunity to engage in research in relation to working life
• Some part-time students receive funding from their employers

Warwick supports the research and study skills development of both part-time and full-time PhDs.

Before you commit to doctoral study, it is worth taking some time to consider the implications on both your personal and professional life and think about where you may need to make changes to accomodate your studies:

Time Management

• A part-time PhD can take over 5 years to complete: can you realistically commit to the programme for the duration?
• Consider what you might need to alter in order to accommodate your research. You may find it helpful to block out set times of the week in which to undertake your study.
• Think about what inspired you to take on part-time research. Are you confident that your motivation levels will remain high throughout the programme?
• There are times when a researcher may feel isolated, this is especially true when studying part-time. Do you feel you have sufficient levels of self-motivation to carry you through these times?
• Many part-time researchers feel a greater temptation to "take a break" from their studies, plan in strategies to help keep yourself motivated through such times.
• Don't forget your work/life balance. Doing research is like any job, it is important to take breaks, holidays and spend time with family and friends.
• Nine part-time PhDs share their experiences and tips on Vitae's website

Other Considerations

• Ensure that family and work colleagues are aware of your programme, and supportive of it, before you start out.
• Do your current personal and professional commitments leave you enough time to undertake part-time study as well?
• Do you have a place to study away from distractions of your family life?

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• How Long Does A PhD Take?
• Doing a PhD

Sometimes, just knowing how long a PhD takes can be enough to sway your decision on whether a research degree is for you. So with that in mind, exactly how long does a PhD take?

In the UK, a full-time PhD takes 3 to 4 years to finish whilst a part-time PhD takes twice as long at 6 to 7 years. Alongside these average durations, there are time limits on how long you can be enrolled on to a PhD programme. To discover these limits, the factors which most influence doctoral degree durations and how the UK durations compare to international PhDs, continue reading on.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Full-time PhD?

In the UK, a full-time PhD will typically take you 3 to 4 years. You will usually spend the first three years on the technical aspects of your doctorate. This includes undertaking independent research, designing your research methodology and collecting and analysing data. You will then spend an additional academic year on writing up your PhD thesis and sitting your viva.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Part-time PhD?

In the UK, a part-time PhD will typically take you 6 to 7 years; twice as long as doing a full-time PhD. The reason for this is that as a part-time PhD student, you would dedicate around 20 hours per week to your PhD as opposed to the typical 40 hours full-time students would put into their subject.

How Long Does a Distance Learning PhD Take?

Similarly, distance learning PhD’s take an average of 6 to 7 years to complete. This is because the vast majority of students who undertake a distance learning PhD do so because they can’t relocate closer to the university. Although these commitments will differ, they often mean the student isn’t able to dedicate 40 hours per week to their studies.

Students in STEM disciplines will often take longer to finish a distance learning doctorate degree than those in non-STEM disciplines. This because the progress of a STEM PhD student will be limited by how often they can access a laboratory for experiment work.

How Does Funding Impact a PhD’s Duration?

In reality, the actual time it will take you to complete your PhD degree will depend on your funding situation.

If you’re receiving  funding , it will usually only cover you for 3.5 years if you’re studying full-time or for 7 years at half the stipend if you’re studying part-time. Although this could vary slightly, most PhD funding providers, e.g. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), follow this timescale as indicated on their ‘ length of PhD studentships’ page. Because of this, most students who obtain scholarships try to complete their PhD within the timeframe of their funding so they don’t incur additional fees which they need to cover themselves.

It’s also worth noting that some funded PhD positions have additional conditions attached to them as part of their eligibility requirements. For example, they may require teaching undergraduate students, hosting laboratory sessions or attend presentations and conferences. This will be especially true if you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). Although these shouldn’t add considerable time to the length of a PhD programme, they have the potential to do so if they aren’t managed properly.

As self-funded students cover their own annual tuition fees and other associated costs, how long they’ll spend to complete their PhD project will largely depend on their own personal financial situation. Because of this, most self-funded PhD students find it best to complete their PhD study in the shortest time-frame they can manage.

Are There Deadlines?

Yes – unfortunately, all good things must come to an end! Within the UK, the deadline for your PhD is defined as the last date which you must submit your final thesis by. This date is set by your university’s overall regulations and varies depending on the arrangements of your PhD, e.g. whether it’s full or part time. In the vast majority of cases, the adopted deadlines are four years for full-time PhDs and seven years for part-time PhDs from the date you were officially registered onto your programme, as shown below from the University of Leicester’s registration guidance page .

This time-frame may vary from university to university. For example, the University of Sheffield adopts an additional year for part-time PhDs as shown below.

Can I Complete It Faster?

Although it’s possible to complete a full-time PhD in under 3 years, it’s a significant feat that’s rarely heard of. When these feats occur, they’re usually where the doctoral student already has extensive knowledge and experience in their field before undertaking their PhD.

Whilst it’s possible to complete a part-time PhD in under 6 years, it largely depends on your commitments outside your studies. For example, if you have a part-time career alongside your PhD, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to commit the additional hours required to complete your doctorate a year faster.

However, if instead of a steady part-time job you take on occasional work as a freelancer, you’ll be able to set aside many more hours towards your doctoral degree.

Will Having only A Bachelor’s Degree or Being an International Student Limit My Rate of Progression?

Not at all. While there are benefits to having a Master’s degree such as an additional year of learning and greater research experience due to your fourth-year dissertation project, this doesn’t mean not having one would limit you. A PhD is very different to both Bachelor and Master degrees due to being heavily research-based, therefore, both types of students will have just as much to learn on their way to completing their doctorate.

Similarly, whether you’re an international student will bear no influence on the duration of your PhD.

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

How Does This Compare to the Duration of EU and US PhDs?

PhD hosted by universities within the EU, such as those in France, Norway and Spain, have the same programme structure as those within the UK. As a result, there are no noticeable differences in the time to complete a doctorate between UK and EU institutions.

However, this is not the case in the US. Compared to PhDs conducted within the UK or EU, PhDs conducted within the US take considerably longer to obtain. According to a  2017 study conducted by the National Science Foundation, a US government agency which supports research and higher education, the average time to get a PhD within the US is 5.8 years. Besides this, the average completion time can further increase depending on the disciplines. For example, they found doctorates within the humanities and arts to take an average of 7.1 years to achieve.

The primary reason for this difference is the way PhD degrees are structured within the United States. As mentioned previously, PhDs conducted within UK and EU universities are essentially broken into two sections – one covering the analytical aspects and the other covering the writing up aspects. However, within the US, doctorate programmes comprise additional sections. PhD students are first required to undertake 2 to 3 years of courses, which cover a broad range of topics related to their schools’ discipline. This is then followed by coursework and several examinations, which only once passed can the PhD candidate then start working on their research project and dissertation.

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The requirements for part-time students are the same as for full-time students, but the timings and deadlines are different. The table below sets out some of the main deadlines:

First year requirements for part-time students

As part-time students have almost five, rather than three, terms to complete their first year requirements (two taught modules, an RDC and the First Year Report), there is some flexibility in when the modules and RDCs are taken.

As the RDCs are a year-long programme, we recommend that part-time students start these in Michaelmas (October), if possible, but it is possible to join them in Lent (January) and finish at the end of the following Michaelmas (December). You should have completed a whole year's RDC programme before your First Year Report deadline.

Modules exams are examined in April, and the results are not available until August, so Michaelmas Term starters need to take these within their first year (as the exams are too late for the first year assessment in the second year). Lent Term starters can take modules during their their first or second year - or a combination - if preferred (which may allow for a greater choice of modules).

Keeping in touch

As a part-time student, you should expect to have 2 - 4 meetings with your supervisor per term.  Having a discussion with your supervisor early on about expectations regarding frequency of meetings, preparation expected and receiving feedback can help to clarify what each party would like, and it is also a good idea to have a written agreement. Supervisions do not need to be face-to-face; you can also make use of online collaborative tools (the University subscribes to some services and tools that might be useful).

If you have any changes to your circumstances that impact on your ability to work on your PhD, you should keep both your supervisor and College Tutor informed. This is both so that they can provide you with any necessary support, and also to ensure that you are aware of any relevant University regulations - the section below outlines some of these.

University regulations

Some University regulations for graduate students do not apply to part-time students, or apply differently. Please find a summary of some of the key differences and similarities below.

Working restrictions

Full-time research students may not work more than 10 hours per week

Part-time research students are not restricted in the hours that they may work, but should agree with their supervisor, before admission, how they will balance their work and study, and keep this under regular review.

Working (studying) away from Cambridge

Full-time students must apply for leave to work away if they will be undertaking work towards their PhD away from Cambridge for longer than two weeks.

Part-time students must apply for leave to work away if they will be undertaking work towards their PhD away from their normal place of residence for longer than two weeks.

Minimum terms of research

Full-time students must undertake at least three terms of research within the University (this should coincide with the first year, in order to meet the first year requirements)

Part-time students must undertake at least five terms of research within the University (this should usually coincide with the first five terms, in order to meet the first year requirements)

Intermission

Full-time students should apply for intermission if they are experiencing health (including mental health) issues which mean that they are unable to study. Intermission pauses the clock on the PhD until the student is ready to resume.

Part-time students should apply for intermission if they are experiencing health  (including mental health) issues which mean that they are unable to study. Intermission pauses the clock on the PhD until the student is ready to resume. Intermission can also be applied for when a break from study is needed for non-medical reasons .

Terms of residence

Full-time students are required to live within 10 miles of Cambridge city centre, unless they have been granted an exemption.

Part-time students have no residence requirements but are required to attend the University on a regular basis (and must keep five terms of research at Cambridge, as above).

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The Department of Computer Science and Technology will offer a part-time route to the PhD Degree with effect from October 2022. 

Part-time structure

The Department of Computer Science and Technology could offer a part-time route to the PhD. At present, the University allows a part-time route which is 60% or 75% of a fulltime PhD route for which the minimum number of terms:

 60% route -15 terms minimum; maximum number of terms for a part-time student is 21 terms.

 75% route - 12 terms minimum; maximum number of terms for a part-time student is 16 terms.

The requirements for the probationary CPGS in Computer Science will be spread across two years with the first-year report due near the end of the fifth term (i.e. end of March for a Michaelmas admittee), and the registration viva occurring in the sixth term (Easter term). The Department expects the completion of the required 12 units from the Researcher Skills Programme across two years. Part-time students are also encouraged to spend one term full-time in the first year of the programme and that students will be in residence in Cambridge during that time.

After successful registration for the PhD Degree, part-time Ph.D. students are expected to have between 2 and 4 meetings with their supervisor per term for at least a further ten terms. They are expected to spend an average of three weeks each term in the Department with a minimum of 45 nights p.a. in residence.

Requirements for a part-time PhD applicants in Computer Science and Technology

• The proposed topic needs to be suitable for study over a minimum of 12 or 15 terms (75% or 60% route respectively) and a maximum of 16 or 21 terms (75% or 60% route respectively) . Applicants will need to provide a schedule of the research over the first few years. 
• If a supervisor identifies a potential student and a topic as being possibly suitable for part-time study, an initial interview report form must be sent to the PhD Applications Panel for consideration.
• Potential supervisors should invite the Chair of the PhD Applications Panel or a deputy to attend the formal interview.
• As well as consideration by the PhD Applications Panel, the interview report will be considered by, and a decision approved by, the Degree Committee. The approved form will also be loaded to the applicant portal for consideration by the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
• The proposed supervisor must be able to supervise a part-time Ph.D. for at least the minimum 15 terms. This means that supervisors on short-term contracts, or those due to retire within seven years of a part-time student being admitted, will not be eligible to supervise. Those who are due to take sabbatical leave should consider alternative supervision arrangements.
• Applicants should be aware that there is no obligation on supervisors to accept applicants who wish to be admitted as part-time students.
• The student must live close enough to Cambridge, or be able to spend enough time in Cambridge during the first two years, to be able to participate, as much as possible, in research group seminars, reading groups and other activities.
• The student and supervisor will sign an agreement about how often the student will be in the department. This might be, for example : 2 x 8-hour days per working week per term, or 3 x 1-week per term, plus 40% of time in the research term (1 July to 30 September).
• Most CST Research Skills courses are available remotely. For research themes’ group meetings and seminars, physical presence in the department is preferred.
• The student will be required to provide a letter from the employer (if the student is employed) confirming that they may have time off to attend the University as required for the duration of the course. Applicants are required to upload a part-time attendance Declaration to their application once approved for admission.

Updated May 2024

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Part-time doctoral research

Our part-time doctoral students make up an important part of our research community. At Reading, we recognise the distinct nature of studying part time, and we have a wealth of experience and resources to help you succeed.

If you are thinking of studying for a doctorate part time, you will be in good company. A quarter of our doctoral students either complete their entire programme on a part-time basis or switch after starting full time. You may find that studying part time suits you because:

• you have work commitments
• you have caring responsibilities
• it's preferable for financial reasons.

“As a part-time, mature student, there are times when I work full time on my thesis, while at other times it gets far less input due to my other commitments. Neither myself, my supervisor nor my postgraduate director have ever considered this a problem and this relaxed, flexible attitude has helped immensely and kept me unstressed and on track.”

Hilary Matthews

PhD in History

Time frames for part-time study

Working hours and patterns.

Your working hours and patterns are not usually specified; however, as a guide, you should expect to spend at least 15 hours a week working on your research or undertaking training and development events. At certain points in your doctoral journey, you may have to dedicate more time for intensive study.

You will find your own preferred way of working with us – a few of our part-time cohort attend daily, some others attend weekly, but most who live further afield attend less frequently.

Submission timescales

As a part-time doctoral student, you should aim to submit your thesis within five years of starting your programme. The maximum time allowed is six years, while the earliest submission date is four years (unless you have special permission).

The part-time journey

There are several milestones on your journey towards completing a doctorate. For an overview of the key activities and timescales involved, see our guide to what a doctoral programme entails.

Find out what's involved in a doctoral research programme 

Core training

To equip you with the skills you need to carry out your research professionally and effectively, we have created the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP).

As a part-time doctoral student, you should attend at least nine RRDP sessions over the course of your doctoral programme.

Learn about the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP)

Our part-time doctoral students

To get a fuller flavour of what part-time doctoral research is like at Reading, read about what Dr Natalya Sergeeva and Mark Player have to say about their experiences, and how studying part time works for them.

Dr Natalya Sergeeva: Exploring narratives of innovation in the UK construction sector

Mark Player: Japanese punk film production 

Funding for part-time study

Our regional PhD bursary scheme may be of particular interest to you if you are a local resident (i.e. living within a 25-mile radius of the University) and wish to undertake a doctoral programme while living at home. This competitive scheme has run for a number of years now and has proved particularly popular with those wanting to study part time, many of whom work in the region.

Discover more about our regional PhD bursary scheme

The University of Reading is also currently working with selected employers to support the career development of their talented employees, by means of the Wilkie Calvert Co-Supported PhD Studentships. If you are keen to develop your career further by undertaking a part-time PhD on a topic that is relevant to your organisation, this studentship may be of relevance to you.

Read about the Wilkie Calvert Co-supported PhD Studentships

Fees for part-time study

You will need to pay the relevant part-time fee for each year of study. If you are self-funded, your fees (including research expenses and supervisory visit fees) are normally payable in two equal instalments – one at the start of the academic year and one at the start of the second semester.

Find out about fees for part-time study

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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

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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

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• PHD Psychology

A period of intensive, supervised study where you critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and make an original contribution to knowledge.

Everything you need to know...

What is the fee.

Home: £2,393 per year International/EU: £8,605 per year

How long will I study?

Where will i study, city campus, when do i start.

October 2024 February 2025 May 2025

Course summary

• Study in a department which achieved 2 and 3* outputs in the last Research Excellence Framework.
• Undertake research with academic support across most areas of psychology.
• Harness expertise in qualitative and quantitative approaches to your study.

With around 28 PhD students and a thriving research community, this course within the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics offers specialist facilities (including EEg equipment, Eye-trackers, a large cognitive test library, retinal imaging equipment, EPrime, and transcranial stimulation equipment) to help you undertake original research into topics including cognitive neuroscience, health psychology, sports doping, vision and aesthetics and peace discourses.

Please note: We offer three enrolment periods each year: October, February, and May. For the October intake, international and home applicants should apply by the end of June. For the February intake, international applicants should apply by the end of October and home applicants by the end of November. For the May intake, international applicants should apply by 20 December and home applicants by the end of February. For further information contact: [email protected].

How you learn

Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies and one or more second supervisors with expertise and interest in your research area. However, much of the work for your degree will be carried out independently, and you will need the initiative, motivation and commitment to succeed.

Your supervisors help you to define your research programme, agree any associated training requirements, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher. You're supported by skills training workshops, research projects, student forums integrated by your departmental postgraduate tutor lead.

Course leaders and tutors

Staff profile for Jon Dean, Associate Professor in Politics and Sociology at Sheffield Hallam University

Applied learning

Networking opportunities

You will be part of the University's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and University-wide presentations, training and conferences. We will expect you to also attend relevant subject and topic specific conferences beyond the University.

The department has regular staff and student led activities each year on specific topics associated with research identified by PhD students. We organise monthly Research Breakfast that encompass a wide range of topics including, 'how to publish,' and offer a friendly and supportive environment to discuss research. We also offer awards to our students bi-annually to reward outstanding work or an outstanding contribution to the PhD community.

Future careers

Research degrees are essential qualifications for many academic careers. You will have the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills which are applicable to many employment sectors. Our alumni have gone on to take up academic posts at other universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), undergo clinical practitioner training, become certified health psychologists, and to conduct high quality research across the broad area of psychology as postgraduate researchers.

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour  

Howard Street Sheffield S1 1WB

Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

Learn more about your department

Psychology Facilities Tour

Take a look around Sheffield Hallam University's psychology facilities with student Angelica.

Equipment and facilities

You will have access to a desk and computer, as well as the appropriate laboratories, workshops and equipment needed to carry out your project.

Entry requirements

All students, additional information for eu/international students.

All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (merit and above).

Application

To apply, candidates must submit a  fully complete  online application including:

• A research proposal. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.
• What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
• How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
• What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
• Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).
• Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.
• Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
• Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.

All suitable candidates are invited to an interview which can take place in-person or online. You will be asked questions about the project proposal and your interest in PhD level study. You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes.

International Students (Additional Information)

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following: 1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date. 2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within one year preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

Fees and funding

Home students, international students.

Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £2,393 per year. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions  under student fees regulations.

Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £8,605 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa). An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

Doctoral student loans

Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations .

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

• Apply for February 2025
• Apply for May 2025
• Apply for October 2024

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

Why choose us?

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

Tailor your degree to the career you want by choosing one of our three specialist routes

Study in award-winning facilities and state-of-the-art psychology labs and contribute to groundbreaking psychological research

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Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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Study PhD in the UK : Admission Requirements, Deadlines, Fees

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Where Tea Breaks and Thesis Breakdowns Collide!

Are you considering pursuing a PhD in the UK? Completing a PhD in the UK in 2024 from the renowned research institutes present in the country adds a unique weight to your resume. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of pursuing a PhD course in UK. This blog aims to provide you with practical advice and in-depth insight for prospective PhD students. Whether you are deciding upon the university to pursue your PhD course or you have already dived into the application process, here is all you need to know about pursuing a PhD course in UK.

Overview of PhD in the UK

PhD is one of the highest degrees awarded in UK universities. A PhD involves a substantial research project prepared around a specific topic and area of interest. It typically involves up to 100,000 words woven together within an informative thesis. In the end, once the thesis has been finalised, the candidates go through a stringent oral examination where they are expected to defend their thesis findings in front of a knowledgeable and esteemed group of experts. 

The candidates each have an assigned supervisor who helps and assists the students with their research. The duration of a PhD generally ranges from three years (full-time) to 6 years part time PhD in UK. Students can choose from full-time and part time PhD courses on the basis of their requirements. Some of the most popular PhD courses opted by students include Computer Science, Medicine, Engineering, Paramedic Sciences, Law, and many more! 

Why Study PhD in the UK?

You can find a plethora of reasons to explore the range of PhD programs in UK. We have listed down a few out of many to help you understand why UK is considered to be one of the best educational destinations in the world:

1. Houses Top-notch Institutions

‍ The UK is home to top universities and educational institutions such as the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, and many more. This allows students to conduct their research using the right resources under the supervision of esteemed professors. The country has established itself as a leader in the academic sector. 

2. Research-centric Infrastructure

‍ The universities and academic institutions in the UK provide abundant infrastructural support to students who wish to accomplish their research in the country. The UK cherishes an ages-long tradition of substantial research and has also led some of the most groundbreaking research around the world.

3. Scholarships and Grants

‍ If financial constraints are holding you back from enrolling in a PhD course in UK then do not fret. Various private organisations and universities in UK offer scholarships and financial aid to students who come from humble backgrounds. This eases the financial burden on them and helps in the growth of the research community.

4. Globally Established Footing

‍ A PhD in the UK assists students in building their CV and is regarded as one of the best achievements in their professional careers. It opens multiple doors for students in a varied range of fields.

5. Culturally Immersive Experience

‍ UK, being one of the most preferred student destinations, brings students from all over the world together. One can also explore the vibrant culture of UK and learn about the rich and diverse history that the country has had. 

Types of PhD in the UK

There are several types of PhD degrees available in the UK that an individual can pursue. Each of them is tailored with the precision of the respective academic disciplines. 

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This is the most common doctoral degree of all that one can pursue in the UK. It emphasises the original research based on a specific field, which culminates in a thesis or dissertation at the end.

2. Professional Doctorates

This type of PhD degree is specifically curated for practitioners working in fields of education (EdD), business (DBA), engineering (EngD), and even healthcare ( Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Clinical Psychology)

3. Integrated PhD

An integrated PhD includes a combination of doctoral study with Master’s level coursework. This allows students to seamlessly enter into a PhD after finishing the Master’s degree without actually having to apply for a PhD in the UK separately. 

4. Joint or Dual PhD

A dual PhD or a Joint PhD consists of a collaborative partnership between international institutions. The candidate is supposed to undertake the research under the tutelage of two universities and get a single doctoral degree from both institutions combined.

5. PhD by Publication 

A PhD by publication is when a candidate, a substantially experienced researcher, is allowed to submit a series of published papers or articles. Along with this, they can also submit a contextualising commentary, which works as a basis for their doctoral thesis.

6. Practice Based PhD

Practice-based PhD candidates are those who pursue fields that require an empirical understanding of the subject. This involves creative arts and design disciplines. This kind of PhD generally involves candidates producing and working on their artistic work and even performances along with their theoretical thesis. 

Top Universities for PhD in the UK

Numerous universities in the UK offer top-notch Ph.D. courses in a diverse range of fields. These academic institutions are a major point of attraction for international students pursuing a Ph.D. Here are some of the top universities in the UK and their prominent Ph.D. programmes.

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1. University of Oxford

QC Ranking: #1 Top PhD Course Offered: DPhil in Computer Science, DPhil Socio-Legal Research Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First class or upper second-class bachelor degree with honors in a relevant discipline and four-year undergraduate degree. First class or upper second class 3-year long bachelor degree along with a Master’s with merit or distinction. Average Tuition Fees: £27,770

At the University of Oxford, students can apply for a PhD in Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Social Sciences, Medicine & Health, Humanities, Computer Science, etc.

2. University of Cambridge

QC Ranking: #3 Top PhD Course Offered: PhD in Biological Sciences Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First-class honours degree from a recognized UK university or from an internationally known institution. A Master’s with distinction and relevant work experience. Average Tuition Fees: £31,515

At the University of Cambridge, one can choose from a plethora of domain options for PhD such as Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Archaeology, Criminology, Computation Cognition and Language, etc.

3. Imperial College London

QC Ranking: #6 Top PhD Course Offered: Business School Master’s in Research (MRes) in Finance/ Management Eligibility & Admission Requirements: Four year long undergraduate degree or a Master’s in relevant field along with a significant GMAT/ GRE score.  Average Tuition Fees: £36,800

The university offers a variety of PhD courses in eclectic domains such as Aeronautics, Bioengineering, Brain Sciences, Immunology and Inflammation, Life Sciences, etc.

4. University of Edinburgh

QC Ranking: #22 Top PhD Course Offered: Doctor of Philosophy, Philosophy MScR Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First or upper second class honors degree in UK or equivalent international institutions. Master’s with excellent scores in relevant subject. Average Tuition Fees:  £26,700

The University of Edinburgh is widely recognised for establishing its cachet as a top business school. It offers a variety of business-oriented Ph.D. courses in the UK, such as Those in Accounting, Business Economics, Finance, Financial Technology, and more.

5. University College London

QC Ranking: #9 Top PhD Course Offered: Management MRes + MPhil/ PhD Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First or upper second class honors degree. Master’s from UK or equivalent from international institutions must have an MA degree. Average Tuition Fees:  £28,900

UCL is one of the leading research and management institutes which offers top research programmes. It also offers PhD and doctoral programmes in Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Paramedic Science, etc.

Admission Requirements & Criteria 

The admission requirements to enrol for PhD programs in UK depend from university to university, although some common requirements for admission are as follows:

 1. Academic Qualifications ‍

Academic qualifications, which involve the candidate’s previous degrees, including their Master’s or equivalent degree, which is extremely important for a PhD. During some exceptional and rare cases, a student with just a Bachelor’s degree can also be selected based on their skills and previous achievements.

2. Research Proposal

‍ Research proposal plays an important role in getting selected for a PhD course in UK. A well-prepared research proposal that underscores the topic, research questions, methods, and, ultimately, the objective is required during the application process. This document helps the jury assess the feasibility of the proposed research project.

3. References & Letter of Recommendations

References are something which any candidate applying to a PhD program in UK must have. These references should come from professors and previous supervisors who need to attest that the candidate holds high academic abilities research potential, and is best suited for the doctoral program.

4. English Proficiency

‍ English language proficiency is also assessed, especially in the case of PhD in UK for international students. The students whose primary language isn’t English are supposed to demonstrate their proficiency through different tests such as IELTS & TOEFL .

Test Scores Required for PhD in the UK

When one decides to study in the UK, one of the major qualification requirements rises to be is language proficiency. To prove the same, one needs to perform well in exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and many more and score a required grade or band to enrol in their desired course and university.

Application Process

The application process to pursue a PhD degree in the UK is pretty simple. Here is a step by step guide as to how you can apply for your PhD program in the UK.

1. Choose a discipline. Explore what you really wish to pursue and see what all PhD universities in UK are offering.  2. Submit your application to the respective universities and pay the application fee. 3. Submit all the documents and paperwork required by the university. This may vary from university to university.  4. Write down your research proposal and send it in along with all your other documents.  5. Look for a supervisor who can guide you through your research degree.  6. If you are looking for financial aid or scholarships in UK while you pursue your PhD, apply for them at the same time.  7. Wait for the decision from the respective university.

Cost & Tuition Fees for PhD in the UK

The cost and tuition fees for PhD in the UK depends from university to university and course to course. Although, students who come from humble backgrounds can easily apply for various PhD scholarships in the UK to get financial support.

PhD in UK Scholarships

There is a varied range of scholarships that students who wish to accomplish their PhD in the UK can explore. Here is a list of scholarships that one can apply for while planning to pursue PhD programs in UK. Following are the PhD scholarships UK that you should check out:

Career Prospects after PhD in the UK

The UK, being a flourished economy, offers numerous job opportunities to students after they accomplish their PhD degree in the UK. Following are some of the job prospects that you can look after once you have completed your PhD courses in UK. The prospects can be divided into different types such as - Academic Careers, Industry Careers, Government and Public Sector, and much more. Let’s explore the possibilities:

1. Academic Career Opportunities

• Postdoctoral Researcher 
• Lecturer (Entry-Level)
• Senior Lecturer

2. Industry Specific Careers 

• Research Scientist 
• Data Scientist 
• Project Manager

3. Government and Public Sector

• Policy Analyst 
• Government Scientist
• Program Evaluation
• Entrepreneurship

4. Non-Traditional Careers

• Science Writer 
• Scientific Policy Analyst
• Editor (Publishing)
• Global Opportunities

All and all, pursuing a PhD degree in the UK opens up a number of opportunities for students who wish to delve deeper into their area of interest. Expanding their knowledge in the respective fields helps these individuals make significant contributions to the fields of academia, a specific industry, and society as a whole.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of opting for phd courses in uk, what is the duration for phd, what describes a student's eligibility to enrol in a phd program in uk, are there fully funded phd programs in uk, is it worth enrolling for a phd course in uk.

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• Living as a Postgraduate student

Working and studying for a PhD at the same time

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Frequently asked questions.

In short, yes, you can work while studying for your PhD.

The hard part to juggle is finding the time to do both. You may find that part-time study is more flexible for you but it takes longer to complete. An excellent way to combine work and study is to get a job within the university you are studying at.

Check out other sources of support for PhD Students .

There are several benefits to both full time and part time PhD study. It can be extremely difficult to juggle a full time postgraduate position alongside working. It’s not called full-time for nothing! This is intensive but you can complete a full time PhD faster than it’s part-time equivalent.

Studying for a PhD is a big commitment, either full time for 3-4 years or part-time for generally 6-7 years. If you want, or need, to be working and studying for PhD this could have an impact on your study: here are some of the things you may find it helpful to think about before starting your PhD.

Is funding for a PhD in the UK enough to live on?

If you are fortunate enough to have full funding for your PhD, your studentship should cover both fees and living expenses and be tax-free. The stipend levels for students studying for a PhD in the UK is set by UK research councils for their own studentships, and this is followed by Universities for their own studentships. These will provide enough to live on and not to have to be working and studying for a PhD.

If you are looking for PhD Funding, you can search for your ideal studentship from the many opportunities we have listed on Postgraduate Studentships. We have a section for Charities and Trusts who are set up to support students looking to get additional financial help with their studies.

How much work is included in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship?

Some PhD studentships are called Graduate Teaching Assistantships – this means that you will be teaching for a certain number of hours in each academic year and this is part of the conditions of the studentship. It is advisable to find out exactly how this works with the University advertising the opportunity. Will you receive separate payments or is this part of the studentship? How many hours will it involve and how will that relate to your PhD? Will you receive training?

If you are considering an academic career, there may be some advantage in getting some initial experience. However you may also struggle with working and studying for a PhD at the same time.

Should I study my PhD full-time or part-time if I need to work?

If you need to work and study, it’s important to think about how you will manage that. Can you study full-time and work at the same time and if so how much work can you do? A full-time PhD is regarded as a full-time commitment. So anything other than a supplementary job for a few hours per week is challenging. Some students start with a full-time PhD and then move to studying the PhD part-time. So you would need to discuss this with your university first.

Planning to study a part-time PhD takes longer overall but it may also give you the time to do your PhD and to make the money you need. If you do decide to study part-time you may already have a job that will allow you to have flexible hours. Think also about part time work in a field that relates to your study. If you need to look for a job that will help you do your PhD, your University is likely to have temporary or part-time jobs that students can apply for on campus – most universities have a database of these jobs for students so you can find out in advance what the pay rates are and if that would be enough.

Universities also have a range of part-time jobs which may be administrative or involve working in labs. If you apply for one of these jobs, especially in your own department, it’s important to make sure you work out how you will manage this. This way, you're prepared for when you are working on your PhD and when you are working on your job.

What if I am an International Student?

If you are an international student in the UK there will be restrictions on how many hours you can work. The UK Government has made some improvements to this. There are more opportunities now to study and work in the UK .

Talking to your University about your options

Your university wants you to succeed at your PhD. It has experienced students working whilst studying and works and what doesn’t. If you are planning to work whilst studying it’s a good idea to talk to your department. These questions may form part of your application process because your Supervisor will want to make sure you have the means to conduct your research as well as support yourself.

Many students study for a PhD and work for at least part of the time and complete their PhD successfully. If you look at the options beforehand, you can plan what works best for you. This way you can get the most from your PhD whilst working at the same time.

Looking for PhD Funding? There are a wide range of study funding opportunities for intending PhD students on PostgraduateStudentships

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

Computing Science and Informatics PhD

London south bank university.

The School of Engineering has a strong culture of research and enterprise. We are the top modern university in London for world-leading Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,820 per year (UK)
• 4 years Full time degree: £4,820 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,892 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate Research in Computing Sciences

University of east anglia uea.

The School provides a vibrant research environment that allows you to carry out cutting edge research projects supervised by some of the Read more...

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

Computer Science and Information Systems MPhil/PhD

Birkbeck, university of london.

An PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation of Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,500 per year (UK)

Psychology PhD

University of central lancashire.

Our postgraduate research degrees in psychology will enable you to enhance your skills as a researcher and contribute to the advancement of Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £5,000 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time degree: £2,500 per year (UK)

Computer Science PhD

Royal holloway, university of london.

About us Computer Science at Royal Holloway is one of the world's leading centres of research in advanced areas of theoretical and applied Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD Research Degree Programme in collaboration with the University of East London

Rose bruford college.

MPhil/PhD Research Degree Programme in collaboration with the University of East London. Freedom to explore your work Research a thesis Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,740 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,870 per year (UK)

Energy MPhil, PhD

Newcastle university.

This PhD allows you to specialise in areas such as bio-energy, sustainable power and fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. By pursuing Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 72 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD - Bournemouth University Business School

Bournemouth university.

The research strategy in the faculty is aligned with Bournemouth University’s 2025 vision and strategic plan; a plan that stresses Read more...

• 7 years Part time degree

Architecture, Construction and Environment PhD

University of gloucestershire.

What is Architecture, Construction and Environment A Landscape Architecture research degree offers you the opportunity to explore Read more...

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

Queen Mary University of London

All supervisors are qualified members of staff with their own major research projects and publications. Our large and thriving community of Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

PhD Research Degrees

Arts university bournemouth.

Research degrees are awarded in recognition of significant contributions to knowledge and scholarship produced through the development of Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,000 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £3,000 per year (UK)

Management PhD

University of liverpool management school, university of liverpool.

Our Management PhD aims to develop world-class researchers, specialised in building theory and producing valuable insight into business and Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Executive PhD

Bayes business school (formerly cass business school), city, university of london.

About the Executive PhD programme Today's business environment is fast moving, competitive and constantly changing. In order to survive Read more...

• 4 years Part time degree: £26,250 per year (UK)

Law PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Kingston university.

Whether you are planning a career as an academic within the education sector, or as a professional researcher within the public or 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)

Human Sciences, MPhil/PhD

University of greenwich.

Our doctoral programme in Human Sciences allows you to conduct cutting-edge research in fields including Psychology, Social Work, Public Read more...

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

PhD Politics and International Relations

University of hertfordshire.

A University of Hertfordshire research degree is internationally recognised signifying high levels of achievement in research. This course Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,925 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,960 per year (UK)

Architecture research degree MPhil/PhD

De montfort university.

With internationally renowned researchers, state-of-the-art facilities, a passion for interdisciplinary working and a focus on real-world Read more...

1-20 of 3316 courses

Course type:

Qualification:, universities:.

• University of Warwick
• University of West London
• Durham University
• Royal Northern College of Music
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School
• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
• University of Hull
• Bishop Grosseteste University
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Hull York Medical School
• Health Sciences University (formerly AECC University College)
• University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Huddersfield
• University of Nottingham
• Cardiff University
• University of Suffolk
• Canterbury Christ Church University
• University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education
• Royal College of Music

Related Subjects:

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

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Discover more about this subject area

PhD Education / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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

Full entry requirements

Apply online

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

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 19 January 2024.

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

• For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024

Programme options

Programme overview

• 2nd in the UK for Education (Complete University Guide 2024).  
• The University of Manchester was ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Education research (overall GPA, REF2021).
• Learn with research-active experts in the field of education and work with highly diverse cohorts of students and staff.
• Contribute to improvements in the overall wellbeing of students, their families and communities throughout the world through research.

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The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and programmes. On this day, you will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see Open days.

We will be conducting our PGR virtual open week in October 2024. Find out about future events and postgraduate research sessions by signing up for our email alerts.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £6,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £3,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,750

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

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

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

Scholarships/sponsorships

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

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Environment, Education and Development studentships is 19 January 2024.

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

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

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Environment, Education and Development Postgraduate Research Studentships 2024 Entry - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• School of Environment, Education and Development Enhancing Racial Equality (SERE) Studentship - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

• UK Visas for PhD Students - A Guide

UK Visa Guide for PhD Students

Written by Mark Bennett

The UK's wide range of research-intensive universities make it an excellent choice for PhD study abroad. However, you'll normally need a visa to study for a UK doctorate as an international student .

PhD students are part of the UK's points-based Student Route visa system (previously known as the Tier 4 student visa). Gaining such a visa is not usually complicated, provided you are a genuine student and have been accepted to study at a recognised UK university.

This page explains how the UK's student visa system works, who is eligible and how to apply. We've also covered the new Graduate Route post-study work visa which will allow PhD students to remain in the UK for up to three years after completing a doctorate.

On this page

Uk government immigration updates.

There have been some changes in UK's immigration policies recently. Most recently, the Government has announced an an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). As of 6 February 2024, students and their dependants will now have to pay £776 per year (an increase of £306). There have been changes to application fees and dependant rules as well. We've pulled together all the recent changes in a blog for you!

Who needs a visa to study a PhD in the UK?

Most international students need a student visa to study in the UK. This applies to all levels of study, including undergraduate, Masters and PhD.

You should normally apply within your home country, before travelling to the UK and beginning your doctorate. However, you can also apply to extend your visa if you’re already studying in the UK (for example, if you’re enrolled on a Masters programme). Once granted, your visa will last for the stated duration of your degree and normally allow for multiple entries into the UK.

If you're an EU, EEA or Swiss national and you're beginning a PhD that starts after 1 January 2021, you'll need to apply for a student visa.

Who doesn't need a visa to study a PhD in the UK?

Some international students may still be able to study in the UK without a visa for their PhD. This may be the case if you have been granted asylum , recognised as a refugee or have lived in the country for an exceptionally long time ( long residence ).

In most of these circumstances you would already be in the UK and would therefore not be applying for a student visa in the normal way. If in doubt about your visa status contact your prospective university, or see the comprehensive advice provided by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

What was the Tier 4 student visa?

In October 2020, the UK Government replaced the previous Tier 4 (general) student visa with a new, points-based student visa route.

We’ve covered how these points work below, but in practice there isn’t a huge difference between the two schemes.

However, there are a few key changes to the Tier 4 visa that it’s worth being aware of:

• If you’re applying from outside the UK, you can now begin your visa application six months before your PhD begins (previously it was three months)
• There’s no limit to the time you can spend studying postgraduate qualifications in the UK on the new student visa
• EU, EEA and Swiss nationals have been added to the list of ‘low risk’ countries that don’t need to prove they meet the financial requirements
• If you’ve already studied an English-language qualification in an eligible country, you may not need to prove your language proficiency

Am I eligible for a UK PhD visa?

As a genuine international student, you will normally have no problem applying for a student visa, provided you can satisfy the following criteria:

• You must have been accepted to study at a UK insitution with the right to act as a student visa sponsor and granted confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)
• Your course must be a full-time or part-time PhD (or other postgraduate programme) at Ofqual level 7 or above
• You must possess the necessary English language skills for your course
• You must have sufficient money or PhD funding to pay your fees and cover living costs whilst you are in the UK

Further information about these requirements is given below.

Eligible courses

Student visas are available for qualifications at all levels of the UK higher education system, including Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes.

However, student visas for part-time study are only available to postgraduates . Undergraduate students must study full-time.

Language requirements

In order to study at a UK university you must be able to speak, read, write and understand English at a level sufficient for a higher education degree.

Your university will normally request a score from an academic language test as part of your PhD application. It will then certify this as part of your CAS.

However, if you've already studied a degree-level qualification in an English-language country , you won't usually need to prove your English proficiency using a test.

Money for course fees

You must be able to show that you have enough money to pay for at least the first year of your PhD. This amount will be based on fees stated by your university (as part of your CAS).

Money for living costs

You must be able to show that you have sufficient money for living costs. The minimum requirements are:

• £1,023 per month if your PhD is based outside London
• £1,334 per month if your PhD is based in London

You will need to show that you have sufficient costs to cover you for at least nine months of your PhD. So, if you are studying outside London, you will need access to £9,207. If you’re studying in London, you’ll need £11,385.

The UK Governemnt is currently reviweing the maintenance requirements for students. We will keep this page up-to-date with any new information. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates straight to your inbox.

Proof that you have sufficient money for your living costs can include:

• Funds in a bank account held by you (or by your parents / legal guardian)
• A student loan granted to you by a government or other state sponsor
• Financial sponsorship or scholarships awarded by your government, the UK Government, your university or a similar body

Other forms of finance, such as personal loan or credit agreements are not normally acceptable. Neither is money you plan to earn from part-time work.

However, if you're from an exempt country , you won't need to prove you meet the financial requirements.

How does PhD student visa sponsorship work?

The Student Route visa system requires universities or other higher education providers to 'sponsor' their students' visa applications. This helps to confirm that students are genuine and that the qualifications they intend to study are suitable for a student visa application.

Once a university has agreed to sponsor you it will issue you with confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS). You can then use your CAS to apply for your visa for PhD study.

Which UK universities can act as student sponsors?

The majority of higher education insitutions in the UK can sponsor their students visas (and issue CAS). If in doubt, contact your university, or check the Government's register of licensed student sponsors .

How does CAS work?

Your CAS will be issued to you by your university in the form of a unique reference number (your CAS number). You can then use this to make your visa application.

Once issued, your CAS will be valid for six months . You must apply for your visa within this time.

Can a university stop being a student sponsor?

This is relatively rare, but may lead to two outcomes:

• Your university becomes a legacy sponsor – In this case, your university will not be able to issue new CAS, but any CAS it has already issued with remain valid. You should be able to apply for your visa, or complete a PhD with an existing visa, as normal.
• Your university has its sponsorship revoked – In this case any CAS issued by your university will become invalid, as will a visa it was used to apply for. If you are studying on such a visa you will need to apply for a new CAS from another sponsor, or leave the UK within 60 days.

In practice, it is rare for a university to lose its sponsorship status and most institutions that do will retain some form of legacy sponsor status. UKCISA offers additional resources and advice for students with any concerns.

How do I apply for a UK visa for PhD study?

The UK uses a 'points-based' visa application system. A number of points are awared to you for satisfying each eligibility criteria and you must earn a certain amount before you can apply.

A student visa requires 70 points . These are awarded to you as follows:

• 50 points – for gaining your confirmation of acceptance for studies
• 10 points – for proving that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your degree
• 10 points – for proving you meet the English language requirements

You earn these points separately, but you must have the full 70 in order to be granted a visa.

The points-based system

Don't let the points-based system confuse you. It mainly serves to keep track of the different parts of your application. Provided you meet the criteria for your visa you will earn the necessary 'points' as you go.

Application process

There are three steps to applying for a student visa for a PhD in the UK:

• Step one: apply for a PhD – You'll need to find a PhD in the UK and be accepted before you can begin a visa application. Your university will confirm that you meet the requirements for your course, including academic qualifications and language proficiency.
• Step two: receive CAS – Once it has offered you an unconditional place, your university will issue you with a CAS number. This confirms that the university will sponsor you as a genuine international student. Your CAS is valid for six months .
• Step three: apply for a visa – You can now begin your student visa application online . You should do this from within your home country, no more than six months before your PhD begins.

Visiting a visa application centre

Once you have registered your online application, you should make an appointment at an official visa application centre (VAC). You should check in advance to find your nearest centre .

Staff at the VAC will take the photograph and fingerprints you'll need later for your biometric residence permit .

Sometimes you will also be interviewed to check why you are applying for a visa. If so, simply explain why you want to study a PhD and why you have chosen to do so at your UK university. Your answers don't need to be very detailed: you just need to prove that you are genuinely interested in studying a PhD abroad in the UK.

If you’re from a specified country and have a biometric, you may be able to use a mobile app called ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ to verify your identity without visiting a VAC.

You will have to pay some fees as part of your student visa application. The exact amount will vary depending on your circumstances.

If you’re applying from outside the UK, you’ll pay an application fee of £490.

If you’re applying from inside the UK (to extend an existing student visa or switch from another kind of visa), you’ll pay an application fee of £490.

Some visa application centres may also charge a small VAC fee to cover their administrative costs. You should be able to check this in advance.

Most students will also need to pay an immigration healthcare surcharge allowing you to use the UK's National Health Service (NHS) during your degree. The fee for this is normally £470 per year for students, but you can check the exact amount . As of 6 February 2024, this amount will be increasing to £776 per year

Processing times

If you’re applying from outside the UK, most visa applications are processed within three weeks, but the exact time required may vary. You can begin your application six months before your PhD begins.

If you’re applying from inside the UK, your visa will usually be processed within eight weeks and you can apply three months before the PhD programme starts.

What other conditions are there?

Once you have your visa you will be allowed to come to the UK and get started with your PhD. There are a few terms and conditions that will apply to you whilst you study.

Arriving in the UK

You can arrive in the UK up to one month before your PhD begins.

Initially your visa will be issued as a short-term entry 'vignette' (a sticker in your passport). This will allow you to enter the UK for up to 90 days , during which time you must collect your longer-term biometric residence permit.

Collecting your biometric residence permit

Your biometric residence permit (BRP) functions as your immigration document for the remainder of your degree. It contains records of your photograph and fingerprints (taken at your visa application centre) as well as specific details about your visa.

Your BRP will normally be sent to your visa sponsor (your university). You should collect it from them within 10 days of arriving in the UK, or before your short-term entry permit expires.

Working alongside your PhD

You can work in the UK with a student visa, subject to the following conditions:

• You can only work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time (there is no limit on working hours during vacation periods)
• You must be a full-time student as confirmed by your university
• You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or in certain other jobs

Don't forget that you cannot rely on income from employment to cover your living expenses in the UK.

Bringing family members

A recent change to UK visas has meant that dependents can only be brought with you on Phd courses, doctoral qualifications and research-based higher degrees. This means, as a PhD student, you are still able to bring dependants (such as your partner or children) to live with you in the UK during your PhD.

You will need to pay an additional immigration healthcare surcharge for each dependent and demonstrate that sufficient money is available to support them during their time in the UK. You must also be studying for your PhD full-time.

Visas for part-time PhD students

The UK's student visas include part-time postgraduate students. However, students on these visas are not normally allowed to work during their degrees, or bring dependants with them to the UK.

Visa duration

Your visa will be valid for the duration of your PhD, provided you continue to study at your sponsoring university.

Once you have completed your doctorate, you can remain in the UK for up to four additional months . You will still be covered by the terms of your student visa during this period, but may use the time to seek skilled work and potentially apply for another visa.

Alternatively, you may apply for the UK's Graduate Route scheme (see below). However, you must do this before your visa expires.

What is the Graduate Route visa?

The Graduate Route is a new UK post-study work visa option being introduced for international students who complete a doctorate after 1 July 2021. It will allow you to remain in the UK for up to three years after your PhD.

This option will replace the Doctorate Extension scheme for new PhD students starting in 2020-21.

You can sign up to our free newsletter for information and updates.

UK Government immigration update

The new immigration update from the UK Goverment has no effect on the duration of the Graduate Route visa yet. Students currently applying for the visa will continue to get two or three years depending on their qualification. We will keep updating this page with the most up-to-date information on Graduate Route visas.

What was the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

The Doctorate Extension Scheme allowed international PhD graduates to extend their visa for up to 12 months in order to seek work in the UK.

From summer 2021 the Doctorate Extension Scheme will be replaced by the new Graduate Route, which allows all eligible international PhD students to remain in the UK for up to 36 months

Further information

We've done our best to ensure the information on this page is accurate and up-to-date, but we recommend you check your visa requirements carefully. The following resources may be useful to you:

• The UK Government website publishes official information on student visa requirements
• The UK Council for International Student Affairs offers a wide range of resources and guidance for overseas students
• The international office at your university may also be able to offer specific assistance with your visa application and requirements

If you're looking for a visa to study a UK Masters degree, rather than a PhD, see the full guide at FindAMasters.com

Search for a UK PhD

The first step to applying for a student visa is finding a PhD. Why not take a look at some of the current opportunities on our website?

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

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We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Getting ready to apply for a PhD? Our guides explain research proposals, references and entry tests for doctoral programmes.

Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application.

Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

What documents you need for a complete study abroad application, what they are and what they should and should not include.

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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

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Degree durations

Full-time degree durations

Part-time study

International students

Important information

The time-periods above are the  maximum  periods of study for the specified research degrees. Information on part-time study can be found below.

Part-time programme lengths are calculated as a pro-rata equivalent of the full-time period of study. You may apply for part-time registration at 0.5 full-time equivalent (fte), 0.6 fte, 0.7 fte, 0.8 fte or 0.9 fte, however, the nature of some programmes may limit the part-time registration options available, so it is advisable to enquire before application.

Programme lengths are calculated on the basis of a 37.5 hour working week for full-time students, and the pro-rata equivalent for part-time students.

The majority of our international PhD students who require a Student visa study with us on a full-time basis. In these cases, we include programme dates of four years and six months on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If you complete your studies sooner than the end date on your CAS, we are required to report this to UK Visas and Immigration. Your visa will then be curtailed in line with your actual completion date.

Studying full-time enables you to work alongside your studies (as long as you are meeting   Government   and   university  criteria). It also may be possible for your dependants to join you.

As we are a highly compliant UK university, we are also able to offer part-time study for PhD international students on a Student visa. The part-time route, however, does not allow for work alongside study and dependants are not allowed to live in the UK with you.

What if I want to stay in the UK after my doctoral or PhD degree?

Research students holding a valid Student or Tier 4 visa, who have completed a degree at a UK Higher Education Provider, are able to apply for a Graduate visa that allows them to remain in the UK and work, or look for work, for 3 years after they have completed a PhD.

For full details of the Graduate route visit   Graduate Route | International Student Support | University of Exeter .

Find out more about visas on our   International student support   webpages.

If you receive funding for your studies, your funder may fund a period of study that is shorter than the maximum period set by the University. You should plan to submit your thesis by your funding end date.

If you are funding your own studies, your department may require you to submit your thesis for examination within a shorter time-period, normally in line with the lengths of funding commonly available to students in the discipline.

Although you will be responsible for meeting the expected thesis submission deadline, you will receive support in planning and managing your project through your supervisory team.

While the maximum period of study relates to the final deadline for submission, you should also bear in mind that after you submit your thesis you will need to allow time to prepare for examination of your thesis, and to complete any further work you may need to undertake as a result of your examination.

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Part-Time PhD in the UK? How does this work?

I'm from the US but I work as an engineer in the UK. In the US, part-time engineering PhD students at high-profile universities are possible, but rare and usually limited to special cases.

In the UK, it seems nearly every school has a part-time PhD option. How does a part-time engineering PhD at elite schools [Oxford, Imperial, Cambridge, UCL] work?

Is it possible to work full-time and obtain and obtain a part-time PhD at these elite schools?

What are your chances of being admitted to these top programs as a part-time PhD student (I'd assume there would be a bias against part time students)?

• graduate-admissions
• engineering
• united-kingdom

• Perhaps you could consider an EngD rather than a PhD, where the research takes place in the workplace not a uni lab, and the output is seen as more of an applied research nature rather than pure research? (Full disclosure: I have no first hand knowledge, but that's the way I understand what I have read.) –  user95861 Commented Apr 29 at 11:48

5 Answers 5

Full-time PhD student here (my office mate is part-time).

As you say, many universities will have a part-time program. It probably is possible to work full-time and do research part time, but it will be even more challenging than usual. PhDs tend to work best if you immerse yourself fully and spend your energy exclusively on research (especially if you want to have some spare time). My friend finds it difficult to balance a 20 hour workweek and a part-time research position. I've never met anyone who has a full-time job on top of the PhD.

Re funding: AFAIK grants are typically used for full-time studentships. In my group, we have often broken down a full-time position into two part-time ones, but only for postdoctoral researchers. I guess the assumption is at a postdoc level people will be better at juggling all their commitments. My supervisor won't admit to it, but I reckon he would prefer one full-time student as opposed to two part-time ones, as the former is more likely to complete.

EDIT: I spoke to my supervisor. If your day job is related to the research and is likely to help you (as opposed to holding you back), he said he would consider it a plus.

• My father did his PhD over seven or eight (?) years at a UK university while holding down a full-time job - it was effectively an extension of the engineering work he was already doing, so presumably fitted into the situation your supervisor mentions. (It's worth noting that he was in his fifties by this point; it wasn't an alternative to doing it full-time aged 23) –  Andrew is gone Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 18:47

Two big differences between US and UK PhD programs are that full time UK programs are designed to be 3 years (with a pretty hard limit at 4 years) and many students, even in engineering and science, are not funded.

Admissions to UK PhD programs, even the top programs, is significantly easier than in the US. Ignoring funding for a moment, admissions in the UK is almost entirely dependent on finding a willing supervisor, while in the US having a supervisor is not generally enough to gain admissions. So if you can find a supervisor who is willing to take you on as a part time PhD student, your chances of getting in are pretty good.

Funding is a whole different story. Externally funded studentships in the UK are generally for full time students and departments generally do not like to commit themselves to 6 years. That said, tuition and fees in the UK can be much cheaper and self funding a UK PhD is much more common.

In terms of finishing, I think a part time student in the UK has advantages that part time students in the US do not. Full time students in the UK lose their funding after 3 years and must be finished by 4 years while part time students have at least 6 years to finish. As some aspects of the PhD cannot be rushed, there are times were working less for longer is a definite advantage.

I am a part-time masters(but will be switching to PhD part-time) in Ireland, where conditions are broadly similar to the UK.

I found no bias against me as a part-time student as my application process was exactly the same as if I was a full-time student.

Part-time PhDs will normally have the same criteria as the full-time one but you will in general get double the time to finish it. One thing to watch out for is that a potential supervisor is fully aware of the lengthier time-frame to possible completion.

Just from my own experience, on working full-time and doing post-graduate study. It can be done but it is hard. I have a nine to five job. I'm lucky in that my work place is a 10 minute walk from my university where I have a desk in a post-graduate research centre. I would generally start about 6 and finish around ten or eleven. There are also full days done at the weekend. I think even with everything going perfectly you are a least committing to 4-5 years. I'm in the Humanities so holidays/vacations are now trips to archives for research!

In relation to funding, as noted in the other answers, it is near impossible to get tuition fees funded. You may also be able to apply for some internal grants within the university you study in. I have been able to receive some funding from within my university from a travel bursary to help fund my research trips.

Hi I work full time and PhD student for several years now. I think there are two answers here. It is possible. Don't do it.

Job tends to be chaotic, changeable and normally not designed to be long.

Research is slow, a lot of planning a lot of reading.

As result job tends to take over and in my experience what happens is that your life becomes a complete work stream. You will try to review during work and will get interrupted. Then you will plan to research in the evening but as you are probably in front of the computer you carry on working for longer. Etc. It is very challenging and your life will disappear.

Saying that, if you manage your life and start with a methodology and stick to it. Is painful but doable.

My advice. Make sure you have an office not in your place of work. Either at home or where you are doing research. Review access to labs and negotiate access after hours and on weekends (I waited a long time to do this and it has been painful). .with part time you have a higher probability of find your research has been done or gets done while you are invested in your research. So commit to it but have alternative routes always. Finally it sounds small but it works for me. Wear different clothes whe doing research or when at work. That way you are.literelly wearing a different hat. Your life is easier for you but also for those around you.

I worked full time and launched (and later sold) a company while working on a PhD.

It is possible, but you need to be really clear on what your reasons are for wanting a PhD and proceed accordingly. Because your priorities will be in constant conflict during this very (very) long process.

Here are two common scenarios I've seen:

Moving from industry to academia:

If you want to transition from industry to academia, I strongly advise making your PhD your main focus and either quitting your full time job, or working part time instead.

Advancing within industry:

If instead you are interested in a PhD because it will help you with your industry career, then working full time while doing a part time PhD is probably the path I would take, especially if I could convince my employer to pay for some or all of it.

Finally, whichever category you're in, make sure that your family/spouse/significant other is fully on board with the amount of time this will take you, both in terms of calendar time and number of hours per week.

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Is part time PhD a good idea?

I started working at my uni for a few years as a technician and I liked my projects so much that I have decided I want to be more part of academia, which means I need a PhD. The department is offering me a part time PhD based on my full time role, so my day to day work will go towards a 0hd. Does anyone have any experience with part time PhD? I only know 1 colleague of mine who done it and honestly I'm a bit scared of a 6 year commitment, especially that I will be at my mid 30s when I finish

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Adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, Lily overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of ... Read all Adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, Lily overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship. Adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, Lily overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship.

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