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Applying for a Research Degree

What is involved in studying for a research degree?

You will complete a self-directed programme of independent research, supported by research training, and produce and defend a thesis expounding your work.  You will study in one of our academic Schools which provide you with the study environment and resources, under the supervision of (normally two) academic staff using their expertise and experience to support your research.  Your programme of research should be completed within three years (full-time) or six years (part-time), based on a minimum of 35 hours of study per week (full-time) and 15 hours per week (part-time) across the calendar year, and your degree will be awarded when you produce and defend a thesis expounding your research which must be submitted within four years (for full-time students) or eight years (for part-time students).  Initially you will be registered on the Master of Philosophy route, transferring later to the PhD route, subject to satisfactory progress.  Click here [link to http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/rs/applying-for-a-research-degree] for more information on research study at the University of Westminster.

Start dates

  • September
  • January

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum classification of 2.1 in their first degree (or equivalent) and, preferably, a Masters degree (or Masters degree pending).

Applicants whose secondary level education has not been conducted in the medium of English should also demonstrate evidence of appropriate English language proficiency, normally defined as:

IELTS 6.5 (overall band score with not less than 6 in any of the individual elements)
TOEFL (Internet Based) 91
TOEFL (Paper Based) 570
Cambridge Proficiency Pass

Further information on these requirements and English language support will be available shortly.

Modes of attendance

Full time (at least 35 hours a week)
Part time (at least 15 hours a week; Home students only)
External Research Degree Study Scheme (Overseas students only)
MPhil/PhD by Published Work

External Research Degree Study Scheme (ERDS)

If you are an Overseas student and wish to study in your own country you can do so under the External Research Degree Study Scheme (ERDS).  For full details please click here.

MPhil/PhD by Published Work

Click here for further details

Fees and Funding

Click here for full details.

Areas of Study

You need to check whether the School can supervise your research.  Click here to see the various areas of research and contact details in each School.  You should get in touch with the School Research Director or Admissions Contact to discuss your proposed research before you make your application.

Ethics approval

You are also asked to take into account any ethical dimensions of your proposed research at this preliminary stage of the application process as, if your research requires Research Ethics Sub-Committee approval, you will need to undertake the appropriate ethics approval processes once you have enrolled. Further details will be provided if your application is successful.

Research Degrees of the University – Summary of Regulations (For initial enquiries)

Please click here for a summary of the University’s Research Degrees Regulations.  The full regulatory framework is available here.

Application Timetable

You are advised to apply as early as possible as the assessment of applications by the academic Schools and identification of possible supervisors can take some time.  Applying early will also allow you longer to make any necessary preparatory arrangements such as travel, accommodation and funding, before you commence your studies.

For admission in September 2011

If you are a self-funded applicant you should aim to submit your application by Friday 13 May 2011 (Please note, that if you are applying to the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages no applications will be considered after this date).

For admission in January 2012 and September 2012

School
 For January 2012 Overseas applicants should aim to apply by:
 For January 2012 Home applicants should aim to apply by:
 For September 2012
Overseas applicants should aim to apply by:
 For September 2012 Home applicants should aim to apply by:
Architecture and the Built Environment
 Friday 30 September 2011
 Monday 31 October 2011
 Guidance will be published soon
 Guidance will be published soon
Electronics and Computer Science
 Friday 30 September 2011 Monday 31 October 2011 Friday 30 March 2012
 Thursday 31 May 2012
Law
 Guidance will be published soon Guidance will be published soon Guidance will be published soon Guidance will be published soon
Life Sciences
 Friday 30 September 2011 Monday 31 October 2011 Friday 30 March 2012 Thursday 31 May 2012
Media, Arts and Design
 Friday 30 September 2011
 Monday 31 October 2011
 Friday 30 March 2012
 Thursday 31 May 2012
Social Science, Humanities and Languages
 Friday 29 July 2011*
 Friday 30 September 2011*
 Friday 30 March 2012*
 Thursday 31 May 2012*
Westminster Business School
 Friday 30 September 2011*
 Monday 31 October 2011*
 Friday 30 March 2012*
 Thursday 31 May 2012*
Westminster Exchange
 Friday 30 September 2011
 Monday 31 October 2011
 Friday 30 March 2012
 Thursday 31 May 2012

*Please note, that if you are applying to the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages or Westminster Business School no applications will be considered after this date.

How to apply

Applications for research degrees are submitted online via UKPASS (Postgraduate Application Service).  These are the documents you will have to submit along with the UKPASS online application form:

a) Research proposal of 5 pages in length, plus a bibliography. (Please note that if you do not upload your proposal to UKPASS, your application cannot be processed.)

b) Scanned copies of all your relevant qualification certificates and transcripts.

c) If your award is pending, please upload the transcript of the modules already undertaken.

d) Applicants whose secondary level education has not been conducted in the medium of English should also demonstrate evidence of appropriate English language proficiency.

e) 2 academic references.  Please note that it is your responsibility to contact your referees and arrange for the references.  These can be uploaded with your UKPASS application or sent to the Research Office at the address below:

Miss Lindsay Martin
Research Administrator
Research Office
University of Westminster
Cavendish House
101 New Cavendish Street
London W1W 6XH

To apply via UKPASS click below selecting the School you wish to apply to:
(Please note that the course you are applying for is an MPhil in one of these Schools rather than an MPhil/PhD in a specific subject area.)

Apply to the School of Architecture and the Built Environment with code P043127

Apply to the School of Electronics and Computer Science with code P043122

Apply to the School of Law with code P043124

Apply to the School of Life Sciences with code P043061

Apply to the School of Media, Arts and Design with code P043128

Apply to the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages with code P043129

Apply to Westminster Business School with code P043126

Apply to Westminster Exchange with code P043123

After you have submitted your application

When we receive your application we will check to make sure that all the necessary documents have been submitted.  Your application will then be forwarded to the relevant academic School for consideration by academic staff.  If academic staff wish to take your application further they will invite you to interview (by phone if necessary). You will be notified of the outcome of your application by the Academic Services Department.

Student Services

Further information for applicants

Click here for further information about life as a research student at the University of Westminster.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find our FAQs here.

Further enquiries

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at researchadmissions@westminster.ac.uk or by phone on 020 7911 5731.