Research degrees
Applying for a research degree
How to apply for a research degree at York St John, including deadlines and how to write a research proposal.
Reminder: The deadline to apply directly to the university as an international student is coming up soon! Make sure to submit your application by Sunday, 22 June for our September 2025 intake.
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 | 31 July | Monday 31 March 2025 |
| 1 February | 30 November | Applications closed |
| 1 June | 31 March | Applications closed |
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
- Employment and work experience history
- Referee contact details
- 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.
All our academic schools also have a Postgraduate Research Lead. Use the drop down menu to find the Postgraduate Research Lead for your area of interest.
School Postgraduate Research Leads
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Professor 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: Dr Robert Barnes (r.barnes@yorksj.ac.uk)
Contact Robert if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Creative writing
- English literature and media studies
- Geography
- History and American studies
- Politics and international relations
- Religion, theology, philosophy and ethics
- War studies
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Dr 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: Dr Jenny Hall and Dr Steven Hirschler - YBS-SPGRL@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 Ghulam Mujtaba - g.mujtaba@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Ghulam if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Accounting, Finance & Economics
- Business and Management
- Computer and Data Science
- Digital Marketing
- Project Management
- Public Health and Global Healthcare Management
How to apply
Find a research supervisor
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.
To find a suitable supervisor, refer to our institutional repository (RaY) and contact an academic whose expertise aligns with your research interests.
Your research supervisor should understand current theories and ideas in your chosen area. They may be researching a similar topic to you.
View our research centres and groups
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. Please note that all research proposals are put through Turnitin software.
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.
