Explore our research courses

About the project

Study a research degree with us and you’ll join a vibrant and world-class research environment. Get in touch with a research tutor to explore your options.

Explore our research courses

A PhD will allow you to study your chosen research topic in-depth. You'll build on your existing knowledge and develop valuable transferable skills.

We're here to support you during your studies. You’ll receive regular supervision and training to help you succeed in your independent study. In some cases, you can undertake periods of fieldwork in the UK or overseas.

We offer alternative start dates for your research degree, starting in September, January or March.

Types of research degrees

We offer a range of postgraduate research options to suit researchers at all levels. Read our guide to postgraduate research degrees and choose the research degree that's right for you.

What can I expect from a research degree?

Undertaking a research degree is a large commitment. Before starting your studies, you should consider some things:

• You will need to attend university regularly to study, for supervision, training and research symposia.
• Your subject area and study mode will determine the amount of time you need to spend studying on campus
• Normally you are expected to be resident in the UK and within daily travelling distance of the University.
• Some programmes will include periods of fieldwork away from the University either in the UK or abroad

How long will my programme be?

Research degrees differ from other types of courses. The end date depends on you submitting a thesis and the outcome of the viva voce examination. The expected timelines for each award are below:

Full-time study

Award | Expected timeframe to submit your thesis | Max time allowed for submission of thesis

Award

Expected timeframe to submit your thesis

Max time allowed for submission of thesis

MA/MSc/LLM (by research) | 12 months | 24 months

MA/MSc/LLM (by research)

12 months

24 months

MPhil | 24 months | 36 Months

MPhil

24 months

36 Months

PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration) | 36 months | 48 months

PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration)

36 months

48 months

PhD direct | 24 months | 36 months

PhD direct

24 months

36 months

Part-time study

Award | Expected timeframe to submit your thesis | Max time allowed for submission of thesis

Award

Expected timeframe to submit your thesis

Max time allowed for submission of thesis

MA/MSc/LLM (by research) | 24 months | 36 months

MA/MSc/LLM (by research)

24 months

36 months

MPhil | 48 months | 60 months

MPhil

48 months

60 months

PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration) | 72 months | 84 months

PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration)

72 months

84 months

PhD direct | 48 months | 60 months

PhD direct

48 months

60 months

MD (Res) and MCh (Res) | 36 months | 48 months

MD (Res) and MCh (Res)

36 months

48 months

PhD (by published work) | 12 months | 24 months

PhD (by published work)

12 months

24 months

PhD (by portfolio) | 48 months | 60 months

PhD (by portfolio)

48 months

60 months

Time for examination to be completed and the award to be conferred The timescales vary depending on the result of the examination. The minimum time is around three months. Most students average around six months.

What is the Graduate Research School?

Our Graduate Research School supports the postgraduate research environment and culture. The school delivers training, as well as hosts events and activities.

• We offer research skills training that is mapped to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework
• We host the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition and Annual PGR Conference
• We support the postgraduate research (PGR) Society
• We manage the University of Lancashire Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (UURIP)
• We represent the PGR community at University level
• We support research supervisors, research degree tutors and examining teams
• We listen and respond to the PGR student voice

Alumni Loyalty Discount

If you're a UK student with a previous award from us you may be eligible to receive 20% tuition fee discount.

Research degree tutors

Before you apply or submit your own proposal it's essential to contact one of our research degree tutors to explore your ideas. We will not be able to process an application without confirmation you have discussed your ideas with a research degree tutor.

Please note this is an essential requirement for all Postgraduate Research Degrees other than MRes and Professional Doctorate courses.

Email us and we'll put you in contact with the relevant tutor, or email one of the research degree tutors directly using the details below.

School of Arts and Media

Art/Design/Fashion

Performance/Music

Journalism/Media

• Andrew Broadey
• Ewa Mazierska
• Jim Ingham

Business School

Accounting and Finance/Economics

Operations Management/Logistics & Supply Chain Management/Human Resource Management/Tourism and Hospitality/Business/Marketing

Entrepreneurial Competencies/Human Capital/Value/New Venture Creation/Business Start-ups/ Business/Marketing

Professional Doctorate (DBA)

• Rami Salem
• Dorota (Dot) Ujma
• Philip Stone
• Dorota Marsh
• Andy Clarke
• Alex William Grebenar

School of Engineering and Computing

Lead RDT for the School:

Astrophysics/Physics/Mathematics

Building Services/Fire Engineering

Construction Management/Facilities Management/Procurement/Economics

Electrical Engineering/Digital Signal and Image Processing

Electronics/Mechatronics/Tribotronics

Energy and Environment

Human Computer Interaction/Computing

Mechanical Engineering/Simulation/Oil and Gas (and Senior RDT)

• Champika Liyanage
• Mark Norris
• Daniel Brown
• Monika Gamza
• Andrew Fsadni
• Champika Liyanage
• Mara Bernabei
• Mara Bernabei
• Matt Stables
• Beth Richardson
• Gavin Sim
• Nathalie Renevier

School of Health, Social Work and Sport

Social Policy/Social Work

Gender-based Violence/Ethnic minorities/Social Policy

RDT and Course Leader for Professional Doctorate (DProf) Professional Practice Community & Social Care: Policy & Practice

Public Health

Applied Health/Biomechanics

Allied Health Research Unit

Sport and Cultural Studies

Sport and Exercise/Food Nutritional Sciences

Nutrition

Sport Business/Sports Coaching

Sport Studies/PE/Outdoors

Institute of Coaching and Performance

Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (DProf)

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Professional Doctorate (DProf) in Psychotherapy

• Ruth Parkes
• Chinyere Ajayi
• Jacqueline Williams
• Omotayo Olajide
• Ambreen Chohan
• Graham Chapman
• Colette Miller
• Jess Macbeth
• Jonnie Sinclair
• Shingai Nyarugwe
• Cliff Olsson
• Chris Yiannaki
• Jess Macbeth
• Clive Palmer
• Paul Gray
• Alan Thomson
• Jill Alexander
• Chris Yiannaki
• Damian Harper
• Dave Grecic
• Jill Alexander
• LJ Potter
• Marie Percival
• LJ Potter
• Jen Davies-Owen

School of Law and Policing

School Lead for PhDs (including all research degree awards)

Archaeology and Forensic Science

Criminology and Policing

Law

Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice (DProf)

• Emily Cooper
• Jennifer Jones
• Laura Kelly-Corless
• Les Humphreys
• Mohammed El Said
• Allwell Uwazuruike
• Jennifer Hough

School of Medicine and Dentistry

Medicine

Dentistry

Professional Doctorate (DProf) in Clinical Studies

Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent)

• Izabela Penier
• Ihtesham Rehman
• Izabela Penier
• Ihtesham ur Rehman
• Marta Krysmann
• Marta Krysmann

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

School Lead for PhDs (including all research degree awards)

Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences /Applied Chemistry/Materials Science

• Kamalinder Singh
• Enoche Oga
• Kamalinder Singh
• Izabela Stasik
• Joseph Hayes

School of Psychology and Humanities

Cognitive and Affective/Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience/Psychobiology/Social Psychology/Health Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Humanities, Language & Global Studies/ Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD)/Lead RDT for Humanities

Humanities/Language & Global Studies

• Emma Threadgold
• John Marsh
• Sara Milledge
• Emma Threadgold
• Sara Milledge
• Nick Palfreyman
• Neil Walker

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Health Visiting/Midwifery

Nursing/Philosophy/Mental Health

Professional Doctorate in Health (DProf)

Stroke Research

• Nicola Crossland
• Gloria Ayob
• Victoria Hall Moran
• Emma Bray

School of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Medicine

• Carrie Ijich

Research and Knowledge Exchange institutes

Discover our range of University research areas to tailor your degree towards. Our Research and Knowledge Exchange institutes enhance the quality of our research environment and create more opportunities to achieve world-leading impact through their activities.

How to apply

Research of national and international excellence is at the heart of academic life at the University of Lancashire. On completion of your research degree you should be in a very strong position for pursuing your chosen career. If you're ready to start your research degree, you'll find details of the application process on the next few pages.

Fees, costs and funding

It is important that you know how you are going to fund your studies for the duration of your research degree, and ensure you have the resources to pay all your fees, costs associated with your research programme and your living expenses.

Studentships

Most studentship funding is for PhD places. Schemes vary and may provide either full cover or partial funding for tuition fees, and some may also include a maintenance grant. Please check individual awards for eligibility.

Current research students are not eligible to apply for our research studentships.

Postgraduate research student profiles

Showcasing a breadth of current research projects from our postgraduate students.

Research areas