Applying for an MPhil/PhD

About the project

We’re delighted that you are considering applying for an MPhil/PhD or MPhil at Derby. Here is the process you need to go through.

Start your application for the University of Derby.

Discover your eligibility to transfer as a research student to the University of Derby and learn more about the process and next steps.

• Check our entry requirements
• Choose your research project — You can either choose to apply for one of our predefined research projects (see the current list of fully-funded or self-funded projects ) or if none of those appeal, you can design your own research project. If you already have a body of published research (which may include creative works), you may be able to apply for a Mhil/PhD by Published Works
• Check fees and funding information
• Apply online or if you are an international student. Or you may prefer to apply through an agent (fees may apply)
• If you have a disability or medical condition that may affect your study, please visit our applicants with a disability page for more information

Academic requirements

We would normally expect you to have a First or Upper-Second (2:1) honours degree from a UK university, and preferably a master's degree from a UK university, or:

• equivalent international qualifications
• qualifications and relevant experience that we consider to be equivalent.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we must also be satisfied that you have the necessary English language skills to undertake a research investigation.

You will need:

Please note that English language certificates are only valid for two years.

You do not need to supply an IELTS certificate if you have completed a degree from a predominantly English-speaking country, as defined by the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) or if you have citizenship of a predominantly English-speaking country, as defined by the UKVI.

• A minimum of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) level 7, with level 7 writing and a minimum level 6.5 in other elements (reading, speaking and listening)

Visa requirements

If you are an international student, you must have a valid UK visa to enrol onto a postgraduate research programme. Our International Team is happy to provide visa advice .

Applying for a visa can be a lengthy process and your enrolment may be delayed if you don’t have it in time. Please consider this when you are thinking about your start date.

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme)

If you are a non-UK/EU/EEA citizen, you may require an ATAS certificate to study at the University of Derby depending on your subject area. For more information, take a look at the academic subjects on the gov.uk website .

For self-funded MPhils/PhDs

Intake month | Deadline for Home fee status/UK applicants | Deadline for International applicants

Intake month

Deadline for Home fee status/UK applicants

Deadline for International applicants

January 2027 | 13 November 2026 | 30 August 2026

January 2027

13 November 2026

30 August 2026

March 2027 | 15 February 2027 | 18 January 2027

March 2027

June 2027 | 26 March 2027 | 1 March 2027

June 2027

26 March 2027

1 March 2027

For funded MPhils/PhDs (studentships)

Please check individual studentship pages for the deadlines.

Admissions policies

You may also be interested in reading our University’s admissions policies .

After you have applied

It can take up to 12 weeks for a decision to be made about your application. The process is as follows:

• Our Admissions Team will check your application is complete and that you have provided all the required documents and information. They will then forward it to the relevant Research Degrees Committee Chair
• The Research Degrees Committee Chair considers your application from an academic perspective. This includes ensuring that we can offer appropriate supervision and facilities for you
• You may be invited for an interview
• Your application will be accepted or rejected. If we can offer you a place, our Admissions Team will contact you directly. If your application is not successful, you will receive an email from our Admissions Team explaining why

If you receive an offer

Once you have been offered a place, you will develop your initial research proposal and agree with your supervisory team on the approach you will take to achieve your MPhil/PhD. You will provide a document which details the research proposal and forms the final evidence basis for the College to accept your application.

We will also send you information about enrolling at the University prior to your start date, whether you are enrolling on campus or online. You will need to pay any fees before your enrolment can be confirmed. If you are being sponsored, you must provide proof of sponsorship before you can enrol.

Extra conditions for international students

If you are an overseas applicant and we make you an offer, this will be a conditional offer subject to you:

When we receive the deposit, ATAS certificate and notification of the start date from you, we will then issue a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study Number, which you can use to obtain your student visa. If your visa application is subsequently rejected, please check our admissions policies.

Applying for a visa can be a lengthy process and your enrolment may be delayed if you don’t have it in time. Please consider this when deciding your start date. Our International Team is happy to provide visa advice or you can find out more about the student visa on the UK Border Agency website .

• either paying a deposit of GBP £8,000 (as of academic year 24/25), which will then be deducted from your tuition fees when you enrol, or providing a sponsor letter
• providing a copy of your ATAS certificate (if applicable) and indicating a firm start date for your studies
• obtaining a student visa

Next steps

Once you have completed the admissions process, you will be invited to enrol onto your programme. Enrolments dates are available on our Postgraduate enrolment FAQs page .

Contact us

If you have any questions about applying, please contact us via email to phdadmissions@derby.ac.uk

Research areas