How to apply for a PhD or research degree at UEL

About the project

When you apply for postgraduate research study at UEL, we'll give you all the support you need.

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When you apply for postgraduate research study at UEL, we'll give you all the support you need.

Explore postgraduate research at UEL

Postgraduate research gives you the opportunity to develop advanced expertise in your field and contribute new knowledge through independent research.

At UEL, you can study:

Professional Doctorates at UEL

• Prof Doc Business Administration
• Prof Doc Counselling Psychology
• Prof Doc Clinical Psychology
• Prof Doc Cyber Diplomacy
• Prof Doc Data Science
• EdD Professional Doctorate in Education
• Prof Doc Educational and Child Psychology
• Prof Doc Fine Art
• Prof Doc Information Security
• Prof Doc Performing Arts

MPhils and PhDs at UEL

• MPhil PhD School of Business and Law
• MPhil PhD Architecture, Computing and Engineering
• MPhil PhD School of Arts and Creative Industries
• MPhil PhD Social Sciences
• MPhil PhD School of Health Sport and Bioscience
• MPhil PhD Education
• MPhil PhD Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology
• MPhil PhD Sustainability, Development, and the Environment

MRes courses at UEL

• MRes Bioscience
• MRes Bioscience and Social Justice
• MRes Business Management and Social Justice
• MRes Creative Arts and Social Justice
• MRes Health Science
• MRes Social Research and Social Justice
• MRes Sport and Exercise Science

Study in the heart of east London

UEL is based in Europe’s largest regeneration area. You will be part of a dynamic environment shaped by global businesses, local communities and creative industries.

Connected to our community

Our Prof Doc, PhD and MPhil research programmes are closely linked to our east London communities. Many taught research courses involve working on live community projects. You will contribute to real-world initiatives while advancing your academic knowledge.

Close academic support and teaching experience

You will work closely with academic staff and, in many cases, gain teaching experience by supervising undergraduate students.

Our postgraduate students rate their experience highly:

• 89% felt encouraged to ask questions or contribute in taught sessions
• 82% said their research skills developed during their course

Modern facilities and investment

We have invested £170 million in new buildings and facilities in recent years, including a £14 million library at our Docklands campus.

Before you apply

If you want to apply for a PhD, MPhil or other research degree at the University of East London (UEL), start by identifying your research topic and checking that UEL has expertise in your area. You will need to develop a research proposal, identify potential supervisors and discuss your project with them before submitting your application.

Your application will include your research proposal and supporting documents. You should also check the entry requirements for your chosen research degree and consider how you will fund your studies.

Follow the steps below to prepare and submit your research degree application.

Identify your proposed research topic

Think about the subject, question or problem you want your research to address.

• Identify your proposed research topic: Show

Check UEL's research expertise

Explore UEL's research areas and academic expertise to make sure your proposed research can be supported.

Use UEL's Find an Expert directory to identify academics working in areas related to your proposed research topic.

• Check UEL's research expertise: Show

Prepare your research proposal

Develop a proposal explaining what you want to investigate, why it matters and how you plan to carry out the research.

• Prepare your research proposal: Show

Find potential research supervisors

Identify academics whose research interests align with your proposed project.

• Find potential research supervisors: Show

Contact potential supervisors

Once you have identified potential supervisors, contact them to discuss your proposed research.

Introduce yourself, outline your research idea and explain why you think your project aligns with their expertise. Ask whether they would be interested in supervising your research and whether your proposed topic would be suitable for an MPhil or PhD.

When contacting a potential supervisor, you should be prepared to provide:

• Contact potential supervisors: Show
• your research proposal
• your CV
• your academic transcripts
• details of relevant research, publications or professional experience

Check the entry requirements

Make sure you meet the academic, English language and any programme-specific requirements.

• Check the entry requirements: Show

Consider your funding

Think about how you will fund your tuition fees and living costs before you enrol.

• Consider your funding: Show

Find a research supervisor

Before submitting your application, check that UEL has expertise in your proposed research area and identify academics whose research interests align with your project.

You will normally need two members of academic staff who are willing to supervise your research.

When looking for potential supervisors, consider:

• which School or subject area is the best fit for your research
• academics whose current research aligns with your proposed topic
• researchers with relevant expertise in your field

Research proposal

Have a draft of your proposed research project ready to share.

Academic background

Be prepared to provide your CV and academic transcripts.

Relevant experience

Include details of relevant research, publications or professional experience.

Before submitting your online application, you should also contact the research degrees leader for the relevant School to discuss your proposal and research plans.

Check the entry requirements

To apply for a research degree such as an MPhil or PhD at UEL, you would normally be expected to hold an appropriate UK Bachelor's degree with honours or a Master's degree.

If your qualifications were awarded outside the UK, we will consider whether they are equivalent to the relevant UK academic requirements.

You will also need to provide two academic referees who can comment on your recent academic work.

Entry requirements can vary by research degree and subject area, so check the requirements for your chosen programme before applying.

Write your research proposal

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It should clearly explain what you want to investigate, why the research is important and how you plan to carry out the project.

It should also demonstrate your understanding of the existing research in your field and the contribution your proposed project could make.

Research aim and objectives

Explain what your research intends to achieve.

Set out:

Your objectives should clearly relate to your overall research aim and proposed project.

• the overall aim of your research
• your main research objectives
• the research questions you want to answer

Context

Explain the background to your proposed research and why your chosen topic is important.

Show how your project fits within its wider academic, professional or social context and why the research is worth undertaking.

Literature review

Demonstrate your understanding of the existing research in your field. Identify the most relevant academic literature and explain:

• what is already known about your topic
• where gaps or unanswered questions remain
• how your proposed research could address those gaps

Methodology

Explain how you intend to conduct your research.

Describe the methods you expect to use, which could include qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, depending on your subject and research questions.

Explain why your chosen methodology is appropriate and how it will help you answer your research questions.

Research impact

Explain why your research matters and what contribution it could make.

Consider:

• what new knowledge or understanding your project could produce
• who could benefit from your findings
• how the research could contribute to your academic field, professional practice, policy, industry or wider society

Proposed thesis structure

Provide an initial outline showing how you expect your thesis to be structured.

Your final structure will depend on your research, but your proposal should demonstrate that you have considered how the different stages and findings of the project could form a coherent thesis.

Conclusion

Summarise the key points of your research proposal. Briefly restate:

• what you intend to investigate
• how you plan to conduct the research
• why the research is important

Bibliography

Include references for the key sources used in your literature review and other academic work that has informed your proposal.

Timeline

Provide an indicative timeline for your research.

Show the main stages of the project and when you expect to complete them across your proposed period of study.

Your research experience

Explain how your previous education, research or professional experience has prepared you to undertake a research degree.

You may want to include:

• your academic background
• previous research experience
• relevant professional experience
• research or technical skills you have developed
• how these skills will support your proposed project

Why you are applying to UEL

Explain why UEL is the right university for your proposed research.

You could refer to:

• academic expertise relevant to your research
• potential supervisors
• relevant research groups
• facilities or resources that could support your project
• how studying at UEL would help you achieve your research goals

Documents you need to provide

Depending on your programme and circumstances, your application may require:

Check the individual programme information before submitting your application to make sure you have provided everything required.

• your research proposal
• academic transcripts and qualification certificates
• references
• evidence of English language ability, where required
• any additional documents specified for your chosen research degree

Ready to apply?

Once you have developed your research proposal, identified appropriate supervisors and checked the entry requirements, you can submit your research degree application. Make sure you provide all required supporting information and documents so that your application can be assessed.

What happens after you apply?

Once we receive your application, it will be reviewed and we will contact you about its progress.

Your application will be considered on the basis of your academic background, research proposal, suitability for research study and the availability of appropriate supervision.

Application acknowledgement

We will acknowledge your application after it has been received.

Check your email regularly while your application is being considered, as we may contact you for additional information or documents.

Make sure you respond to requests by any deadlines provided. Failure to respond could result in your application being withdrawn.

Application decision

UEL will assess your application and let you know the outcome once the relevant academic and admissions checks have been completed.

An unconditional offer means that, based on the information provided in your application and any required interview, we believe you meet the relevant academic and personal requirements.

You will still need to provide evidence of the qualifications declared in your application before enrolling.

A conditional offer means that you need to meet specified requirements before your offer can become unconditional.

Conditions could include:

Your offer can become unconditional once you provide evidence that you have met the specified conditions.

In some circumstances, we may offer you a different programme from the one you originally applied for.

For research applicants, this could include an offer for a Master's in Research where this would provide an appropriate route to developing the skills needed for further research study.

If we cannot offer you a place on your chosen research degree, we will consider whether another appropriate study route is available at UEL.

You can apply to UEL again in the future if your qualifications, research experience or circumstances change.

If you have submitted your application but have not received an update, contact Applicant Engagement.

You can call +44 (0)20 8223 3333, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, or use the live chat service on the UEL website.

• achieving specified grades in qualifications you are currently completing
• providing outstanding qualification results or evidence
• meeting UEL's English language requirements
• completing relevant work experience where required

Research degree fees and funding

Before starting your research degree, consider how you will pay your tuition fees and living costs.

Most research degrees at UEL are self-funded, which means you are responsible for arranging your tuition fees and living costs.

Depending on your circumstances, funding options may include:

We recommend arranging your funding before you enrol.

Your funding arrangements are separate from the academic assessment of your application. You may therefore receive an offer for a research degree even if your funding has not yet been confirmed.

For more information, review UEL's research fees and funding guidance or contact the Student Money, Advice and Rights Team (SMART).

• a UK Government Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
• employer sponsorship
• external scholarships
• personal funding

Fee status

Before you enrol, UEL will determine whether you are required to pay Home or International tuition fees.

For most applicants, we can assess your fee status using the information in your application. In some circumstances, we may ask you for additional evidence about your residency status or history of living in the UK.

Your fee status can affect:

• the tuition fees you pay
• the financial support available to you
• your eligibility for some UEL bursaries and scholarships

UEL Alumni discount

If you have previously graduated from UEL, you may be eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee discount.

Check UEL's current alumni discount information for eligibility requirements and the discount available to you.

Information for international research applicants

If you are applying to UEL from outside the UK, check the academic, English language and immigration requirements that apply to you.

Requirements may vary according to your qualifications, nationality, proposed research and programme.

You may need to provide us with further information, such as a Disclosure and Barring Service check, as part of your research application.

If you completed your previous qualifications outside the UK, UEL will assess whether they are equivalent to the academic qualifications required for your chosen research degree.

You may need to provide evidence that you meet UEL's English language requirements.

Check the requirements for your chosen programme and make sure you provide the appropriate evidence with your application where required.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a UK government requirement for some international students applying for postgraduate research programmes.

You must obtain an ATAS certificate to support your visa application if you:

• are an international student (non-UK or non-EU/EEA), and
• plan to undertake postgraduate research in science, engineering, or technology subjects

When to apply

If ATAS applies to you, apply for an ATAS Clearance Certificate from the UK government after you receive an offer from UEL.

Courses covered

At UEL, ATAS applies to postgraduate students in the following schools:

• School of Health, Sport and Bioscience (HSB)
• School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE)

Contact the Graduate School

For more information, contact the Graduate School:

• Phone: +44 (0)20 8223 6274 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or
• Live chat (click the live chat icon in the bottom right of the screen)

Additional checks and requirements

Some research programmes require additional checks before you can enrol. Check the requirements for your individual programme and any conditions included with your offer.

You may need to provide us with further information, such as a Disclosure and Barring Service check, as part of your research application.

A DBS check may be required if your research or programme involves working with children or vulnerable adults.

Where a DBS check is required, UEL will provide information about the process and the evidence you need to provide.

Some programmes may require occupational health clearance to confirm that you are medically fit to undertake the programme.

Check your programme requirements and offer information to see whether occupational health clearance applies to you.

Questions about a research course?

If you're interested in doing research at UEL, please speak to Applicant Engagement.

What research degrees does UEL offer?

UEL offers three main research degrees:

Each programme focuses on independent research supported by expert academic supervision.

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Professional doctorates for experienced professionals

What is the difference between a PhD and an MPhil?

A PhD is the highest academic research degree and requires an original contribution to knowledge.

An MPhil is also a research degree, but it is shorter and more focused in scope. Some students register for a PhD and complete an MPhil if their research project changes.

What skills do I need for a research degree?

You need to be:

• Highly organised
• Self-motivated
• Able to work independently
• Committed to long-term study
• Research degrees require focus, critical thinking and strong time management.

Can I apply for funding for my research degree?

Most research degrees are self-funded. This means you are responsible for paying your tuition fees and covering your living costs.

You may be able to fund your studies through:

We recommend that you secure your funding before you enrol. For advice about your options, contact the Student Money and Advice Team or speak to the Graduate School.

• A UK Government Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
• Employer sponsorship
• External scholarships (such as Chevening or Commonwealth)
• Personal funding

Will funding affect my application decision?

No. Your academic suitability for a research degree is assessed on your proposal, qualifications, and potential to complete the project successfully. Funding arrangements are separate from the admissions decision. You can be offered a place even if you don’t yet have confirmed funding.

Who can help me with funding questions during my application?

Before and after you apply, you can get support from:

• Your proposed School or potential supervisor (for subject-specific advice)
• The Student Money, Advice and Rights Team (SMART) for broader funding guidance and budgeting support

Research areas