Research Degree (PhD)

How do I apply?

To enrol on our MPhil/PhD programme, students will initially register for MPhil with possibility of transfer to PhD, on satisfactory completion of all applicable monitoring requirements as presented in the Postgraduate Research Handbook.

For students enrolling on the MPhil/PhD in October 2026, we have three fee waivers available to UK home students. These are awarded based on merit to the strongest applicants. Prospective students wishing to be considered for a fee waiver should ensure they have other financial means in place in the event a fee waiver is not awarded.

• Fee-waivers will be available to UK home students for the duration of their studies (3 years full-time and 6 years part-time). Allocations will be made through a competitive process. Fee waivers are not available to applicants already undertaking a PhD at HSU; receiving any other bursary or award (from HSU or externally); or in full-time employment.
• Self-funded students are still welcome to apply to study a research degree with us. Self-funded projects are open to home and international students. Please see guidance on how to apply as a self-funded student below

There is one entry point in October each year.

In your application, please specify whether you are proposing your own research project. All applicants are advised to make contact with your potential supervisors before applying to discuss your proposed project.

Please note, international students will normally require a student visa to be able to study in the UK. There are costs associated with applying for a visa, so please ensure you have the means to meet these costs before you apply to the Research Degree programme. For more information for international students, please see our Visas and Immigration pages.

For general questions on Postgraduate Research Degree entry requirements or to register your interest in the course please use the contact form below.

International Students

For applicants whose first language is not English, it is necessary to demonstrate a satisfactory standard in English.

Applicants whose first degree is not English should provide evidence of successfully completing a first degree from a UK University or a degree that that been taught and assessed in English, or by holding an ILETS overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component.

Please note: Only our self-funded opportunities are open to international students

Entry requirements

Applicants for an MPhil/PhD should hold at least one of the following:

a) a first or upper second class honours degree from a UK University or a qualification which may be deemed equivalent by NARIC* and the admissions review panel;

or

b) a master’s degree from a UK University or a non UK qualification which may be deemed equivalent as above;

or

c) other qualifications, publications and/or appropriate professional training and experience which may be considered equivalent by the admissions review panel to one of the above.

*National Academic Recognition Information Centre

Supporting documentation for your application

If you want to apply to be a PhD student with us (through a fee waiver or self-funded) you can choose to submit your own project proposal or apply to one of our defined research projects. See the relevant guidance below.

All applicants will need to upload the following documentation in support of your application:

• Qualification transcripts / certificates (scanned copies can be submitted, but if your application is successful you will be required to present the originals at registration).
• Photograph ID page of your passport.
• A confirmation of funding letter, or guarantee form from your funder / employer (if your studies will be sponsored).

• Two letters of recommendation are required, normally including at least one academic referee who can comment on your research potential.

• CV
• A personal statement detailing your experience and why you are suitable for postgraduate research study. Your personal statement should be no more than 1,000 words.
• Research proposal of c.2,000 – 4,000 words* which includes a proposed timeline of your research and bibliography.
• Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable.

*The research proposal should be 2,000-4,000 words and include the following:

If you are proposing your own research project:

• Your project title and key research questions
• An overview of the context into which your research will fit, including:

1. The aims and objectives of your proposed research
2. An overview of current literature that supports your proposed project,
3. How it adds to, develops (or challenges) previous work by researchers in the field,
4. Why the research is important to the subject area, and
5. How you think the research will make an original contribution to knowledge.
6. An outline of how the research will be achieved within the normal duration of a PhD.
7. Consideration you have given to research methods, what research method(s) you propose to use, and your rationale for why these are appropriate to the project.
8. Any consideration or discussion you have had with any prospective supervisors at Health Sciences University for the project (please note this is mandatory before proposing your own research project).
9. Consideration of the sources, resources and / or facilities required to successfully complete the research. If the project will require access to external organisations or specialist facilities, the proposal should include details of how you intend to secure access to these for the required duration.
10. An indicative bibliography demonstrating your critical grasp of current literature in the field and how you plan to contribute to it.
11. Potential research dissemination and potential long-term impacts of the project.
12. How your research interests are suitable to deliver the project successfully, and what makes you the ideal candidate for the project.

If you are applying for one of the listed research projects:

• An outline that demonstrates your understanding of the research project, its goals, potential impact, and the approach you would take as the doctoral candidate to include:

1. Why the research is important to the subject area, and
2. How you think the research will make an original contribution to knowledge.
3. An outline of how the research will be achieved within the normal duration of a PhD.
4. Consideration you have given to research methods, what research method(s) you propose to use, and your rationale for why these are appropriate to the project.
5. Consideration of the sources, resources and / or facilities required to successfully complete the research. If the project will require access to external organisations or specialist facilities, the proposal should include details of how you intend to secure access to these for the required duration.
6. An indicative bibliography demonstrating your critical grasp of current literature in the field and how you plan to contribute to it.
7. Potential research dissemination and potential long-term impacts of the project.
8. How your research interests are suitable to deliver the project successfully, and what makes you the ideal candidate for the project.

Please note: Full-time students will be allocated up to £500 per year for research expenses (£250 per year for part-time students)

Assessment process for applications

Eligible applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• The applicant’s understanding of the project.
• The applicant’s specific understanding of what will be involved in delivering the project.
• The potential for the applicant to achieve academic and research excellence.
• The applicant’s understanding of what a PhD entails and what it takes to be successful.
• The proposal is aligned with HSU’s research themes and specialisms.

Those that are scored highly will result in the applicant being invited to an interview. Following the interviews, decisions will be made on which applications will be invited to study a research degree with us from October 2026, including which applications will be awarded fee waivers. There is no right of appeal for the funding decisions.