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Visit our to find out about upcoming open days and events.

• and to discover a project you’re passionate about and check you meet eligibility criteria.
• Understand how your project is funded and, if it’s 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.

Before you start your application, you should:

• Discover more about the research area you’re 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’re applying for a project that isn’t 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

Our PhD/MPhil Nursing programme enables you to undertake a that will improve understanding of Nursing.

This postgraduate research programme innursinggives students the opportunity to work with internationally renowned scholars engaged in innovative research that will make a difference in people's lives and in health and social care.

We particularly welcome students from all health and social care disciplines who have an interest in exploring related subject areas.

3-year PhD (FT, PT, FT Distance Learning, PT Distance Learning options)

The PhD programme of study consists of:

• high-quality supervision by two members of staff with appropriate expertise to guide the PhD applicant throughout the study ensuring academic objectives are met and suitable training is provided;
• research and transferable skills training and support;
• optional taught course units in core research methods (to be discussed with supervision team);
• independent study;
• an advisor to offer pastoral support.

In addition to the support and guidance of the supervision team, students will have access to a comprehensive, tailored training programme.

Students will meet with their supervisors during induction week (and the beginning of each subsequent year) to undertake a skills audit to identify their learning needs and devise an individualised training programme.

A mandatory transferable skills unit is offeredthat includes:

• managing literature and searching;
• project management;
• research governance;
• involving patients and the public in research;
• ethics and academic writing.

There is also the option of additional training in research methods, completing taught master's-level units.

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.

OurÌýPhD programmes follow the University's methods of assessment for PhD study and student progress is monitored via a detailed electronic system (e-prog) using a standard set of progress and monitoring forms.ÌýÌý

Students must submit work at specific stages, review their progress, identify their learning and development needs, and meet with their supervisors throughout their course. Some meetings and evaluations are informal, while others are formal and documented.

3-year PhD Ìý

You will submit a continuation report at the end of 11 months (23 months if part-time). This will summariseÌýyour knowledge and skills in your topic of study andÌýyour ability to apply this to produce a robust research plan to completeÌýyour study.

It is examined by two external examiners by a viva examination, and must be passed to progress to Year 2. Any taught units that are taken in full must also be passed to progress to Year 2.

At the end of Year 2, you will submit a progress report via eProg for assessment by the supervisors and postgraduate research tutor. At the end of Year 3, the PhD thesis will be examined by an internal and external examiner.

to discover life as a postgraduate researcher at 91Ö±²¥ or .

Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate. Find out more on the Careers page.