Top Doctoral Degrees in the United Kingdom 2019

The goal of the Ph.D. programme is to prepare the next generation of leading researchers.

The Ph.D. is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research degree, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a publishable dissertation. The Ph.D. programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting. The essential requirement of a Ph.D. is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge. Your research will inevitably build to some degree on the work and ideas of others, but as a research student, you are expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in your discipline.... [-]

A pluralistic programme offering existential, phenomenological, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches, with a strong focus on employability.

*For more information please refer to the fees and financial support sections below.

The DPsych programme aims to develop highly skilled, reflexive practitioner psychologists and researchers who will make a valuable contribution to the profession, both inside and outside the consulting room.... [-]

Master's programmes at Kent Business School are driven by international research and relevance. At Kent Business School the research degree programme provides exceptional students with a dynamic research culture, supervision from our community of over 60 research active academic staff, high-quality resources and excellent research training. We offer the following subject specialisms:

Our PhD students all receive a dedicated office space with either a laptop or PC, conference funding, formal research methods training and full access to the facilities of the Graduate School. We also offer a range of PhD scholarship packages for outstanding candidates. All scholarship candidates must hold a first class honors degree (if still completing their master's programme) or a master's degree with Distinction in a relevant subject and a good standard of written or spoken English (IELTS 7 or equivalent). University of Kent PhD scholarships are based on a three year Graduate Teaching Assistantship that includes financial support in return for part-time teaching. This covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate (and some specific scholarships may include international fees) plus a combined salary and maintenance grant at the full UK Research Council rate. Applications from self-funded students are also welcome and the minimum entry requirement is a Merit at master’s level in a relevant subject as well as our English language requirements. Entry to the Kent Business School PhD programme is in September (application deadline 30 June).... [-]

Our group has two broad lines of research activity.

The first is concerned with understanding the source, scope and pattern of education policy; that is in exploring the origins of policies, the nature and definition of the problems that education is asked to solve, and the historical, cultural and social practices that filter or mediate policies. The second concerns educational practices and performance and the development of quality in schooling, including work on the educational potential of new technologies, forms of excellence in teaching practice and the performance of schools.

Research into education policy draws on a diversity of intellectual traditions, including critical social policy, poststructuralist theories of governance, feminism, theories of identity and cultural studies. We have recently focused on two interconnected themes; the reshaping of education governance and its consequences for social inclusion/exclusion and education politics, and families, childhood and identity in education. Research into educational practices and performance and the development of quality in schooling focuses on teaching and learning practice school management and leadership. Projects are often run in close collaboration with schools.... [-]

During your time with us, you become part of our specialist community, exchanging ideas and developing your own creative and intellectual interests, informed by expert academic staff within the Centre for Music and Audio Technology.

Individual staff research interests cover a wide range of aspects of music composition, performance, ethnomusicology, and music technology, and supervision is available in all of these areas. For these programmes, you have regular meetings with your supervisor as well as tuition in research methodologies in the early stages of your research. Additionally, we regularly invite academic and professional specialists for guest lectures, workshops and special events relevant to students’ research.... [-]

IDS is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. The University of Sussex is ranked first in the world for development studies. This QS World Ranking reflects the strong reputation and quality of research and course offerings across campus, including by IDS.

IDS is dedicated to research on processes of social, political and economic development and change in order to understand problems of poverty and development-related issues in local, national and global realms. Through our research we seek to achieve our vision of equal and sustainable societies, both locally and globally, where everyone can live secure, fulfilling lives free from poverty and injustice.... [-]

The PhD is the highest academic degree and as such Durham graduates are in demand for academic posts in leading universities and top business schools; for business and management consultancy in commerce and industry; and for senior management roles in private sector organizations and government institutions.

Whatever your goals, the Durham PhD gives you the opportunity to combine rigorous academic theory with research to influence the world of business and make a unique contribution to your field of study. It attracts exceptional students of the highest caliber, and in conjunction with scholars internationally-renowned for their research and thought leadership, the PhD programme at Durham University Business School is both challenging and stimulating.... [-]

The primary focus of the Ecology, Evolution, Behaviour and Environmental Economics research cluster is fundamental and applied aspects of ecology, environmental economics, conservation, aquaculture, animal behavior, molecular taxonomy and molecular genetics, particularly involving links between these aspects. The cluster has a high level of research activity involving academic staff, Postdoctoral scientists, and postgraduate research students. The cluster has a high level of research activity involving academic staff, Postdoctoral scientists, and postgraduate research students.

Research topics for this PhD are very varied but can include microwave processing, wastewater treatment, greenhouse gases, removal of pollutants in water and soils as well as many other aspects.

This course requires a 2:1 or international equivalent and/or a master's degree at merit level or above in a relevant subject, and an IELTS level 6.0 (5.5 in each element). It is usually completed over a period of around three years.

There are extensive laboratories with equipment from bench to pilot-plant scale. We are one of the few universities in the UK with access to mass spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy and a ‘virtual-reality’ suite where you can construct and optimize your own complete processing plant.... [-]

Offering supervision in most subject areas, the School of Politics and International Relations is a thriving and dynamic center for PhD study.

A PhD is the most advanced form of postgraduate study. It is awarded on the successful completion of supervised research, verbal examination, and final thesis.

We encourage our students to play an active role in the school's research centers and institutes as well as the activities of the school as a whole.

The school runs a weekly colloquium for postgraduate research students, giving you the opportunity to present your work in front of other research students and staff with similar research interests.

Politics and international relations research areas include:... [-]

The goal of the Ph.D. programme is to prepare the next generation of leading researchers.

The Ph.D. is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research degree, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a publishable dissertation. The Ph.D. programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting. The essential requirement of a Ph.D. is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge. Your research will inevitably build to some degree on the work and ideas of others, but as a research student, you are expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in your discipline.... [-]

The Kent School of Architecture offers a full-time and part-time research programme, leading to a Ph.D. research degree. The School promotes innovative and interdisciplinary research study in architecture, urbanism, and related fields. The main objective is to combine contemporary advanced research with an educational agenda, preparing candidates to practice in a global academic and professional world.

A particular feature of the KSA research degree programme is the wide spectrum of investigation and the possibility of undertaking research by design. Ph.D. students have access to all University of Kent facilities and a weekly seminar designed for research students only. Each candidate is entitled to two supervisors.... [-]

As well as offering excellent research facilities and equipment, the School allows students the opportunity to participate in regular research seminars and workshops and offers students the possibility of attending international conferences in order to present their work. As a research student in the School, you will become a member of one of our thriving research groups.

Communications

The Communication Group’s activities cover system and component technologies from microwave to terahertz frequencies. These include photonics, antennae and wireless components for a broad range of communication systems. The Group has extensive software research tools together with antenna anechoic chambers, network and spectrum analysers to millimetre wave frequencies and optical signal generation, processing and measurement facilities. Current research themes include:... [-]

The PhD programme is closely linked to our growing and dynamic research culture in a range of academic interests. You'll benefit from engaging with highly qualified academic staff, working alongside a portfolio of dynamic and popular masters programmes. Our PhD programme also has recognition from ESRC +3 for PhDs in the areas of Sociology and Social Policy.

This course provides for an advanced research study in the field of Management. It aims to provide aspiring managers and business specialists with key insights into research theory and practice within the management discipline. Specifically, the objectives of this course are:

To develop advanced research training and leading-edge research practice and management theory at a professional and academic level.

To provide an interdisciplinary context to research, gaining support from a variety of technical, academic and disciplinary contexts.

Develop and apply key knowledge and understanding of Management theory and research practice to complex systems, both systematically and creatively, to advance and improve management theory and practice.... [-]