91Ö±²¥

Our virtual week took place October 2024 – to find out about future sessions to explore postgraduate research opportunities across the university, please visit our study fairs and events page.

To stay up-to-date with future events and recorded sessions in the Faculty of Humanities, please join our postgraduate research .

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 1 December 2025 . If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.

For September 2026 entry: 30 June 2026
For January 2027 entry: 30 September 2026

you must:

1. Develop your own and project title.
2. Find a supervisor by browsing our . We strongly encourage you to confirm that your chosen supervisor’s interests align with your proposed research and that they are willing to support your project.
3. Consider how you plan on and discuss this with your supervisor.

When you submit your application, you must include each of the below required documents:

• A 1,500 word ; Please state the word count on page 1 of the document.
• A copy of your Bachelor's academic transcript and certificate.
• A copy of your Master's academic transcript and certificate. If your Master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
• If you have completed more than one Bachelor's or Master's degree, please provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
• The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution. Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form. You may wish to notify your referees to submit their references promptly, as this is part of the review process.
• A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.

Our PhD in Philosophy is a 3 year full-time programme. You will undertake substantial original research, which will form a thesis of approximately 70,000 words.Ìý

Throughout, you will work closely with an expert supervisor, with further guidance from at least one extra supervisor.Ìý

Our staff are experts, many internationally renowned, in a variety of key areas of Philosophy. We provide a wealth of opportunities for postgraduate researchers. Some of our main areas of research strength are:Ìý Ìý

You will become part of a lively PhD community of around 30 PGRs working on a variety of topics including: 

• the nature of love;
• ±ð²Ô±¹¾±°ù´Ç²Ô³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²¹±ô e³Ù³ó¾±³¦²õ;
• meaning in art;
• perception;
• metaontology;
• religious faith.Ìý

Our weekly PhD research seminar, run by PGRs for PGRs, will give you the opportunity to present your work and discuss it with your peers. In your final year, you will also be encouraged to present your work at the Philosophy department's research seminar.Ìý

You will have a dedicated working space alongside other Philosophy PGRs.

When you become a postgraduate researcher, you will join a diverse and vibrant community of doctoral students from nearly 100 different countries, all studying within the Faculty of Humanities. ÌýÌýÌý

You will be able to work with a specific research grouping that complements your research interests and have access to a variety of interdisciplinary research institutes.ÌýÌýÌý

Our working environments are often spacious and open plan, giving you plenty of opportunities to communicate with colleagues and staff within the School, and you will have your own desk space as well as access to our fantastic range of libraries on campus.ÌýÌýÌý

All of our academic supervisors are research active and will support you to work on challenging research problems and develop rigorous, creative and original research. ÌýÌý

You can expect to meet with your supervisor at least once a month to discuss progress on your project.ÌýÌýÌý

You will have access to a large and diverse community of internationally recognised academic experts offering an environment that will stimulate intellectual debate and development.ÌýÌýÌý

We provide additional financial support for a number of activities related to your PhD, including:  

• presenting at international conferences;Ìý
• attending workshops that provide relevant professional opportunities; Ìý
• conducting fieldwork in the UK and overseas.ÌýÌý

You can also get hands-on, paid teaching experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Graduate Teaching Assistants in the School of Social Sciences are considered to be valued members of the teaching team. As such, we take pride in the opportunities provided for the professional development of graduate teaching assistants. ÌýÌýÌý

Our training includes preparation for application to the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. This brings a range of benefits as follows: 

• consolidates your personal development and emphasises your professional practice in HE; Ìý
• entitlement to use post-nominal letters - AFHEA; Ìý
• provides a valuable measure of success and is increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion; Ìý
• recognised and valued by a growing number of international institutions. ÌýÌý

For more information, see the  .

Satisfactory evaluation of PGRs' work at annual reviews is required for progress on the programme.

See the profiles of our of PGRs in Philosophy.

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at 91Ö±²¥ on our .

The Philosophy Department is based in the Humanities Bridgeford Street Building which allows 24/7 access and has an ample and well-equipped study space for postgraduates.

The University of Manchester Library

91Ö±²¥ is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.

Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at 91Ö±²¥.

The University has its own dedicated that you would have full access to as a PGR and for two years after you graduate. At 91Ö±²¥ you will have access to a number of opportunities to help support you with your goals for the future .  ÌýÌý

As a postgraduate researcher, you'll have access to a dedicated Researcher Development Team who will support your professional development throughout your PhD journey and beyond.   Ìý

Our researcher development programme will enable you to become more aware of your developing researcher identity, equipping you with the skills you need during your PhD and prepare you to integrate into the researcher community.   Ìý

We offer training sessions to build your skills and confidence in writing and presenting, with specific sessions on viva preparation, thesis submission and preparing for your Review Panel.   Ìý

You will also have access to a range of workshops, covering areas such as:

• increasing research impact through blog posts;Ìý
• making the most of social media; Ìý
• publishing in journals; applying for fellowships;Ìý
• designing academic posters;Ìý
• improving time and self-management.    ÌýÌý

, meanwhile, is an initiative that gives you the chance to learn from the very best in research methods expertise at 91Ö±²¥ and beyond. Regular talks, workshops and other methods-related events are organised throughout the academic year.   ÌýÌý

Finally, taking a placement provides a great opportunity to engage in knowledge exchange and to develop professional networking opportunities for your future career development.  Ìý

We have established Postgraduate Researcher Exchange programmes with a small number of institutions around the world, offering you the opportunity to visit another institution, access research resources and experience another academic culture as well as build professional networks.  Ìý

Successful applicants will receive some funding towards travel expenses, accommodation, subsistence, education materials and/or other education-related costs.ÌýÌý

 For more information, see .