How to Apply for a Research Degree

About the project

Whether you'd like to join us through an MPhil or PhD research degree, the process is simple and outlined in the step-by-step guide below. We welcome project proposals that indicate a clear and strong alignment with Falmouth's strategic research priorities, be it in response to a specific doctoral project brief or as an original idea of your own.​ To give you the best chance in your application, we've split the process into the following key stages, with a full breakdown of details in the video and subsections below.

Whether you'd like to join us through an MPhil or PhD research degree, the process is simple and outlined in the step-by-step guide below.

We welcome project proposals that indicate a clear and strong alignment with Falmouth's strategic research priorities, be it in response to a specific doctoral project brief or as an original idea of your own.​

To give you the best chance in your application, we've split the process into the following key stages, with a full breakdown of details in the video and subsections below.

01. Pre-application preparation

Read through this guidance, prepare your idea, and ensure centre alignment:​

a. Check the entry requirements​ b. Think about how you will fund your PhD ( current tuition fee rates )​ c. Choose your application route​ (full-time/part-time, PhD/MPhil) d. Consider an optional expression of interest to connect informally with a potential supervisor for feedback e. Start thinking about funding your PhD

02. Formal application submission

f. Prepare and submit your formal application by the deadline, in line with guidance below.

• a. Check Entry Requirements
• b. Select route to application
• c. Confirm strategic alignment
• d. Submit an expression of interest
• e. Search for funding
• f. Submit formal application
• Questions?

a. Check entry requirements

Key dates for September 2027 entry

Optional expression of Interest deadline | Application deadline | Interview period

13 November 2026 | 29 January 2027 13 January 2027 (ADAPT opportunities only) | Week commencing 19 April 2027

29 January 2027

13 January 2027 (ADAPT opportunities only)

The normal minimum entry requirement for a place on the Research Degree programme .at Falmouth University is an upper second-class honours (2:1) degree of a British university or recognised institution of higher education, or an equivalent qualification from an institution outside of the UK.

However, a master's degree in an appropriate subject is considered to be a particularly valuable preparation for the academic and intellectual demands of an MPhil or PhD. In some instances, applicants without the minimum academic requirement as outlined above may be considered for a place on the Research Degree if they can demonstrate appropriate alternative qualifications, relevant professional experience, or previous research.

If English is not your first language, you will normally need to demonstrate that you are suitably proficient in English before we can enrol you on the Research Degree. You can do this by providing evidence of one of the following:

By 'recent' we mean that your English Language Test score or MA level qualification needs to have been awarded no more than two years prior to the date that you would first enrol in the Research Degree at Falmouth. We cannot normally accept evidence that is older than this.

You may submit an application for a place on the Research Degree before you have obtained your IELTS or equivalent test score, or before you have received your MA certificate, but if you are offered a place then you would need to provide evidence of having satisfied this condition before we can enrol you.

Each applicant is assessed on an individual basis and if you are offered a place on the Research Degree, then depending on your level of English language proficiency as demonstrated through your application form and interview, we will inform you whether we would require a new IELTS result before you can begin your PhD studies.

Please be aware that we can no longer accept TOEFL test results for this purpose.

Requirements for distance learning overseas online applicants

In addition to meeting the standard academic and language eligibility requirements, applicants to the distance learning overseas online mode need to demonstrate that they:

Students on this mode do not hold a Student Visa so cannot enter the UK for the purpose of study or access Falmouth University's physical resources or buildings. Distance learning students have access to online resources available to all PGR students.

• A recent Falmouth-approved English Language Test (ELT) score which meets the University's requirements for the Research Degree: either an IELTS minimum overall test result score of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and with no other component score lower than 6.0, or an equivalent test score.
• Recent completion of an MA level course of study (Distinction only) in a majority English-speaking country.
• Can successfully conduct their research with the resources available to them at their distance learning place of study
• Have access to appropriate IT facilities, so that they can engage in supervision and training from their distance learning place of study
• Have the necessary time, commitment and appropriate attitude toward distance learning online study

b. Select route to application

There are two routes for MPhil or PhD application. ​ ​ Applicants can either apply by:​ a. Submitting a project idea of their own; or​ b. Responding directly to a Falmouth Doctoral Project brief . ​ We've created our Doctoral Project briefs to emphasise our priority areas of research interest, reflecting our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategic aims. We also welcome and encourage the submission of any original research project ideas that align with our strategic objectives and fields of research expertise.​ ​ Check out our doctoral project briefs to find a project that you'd be passionate to explore, or browse through our Research & Knowledge Exchange pages to identify which best aligns with your original idea, in preparation for the submission of your Expression of Interest form.​

Explore our Doctoral Project briefs

View our Research & Knowledge Exchange pages

c. Confirm strategic alignment

If you're responding to a Doctoral Project Brief, please make it explicit within your application which brief you are responding to.

If you're proposing your own research project, you'll need to explore our Research & Knowledge Exchange centres to identify the centre which most strongly aligns with your proposal idea. You'll need to familiarise yourself with the centre's purpose and objectives so that you can demonstrate a clear alignment with your expression of interest and formal application.

​About Research & Knowledge Exchange

Research & Knowledge Exchange at Falmouth is reflected, explored, and focused by our strategy. All of our projects, including postgraduate research theses, must align with our strategic aims so that together we may build knowledge, add value and drive impact through open innovation and real-world solutions, in line with our research aims. More information about our overarching strategy can be found in our 2030 Strategy .

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What's an Expression of Interest​?​

Falmouth's expression of interest stage is an optional pre-application process which gives candidates an opportunity to introduce their research proposal and receive preliminary feedback.​ This optional stage enhances accessibility to the PhD programme by allowing access to academic support in advance of formal application.

Download the form from the link below and send your completed expression of interest form to PGR@falmouth.ac.uk

Once received, the completed expression of interest form is reviewed by subject specialist academics, where it is assessed for appropriate alignment to the research strategy, potential supervision availability, potential resource needs and funding requirements.

Feedback on the expression of interest is then communicated to the candidate via email with an appropriate academic member of staff, who could be a potential Director of Studies or Co-Supervisor. Feedback will be provided between the submission deadline published in point a. above and we are unable to give feedback on expressions of interest after the published deadline.

• Expression of Interest for a Research Degree (103.66 KB)

Submission Deadline​​

Each year there's an expression of interest deadline for applicants. This deadline is given as one of the key dates above in section a. Check entry requirements. We are unable to give feedback on expressions of interest after the published deadline.

Fund your research degree

We offer a range of options to help you fund your PhD or MPhil, including discounted fees for Falmouth University alumni and a competitive international and EU fee reduction scheme. Applicants may also be eligible for a Doctoral Loan, details of which can be found on our Doctoral Loans information page.

Visit our Fund your research degree page to find information about different funding options.

f. Submit formal application

Please ensure you read the Research Degree Proposal and Application Guidance Notes 2027-28 carefully when preparing your online application.

Formal applications are submitted via our online application form. Links to the online application forms are listed below by course mode of study.

Apply for MPhil/PhD Research Full-time on-campus

Apply for MPhil/PhD Research Part-time on-campus

Apply for MPhil/PhD Research Part-time Online

Apply for MPhil Full-time

Apply for MPhil Part-time

If you'd like to join our Research Degree Opportunities mailing list for 2027 please contact pgr@falmouth.ac.uk .

• Research Degree Proposal and Application Guide 2027-28 (313.58 KB)

Contact us

If you have any questions then please get in touch with the Research Team:

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