Postgraduate course
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
A PhD is your research, your questions and your passion. Immerse yourself in your chosen specialism and conduct high quality academic research, on campus or by distance learning.
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/safe-images/1600-x-1000/research/Research-degrees-3-(1).jpg)
Our PhD course lets you plan, design, and conduct research in an area that interests you. Your supervisory team will support you as you evaluate the latest research findings and produce your own thesis. If you know the area you want to specialise in, this course can help you become an expert in the field. A PhD will improve your career prospects and allow you to continue the pursuit of your intellectual interests.
York campus, London campus or by distance learning
- Duration – 2 to 4 years full time, 3 to 7 years part time
- Start date – February 2025, June 2024, October 2024
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 degree in a related subject
Master's qualification
Tuition fees
UK 2023-24 £4,712 per year full time
International 2023-24 £13,000 per year full time
Course overview
Your PhD will be challenging, rewarding and will lead you to the highest educational qualification. Your research will be an original contribution to knowledge and have the potential to alter current policies, approaches or practices in the subject area.
You will collaborate with a supervisory team that has been carefully selected for you and be part of an exceptional research community of postgraduate researchers.
When you choose to study with us, you will gain plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional skills. These could include:
- Gaining teaching experience
- Presenting your research at conferences and events
- Engaging with further training
- Working with the community
Professional development and training
During your PhD, you will discuss additional training needs with your supervisory team. Your supervisors will help you identify your strengths and highlight areas for development.
The university delivers a blended training programme that will help you to develop your research and professional skills, enhance your CV and your employability.
Distance learning
Our PhD is also available by distance learning. Studying by distance learning will enable candidates to work remotely and engage with their supervisor through online meetings.
The PhD by distance learning is available to study full time or part time. Fees, assessment requirements and milestones are the same as PhDs on campus, and so are the expectations of time commitment and supervisory meetings.
Course structure
How you will study
Your PhD will consist of 3 stages where you will:
- Produce a literature review of current research in your field
- Pose a set of novel questions that advance knowledge in your area
- Conduct your research and analyse your results
- Produce and submit your thesis
- Attend a viva voce (oral examination)
Stages
At this stage you will conduct the research. You will be expected to obtain ethical approval, collect your data and analyse your results, organising your work into coherent chapters for your thesis. You can present your research at conferences during this time and submit your work for publication. You will have a formal annual review to ensure your project is progressing.
At this stage you will be expected to collect your data and analyse your results, organising your work into coherent chapters for your thesis. You can present your research at conferences during this time and submit your work for publication. You will have a formal annual review to ensure your project is progressing.
Your final stage is where you will focus on writing and completing your thesis. You will have a final formal review alongside your regular supervisor meetings. At the end of your final phase, you will submit your thesis and undertake your viva voce. During this oral examination you will discuss and critically defend your thesis. An independent chair and examiners will be present to assess your research and findings.
Distance learning supervision
Supervision for a PhD by distance learning should take place regularly through online methods, for example Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
The commitment statement agreed when you apply for the PhD by distance learning should set out expectations for the frequency and mode of contact for supervision. The statement will also detail any face to face contact expectations and arrangements for written research reports.
Distance learning attendance and resources
When studying a PhD by distance learning, you will not normally be required to attend the University in person, except induction and oral examinations where attendance is expected. Exceptions to attending in person may be requested if you are not able to do so.
During the PhD you will be expected to demonstrate attendance through participating in designated academic engagements, including supervisory sessions.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 degree in a related subject
Master's qualification
International Students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 7.0 (with no skill below 6.0) or equivalent.
Applying for PhD by distance learning
Alongside the standard PhD entry requirements, you will also need to demonstrate that you can study successfully remotely. This includes:
- Showing that you can conduct your research with the resources available at your study site.
- Showing that you have access to appropriate IT facilities.
- Showing that you have the time, commitment and attitude to study successfully off-campus.
- Showing that you have access to support for study-related disabilities, if appropriate.
You will need to agree a commitment statement to confirm these requirements before you enrol.
Fees and funding
UK 2024 - 2025
The tuition fee for this PhD in the 2024 academic year course is £4,712 for full time UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
For UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man candidates studying part time, the tuition fee for this PhD course in the 2023 - 2024 academic year is £2,356 per year.
The total, capped amount for completing your PhD is £14,136.
Doctoral loans are available to help you pay for your course. Find out more about UK Government Doctoral loans.
More information about funding your PhD is available on our Funding your research degree page.
International 2024 - 2025
The tuition fee for this PhD course is £13,000 per year in the 2024 academic year for full time international candidates.
For international candidates on a part time course £6,500.
More information about funding your PhD is available on our International Fees and Funding page.
Tuition fees
UK 2023-24 £4,712 per year full time
International 2023-24 £13,000 per year full time
Additional costs
Depending upon the nature of your research project, a bench fee might be applied as a separate cost to your tuition fee. Bench fees are normally incurred for laboratory consumables and other significant project costs and any goods will remain under the property of the University.
If you have any queries regarding bench fees, please speak to your potential supervisor during the application process.
Any bench fees will be included in your offer letter and if you accept, the charge will be in addition to your tuition fees.
Contact us to discuss your research proposal
If you know what subject you want to research or you just want to find out more, contacting a School Postgraduate Research Leads is a great first step.
Our School Postgraduate Research Leads are the right people to talk to if you want to study a research degree. They can put you in contact with an academic who is researching a similar subject, and who could be your research supervisor during your course.
School Postgraduate Research Leads
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Claire Hind - c.hind@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Claire if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Drama and theatre
- Music performance and production
- Fine art, illustration and photography
- Media production
- Design
- Visual communication
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Dr Scott Cole - s.cole1@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Scott if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Language and linguistics
- Children, young people and families
- Teaching and education
- Psychology and mental health
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Robert Edgar - r.edgar@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Robert if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- History and American studies
- Politics and international relations
- Religion, theology, philosophy and ethics
- English literature and media studies
- Geography
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Adam Odell - a.odell@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Adam if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Maths and data science
- Computer science
- Biomedical science
- Sport and exercise science
- Health sciences
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Rosie Binfield-Smith - r.binfield-smith@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Rosie if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Business and management
- Law
- Sociology, criminology and policing
- Accounting, economics and finance
- Marketing
- Tourism, hospitality and events
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Dr Khaled Kesseba - k.kesseba@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Khaled if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Management, Business Management and International Business
- Management Studies Research
- Public Health and Global Healthcare Management
- Digital Marketing
- Project Management
- Computer and Data Science
