Doctor of Philosophy
PhD Communication Disorders
Tackle real-world challenges in communication disorders and support people to connect and thrive.
Year of entry: 2026
Duration: 3-4 years PhD, 1-2 years MPhil
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Overview
Programme overview
- Conduct research into the nature, diagnosis and management of communication disorders within a multidisciplinary environment working in developmental language disorders, social communication and pragmatics intervention.
- Join research groups within the and units specialising in developmental language impairment, auditory health and rehabilitation, and neurogenic communication disorders.
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Open days
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Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Contact name
- Doctoral Academy Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 5608
- FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- School/Faculty overview
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification聽gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.
We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years.
We require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100.聽For the writing component, we expect that you have achieved a minimum of 7.0 (IELTS) or 25 (iBT).聽
If聽your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.
For more information about English language tests see聽 .
Please contact us at FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk for further information.
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
Professional entry qualification
In addition to meeting the standard entry requirements, applicants wishing to study through Distance Learning will need to meet some additional requirements. If these requirements cannot be met, the Doctoral Academy reserves the right to reject any requests for Distance Learning, but this will not be associated with the academic assessment of an applicant (ie an academic offer for standard attendance can still be considered).
The Distance Learning PhD maximises flexibility and decreases the need for travel and actual presence on campus. It does not decrease the time and commitment required for serious and successful PGR study. Distance Learning students must prove that they have the time, commitment, language ability and facilities available needed to work remotely.
As part of their application, students should demonstrate that they have:
- 2.5 days per week minimum study time (part-time students) or full-time hours (full-time students)
- Access to study sites and research participants
- If seconded from employment to undertake the programme - written approval and support from employer for study time
- Adherence to University and home environment ethics and research governance procedures
- Consistent computer and IT access
- Broadband connection: minimum downstream 2 Mb, upstream 256k
- up-to-date Windows/Mac software
- Webcam and microphone
Applicants should submit an online application form in the usual way, selecting Distance Learning as the form of study. Applicants will then be asked to complete the `DL proforma' which asks for further confirmation of meeting the above requirements, outlining the reasons for wishing to undertake the programme by DL and plans for attending the University as explained in the Teaching and Learning section of the Programme details page.
Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
PhD (full-time)
UK students (per annum): Tuition fee TBC by UKRI
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard - 拢27,000, Low - 拢30,000, Medium - 拢35,500, High - 拢42,000 -
PhD (part-time)
UK students (per annum): Tuition fee TBC by UKRI
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard - 拢13,500, Low - 拢15,000, Medium - 拢17,750, High - 拢21,000 -
PhD (full-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): Tuition fee TBC by UKRI
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard - 拢27,000, Low - 拢30,000, Medium - 拢35,500, High - 拢42,000 -
PhD (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): Tuition fee TBC by UKRI
International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard - 拢13,500, Low - 拢15,000, Medium - 拢17,750, High - 拢21,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Scholarships/sponsorships
In the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health we offer a wide range of fully funded studentships and scholarships covering postgraduate research tuition fees, research costs and an annual stipend for living costs.
Application and selection
How to apply
- and to discover a project you鈥檙e passionate about and check you meet eligibility criteria.
- Understand how your project is funded and, if it鈥檚 listed as self-funded, consider our or .
- about your suitability for their project or programme before you apply.
- Visit our page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.
Visit our to find out more.
Advice to applicants
Before you start your application, you should:
- Discover more about the research area you鈥檙e interested in.
- or you'd like to apply for.
- and speak to them about your suitability for the project.
- Understand how your project is funded and, if you are applying for a self-funded project, consider how you plan on funding your project and discuss this with the listed supervisor.
If you already have your own funding:
- and contact the project supervisor to talk to them about your suitability for the project; OR
- Determine your own research project and title, in this research area and contact them to discuss potentially supervising your research.
Supporting documents
You'll also need to make sure you have the following documents before you start your application:
- Personal statement
- Certificates and transcripts
- CV
- Confirmation of funding (if you are self-funded)
- English language ability
- Names and details of two referees to support your application
Visit our to find out more about the information required for each of these supporting documents.
Any missing information may delay the processing of your application.
Application deadlines
The deadline for applying for postgraduate research in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health depends on when you intend to start your research and how your project is funded.
If you are applying for one of our funded programmes, please refer to the deadlines detailed on the .
If you鈥檙e applying for a project that isn鈥檛 part of one of these programmes, our final application deadlines are:
- January 2026 entry: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
- April 2026 entry: Thursday, 15 January 2026
- September 2026 entry: Tuesday, 15 June 2026
Programme details
Programme description
Our PhD/MPhil Communication Disorders programme enables you to undertake a that will improve understanding of Communication Disorders.
Communication disorders researchis based in the world leading providing an exciting and rewarding experience. We have particular research strengths in theareas of developmental language disorders (DLD) and social communication and pragmatics intervention, as well asfurther interests and collaborationson associated factors such as literacy and memory as well asbilingualism.
Postgraduate research study is personalised; flexibility is allowed for the research to evolve and investigate findings not envisaged at the outset of the work. This is complemented by a training structurethat provides critical skills training, personal development and progression milestones.
The project will usually be outlined by an applicant seeking to work within a particular research area with a focused plan of research in mind, usually shared and discussed with the potential main supervisor.
Alternatively, the project will be part of a research programme and such projects are usually outlined by the academic supervisor offering the study.
It is important to note that a PhD in Communication Disorders is not a clinical qualification. Instead, it offers opportunity for in-depth study of a particular research question or set of questions.
Special features
Training and development
All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.
What our students say
to discover life as a postgraduate researcher at 91直播 or .
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate. Find out more on the聽 Careers 听辫补驳别.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the .
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our .