Apply online - Research degrees

Getting started

Before you begin your application, make sure you have:

For more information on application submission deadlines for each intake and application processing times, please refer to our Research degree applicants pages .

• Contacted an academic supervisor from the relevant College for initial feedback on your research proposal
• Your qualification details including grades and dates taken. You will have the opportunity to upload scanned copies of your qualification certificates/transcripts in the application. If you have no formal qualifications, you can also state this in your application
• A scanned copy of your passport or full birth certificate. This will help us verify your application to study with us. International applicants can only provide a copy of their passport for visa assessment purposes, and their current visa if residing within the UK
• Your work experience – this is optional for you to provide and could be in the form of a CV which you can upload into your application or you can provide the company names and addresses of your employers (maximum of 3)
• A personal statement showing your interest for the course/subject. This is a mandatory requirement and you will be able to upload it into your application. You may want to include your reasons for applying for the course, your experience in the field, how you feel you would benefit from studying and relevant information about your previous studies
• Your research proposal. This must include references to previous literature; details on proposed methodology; and how your research would contribute new knowledge to your subject area. This should be up to 1,000 words
• Two signed academics references. The references should be in written format, signed and dated from either a supervisor or tutor from your most recent studies
• International applicants - the University of Derby has a network of agents and representatives in different regions. For Postgraduate Research degree applications, depending on your country of origin, you may need to apply through an agent. You can contact any of our agents and apply to study with us through them. Some agents may charge for provision of services so please check this directly with the agent. Please be aware that if you apply directly to the University without going through an agent, we may contact you and you will be required to re-apply through an agent or representative before your application can be considered

Start an application

Subject areas under the institute include Education and Teaching.

Subject areas under the school include Logistics, Hospitality, Marketing.

Subject areas under this college include Mathematics, Sport Science, Computing, Engineering, Biology, Psychology.

Subject areas under this college include Nursing Studies, Counselling, Healthcare Therapies, History, Creative Arts, Law, Social Sciences, Art Therapy.

If you are unsure about where your specific research project fits, please contact the Research Degrees Committee adviser before applying.

• MPhil/PhD (IoES)
• MPhil (IoES)
• PhD by published works (IoES)
• MPhil by published works (IoES)
• MPhil/PhD (DIBS)
• MPhil (DIBS)
• PhD by published works (DIBS)
• MPhil by published works (DIBS)
• MPhil/PhD (CoSE)
• MPhil (CoSE)
• PhD by published works (CoSE)
• MPhil by published works (CoSE)
• MPhil/PhD (CoHH)
• MPhil (CoHH)
• PhD by published works (CoHH)
• MPhil by published works (CoHH)

or continue an existing application

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Research areas