How to apply

To apply for a research degree at UCA you will need to apply directly to us. Applications for Autumn 2025 have now closed.

To register your interest for 2026 entry please complete this form and we will contact you when applications open:

 

Entry requirements

To apply for a PhD at UCA, you must have a recognised Master’s degree (or equivalent) relevant to your proposed programme of study, or a first-class honours degree (or equivalent) with appropriate research or professional experience.

International candidates must have an IELTS 7.0 in English Language for a standard thesis route (or equivalent qualification).

PhD application and assessment timeline

The portal for 2025 applications has now closed, and applications will be reviewed in May 2025.

Applying will activate Stage 1 of the applications process, where our research degree team will assess your potential for PhD study at UCA.

If successful, you will be invited for an interview. Interviews will take place online, and will review your research experience, qualifications, references, motivation for study and the details of your research proposal and the feasibility of your potential PhD project.

If you are selected for interview, you will be invited to attend an online interview in May/June 2025. 

If you are successful, you will enrol with the UCA Doctoral College in September 2025.  

All students starting in 2025/6 will be invited to induction sessions at UCA mid-late September 2025. 

Please note that successful applicants will need to commit to attending six day-long training sessions, held across October, December and February. These will be delivered in hybrid mode on our campuses.

How do I find a supervisor?

When applying you will need to identify three potential supervisors at UCA for your proposed project, and to have discussed your proposal with at least one of them. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DOES NOT CONFIRM ANY SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENTS, NOR IS IT AN OFFER OF A PLACE. You will still need to submit an application, be shortlisted for interview, and then be offered a place, before we can review your nominated supervisory team.

In the first instance, please contact the Research Lead of the subject area in which you hope to study so that they can direct you to potential suitable advisors. They are:

If you are successful in gaining a place on the PhD programme, UCA will appoint a supervisory team for your project. If there is a member of staff who you would particularly like to work with you can let us know in your application. If you wish, you may also contact a potential supervisor directly for their advice about your application. 

Complete your application

After logging into the application portal, please ensure you have completed the below sections before submitting or we will be unable to process your application.

  • Personal and educational Information
  • A research proposal of up to 2,000 words, with an optional portfolio
  • A two-minute video introducing yourself and detailing your motivations for undertaking a PhD, (uploaded to your personal YouTube, set to unlisted and with a link to the video provided in the application form)
  • A 3,000-word writing sample (not a proposal, but example of your academic writing ability).

Before beginning your application, be sure to review this year’s Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Studentship competition, which offers candidates fully funded PhDs in a range of different categories.