Applying for a research degree

All potential PhD or MPhil students must first complete an online application form, which will include details of their proposal.

Professional doctorates

These programmes have one intake each year in October, with a deadline of 24th August 2023.

We are currently accepting applications for October 2023:

• Education (EdD)
• Ministry (DMin)
• Strength and Conditioning (DProf)

PhDs, MPhils to PhD Pathways, and PhDs by Published Works

These programmes have two intakes each year in October and February. Applications for February 2023 are closed, and we are currently accepting applications for October 2023, with a deadline of 16th June 2023.

You will need to upload a 3,000-4,000 word research proposal along with your application. Please see our research proposal guidance (PDF). 

To begin your application please select the link with your relevant subject area and degree type from the list below:

• PhD Communications and Media (October full-time)
• PhD Communications and Media (October part-time)
• PhD Drama (October full-time)
• PhD Drama (October part-time)
• PhD Education (October full-time)
• PhD Education (October part-time)
• PhD English Language / Literature (October full-time)
• PhD English Language / Literature (October part-time)
• PhD Health Studies (October full-time)
• PhD Health Studies (October part-time)
• PhD History (October full-time)
• PhD History (October part-time)
• PhD Law (October full-time)
• PhD Law (October part-time)
• PhD Management / Business (October full-time)
• PhD Management / Business (October part-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy (October full-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy (October part-time)
• PhD Psychology (October full-time)
• PhD Psychology (October part-time)
• PhD Sociology (October full-time)
• PhD Sports (October full-time)
• PhD Sports (October part-time)
• PhD Theology (October full-time)
• PhD Theology (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Management / Business (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Communications and Media (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Education (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD English Language / Literature (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Health Studies (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD History (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Law (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Psychology (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Sociology (October full-time)
• MPhil to PhD Politics & Social Policy (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Theology (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Management / Business (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Communications and Media (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Education (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD English Language / Literature (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Health Studies (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD History (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Law (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Psychology (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Sociology (October part-time)
• MPhil to PhD Politics & Social Policy (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Theology (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD in Sport (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD in Sport (October part-time)
• PhD by published works (Theology)
• PhD by published works (Communications and Media)
• PhD by published works (Education)
• PhD by published works (English Language / Literature)
• PhD by published works (Health Studies)
• PhD by published works (History)
• PhD by published works (Law)
• PhD by published works (Management / Business)
• PhD by published works (Politics and Social Policy)
• PhD by published works (Psychology)
• PhD by published works (Sociology)
• PhD by published works (Sports)

Please note: you should expect to receive a response from Admissions within 10 working days. For general enquiries please research@stmarys.ac.uk.