phd portsmouth university

Search suggestions update instantly to match the search query.

How to apply for postgraduate research

Your postgraduate research application

How to apply for a postgraduate research degree

We believe higher education is for everyone. We value the experiences, ideas and perspectives that make you unique. So we'll consider your application on its merits — whatever your academic or professional background.

Applying for a postgraduate research degree at Portsmouth

1. explore our types of research degrees and subject areas .

Whatever postgraduate research path you take, you'll first need to identify which of our research degrees and our subject areas is the best fit for your research. We recommend you get in touch with the relevant subject area supervisor ahead of applying. You can discuss your research ideas with them and ensure we have supervisory expertise to support you.

If you are interested in an MD , PhD by Publication or Professional Doctorate , you can find application guidance on the respective webpages. 

2. Find a supervisor 

If you've got your own research idea, or want to discuss your options, start looking for a supervisor whose research interests match yours using our Find a PhD Supervisor tool .

Once you've found someone suitable, contact them directly to have a discussion. 

3. Explore our pre-defined PhD projects

Browse our list of already-approved PhD projects available across most of our subject areas. These are PhD projects where a supervisory team is already in place. If you find one that fits your interests, contact the relevant supervisor to discuss your interest. Once you're ready to apply, follow the 'Apply now' link at the end of the project page.

Some pre-approved projects would require you to submit a brief proposal outlining the main features of your proposed research design.If that is the case it’ll be clearly stated in the project page. 

Looking for funded PhDs?

Discover our funded PhD scholarships, see if you're eligible to apply, and contact a project supervisor today.

4. Consider your funding options

We know funding your research can be as challenging as undertaking it. We attract funding for postgraduate research degrees from a range of sources. Browse our funded PhD opportunities or check out loans and discounts on offer .

5. Check out our entry requirements

We typically expect a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree or a Master’s from an internationally recognised university. For a Professional Doctorate, your work environment must also be able to support your professional research and development project.

English language requirements

If English isn’t your first language or your first degree is not from an English speaking university, you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5, with no component score below 6.0. If applying to a subject area that is particularly linguistically demanding (e.g. law, applied linguistics, translation studies and English literature) you’ll need IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.

Supporting documentation

You'll need to have the following supporting documentation ready to complete your application:

• Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
• Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language)
• A personal statement
• A research proposal (if required) or the project code (if you are applying for a pre-approved project)
• Details of two referees or references on official headed paper, one of which should be an academic reference
• An up-to-date copy of your CV

6. How to apply

When you're ready to apply for an MPhil, PhD or a PhD by Publication, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the relevant PhD subject area page . 

If you're applying for a pre-approved research project , remember to add the project code to your application form. The project code can be found at the top of the project page.

If you are applying for an MD or Professional Doctorate , you can find links to the form and guidance on the respective programme pages. 

MPhils, PhDs or a PhD by Publication

Pre-approved research projects

MDs and Professional Doctorates

Additional application information

Criminal convictions.

When you apply to us, we'll ask you to declare if you have any relevant criminal convictions. A 'relevant' conviction is defined as one involving any kind of violence. These include:

• offences concerning the intention to harm or resulting in actual bodily harm
• the unlawful supply of controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking
• offences involving firearms
• offences listed in the Sex Offences Act 2003 or the Terrorism Act 2006

'Spent' convictions are no longer 'relevant' unless you're applying for a teaching, health or social work course or a course involving work with children or vulnerable adults. A conviction becomes 'spent' if you don't re-offend during your rehabilitation period (as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974).

Assessing applicants with relevant criminal convictions

If you've declared a relevant criminal conviction in your application, we'll contact you to confirm you've declared it correctly. Please don't give us details of the offences when you contact us.

Once we have your confirmation, a panel of our senior staff will consider your application confidentially.

When to apply 

For most of our research degrees we offer three intakes a year: October, February and April. 

We accept applications all year round, but we suggest applying 2–3 months before your chosen start date — so for a February start, you should apply in the preceding November, for an April start, you should apply in the preceding January and for an October start, you should apply by May or June.

If you can't apply that far in advance, don't worry — we'll do our best to process later applications too.

If you are an international applicant please refer to these recommended deadlines . 

After you apply

Once we've received your application, it usually takes us around 4 weeks to process it and give you an update. To help us review your application as quickly as possible, you should make sure to include all the relevant supporting documentation (including a proposal, if required). It's also helpful if you've discussed your research interests with a potential supervisor beforehand.

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to an interview. 

Accepting your offer

Once your application has been processed, you'll be able to accept your offer via your Student View portal .

Completing your application

At this stage you'll: 

• Upload evidence to meet the conditions of your offer
• Pay your deposit or provide evidence of sponsorship
• Apply for your Doctoral Loan  — for eligible UK and EU nationals
• Apply for ATAS  if required

More about applying for your research degree

Funding your research degree.

Find out how you can fund your postgraduate research project, with options including loans, bursaries, and scholarships.

Writing a research proposal and personal statement

Explore our advice on what you should be looking to include in your research proposal and your personal statement before you apply.

Postgraduate Research Proposal Guide

If you are considering undertaking a postgraduate research degree, follow our step by step guide to writing the perfect research proposal. 

Search suggestions update instantly to match the search query.

Research degree programmes

Further information and details for specific research degree programmes

How long does a research degree take?

We offer a variety of different research degrees – including MPhils, PhDs and Professional Doctorates – and depending on whether you're studying full-time or part-time, they can take between 2 and 6 years to complete. Each research degree timeline is different.

Research degrees year-by-year

Phd (full-time).

• Year 1: Major review
• Year 2: Annual review
• Year 3: Submission

PhD (part-time)

• Year 1: Annual review
• Year 2: Major review
• Year 3: Annual review
• Year 4: Annual review
• Year 5: Annual review
• Year 6: Submission

MPhil (full-time)

Year 1: Annual review Year 2: Submission

MPhil (part-time)

Year 1: Annual review Year 2: Annual review Year 3: Annual review Year 4: Submission

MD (full-time)

Year 1: Major review  Year 2: Submission

MD (part-time)

Year 1: Annual review Year 2: Major review Year 3: Annual review Year 4: Submission

Professional Doctorate

Professional doctorate (part-time only), stages of your research degree explained.

When you start your doctoral journey with us, you'll either select your own supervisors or be allocated a supervisory team. You will have at least a first and second supervisor, and might also have an additional third supervisor. Not all supervisors need to be within the same faculty as we do encourage interdisciplinary research.

Whatever you're studying, you'll be required to complete whichever of the following stages are relevant to your research degree pathway: major review , annual review , thesis submission and viva .

What each stage of your research degree means

Major review.

The purpose of the major review is to assess how you're progressing with your research degree and whether you're on the right track to satisfactorily complete your degree within the prescribed time. Major Reviews take place towards the end of your first year of study (for full-time PhD and MD students, end of year 2 for part-time PhD/MD students). 

It's a good idea to prepare for your Major Review in good time, and we'll send you a reminder that yours is coming up, so you can work with your supervisor to develop your submission. You might also find it useful to attend the Graduate School Development Programme (GSDP) workshop ‘Preparing for your major review’ which has been specifically designed to help students prepare for this key stage.

You'll be expected to document the training and development you've done in preparation for your Major Review, so you should make sure that your records are up-to-date in Skills Forge, a web-based system where you can manage your professional research and excellence skills (PRaXiS) development. Any GSDP events you attend will be recorded automatically in your Skills Forge account, but you can add any other training and development you complete yourself.

All research degree students must complete this stage, except those studying for Professional Doctorates.

Annual review

The purpose of an Annual Review is to assess whether you're actively engaged in the research programme and making good progress. As with your Major Review, you should start to prepare for your Annual Review in good time, and likewise, we'll send you a reminder that yours is coming up, so you can work with your supervisor to develop your submission.

Annual Reviews take place at the end of year 2 for full-time PhD/MD students, and at the end of year 1 for part-time PhD/MD students. Professional Doctorate students have annual reviews at the end of their first, second and third years of study. And if you're an MPhil student, an annual review is only necessary if you're continuing your research to PhD level.

The exact requirements of an Annual Review can differ between departments, so speak to your supervisor to find out what your review will entail. As with Major Reviews, you'll be expected to document the training and development you've completed so far in your Skills Forge account. 

Submitting your thesis

Your Doctoral Thesis is where you'll present your conclusions after you've completed your literature review, concluded your original research and collected your results. Doctoral theses vary in length, depending on what research degree pathway you've chosen. More information on how to present your thesis can be found at our  MyPort pages .

It's a good idea to start writing your thesis as early as you can, and there's a range of support available to help you complete it – including face-to-face meetings and email contact. You can arrange how you'd like to manage this with your first supervisor. You can expect your first supervisor to:

• Propose your examiners and submit details for approval by the Chair, Faculty Research Degree Committee on behalf of the Faculty Research Degree Committee;
• Advise on the editing and content of your thesis before submission;
• Discuss the arrangement of a mock viva with you;
• Organise a mutually convenient date for the examination and notify the Research Section, Department of Student and Academic Administration of the date, time and venue.

You can also book onto a range of Graduate School Development Programme (GSDP) workshops through your Skills Forge account, including ‘Introduction to writing the literature review’ and ‘Writing and revising your thesis’. A range of relevant books are also available in the University Library.

Viva voce exams

Your Viva Voce is when you meet with a panel of examiners to defend your thesis. Preparing for your viva can be a nerve-wracking time, but there's plenty of support and guidance to help you prepare.

Your supervisor will be a key source of support, and you can also book the Graduate School Development Programme (GSDP) workshop ‘Preparing for your doctoral Viva Voce examination’ through your Skills Forge account. A number of books on how to prepare for your viva are also available in the University Library.

Closer to the time, you'll receive details about the specific requirements of your viva, including the regulations you'll need to comply with.