Study at both Masters and research level

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Become a game-changing researcher

We offer a wide range of Integrated PhDs across the social sciences, arts and humanities, and science and health.

• Study at Masters-level and then conduct your own research - be awarded a PhD at the end of the course.
• Gain the skills you need in the first Masters-level year in order to undertake research study.
• Receive guidance, supervision and expert teaching from world-class academics.

What is an Integrated PhD?

A traditional Integrated PhD provides a route into research study if you do not have a Masters degree, or have very little research training. It enables you to spend your first year completing Masters-level training, followed by a full-time PhD. The PhD element of the course will allow you to study your chosen subject in depth, whilst being supervised by one or more members of our academic staff.

How is an Integrated PhD different from a standard PhD?

Integrated PhDs are different from standard PhDs in a few ways.

• An Integrated PhD combines both taught study (in your first year) as well as independent research (during the PhD element of the course).
• An Integrated PhD should take longer to complete than a standard PhD (because it includes the Masters-level year).
• Integrated PhDs are designed for students who have not previously completed a Masters course but are particularly interested in pursuing research study.

Which departments offer Integrated PhDs?

The following Departments all offer either traditional Integrated PhDs or our new Integrated PhDs with research and communication skills.

Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

• School of Language, Literature, and Media
• Essex Law School
• Department of Economics
• Department of Government
• Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Essex Business School

Faculty of Science and Health

• School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
• School of Health and Social Care
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
• Department of Psychology

How long does an Integrated PhD take to complete?

An Integrated PhD can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete, depending on your study mode. The first year can only be studied full-time, which will take you a year to complete. When you begin the PhD element of the course, this will take you a further 3-4 years studying full-time, or 6-7 years studying part-time.

Where will I be based?

All of our Integrated PhDs are taught and supervised from our Colchester Campus.

How will I be assessed?

During your PhD element of the course, you will undertake a large, independent research project and you will be examined by viva. Short for 'viva voce', the viva is an oral examination in which examiners (usually two) pose questions to the candidate about their thesis. The assessment of your Masters-level year will depend on the specific course you are studying, but this is usually a combination of coursework, a dissertation and examinations.

What qualification will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of the full course, you will gain a PhD. If you only complete the first year, you will receive either a Masters qualification, if you study one of the traditional Integrated PhDs, or a PG Diploma or PG Certificate if you study one of the Integrated PhDs with researh and communication skills.

Is there any funding available?

We have a wide range of funding sources available for postgraduate students - from loans and discounts to bursaries and scholarships. Visit our fees and funding page to learn more about the different options that may be applicable to you.

How do I apply?

Check out the detailed information on our postgraduate research applying page, which describes step-by-step what you need to do to apply. This page also covers the application deadlines for our research degrees.

I am an international student. Is there anything extra I need to know?

If you require a student visa to study in the UK, then we will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to you when you have met the requirements for this. The CAS will allow you to make a single visa application for a student visa which will cover the full duration of the Integrated PhD course.

Integrated PhD Linguistics

Our four-year integrated PhD Linguistics follows the MRes Linguistics programme for year 1 before progressing to the PhD study programme.

Integrated PhD Sociolinguistics

Our four-year integrated PhD Sociolinguistics follows the MRES Linguistics programme for year 1 before progressing to the PhD study programme.

Integrated PhD Sociology

Do you have a strong background in sociology, its cognate disciplines or interdisciplinary areas, & a well-formulated research proposal? Enquire today.

Integrated PhD Applied Linguistics

We offer supervision for our PhD Applied Linguistics in the area of second language acquisition and learning.

Integrated PhD Government

Analyse and explain significant political outcomes such as war and peace, the way governments shape the economy, and the results of the elections.

Integrated PhD Philosophy

Our Integrated PhD in Philosophy at Essex is designed for students who seek to engage deeply with both theoretical and applied philosophical questions.

Integrated PhD Criminology

Combine your Masters and PhD study with our four-year integrated PhD Criminology.

Integrated PhD Global Public Health

Advance your career with a PhD in Global Public Health at Essex, conducting transformative research to tackle worldwide health challenges. Engage in transformat

Integrated PhD English Language Teaching

Combine your Masters and PhD studies with our four-year integrated PhD English Language Teaching course.

Integrated PhD Psychology

An Integrated PhD provides a route into research study if you do not have a Masters degree, or have very little research training.

Integrated PhD Economics

You receive advanced research training and expert supervision to reach your full potential, as well as access to top quality research facilities.

Integrated PhD Mathematics

Our Integrated PhD Mathematics programme offers you supervision in a wide range of mathematical areas, including both pure and applied subjects.

Integrated PhD Psychoanalytic Studies

We offer research supervision in fields such as child development, gender, history of psychoanalysis (including Jungian analysis), trauma and violence.

Integrated PhD Actuarial Science

On our Integrated PhD Actuarial Science, you can study survival analysis, risk management, asset-liability management for pension funds, and more.

Integrated PhD Data Science

On our Integrated PhD Data Science you can study industry 4.0, information retrieval, multidimensional scaling, optimisation, statistical learning, and more.

Integrated PhD Entrepreneurship

Explore the debates surrounding entrepreneurship, organisational development and innovation in the new economy on this integrated Masters and PhD programme.

Integrated PhD Computer Science

Spend your first year completing a Masters-level qualification, followed by a full-time PhD studied over 3-4 years.

Integrated PhD Accounting

Study and explore new research and insight into accounting and accountability processes on this integrated Masters and PhD programme

Integrated PhD Management

Interrogate issues in the contemporary workplace and how these relate to wider society on a local and global level on this integrated Masters and PhD programme.

Integrated PhD Tropical Marine Biology

We have research expertise in the ecology of coral reef systems, tropical seagrass beds, mangroves and fisheries, deep sea/marine connectivity, and more.

If you have a good idea about what the focus of your research will be, you'll need to find a suitable supervisor at Essex. Search for a research area or subject first and then make contact with a supervisor to discuss your ideas before you apply.

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