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.

PhDs, MPhils to PhD Pathways

These programmes have two intakes each year in October and February.

We are now accepting applications for February 2026, with a deadline of 30 November 2025.

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

Entry requirements

To begin your application please select the link with your relevant subject area and degree type from these lists.

PhDs (full-time)

• PhD Communications and Media (February full-time)
• PhD Computer Science (February full-time) 
• PhD Drama (February full-time)
• PhD Education (February full-time)
• PhD English Language/Literature (February full-time)
• PhD Film (February full-time)
• PhD Health Studies (February full-time)
• PhD History (February full-time)
• PhD Law (February full-time)
• PhD Business Management (February full-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy (February full-time)
• PhD Psychology (February full-time)
• PhD Sociology (February full-time)
• PhD Sports (February full-time)
• PhD Theology (February full-time)

PhDs (part-time)

• PhD Communications and Media (February part-time) 
• PhD Computer Science (February part-time)
• PhD Drama (February part-time)
• PhD Education (February part-time)
• PhD English Language / Literature (February part-time)
• PhD Film (February part-time)
• PhD Health Studies (February part-time)
• PhD History (February part-time)
• PhD Law (February part-time)
• PhD Business Management (February part-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy (February part-time)
• PhD Psychology (February part-time)
• PhD Sociology (February part-time)
• PhD Sports (February part-time)
• PhD Theology (February part-tme)
• PhD Theology - Maryvale@StMary's (February part-time) 

MPHIL to PhD

Full-time

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

MPHIL to PhD

Part-time

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

Professional doctorates

The deadline for applications for October 2025 has passed – links for the October 2026 intake will be added shortly.

PhDs by Published Works

A PhD by published works is a research degree awarded to individuals who have already produced a significant body of published work that meets the standards of a traditional PhD. It allows researchers with extensive publication records to gain formal recognition for their research contributions without undertaking a standard, multi-year doctoral programme. 

Please note you do not need to upload a research proposal of 3,000 to 4,000 words as requested on the application form. Please upload instead a 1,000 word personal statement and list of publications to be considered.

Entry requirements

PhDs by Published Works

• PhD Theology by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Communications and Media by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Education by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD English Language/Literature by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Health Studies by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD History by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Law by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Business Management by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Psychology by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Sociology by Published Works (February part-time)
• PhD Sports by Published Works (February part-time)

What next?

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