Types of research degrees

About the project

Read our guide to postgraduate research degrees and choose the research degree that's right for you.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD is the most common doctoral qualification. It is the highest postgraduate level qualification offered by universities in the UK. A PhD gets awarded on the successful completion of a programme of supervised research. It gets assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination). You'll investigate and evaluate an approved topic. This will result in an independent, significant, and original contribution to knowledge. And show an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. You'll be supported by a programme of research training to enable you to develop transferable skills for your future career path.

For most students, the award of a PhD is achieved via the MPhil route. You can transfer to PhD taking approximately halfway through the degree.

You can either develop your own research idea or apply for one of our advertised studentships. Funded opportunities are available throughout the year. If you have an idea for a PhD project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 3 years full-time
• 6 years part-time

Doctor of Medicine MD(Res)

The MD (Res) gets awarded on successful completion of a programme of supervised research. It gets assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination). You will investigate and evaluate an approved topic. This will result in a significant contribution to medical knowledge and/or professional practice. You will demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. Throughout your MD (Res) journey, you will get supported with a programme of research training. It will enable you to develop transferable skills for your future career path.

Applicants for MD (Res) must have held a research or teaching appointment or have been engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery. You must have been registered with the General Medical Council of the UK for at least three years before entry for the degree.

If you have an idea for an MD (Res) project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 3 years (part-time only)

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil is between a taught or research masters and a PhD. You will investigate and evaluate an approved topic. You'll also prove an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. An MPhil is awarded on successful completion of a programme of supervised research. It is assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination). Throughout your MPhil journey, you will be supported by a programme of research training. This will enable you to develop transferable skills for your future career path.

If you have an idea for an MPhil project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 2 years full-time
• 4 years part-time

Master of Surgery (MCh)

The MCh is awarded on completion of a programme of supervised research and gets assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination). You'll investigate and evaluate an approved topic resulting in a significant contribution to a particular subject of Surgery. You will show an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. Throughout your MCh journey, you'll be supported by a programme of research training. It will enable you to develop transferable skills for your future career path.

Applicants for MCh must have held a research or teaching appointment or have been engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery. You'll have been registered with the General Medical Council of the UK or equal for at least three years before entry for the degree.

If you have an idea for an MCh project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 3 years part-time

Master of Arts (MA by Research)

If you're looking to take the first step into research, an MA (by Research) is an ideal award. You'll undertake an independent project to help you gain qualitative and quantitative research skills. These skills will be vital when you carry out a long-term project. If you are aiming to study for a PhD, the MA (by Research) will prepare you for study at PhD level. It will also enable you to gain subject-specific research skills for professional development purposes.

For MA (by Research), you will demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. You'll do this by completing an approved programme of supervised research which is assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination).

If you have an idea for an MA (by Research) project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

Master of Science (MSc by Research)

An MSc (by Research) is the perfect qualification to take your first steps into research. You'll gain qualitative and/or quantitative research skills. These will be essential when you complete independent research projects. If you are aiming to study for a PhD, the MSc (by Research) will prepare you for study at PhD level. You will also gain subject-specific research skills for professional development purposes.

You'll demonstrate an understanding of research methods suitable to your chosen field. You'll undertake an approved programme of supervised research and it gets assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination).

If you have an idea for an MSc (by Research) project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

Master of Laws (LLM by Research)

If you are aiming to study for a PhD, the LLM (by Research) will prepare you for study at PhD level. You will gain subject-specific research skills for professional development purposes. An LLM (by Research) is a great introduction to the world of research. The programme will help you develop both qualitative and quantitative research skills. You'll undertake an independent project and a long-term project.

For LLM (by Research), you will show an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. You will be completing an approved programme of supervised research and it is assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination).

If you have an idea for an LLM (by Research) project, please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

PhD (by Published Work)

Available to University of Lancashire graduates, current staff at the University or our partner institutions or honorary academics of the University.

The PhD (by Published Work) provides an alternative route to the traditional PhD. This award is ideal if you are a published researcher but have not obtained a doctoral award. It allows you to prove via your publications that you've already undertaken doctoral-level research. As well as showing you have the appropriate research skills for that level.

Applicants for PhD (by Published Work) must:

Your research should result in an independent, significant and original contribution to knowledge. It should demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. It is assessed via submission of a synoptic commentary and a defence of the Published Work at viva voce (oral examination).

If you are interested in applying for PhD (by Published Work) please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application. There is guidance to help with the preparation of your application.

• 1 year (part-time only)
• be a current member of the staff of the University or one of the partner institutions of the University; or
• be an honorary academic of the University; or
• be a graduate of the University

MD (by Published Work)

The MD (by Published Work) is for researchers in a clinical environment. You will of made a significant contribution to medical knowledge and/or professional practice. If you have already published but not obtained a doctoral award, the MD (by Published Work) provides an alternative route to the traditional MD.

Applicants for MD (by Published Work) must:

You'll investigate and evaluate diagnosis or management in a clinical environment. The result should provide a significant contribution to medical knowledge and/or professional practice. The MD (by Published Work) is assessed via submission of a synoptic commentary and a defence of the Published Work at viva voce (oral examination).

If you are interested in applying for MD (by Published Work) please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . There is guidance to help with the preparation of your application.

• 1 year (part-time only)
• have for at least 5 years prior to the entry for the degree, held a research or teaching appointment; or
• have been engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery; and
• have been registered with the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.

PhD by Portfolio

PhD by Portfolio is a 48-60 month programme (part-time only). It's aimed at those who have a wealth of professional and vocational experience to bring to their programme. This will be evidenced at the application stage. The PhD thesis, of 80,000 words equivalent, is a portfolio constituted by three ‘linked and distinct’ project areas. This is capped by a 15,000 word synoptic report. Two project areas will be retrospective, drawn from your professional/vocational background. While the third is a ‘live’ research project, conducted under supervision. A high level of synthesis between the three projects areas is expected, focussing the research on a single title. The examination is by thesis and verbal defence (viva-voce).

To find out more please contact one of the Research Degrees Tutors listed on our postgraduate research page . They will discuss your proposal further with you before you submit your application.

How to apply

You can online through the University of Lancashire Admissions. You'll be required to submit a supplementary Word document as the basis for your application for PhD by Portfolio. Please email Research Admissions to obtain this document. There is guidance to help set out your past experiences and propose ideas for active research.

Professional Doctorates

Professional Doctorates are specialist doctorate-level qualifications. They are available in areas where students have made a significant contribution to enhancing a professional area through the application, development, and testing of theoretical frameworks. They are designed to enable professionals to study and develop their own practice-based research in a structured and supported environment. DProfs offer the chance to enhance your professional career to doctorate level by supporting original research that will have an impact on practice, policy, and theory.

For more information about our Professional Doctorate programmes, please visit the course pages:

• Education, EdD
• Business Administration, DBA
• Clinical Studies, DProf
• Psychotherapy Studies, DProf
• Professional Practice Community & Social Care, DProf
• Health, DProf

Research areas