Research degrees
Applying for a research degree
How to apply for a research degree at York St John, including deadlines, how to find a supervisor and what to include in your application.
Our application deadlines
We accept new research students on 1 October, 1 February and 1 June each year. We accept professional doctorate students on 1 January.
The final dates for submitting your completed application are as follows:
| Intake | UK applicants | International applicants |
|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 30 June | 30 May |
| 1 February | 30 November | 31 October |
| 1 June | 31 March | 20 February |
The International How to Apply page has further information for international applicants.
Before you apply
To apply for a research degree, you will need:
- Qualification details (including degree certificates and transcripts)
- Employment, work experience or Curriculum Vitae (where relevant)
- Two Academic references – signed with signature and contact details, dated (within the last 12 months), stamped and on official letterhead
- A research proposal (see ‘How to apply’ below)
- A research supervisor (see ‘How to apply’ below)
If you want to apply for a professional doctorate, read our separate guidance page: Applying for a professional doctorate.
If you have any questions before you apply, contact us at PGR.Admissions@yorksj.ac.uk.
How to apply
How to find a research supervisor for your project
Before you can apply to study with us, you will need a research supervisor.
Your research supervisor will be an academic at York St John University who is working in a related area to your research. This is to make sure we are able to support you in your area of research.
Your research supervisor should understand current theories and ideas in your chosen area. They may be researching a similar topic to you.
To find a suitable supervisor, you can:
- Use our ‘Find a Supervisor’ search page to contact our academic specialists.
- Refer to our institutional repository (RaY) and contact an academic whose expertise aligns with your research interests. (Please note, they must be listed as a supervisor on our ‘Find a Supervisor’ search page in order to supervise a PhD).
- Browse our list of Research centres and groups as well as the Institute for Social Justice and the Institute for Health and Care Improvement.
- There are also certain funding opportunities throughout the year which will be advertised on the Scholarships for postgraduate research students webpage. These are often linked to specific subject areas and will have the supervisors attached. Please take a look at these should they be of interest.
If you would like help in finding a supervisor, please contact PGR.admissions@yorksj.ac.uk.
Write a research proposal
A research proposal should explain the topic or question you want to research. It should be 1,500 words long. This does not include references.
Your proposal should tell us:
- What you hope to find out.
- What methods you will use for your research.
- Your understanding of current thinking around the subject area.
- The knowledge and skills you have to get started on a large research project.
You will upload your research proposal to your online application.
Research proposals are subject to assessment via Turnitin and must adhere to YSJU Guiding Principles on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Whilst the use of genAI tools are not prohibited, their use must adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency and academic integrity and be explicitly acknowledged.
Complete an application form
To start your application form, go to our Course Search portal.
You will need to create an application login. When you have done this, select 'Postgraduate Research' and your area of study. This will then show you all available application links. Select the link you need and then fill in the form.
If you need help with your application contact us at: PGR.Admissions@yorksj.ac.uk.
After you have applied
The Postgraduate Research School will review your application with one of our Postgraduate Research Leads.
We may invite you to an interview to talk about your application and research proposal. If you are successful, we will send your application to the Research Degree Sub Committee. They will make the final decision.
The result of your application will be sent to you by email. This email will include details of any conditions you need to meet as part of your offer.
Your acceptance email will include a reply slip. You must return this by email to accept or decline your place.
We will be in touch before your start date to make sure you have everything you need.
