University of Brighton- Doctoral College
Introduction
Your PhD at the University of Brighton will develop your professional skills as a researcher in your chosen discipline, and enable you to make your original contribution to knowledge, working alongside dedicated academics in a vibrant, supportive community.
The University of Brighton has a rich scholarly history, particularly in applied research. We pride ourselves on academic work that has a major public impact, on our innovative approaches to the generation and dissemination of knowledge, and our part in the progress of new and under-represented disciplines.
We have an enviable record of preparing students for their place in the wider world. Our PhD students benefit from an approach that recognises the value of rigorous research study and the transferable, high-level skillsets that are developed in the work towards a PhD thesis. We also offer our students the benefit of our strong connections to regional, national and international research networks, industry, public services and professional associations.
Our supportive environment will place you with an expert supervisory team, typically of two supervisors, and will embed your work within the research of specialist departments. Most students are introduced as members of several research communities; you will be based within a specialist disciplinary school and within focused research groups and/or Centres of Research and Enterprise Excellence (COREs). You'll also have opportunities to join students across the university through our Doctoral College and its training programmes.
We recognise doctoral research as the lifeblood of all universities; we welcome our PhD students as the next generation of researchers and scholars, who will continue the mission to generate new knowledge and address the global challenges that face us all.
Admissions
Academic requirements
You will apply for entry to a named disciplinary area. Your final award will not use this name, it is only for application.
The entry requirements for the PhD are:
- a recognised Masters degree with a significant research component, for example, MPhil from another university, or a similar qualification which is regarded by the University of Brighton as being equivalent and relevant
- or substantial appropriate research or professional experience at the postgraduate level which resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment. An application made by someone with this experience will be considered on its merits and will normally require independent academic references
- or, unless a school exercises their right to specify more stringent entry requirements, we may consider a first or upper second honours degree or other qualification which is regarded by the University of Brighton as being equivalent and relevant.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the minimum standard of English competence accepted is normally equivalent to the following International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores:
Normally we require an overall score of 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and writing, 6.0 in listening and speaking. There are exceptions to this and they are as follows:
- research degrees in Arts and Humanities and Health Professions require 7.0 overall, 7 for writing, and none below 6.5.
- research degrees in the Brighton School of Business and Law and the School of Sport and Health Sciences: 7.0 overall, 7 for writing, and none below 6.0.
- research degrees in Engineering and Environment and Technology require a minimum of 6.0 in each component
All SELT (Secure English language tests) must have been obtained within the preceding two years of the course start date.
Important information regarding changes to the approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) list:
The University of Brighton will continue to accept non-SELT tests such as ‘IELTS Academic’ and ‘Pearson Test of English Academic’, as long as your test results meet the course requirements.
Terms and deadlines
It is common for PhD students to begin in October following their application, fitting to normal academic term calendars. This also suits the funding cycle for a number of funding bodies.
However, we operate a rolling intake so students can make applications at any time throughout the year. Start dates will always be on the first working day of the month and will normally be determined as follows:
- UK/EU students: Normally one month after an offer is made
- International students: Normally three months after an offer is made
- Professional Doctorates and programmes with a taught component usually have one intake a year, which is normally at the start of October.