Applying for Research Degrees

Applications are welcomed from students interested in pursuing any of our research degrees including MPhil/PhD, Professional Doctorates and MRes Programmes.

Initial Enquiries should be made using the Research Enquiry Form. Once your Research Enquiry has been assessed, you will be contacted about if you are able to progress to the application stage.

In advance of making an initial enquiry, students are advised to consider which programme is right for them. If you wish to work on a specific topic or to find a supervisor who may be able to supervise your research, search for one of our research experts.  

Submit a Postgraduate Research Enquiry

Length of Study 

The time it takes to complete your research can vary: 

• MPhil, full-time, should take no less than one calendar year, but normally two years. You must submit it within four years. 
• MPhil, part-time, should take no less than two calendar years (time spent during this should be equivalent to no less than one year full-time). You must submit it within six years. 
• PhD, full-time, should take no less than two calendar years, but normally three years. You must submit it within four years. 
• PhD, part-time, should take no less than four calendar years (time spent during this should be equivalent to no less than two years full-time). You must submit it within seven years.
• DProf, part-time, should take no less than four calendar years. You must submit it within seven years.
• MRes, full-time should take no less than one calendar year. You must submit it within two years.  Part-time should take no less than two years. You must submit within 6 years. 

A full-time student is expected to devote the whole of his/her time to research but is permitted to undertake some part-time work. 

Entry Months 

Our MPhil/PhD students usually commence in October, January and May each year. Students applying for other research degrees should visit the programme page for more information about start dates.  

International Students

If you are a prospective international student, please complete our Research Enquiry Form or contact us with any queries you may have. Please note that, if you require a visa to study with us, there are specific application deadlines.

Please note that the university is currently not accepting international MRes applications.

A number of University of Chester research bursaries, scholarships and studentships are available each year:

International Scholarships: Self-funding international postgraduate research (PGR) students commencing their studies during the 2026/27 academic year are eligible for an international scholarship, providing a discount against the published tuition fee as follows:

• Full-time students: £1,000 scholarship.
• Part-time students: £500 scholarship.

The scholarship will be deducted from the published tuition fee. It applies to all PGR programmes, including Professional Doctorates.

International students whose studies are funded or sponsored by an external organisation are not eligible for this scholarship; you will be charged the full published tuition fee.

Please note that this scholarship is only available to eligible students commencing their studies between September 2026 and August 2027 inclusive. No international scholarships will be available to PGR students commencing their studies from September 2027 onwards.

To allow sufficient time to respond to all enquiries and meet the International application deadlines, enquiries from International students will be closed approximately two weeks before the application deadlines.

Availability of Funded Places

Available vacancies for funded Research Student opportunities will be posted on the Studentship Vacancies section of this website. There is no need to use the Research Enquiry Form for Studentship opportunities.

Please note that as departmental funding is not currently available, applicants will be expected to be self-funding, unless applying for a specific scholarship.

Submit a Postgraduate Research Enquiry