uk integrated phd

A combined postgraduate experience

Integrated PhD

A pathway into research training, about the programme.

Our Integrated PhD programme combines a one-year master's course with a three-year PhD research programme.

You can choose from over 90 master's courses across nine subject areas.

Benefits of our master's courses

Our taught master's courses in biological, medical and health sciences are strengthened by our highly rated research and significant links with the NHS and industry.

Research project

Your master's includes a research project, and will enhance your knowledge and skills before beginning specialist research in your chosen field.

How long does it take?

You can study the Integrated PhD either full-time (4 years) or part-time (up to 8 years).

Our reputation

The University of Manchester is ranked 27th worldwide (QS Global World Rankings 2022) and is #1 for social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education). We have been the University of the Year for Graduate Employment (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020).

An international community

Join over 7,000 of our international postgraduate students for a unique and exceptional learning experience.

How it works

Your training pathway.

Our Integrated PhD gives you the opportunity to study for an MSc that will prepare you for a related PhD project.

You'll spend the first part of the programme studying on your chosen master's course in biology, medicine and health before moving into one of our PhD programmes, working on research in the same area as your MSc.

Your PhD will be undertaken at Manchester under the supervision of researchers working on a variety of exciting projects. You'll draw on the skills and knowledge you learned at MSc level to contribute to crucial research.

Example pathway: from MSc Precision Medicine to PhD research in omics

Integrated PhD students undertaking our  MSc in Precision Medicine  would be well-equipped to undertake the 'Predicting response to IL6 inhibition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis' PhD project.

You would be able to apply your master's learning in the principles of stratified medicine to address an important clinical question: whether we can use omics to better target the right drugs to the right patients.

Your MSc-level training in omics technologies, such as genomics and transcriptomics, would be directly applicable to this PhD project.

View all example MSc and PhD pathways

Making an application

Apply for the integrated phd.

If you wish to be considered for the Integrated PhD programme and meet our eligibility criteria, you must complete an online application.

Application process for the Integrated PhD

Information on making an application can be found on the how to apply page.

You must make one separate application for this programme (select  FBMH Integrated 1+3 Programme  on the online application form). If you select the incorrect programme, your application cannot be considered.

Before applying, you should identify a supervisor for your PhD project. You can look at available projects on our  database . Using the  Research Explorer  can also help identify potential supervisors and research areas.

We recommend you make direct contact with potential supervisors to discuss your application before applying, indicating you are interested in the Integrated PhD programme. Supervisors may also be able to suggest a relevant master's course to compliment your research interests.

You should review the  master's courses  on offer and ensure you meet the entry requirements before making an application for the Integrated PhD. Please note that some postgraduate taught courses are not included in the Integrated PhD. Please get in touch to see if the master's course you are interested in is included in this PhD programme.

On the online application form, you will need to include the name of your preferred supervisor/provisional project title. If you are unable to identify a supervisor, please contact the Admissions team for advice by emailing  [email protected] .

Your supporting statement should be a maximum of 1,000 words summarising your motivation for the Integrated PhD, outlining any research experience and your career ambitions. You should also indicate which of our master's courses you would like to be considered for.

Other application information

Please refer to the individual MSc or MRes course page for details of application deadlines.

Eligibility

Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second UK honours degree or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK in a related subject area.

A Lower Second honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a master's degree with a Merit classification, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK.

Please refer to the individual  MSc or MRes course page  for detailed entry requirements.

As part of the selection process for the programme, you will be required to attend a short interview.

Have any questions? Get in touch.

Applications.

For queries regarding the application process, the projects on offer or your eligibility, please contact the Doctoral Academy.

Email:  [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 275 5608

You may wish to contact supervisors directly about projects. You can find the name of the supervisor on each project, and their contact details in the  University's online directory

University of Manchester intercalation queries should be sent to Professor Sue Atley and the intercalation team.

Cookies on our website

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use our site. And we'd like to serve you some cookies set by other services to show you relevant content.

Economics Integrated PhD

Key information.

• 4th  in the UK in the field of Energy Economics (Research Papers in Economics 2021)
• =6th  in the UK  for Economics   (ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023)
• =6th  in the UK for our research impact   in Economics and Econometrics   in  REF 2021   (Times Higher Education)

Join an active academic community with a range of seminar activities and research groups. You’ll have access to training opportunities at Sussex, and in collaboration with the   SeNSS South East Network for Social Sciences  and other Economics departments in the UK. You’ll have two supervisors, working in a relevant area.

You’ll become a skilled research practitioner with   a broad set of advanced skills   to help you address global challenges.  Your training on this integrated PhD will enable you to effectively engage with – and shape – socioeconomic policies. This includes areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship, inclusive trade, minimum wage, education and development. 

An integrated PhD opens a range of careers opportunities in academia, as well as in policy and the private sector.

What is an integrated PhD?

An integrated PhD includes taking Masters-level modules in your first year as preparation for PhD-level research.

The taught year will help develop your research skills, ready for your PhD. It covers:

• quantitative, qualitative and analytical methods
• empirical design
• programming. 

Through the taught modules, you’ll gain a meaningful progression point and all the support you need for your PhD. Once you’ve successfully completed the taught element of the degree, you’re ready to progress to the research phase of your PhD including your research thesis.

During your PhD, you’ll continue to receive training. You’ll develop   more advanced research and publishing skills including:

• winning grants
• stakeholder engagement . 

The integrated PhD offers the depth rigour and focus of a PhD, while developing your research and employability skills. 

Accreditation

You’ll join the EQUIS and AMBA-accredited University of Sussex Business School. Learn more about all of our course accreditations here. Find out more

Areas of study

Economics research at Sussex draws on the latest research methods, has an applied focus, and contributes to academic and policy debates in the following areas, where we invite research proposals:

• empirical microeconomics in developed and developing countries, including labour economics, education and human capital, family economics, crime and law. We have advised the UK government on policies on the minimum wage, school inspections, and the salaries and contracts of teachers and military personnel. The   Digital Futures at Work Research Centre  is based in the University of Sussex Business School
• international economics, and trade and industrial policy, in developed and developing countries. The Department is home to the   UKTPO UK Trade Policy Observatory , which conducts analysis on UK trade policy post Brexit, and trains and advises trade policy-makers
• development economics, where you’ll benefit from our expertise in topics such as migration, conflict, poverty and agriculture. We are affiliated with the   Sussex Centre for Migration Research
• environmental and resource economics
• behavioural and experimental economics and economic theory.

Find out more about research at the University of Sussex Business School

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

Please select your country from the list.

Philippines

Saudi arabia, south africa, south korea, switzerland, united arab emirates, my country is not listed.

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Analytical Methods
• Programming and Policy Analysis
• Qualitative Methods and Empirical Design
• Quantitative Methods

Spring and summer teaching

• Research Proposal

Alongside your core modules, you take the pathway modules below .

Spring teaching

• Macro Methods (Economics and Finance Pathway)
• Micro Methods (Economics and Finance Pathway)

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to   feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you   know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Check back in early 2024 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2024/25.

• How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

• browse funded projects in this subject area
• browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details about part-time study, contact us at  [email protected]

Our supervisors

Explore our research interests and find potential supervisors.

Prof Vasiliki Bamiatzi

Professor of Strategy and International Business

[email protected]

View profile of Vasiliki Bamiatzi

Prof Sambit Bhattacharyya

Professor of Economics

[email protected]

View profile of Sambit Bhattacharyya

Prof Chirantan Chatterjee

Professor of Development Economics, Innovation and Global Health

[email protected]

View profile of Chirantan Chatterjee

Prof Gonul Colak

Professor of Accounting and Finance

[email protected]

View profile of Gonul Colak

Dr Massimo Contrafatto

Reader in Accounting

[email protected]

View profile of Massimo Contrafatto

Prof Andrew Davies

RM Phillips Freeman Chair in InnovationManagement

[email protected]

View profile of Andrew Davies

Prof Richard Dickens

[email protected]

View profile of Richard Dickens

Dr Pawel Dziewulski

Senior Lecturer in Economics

[email protected]

View profile of Pawel Dziewulski

Prof Catherine Liston-Heyes

Professor of Business and Government

[email protected]

View profile of Catherine Liston-Heyes

Dr George Mackerron

Senior Lecturer in The Economics of Environment, Energy & Climate Change

[email protected]

View profile of George Mackerron

Prof Stephan Manning

Professor of Strategy and Innovation

[email protected]

View profile of Stephan Manning

Dr Marianna Marra

Reader in International Business and Inn

[email protected]

View profile of Marianna Marra

Dr Ingo Borchert

Reader in Economics

[email protected]

View profile of Ingo Borchert

Prof Gabriella Cagliesi

Professor Of Economics

[email protected]

View profile of Gabriella Cagliesi

Dr Stephen Calabrese

[email protected]

View profile of Stephen Calabrese

Prof Amalavoyal Chari

[email protected]

View profile of Amalavoyal Chari

Dr Rocco d'Este

[email protected]

View profile of Rocco d'Este

Prof Richard Disney

Emeritus Professor

[email protected]

View profile of Richard Disney

Prof Peter Dolton

[email protected]

View profile of Peter Dolton

Dr Matthew Embrey

[email protected]

View profile of Matthew Embrey

Dr Sonja Fagernas

[email protected]

View profile of Sonja Fagernas

Dr Adnan Fakir

Lecturer in Economics

[email protected]

View profile of Adnan Fakir

Prof Michael Gasiorek

[email protected]

View profile of Michael Gasiorek

Dr Myrna Hennequin

[email protected]

View profile of Myrna Hennequin

Dr Iftikhar Hussain

[email protected]

View profile of Iftikhar Hussain

Dr Farai Jena

Professor (education and scholarship)

[email protected]

View profile of Farai Jena

Ms Wenchao Jin

[email protected]

View profile of Wenchao Jin

Dr Bridget Kauma

[email protected]

View profile of Bridget Kauma

Dr Julie Litchfield

[email protected]

View profile of Julie Litchfield

Prof Annemie Maertens

[email protected]

View profile of Annemie Maertens

Prof Andy McKay

Professor of Development Economics

[email protected]

View profile of Andy McKay

Dr Adrien Montalbo

[email protected]

View profile of Adrien Montalbo

Dr Panu Pelkonen

[email protected]

View profile of Panu Pelkonen

Dr Tom Potoms

Senior Lecturer

[email protected]

View profile of Tom Potoms

Prof Barry Reilly

Professor of Econometrics

[email protected]

View profile of Barry Reilly

Dr Luca Rondina

[email protected]

View profile of Luca Rondina

Dr C. Rashaad Shabab

[email protected]

View profile of C. Rashaad Shabab

Prof Shqiponja Telhaj

[email protected]

View profile of Shqiponja Telhaj

Prof Richard Tol

[email protected]

View profile of Richard Tol

Dr Selma Walther

[email protected]

View profile of Selma Walther

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2024/25.

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs.

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life .

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include: - travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities) - a laptop - overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training) - conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation) - laboratory consumables and workshop materials - participant costs - transcription or translation costs - open-access publication costs. If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding. If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 678169 business-researchstudents@​sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the University of Sussex Business School

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

Quick links

• Guide to PhD study
• PhD support
• Academic facilities
• Open Days and events
• Accommodation
• International students
• Student life
• Order a printed prospectus

What do you want to do next?

• Courses Browse our courses by subject area
• Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
• Visit Come to a PhD Open Evening
• Apply Find out how to apply

Our use of cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional cookies to help us measure web traffic and report on campaigns.

We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them.

Cookie settings

Management Science

PhD (Integrated)

• Entry year 2024
• Duration Full time 48 Months

Top reasons to study with us

9th for Business and Management in the UK

QS World University Rankings (2024)

72nd for Business and Management in the world

Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2024

The Management Science Integrated PhD is a doctoral program which includes at least one year of structured research and subject training. Training is concentrated in year one but continues into years two and three. We know that many sponsors prefer students to have a thorough grounding in research methods and to improve their subject knowledge before concentrating on their research thesis - the Integrated PhD offers exactly that.

The Integrated PhD lays more emphasis than is usually the case in the UK on structured research and subject training (which are formally assessed).

Interim qualifications are offered to students who decide to leave before completing the full PhD or are not considered suitable for doctoral study. These interim qualifications are the MRes degree and the MPhil.

Normally we expect students to take at least four to five years to complete all phases of the PhD. This makes it especially suitable for new graduates and for those who are not yet sure of their exact research topic.

Year 1 - The MRes degree

The MRes is a 'Master's in Research' degree, a taught Master's course typically lasting one year. This course is divided into three parts; Part A consists of taught modules taken primarily from the master's programmes within Management Science or other suitable master's degree modules. Your selection of modules will be agreed with the programme director. Part B consists of the development of research methods skills. The addition of assessed modules enhances the subject-based Master's degree:

• Management research methods and issues
• Research skills
• Quantitative or qualitative methods (depending on the student's background)

and unassessed modules in

• Searching for information
• Intellectual property and copyright regulations

Followed by Part C, which is the dissertation.

Years 2, 3 and 4

Successful completion of the MRes is required to progress into years two and beyond.

You will receive specialised support from two supervisors as you research and write your thesis. In addition to your thesis, an oral examination will form an integral part of the assessment of your doctoral research.

Your department

• Management Science Lancaster University Management School
• Make an enquiry form
• Telephone +44 (0)1524 592938

Entry requirements

Academic requirements.

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We may also consider non-standard applicants; please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English language requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications .

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes .

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email [email protected]

Fees and funding

General fees and funding information

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee  which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated  IT support helpdesk  is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.

For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your  fee status .

If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about  fees in subsequent years .

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities .

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries .

Similar courses

Management and business.

• Advanced Leadership Perspectives MSc
• Advanced Leadership Perspectives PGCert
• Advanced Leadership Perspectives PGDip
• Business Administration MBA
• Business Administration (Executive) MBA
• Business Analytics MSc
• Cyber Security Executive MBA MBA
• Digital Business, Innovation and Management MSc
• Human Resource Management MSc
• Human Resources and Consulting MA
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc
• Innovation and Improvement Science MSc
• Innovation and Improvement Science PgCert
• Innovation and Improvement Science PgDip
• International Business and Strategy MSc
• International Masters Program for Managers No Qual (PGT)
• Leadership and Management PgCert
• Leadership and Management (Health Care) PgCert
• Leadership Practice MSc
• Leadership Practice PgDip
• Leadership Practice (Apprenticeship Pathway) PgDip
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc
• Management MSc
• Management (Entrepreneurship and Strategy) PhD
• Management (Organisation, Work and Technology) PhD
• Management Science MRes
• Management Science PhD
• Medical Leadership MSc
• Medical Leadership PgDip
• Medical Leadership PgCert
• Organisation, Work and Technology MRes
• Politics, Philosophy and Management MSc
• Professional Development PGCert
• Professional Practice MA
• Professional Practice MSc
• Professional Practice PgCert
• Professional Practice PgDip
• Project Management MSc
• Theory and Practice of Management PhD
• Theory and Practice of Management (IDPM) PhD

Studentships and funding

Our studentships and funding opportunities for PhD study are available through the UK's research councils, Lancaster University, and various other organisations. For details of some different types of studentships, which include fees and a living allowance, and further links for other funding opportunities, please see our PhD scholarship and funding information.

Linked icons

• Get a prospectus

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information .

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies .

Why Lancaster?

League tables and reputation

A highly-ranked university with a global reputation.

Colleges and community

Your college will be your home away from home.

Careers and employability

Career support for our students through university and beyond.

Student life

Lancaster has so much to offer. On our campus, in our city and in our community, you’ll find your place – whoever you are.

Where is Lancaster?

Lancaster is easy to get to and surrounded by natural beauty.

The campus and the city

Our campus and the surrounding area is a great place to call home.

Your global experience

Build your global community on campus and around the world.

Wellbeing and support

Services to help you fulfil your potential at Lancaster.

• Current Students
• News & Press
• Research Excellence
• Teaching & Student Experience
• Graduate Employability
• UK Rankings
• World Rankings
• Single Topic Rankings
• Research Excellence Framework
• Higher Education Awards
• Ageing and Health
• Cities and Place
• Culture and Creative Arts
• Social Justice
• Discover Festival
• Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering
• Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Faculty of Medical Sciences
• Central and South Asia
• Latin America
• Middle East and North Africa
• North America
• Small Island Developing States
• South East Asia and Oceania
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Transparency
• Office for Students Transparency Data
• Access & Participation
• Support for our Community
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
• https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/equality/race-equality/black-history-month/
• Faith, Religion & Belief
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender
• Let Us Know
• Workplace Adjustments
• Useful Resources
• Equality Analysis
• Social Justice Stories
• Voluntary & Community Groups
• Santander Universities
• Regional Partnerships
• Widening Participation
• Newcastle Helix
• Art on Campus
• History of Newcastle University
• Find a Degree
• Subject Areas
• Step-by-Step Guide for UK Students
• Step-by-Step Guide for International & EU Students
• Applying through UCAS
• A and AS Levels
• Application Decisions
• Access Schemes & Pathway Programmes
• Policies & Procedures
• Applicants with Disabilities
• Mature Applicants
• Deferred Entry
• Undergraduate Application Advice
• Subject Scholarships
• Sports Scholarships
• Opportunity Scholarships
• VC's Excellence Scholarships
• VC's Global Scholarships
• VC's International Scholarships
• International Foundation Scholarships
• St Nicholas’ Educational Trust Scholarship
• NU Sanctuary Scholarships
• Undergraduate Norway Scholarship
• International Family Discounts
• VC’s EU Scholarships – Undergraduate
• VC's Excellence Scholarships - Europe
• VC's Business Excellence Scholarships - Europe
• Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
• Edward Long Scholarship
• Alumni Discount
• Different Tuition Fees
• Additional Costs
• Student Loans
• International Student Finance
• Sign up & Discover
• School and College Outreach
• Information for Parents and Supporters
• Why Choose Newcastle?
• Your Study Options
• Qualifications Explained
• Postgraduate Research Programmes
• Search for Funding
• Guide to Funding
• Postgraduate Tuition Fees
• Application Help
• Advice & Resources
• Your Offer Guide
• Postgraduate Open Days
• Postgraduate Virtual Open Day
• Doctoral College
• Distance Learning
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Study Support
• Campus Tours
• Life in Newcastle
• Get Involved
• Cost of Living
• Health & Wellbeing
• Mature Students
• Childcare Support
• Care Leavers
• Asylum Seekers
• Teaching & Learning
• Student Blog - Belong
• Types of Rooms
• Accessibility and Individual Requirements
• Castle Leazes
• Bedrooms we offer
• Accommodation Guides
• New Student Guarantee
• Advanced Booking
• Submit an Application
• Part Year Student Accommodation
• What Happens Next?
• Safety and Security
• Returning Next Year
• Extending Your Stay
• Room Changes
• Parking & Bicycle Storage
• Post and Parcels
• Guest Visitors and Going Away
• Energy & Recycling
• ResLife Find a Flatmate
• Your ResLife Team
• Student Support
• Payment Methods
• Payment Schedules
• Managed Partnerships
• Rent Adjustments
• Student Village Receptions
• Your Accommodation Team
• Report a Fault
• Feedback and Complaints
• Internet Connection
• Work Placements
• About the Careers Service
• Careers Service News
• Careers Service Events
• Work for Yourself
• Career Planning
• Careers Modules
• Making Applications
• Interviews, Tests & Assessment Centres
• Internships, Placements & Shadowing
• Finding Jobs
• Handling Job Offers
• Researching Employers
• Making Contacts
• Further Study
• Awards, Competitions & Project Funding
• Volunteering
• Boost Your CV
• Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS)
• Getting Here
• Self-Guided Campus Tours
• Undergraduate Offer Holder Days
• Postgraduate Schools & Supervisors
• Undergraduate Open Days
• Tier 4 Visa from Inside UK
• Tier 4 Visa from Outside UK
• Short-Term Visa from Outside UK
• International Study Blog
• Our Pathway Courses
• English Language Courses
• Fees, Costs and Scholarships
• INTO Newcastle University
• Student Exchange and Study Abroad
• Request a Prospectus
• Chat to a Student
• Your Academic Experience
• Research Impact
• Research Strengths
• Centres of Research Excellence
• Research Culture Action Plan
• Working Together on Research Culture
• Policy Notes
• Global Partnerships
• Let's Work Together
• Sustainable Water
• Food Security
• Sustainable Livelihoods
• Global Impact
• Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• Code of Good Practice in Research
• University Research Committee
• Animal Research Policy
• Declaration on Openness on Animal Research
• Animal Procedures
• Helping Human Health
• Animal Research News
• Ethics at Newcastle
• Research Data and Open Access
• Research Strategy & Development
• Policy and Information Team
• Grants & Contracts (HaSS and SAgE)
• NJRO (inc Grants & Contracts FMS)
• Research Funding Development
• Biomedical Facilities
• Chemistry Facilities
• Clinical Facilities
• Engineering Facilities
• Marine & Agricultural Facilities
• More Facilities
• Facilities A to Z
• Research Funding
• Research News
• Case Studies
• CPD Courses
• Collaborative Research
• Company Creation
• Consultancy
• Corporate Partnerships
• DA Power Engineering
• DA MSc Digital Technology Solutions
• DA Executive Education Snr. Leader Apprenticeships
• Facilities and Equipment
• Intensive Industrial Innovation Programme
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Technology Transfer and Licensing
• Clinical Trials & Research
• Working with Newcastle
• Tender Opportunities
• Submitting an Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• Code of Conduct & Policies
• Meet the Team
• Health & Social Challenges
• Creative Collaborations
• Connect with alumni
• Develop your career
• Discover lifelong learning opportunities
• Support future generations

Computer Science Integrated PhD

Our Computer Science Integrated PhD combines taught master's computer science modules with research.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:

Start date(s):

• September 2024

This Integrated PhD in Computer Science provides an opportunity to make a unique contribution to computer science research. You'll work within a research group, guided by experts and supported by a team of advisers.

Our Computer Science Integrated PhD (IPhD) allows you to match your studies with your interests. You can choose from a wide range of modules and select your own focus for your final project.

Our computer science research

Based in the School of Computing , our research reflects our strengths, capabilities and critical mass. Research supervision is available under our seven research areas.

The  AMBER  group aims to equip systems and software engineering practitioners with effective methods and tools for developing the most demanding computer systems. We do this by means of models with well-founded semantics.

Open Lab  is the leading academic research centre for human-computer interaction (HCI) and ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) research outside of the USA. It conducts research across a wide range of fundamental topics in HCI and Ubicomp, including:

• interaction design methods, techniques and technologies
• mobile, social and wearable computing
• computational behaviour analysis

ICOS  carries out research at the interface of computing science and complex biological systems. We seek to create the next generation of algorithms that provide innovative solutions to problems arising in natural or synthetic systems. We use our interdisciplinary expertise in machine intelligence, complex systems and computational biology.

The  Scalable Systems  group creates the enabling technology we need to deliver tomorrow's large-scale services. This includes work on:

• scalable cloud computing
• big data analytics
• distributed algorithms
• stochastic modelling
• performance analysis
• video game technologies
• green computing

The  Secure and Resilient Systems  group investigates fundamental concepts, development techniques, models, architectures and mechanisms that directly contribute to creating dependable and secure information systems, networks and infrastructures. We aim to target real-world challenges to the dependability and security of the next generation:

• information systems
• cyber-physical systems
• critical infrastructures

The  Educational Practice in Computing  group focusses on encouraging, fostering and pursuing innovation in teaching computing science. Through this group, your research will focus on pedagogy. You'll apply your research to maximise the impact of innovative teaching practices, programmes and curricula in the School. Examples of innovation work within the group include:

• teacher training and the national Computing at School initiative
• outreach activities including visits to schools and hosting visits by schools
• participation in national fora for teaching innovation

The NUSE group provides quality of life improvements in the digital age. They address challenges in systems engineering for real-world applications. This includes autonomous transportation, green energy, online safety, big data analysis and digital health.

Their core research strengths include:

• cloud/edge computing and big data management
• Internet-of-things (IoT) and cyber resilience
• edge intelligence
• knowledge representation and reasoning
• health data management
• real-time simulations
• video game engineering

Research excellence

The excellence of our research has been recognised through awards of large research grants. Three recent examples are:

• Centre for Doctoral Training in Cloud Computing for Big Data . Funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Civics. Funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• A £10m project to look at novel treatment for epilepsy. Funded by the Wellcome Trust and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Research Grant

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our  Academic experience page , which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our  terms and conditions and student complaints information , which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Related courses

Qualifications explained.

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

(only use this component if course has more than one qualification option)

Each IPhD contains a significant and tailored taught component, assessed annually, and culminates with a research project written up as a thesis.

The taught component is the main difference between the IPhD and a standard PhD programme.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

What you'll learn

The IPhD combines taught master's level modules with research. As an IPhD student, you'll initially study alongside students on one of our computer science master's.

You can choose from one of the following:

• Advanced Computer Science MSc
• Bioinformatics MSc
• Cloud Computing MSc
• Computer Game Engineering MSc
• Cyber Security MSc
• Data Science MSc
• Data Science and AI MSc
• Data Science (with specialisation in Statistics) MSc
• Data Science with Visualisation MSc
• Human-Computer Interaction MSc

Additionally, you'll take the 30-credit short project module Project and Dissertation for MCOMP . The project topic should match the specialisation.

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions .

How you'll learn

As this is an integrated PhD you'll complete taught modules and receive support from our doctoral training centres, Faculty Training Programme and Research Student Support Team.

Your first research year will be spent identifying a hypothesis and developing an approach to answer it.

You'll also take short courses on research skills, innovation, personal and career development. The study skills you gain will help you manage your research project. You'll receive training in:

• presentations
• interviewing
• technical skills
• teaching skills

Once your supervisor has approved your research topic you can conduct your research.

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Problem-solving exercises
• Reflective log
• Written exercise

Your assessment includes:

• a written thesis
• an oral examination called a viva

At your viva you'll discuss your research with two examiners. This includes a leading researcher from outside Newcastle University.

All our staff will work to support you in your studies, from admissions to graduation and your career beyond.

To get the most out of your study experience, we'll encourage you to take part in a variety of activities. This includes taking part in seminars delivered by distinguished external speakers.

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Our teaching staff have international reputations, including some with extensive experience as practitioners.

Your development

Faculty of science, agriculture and engineering (sage) researcher development programme .

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Find out more about the SAgE researcher development programme

Your future

Members of our industry advisory group help to ensure that the programme is relevant to the needs of business and industry today. There are opportunities to choose a project for your final dissertation that has some industry involvement associated with it.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information .

The School of Computing is based in the £58million Urban Sciences Building, a flagship development located on the £350m Newcastle Helix regeneration site in the heart of Newcastle. It brings together:

• the public sector
• communities
• business and industry

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year), home fees for research degree students.

For 2024-25 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) . The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI. The Home tuition fees for this course will be updated after this confirmation. 

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here .

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See  our   searchable postgraduate funding page  for more information.  

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section .

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English language requirements, admissions policy.

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB) Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

• How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages .

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

• Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Admissions Secretary School of Computing Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 2736 Email: [email protected]

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

Keep updated

We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

Receive regular updates by email

Chat to a student

Chat online with current students with our Unibuddy platform.

• What You'll Learn
• How You'll Learn
• Your Development
• Your Future
• Quality and Ranking
• Fees and Funding
• Entry Requirements
• Open days & events

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

Integrated PhD Data Science

University of essex, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Data Science Statistics

Course type

An Integrated PhD provides a route into research study if you do not have a Master’s degree, or have very little research training. It enables you to spend your first year completing a Masters-level qualification, followed by a full-time PhD studied over 3-4 years. We also offer a ‘standard’ PhD in this subject which can be studied either full-time (3-4 years) or part-time (6-7 years).

The techniques we use to model and manipulate data guide the political, financial, and social decisions that shape our modern society and are the basis of growth of the economy and success of businesses. Technology is growing and evolving at an incredible speed, and both the rate of growth of data we generate and the devices we use to process it can only increase.

Data science is a growing and important field of study with a fast-growing number of jobs and opportunities within the private and public sector. The application of theory and methods to real-world problems and applications is at the core of data science, which aims specially to use and to exploit big data.

If you are interested in solving real-world problems, you like to develop skills to use smart devices efficiently, you want to use and to foster your understanding of mathematics, and you are interested and keen to use statistical techniques and methods to interpret data, then the first year of our Integrated PhD Data Science may be for you.

In your second year you move onto the PhD element of the course. We have staff members available to act as supervisors across several areas within data science. Possible areas of research include artificial intelligence, classification/supervised learning, clustering/unsupervised learning, data science education, deep learning, industry 4.0, information retrieval, mathematical foundations of data science, multidimensional scaling, optimisation, and statistical learning.

The University of Essex is a leading institution worldwide on Data Science Education. We have a strong track record on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) with data-driven industries, for example: Profusion, Mondaq, MSXI and Ocado. We have two research groups: Data Science and Mathematics.

All University of Essex research students have access to our innovative and unique scheme, Proficio. Postgraduate research students are automatically enrolled on Proficio, which provides a variety of training courses, and a fund of up to £2,500 per student for conference attendance and relevant external training courses.

Your future

With a predicted shortage of data scientists, now is the time to future-proof your career. Data scientists are required in every sector, carrying out statistical analysis or mining data on social media, so our course opens the door to almost any industry, from health, to government, to publishing.

Our graduates are highly sought after by a range of employers and find employment in financial services, scientific computation, decision making support and government, risk assessment, statistics, education, and other areas. Our recent graduates have gone onto work as data scientists and data analysts in both the private and public sectors.

Many of our former PhD students have gone on to work as academics in prominent institutions across the world, such as the University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham, and many other international universities. Some have also remained at the University of Essex, working as postdoctoral research fellows, research impact officers, or lecturers.

Other graduates have joined organisations like the Met Office, the Ministry of Defence, and companies based in the City of London. There is a high demand for data science experts in all sectors of the economy, so our graduates are sought after in the UK and abroad.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

To be confirmed

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

You need a good honours degree in one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Operational Research, Computer Science, Finance, Economics, Business Engineering. Our four-year integrated PhD allows you to spend your first year studying at Masters level in order to develop the necessary knowledge and skills and to start your independent research in year two.

The University of Essex prides itself on being at the forefront of change. It is an institution with a culture of boldness where creativity and curiosity in learning are both encouraged and expected. It’s a UK university, placing 36th and 32nd according to the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 and the 2024 Complete University Guide rankings, respectively. At the University of Essex, students are taught by world-leading academics in a... more

MSc Data Science

Full time | 1 year | 03-OCT-24

MSc Data Science with Professional Placement

Full time | 2 years | 03-OCT-24

MSc Social Data Science

Phd data science.

Full time | 4 years | APR-24

MPhil Data Science

Full time | 3 years | 03-OCT-24

Department of Economics and Related Studies

iPhD in Economics

Join an internationally-recognised and vibrant community, and develop key skills for your future career in economics research.

Take an integrated research degree in Economics and make your mark on the field through original research, supported by taught modules and training.

Your research

This is a four-year postgraduate programme that combines taught modules in Year 1 with an independent research project from Year 2. Your research project includes a written dissertation with original work adding new knowledge.

Postgraduate research provides opportunities to develop your academic, creative and practical skills. You'll work independently, supported by a vibrant department that balances innovation and scholarship.

As part of your application, you'll be interviewed by one or two academic staff members, including your prospective supervisor(s) . The interview will last around 30 minutes to an hour, with plenty of time for you to ask questions and find out what York has to offer.

You’ll receive support from leading academics in the discipline, ensuring you feel part of our community from the start. 

[email protected]

Related links

• Research degree funding
• Accommodation
• International students
• Life at York
• How to apply

We're joint 14th in the UK

for research in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Committed to equality

We hold an Athena Swan Bronze Award, in recognition of our continued commitment to gender equality.

Pioneering academics

making groundbreaking contributions in areas including economic theory, econometrics, finance and macroeconomics.

Taught modules

In your first year, you’ll take a range of assessed modules. Taught modules will challenge you to use advanced knowledge of economic theory within and across specialist fields. You’ll learn how to develop and apply research methods, and engage critically with research literature. You must pass these taught modules in order to progress to the second year of your PhD.

You'll study a range of core and optional modules:

Core modules

• Microeconomics for Research
• Econometrics for Research
• Mathematical Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Macroeconomics for Research

Option modules

• Health Economics for Research
• Asset Pricing

You'll also have the opportunity to study other option modules from our MSc programmes .

From Year 2, you will begin to pursue your research project, culminating in the submission of a doctoral thesis. This course includes an additional, optional ‘write up’ year following the end of the formal registration period.

• Advanced Macroeconomics 1
• Advanced Microeconomics
• Applied Microeconometrics
• Clinical Decision Analysis
• Continuous Time Finance & Derivative Assets
• Corporate Finance
• Dissertation
• Econometrics 1
• Emerging Markets Macroeconomics
• Evaluation of Health Care
• Financial Engineering
• Financial Markets
• Financial Risk Management
• Health & Development
• Health Economics
• Advanced Macroeconomics 2: International Finance and Trade
• Management Decision Analysis
• Development Economics: Theory & Evidence
• Investment & Portfolio Management
• Public Sector Economics: Microeconomic Applications
• Statistics & Econometrics
• Public Policy Analysis
• Theory of Finance
• Time Series
• Topics in Financial Econometrics
• Econometric Methods of Research
• Applied Microeconomics 1
• Econometrics 1 & 2
• Design & Analysis of Mechanisms & Institutions
• Fixed Income Securities
• Applied Microeconomics 2
• Evaluation of Health Policy
• Applied Quantitative Research Methods
• Money & Banking

Please note these modules may be subject to change at any time.

iPhD Health Economics Pathway

We offer a Health Economics variant of the iPhD in Economics.

The programme runs in the same way, but in Year 1 you'll take Health Economics for Research as a core module. Macroeconomics for Research will be available as an option module rather than core module for students on this pathway.

If you are interested in the Health Economics variant, please state this within your application.

Explore funding for postgraduate researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

We'll help match your research interests to our supervisory expertise. You'll have regular meetings with your supervisor(s) during each semester.

Training and support

When you study with us, you’ll be asked to join at least one of our  research clusters and become a student associate. You’ll play an active role in the meetings, seminars and workshops, developing transferable skills for your future career. You’ll be assigned either one or two personal supervisors throughout your research degree, with support from a Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP).

We provide training which will equip you with the skills to support your growing expertise. You’ll have access to department-run training workshops, previous examples of which have included:

• Academic Writing (Professor Cheti Nicoletti)
• Conferences (Professor Andrew Jones)
• PhD Exams/Viva (Professor Peter Smith)
• Presentations (Dr Jorgen Kratz)
• Publishing in Economics Journals (Professor Zaifu Yang)
• The PhD Job Market (Dr Peter Wagner)

Teaching opportunities

We offer our PhD students the chance to become paid graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). The role can provide you with financial support towards the completion of your degree and develop your communication and teaching skills.

All offer holders and current students are invited to apply for GTA positions via email each July.

Course location

This course is run by the Department of Economics and Related Studies.

You’ll be based in the Department of Economics and Related Studies on Campus West. You'll need to be on campus regularly during your first year to attend taught assessments.

Your PhD can be studied through distance learning from Year 2 onwards, subject to supervisory approval. If you would like to be considered for distance learning, please inform your prospective supervisor(s) during your online interview, and our Postgraduate Research Administrator, Maigen Savory ( [email protected] ).

Entry requirements

Applicants to the iPhD in Economics are usually required to hold a Bachelors degree in Economics with a 2:1 or 1st class honours (or overseas equivalent), and an MSc in Economics or a closely related discipline, with a high average mark (60% or above, including at least 60% in the dissertation component).

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Check your English language requirements

Apply for the iPhD

Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply .

Research proposal

You’ll submit a research proposal alongside your application. Your research proposal should be no longer than 2,000 words, and provide details on:

• Your main research question
• The relevant literature and your planned contribution to the current research in the area
• The econometric and/or theoretical modelling methods you plan to use
• Your data source(s) if you plan on conducting empirical research

Before submitting your proposal, we advise you to check that your research fits the Department’s research interests. As part of your application, please nominate at least one preferred supervisor. 

Visit our research page

Discover York

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.

Discover more about our researchers, facilities and why York is the perfect choice for your research degree.

Graduate Research School

Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.

Meet us online or on campus

Find out all you need to know about applying to York

Scholarships

Find scholarships to support your studies

• Schools & departments

Economics PhD with Integrated Study

Awards: PhD with Integrated Study

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Economics

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

View sessions and register

Research profile

Our PhD programme enables you to pursue your academic interests, and learn the latest methods in research, while providing you with thorough training in modern economics.

Research rankings

We have an impressive history of high rankings for our research.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 25% of our research was judged world-leading in its originality, significance and rigour. A further 45% was judged internationally excellent.

Academic staff profiles

There are 34 staff members and around 30 PhD students. Profiles of all our economics staff and students are available on the economics website:

• Staff and students at the School of Economics

Programme structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses.

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

Academic support.

You will be supervised by two faculty members from the School, who will provide academic support and advice on the subject area, methodology and structure of your thesis.

What will I study?

The PhD programme is principally a research degree, but modern economics requires substantial training that exceeds the level of an MSc or other masters study.

In Year 1, you will take 120 credits of advanced research-oriented coursework, with the opportunity to take field courses at the frontier of areas relevant to your research.

Review and progression

Subject to passing an annual review at the end of Year 1, you will proceed to three further years of research, with the possibility of taking a fourth “writing-up” year.

As a postgraduate student at the School of Economics you will be immersed in a rich academic environment and supportive community of staff and students.

You with have all the practical facilities to ensure success in your chosen programme of learning or research.

Career opportunities

Employment opportunities.

While many of our PhD graduates choose to remain in academia as lecturers and researchers, some pursue careers in other sectors.

Recent PhD graduates have found employment as researchers and analysts with:

• Behavioural Insights Team
• Danmarks Nationalbank
• Bank of England
• other private and public organisations

Post-doctoral opportunities

Recent graduates have successfully attained post-doctoral positions at:

• University of Oxford
• King's College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• European University Institute

As well as faculty positions at:

• Heriot-Watt University
• Penn State University
• University of St Andrews
• Aarhus University
• Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Practical careers support

Our PhD students benefit from the help of our Placement Director in looking for academic jobs.

As well as offering advice and running information sessions, the Placement Director organises practical preparation sessions tailored to the academic job market, such as practice interviews and job talks.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK masters degree with distinction, or its international equivalent, in analytical economics. This degree should be equivalent to that offered by the Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics .

If you do not hold a masters, or if your masters is in another subject, you will not normally be admitted directly to the PhD.

Our programme is designed to enable you to pursue your academic interests, and learn the latest methods in research, while providing thorough training in modern economics. As important as your topic is the ability to match your topic with our supervision team. We will not admit a student, where we cannot provide the very best supervision. Therefore, you should think carefully about whether your topic matches our research interests.

During the application process, you will be asked to provide a research summary that briefly outlines your research interests and why you feel they fit with those of the School.

The criteria we will use to decide upon admission will include:

the quality and rigour of your training in core economics areas.

your performance at undergraduate and postgraduate level

our ability to offer supervision in your chosen area of research

the quality of your research summary and the strength of the match to the research priorities of the School

our assessment of any previous independent work (such as your masters dissertation or extended project)

In exceptional cases, we may consider prior independent research experience as a positive factor for admission.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in reading and listening, and 6.0 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in reading and listening, and 20 in speaking and writing. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in reading and listening, and 169 in speaking and writing.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in reading and listening, and 59 in each other component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

We offer funding for high quality applicants, although we would encourage you to try and obtained your own funding sources in the first instance.

• School of Economics scholarships
• University of Edinburgh Scholarship Search

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 1795
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Economics
• 30/31 Buccleuch Place
• Central Campus
• Programme: Economics
• School: Economics
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD with Integrated Study in Economics - 4 Years (Full-time)

Application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

See our supervisors and their areas of research:

• Economics staff

Before applying for a PhD with us, please send us an enquiry email so we can assist you and give you the best advice.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

• How to Contact Us
• Library & Collections
• Business School
• Things To Do

Integrated PhD

The PhD with Integrated Studies is a hybrid degree allowing students to combine a classic PhD with taught preparation roughly equivalent to a taught MA, within a single four-year programme (eight years part-time).

In Year 1, students will be registered as taught postgraduates. Like MA students, they will study five modules: three optional 30-credit modules, and two core modules, Resources, Methods and Interpretation and a short Dissertation.

However, those two core modules will be assessed to a higher threshold than the standard MA. During the Resources, Methods and Interpretation module, students will be required to produce a 2000-word research proposal for their doctoral thesis. The aim is to ensure that by the beginning of year 2 of the programme, students will be ready to embark on independent research.

Years 2 - 4 are a classic British PhD programme, leading to the submission of a 100,000-word thesis.

Students who pass all the elements in year 1 may choose to exit with an MA qualification at that point instead of progressing to the doctoral stage. They may choose whichever specific MA qualification for which they have chosen the relevant optional modules.

In the event that a student fails to pass one or both of the Year 1 core modules at the higher Integrated PhD threshold, but does pass them at MA standard, the student will exit at the end of Year 1 with an MA.

Who is the Integrated PhD for?

The Integrated PhD is aimed at students who are intending to pursue doctoral research in Theology and Religion but who are not yet ready to embark on independent research. Candidates may apply solely on the basis of undergraduate studies or may have some postgraduate experience.

Candidates are of course welcome to apply regardless of their national background. However, the Integrated PhD may appeal particularly to those from academic cultures where taught elements within a PhD programme are the norm.

International students may also find that the immigration formalities involved in applying for a four-year programme will be simpler than those involved in pursuing a one-year MA followed by a separate three-year PhD.

What does it cost?

Durham University's standard fees apply. The fee for year 1 is at the taught postgraduate rate, and the fees for years 2-4 are at the research postgraduate rate (which is lower for home / EU students).

How do I apply?

The admission criteria are similar to those for taught MA programmes: essentially, a good first degree in Theology and Religion or another relevant subject. However, we are also looking for candidates who are likely to flourish in the full research programme through to PhD. Hence we ask for a research proposal. The first year of the degree will provide a structured opportunity to shape it further. Please do get in touch with a potential supervisor, who will be happy to discuss your application with you.

How do the two dissertations relate to one another?

The short, Year 1 dissertation (12000-15000 words in length) and the full doctoral thesis (100000 words in length) are separate pieces of work. It would be normal for students to use the short dissertation to begin exploring their doctoral research topic, and some overlap between the two is to be expected. It would not be appropriate simply to recycle sections of the earlier dissertation into the doctoral thesis, not least because students would be expected to have progressed intellectually during the course of their studies.

How do I know who my research supervisors will be?

Students are encouraged to discuss their projects with prospective supervisors before applying, and it will often be possible to give an informal indication of a likely supervisory team at this stage. However, the final decision about the supervisory team for the doctoral dissertation can only be made once the doctoral research proposal has been submitted half-way through Year 1. In all cases, students will be consulted about the appointment of supervisors.

The supervisor of the short Year 1 dissertation may well also be the lead supervisor of the doctoral thesis, but this will depend on the choice of topics and staff availability.

If you have any further questions about this programme, please email our  postgraduate admissions team .

• Staff intranet
• Student intranet

What do you want to do?

Find out about the research we do in education.

• Education Integrated PhD

Find a supervisor

Mode of study

4 years full-time

International   £21,260

UK   £4,786

Entry requirements

Research profile.

The Education department strives to be the most innovative in London. Based on the oldest teacher training colleges in the British Commonwealth – each with a radical history - we offer research-led programmes for teachers, youth and community workers, other education professionals and those with an interest in the academic study of Education and schooling. Our research is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the British Academy, the Higher Education Academy and many other organisations and charities. We are committed to working locally and globally and the impact of our research reflects that aspiration. In the 2014 REF, 60% of the Education Department's research was world-leading or internationally excellent and 90% of our impact was graded as internationally excellent. Staff specialisms include  Pedagogy and Professional Education ;  STEM Education ; Social Justice, Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education.

Applications are welcomed from well-qualified candidates interested in developing high-level research skills and applying them to theoretical and practical educational issues. Areas of study include (but are not restricted to):

• Pedagogy and learning
• Specific curriculum areas, including science, mathematics, English and physical education
• ICT and education
• Teachers’ (and related professionals’) professional learning
• Students’ perspectives on schooling
• The nature and value of educational theory
• Social justice and education
• Educational leadership and management
• Equity and inclusion in education
• The impact if education policies on educational practice and outcomes

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.  

Learn more about research in this area.

You will benefit from this integrated PhD programme immensely if you want to:  

• receive a more much guided and hands-on supervision of your learning and research process, especially if you come from more traditional teaching cultures
• increase your chances for timely completion of your PhD programme in comparison to students taking traditional route PhD, cutting down the expenses associated with prolonged study
• access to tailored, highly specialist research training not available as part of the support provided to traditional route PhD students
• maximise your chances for a successful research analysis by applying practical assignments and training which are part of the integrated PhD directly to the research you do for your thesis     
• receive an official Postgraduate Diploma in Research in addition to your PhD award to certify the completion of skills training which may be required by employers in some countries if you wish to pursue an academic career 

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour .

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team .

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we can also provide you with some ideas. Search for PhD topics for your chosen field of research.

Research journey

The  Brunel Integrated PhD  combines PhD research with a programme of structured research, professional and subject training. The programme typically takes 4 years (compared to 3 years for a non-integrated PhD programme). On successful completion, you will be awarded a PhD with an Integrated Postgraduate Diploma in Research in your chosen subject specialisation.

The programme involves demonstrating through original research or other advanced scholarship the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of an academic discipline or professional practice, the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the general of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline.

The programme of taught modules runs in parallel to your research work during the first three years of study, with the fourth year providing time for you to focus on writing up your PhD thesis. The taught modules cover research and professional skills as well as providing discipline-specific content. The Brunel Integrated PhD aims to support an individual’s development as a research professional. It aims to produce researchers who are well prepared to embark on careers as academics or professional researchers. As well as the skills to conduct and disseminate high-quality academic research, researchers will develop a range of broader (‘transferable’) skills to help ensure that their work has an impact in the wider world.

Find out more here. 

This course can be studied 4 years full-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 4 years full-time, starting in October.

Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here:  Research degree progress structure.

Research support

Excellent research support and training

The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme . The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.

Library services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.

Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.

Find out more: Brunel Library

Careers and your future

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

UK entry requirements

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). 

An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement  and a research statement. Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement  here .   

EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list . This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT : 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our  English Language Requirements  page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our  Brunel Language Centre .

Please check our Admissions  pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

Fees and funding

2024/5 entry, international.

£21,260 full-time

£10,630 part-time

£4,786 full-time

£2,393 part-time

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.

Some courses incur  additional course related costs . You can also check our  on-campus accommodation costs  for more information on living expenses.

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. Recently the UK Government made available the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Scholarships and bursaries

• Brunel Graduate Discount
• Fee Reduction for Partnership Schools

Recommended pages

• Undergraduate open days
• Postgraduate open days
• Accommodation
• Information for teachers
• Maps and directions
• Sport and fitness

Integrated PhD in Life Sciences Doctoral Training Programme (iDTP)

• Visit an Open Day
• Request a prospectus
• Course details
• Entry Requirements
• Employability

Training the next generation of world-leading scientists and clinicians in all aspects of human life sciences, this programme aims to advance the theory and practical knowledge of postgraduates interested in research careers within discovery, applied and clinical sciences linked to human health. It is a four-year specialist programme designed for international postgraduates keen to develop global research networks.

This unique programme will allow you to explore multiple disciplines in your first year, as you develop your own doctoral research proposal. Throughout your doctoral training period you will enhance your problem solving and analytical; communication and teaching; and leadership and management skills – all of which are highly valued across the academic and private sectors. It will also provide you with the opportunity to establish your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career. 

As a research student at the University of Birmingham, you will learn from world-leading academics, clinicians, and researchers, and you will be challenged and encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. You will also benefit from personal and welfare tutors to support your studies, continued professional development and your wellbeing. 

You will tailor the design of the first year of the programme, taking 70 credits of taught modules where you will gain core scientific knowledge of your chosen discipline and learn research methods. You will also undertake 110 credits of research, choosing two distinct research rotations in world-leading research groups in your chosen field. 

In Year 1 you will design your PhD research proposal with your supervisor, and you will join their teams in Years 2–4. During these years you will have the opportunity to attend a variety of training sessions hosted by the Graduate School at the University of Birmingham, as well as present your data at national and international conferences.  

Your Birmingham experience

For further information about the IDTP and what it is like to study and live in Birmingham visit our dedicated site

IDTP website

The iDTP programme has been playing an indispensable role in my PhD and I have benefitted a lot from various courses and research projects. I’ve been receiving strong support from the organisers of the iDTP programme and my research team, with the help of whom I was able to work in an excellent research environment with access to high-quality research resources, ample transferable skills training and precious career development opportunities. I am very grateful to the iDTP programme, which makes my PhD journey a stimulating yet fulfilling one. I strongly recommend this programme! Luyuan Tan, PhD candidate at the Institution of Applied Health Research

Why study this course?

• Integrated MRes and PhD programme – one application for two degrees.
• Tailor the programme to suit your career development needs.
• Develop your PhD proposal at Birmingham with your supervisor in Year 1.
• Gain research experience in multiple interdisciplinary research teams.
• Acquire experience in networking and communicating your research to a diverse audience.
• Develop your ability to critically appraise research in the field.

For more information about the Integrated PhD in Life Sciences Doctoral Training Programme visit our dedicated site .

The first year of the programme will focus on research training with an emphasis on gaining research skills, and will consist of 70 credits of compulsory taught modules and 110 credits of research. 

Compulsory modules include:

• Optional Life Sciences Subject Specific Module (20 credits). You can choose from the list in this  document . 
• Optional Research Methodology Module – linked to the subject you choose (20 credits). 
• Academic English and Communicating in Science (20 credits)
• Developing a Research Proposal (10 credits)
• Research Projects – 2x 10/12 week (110 credits)

Assessment on Year 1 of the iDTP programme is via a variety of multiple choice, short and long answer examinations, 1,500-to-4,000-word essays, research paper analysis, oral presentations, and a dissertation style grant proposal.

Following the successful completion of Year 1, you are eligible to be awarded a Masters of Research (MRes) qualification subject to funder’s requirements.

Years two-four

Students taking the full PhD programme will also complete a 3 year research project, which will be assessed by viva voce following submission of your written PhD thesis.

You are free to develop your research interest with any of our broad or focussed research areas within the College of Medical and Dental Sciences or the College of Life and Environmental Sciences:

• Institute of Applied Health Research
• Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences
• Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences
• Institute of Clinical Sciences
• Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy
• Institute of Inflammation and Ageing
• Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research
• Institute of Microbiology and Infection
• Research in Biosciences  
• Research in Psychology
• Research in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences

Throughout your PhD years you will have full access to a range of support and academic development programmes run by the University's Graduate School. You are also able to receive further support and guidance with your academic English with the Birmingham International Academy's range of sessions designed to improve your English skills.

Fees for the iDTP are variable from Years 2 to 4, depending on your chosen research area.

The iDTP programme will involve intensive laboratory or fieldwork; and will incur a bench fee (consumable) cost. Fees may be greater than those advertised based on the complexity of research proposals for years 2 to 4.

Please contact  [email protected]  to discuss this if required.

How To Apply

Application deadlines.

Applications are accepted all year round but applications must be received by 26 April 2024 to be considered for a start date of September 2024.

We encourage you to apply early, so that you have plenty of time to prepare the necessary travel, study and immigration documents. In some cases, it may be a time-consuming process to apply and receive the necessary travel and study documents.

Completing the application

Download the 'How to apply’ guidance document to help you.

Click on the 'Apply Now' button and you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the IDTP programme. You will create a personal account with the University application system. You must submit the following for your applications to be considered for shortlisting for interview:

• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• A personal statement highlighting your research experience/capabilities and information on which subjects in life sciences you envisage doing a PhD
• A document listing your top two preferred choices of optional modules outlined in the programme modules information section
• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• Evidence of your proficiency in the English language

Once you've completed your online application and submitted it electronically, it will be checked by staff in the postgraduate admissions team before being sent to the programme lead for consideration. 

Submission of incomplete applications will delay the processing of your application.

All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.  Interviews will be held online between 9am – 12pm GMT/BST on the second and fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. Should candidates have preferred times/dates they are advised to specify this in their covering letter/personal statement. 

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

Academic requirements.

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries; use the drop down to view the entry requirements for your country. For further information including scholarships, visit  our country pages .

An applicant must comply with the following entry requirements:

Attainment of an Honours degree (normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent) in a relevant biological or life sciences subject, or

Attainment of an alternative qualification or qualifications and/or evidence of experience judged by the University as indicative of an applicant’s potential for research and as satisfactory for the purpose of entry to a research degree programme

International/EU students, if you wish to check your subjects relevance to the iDTP; please contact:  [email protected]

English Language Requirements

Please note IELTS requirements for the iDTP is 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any band. You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

• by holding an English language qualification to the right level
• by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

The English for Academic Purposes Presessional course is for international students who have a conditional offer to study at the University, but who do not currently meet the English language requirements. The course is tailored to your level of English and allows you to meet the English language requirements for your programme without retaking IELTS. Find out more about the  English for Academic Purposes Presessional course

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Licenciado, with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Grado de Bachiller is equivalent to an ordinary degree, so grades of 15+/20 are required.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

International Students

A PhD is the highest level of academic achievement available and vital for the continued professional development of scientists. Completing a PhD at Birmingham will extend your knowledge base in your chosen subject, as well as enhancing your problem solving and analytical; communication and teaching; and leadership and management skills – all of which are valued across the academic and private sectors. It will also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career.

Whatever path you choose to take as a postgraduate researcher, the University offers guidance and support in all aspects of planning your next step. Our resources include:

• Alumni biographies and talks to learn more about their career journey and reflect on the journey you may follow after completing your PhD;
• Resources for writing industry or academic specific applications, CVs and cover letters;
• Up to date information about the PhD labour market;
• Career planning guide;
• Job searching resources both for roles within academia and non-academia;
• Training and skills development workshops for postgraduate researchers;
• Access to  Vitae , the careers and research development resource for postgraduate researchers.

Our Careers Network offers free online resources, face to face consultation and also runs the Global Careers blog, with posts about having a career abroad and international graduates building a career in the UK. International students are also supported via the Global Careers event series, designed for international students, focusing on country or industry specific job applications and interview skills.

Events in the past have included: 

• Hays Asia recruitment event - for offices across China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia
• Global opportunities at Amazon
• Global University Career Development Conference (GUCDC)
• LinkedIn group for international students and alumni from the University of Birmingham to connect
• Online chat events
• Ask our students

PhD (Integrated) in Economics

This is a 4-year Programme. The expected duration is 48 months, and the maximum allowed length of candidature is 60 months, if students choose to get into nominal registration role. In the first year, students entering the Integrated PhD programme are required to complete the taught elements of our MSc in Economics programme. Progression onto the research element of the programme is determined by satisfactory completion of these taught elements, with a minimum average of 60% across all modules (and a pass mark of 60% for the Level 7 dissertation) and with no module below the University pass-mark for Standalone Masters programmes. The Integrated PhD offers a structured PhD pathway that includes a wide choice of formal instruction, coupled with an extensive range of specialist research topics across the breadth of the subject. There is a progression from an initial emphasis on instructional modules towards full time research, supported by high quality supervision.

The integrated PhD programme is highly flexible and student-centred.

Programme Overview

Our postgraduate research programmes are conducted under expert individual or joint supervision. Supervisors are research-active members of staff with expertise in your area of interest. The MSc Programmes Director acts as Personal Academic Tutor to students during the taught component of the programme before the supervisory team for the research element is identified.

The course is particularly suitable for overseas students seeking to convert from other scientific disciplines, and also those who are awarded four-year scholarships through their government or other sources. Please note that there is no funding available for this programme through the University of Southampton, ESRC or NERC.

Year PhD Programme

Students entering the Integrated PhD programme are required to complete the taught elements of our MSc in Economics programme.

In the following years, students will have the opportunity to attend different complementary field modules.  The field modules are taught by internationally renowned experts visiting the Economics department on a regular basis and internal academic staff.

View the Course Description Document

Apply using the University online application form . A full guide to this process may be downloaded from here.

Applications can be submitted at any time although we would encourage applicants to apply before the end of May. If you are seeking financial support for your postgraduate studies, we recommend that you apply before the end of January so you have time to gather the necessary documentation for your funding body/sponsor.

Prospective students are asked to draft a short research proposal within their application form. A research proposal is a project outline which students write as part of the application process. We use it to assess the quality and originality of their ideas, whether they are able to think critically and whether they have a grasp of the relevant literature. It also gives us important information about the perspectives students intend to take on the research area, and how you fit into the discipline area's research profile overall. This will helps us assign a suitable supervisor for your project.

It is normal for students to refine their original proposal in light of detailed literature reviews, further consideration of research approaches and comments received from the supervisors (and other academic staff). Note also that this research proposal can be updated and modified at completion of the Master’s dissertation after consultation with the supervisory team. At the application stage, what we are looking for is clear evidence of potential for successful PhD study and a proposal which reflects that.

At least two members of academic staff will consider the application.

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements.

The University’s Admissions Policy applies equally to all programmes of study. The following are the typical entry criteria to be used for selecting candidates for admission into the Integrated PhD programme.

Selection process

The University’s approved equivalencies for the requirements listed below will also be acceptable.

At a minimum, successful applicants must meet the admissions requirements of the University Code of Practice for Research Candidature and Supervision .

This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country.

Programme Structure

Typical course content.

Unlike undergraduate study, the open-ended nature of research means it is not possible to always predict the structure of a programme of study leading to a thesis.  The following is an indicative list.  Where there is a definite requirement to undertake a certain activity this is stated.

4 Year PhD Programme

Students entering the Integrated PhD programme are required to complete the taught elements of our MSc in Economics programme. Students who satisfy the progression requirements for the iPhD proceed with PhD research.

In addition to the taught components, students can take additional training in statistical packages and also attend two library skills sessions: one at the start of the academic year and one at the start of the dissertation period. The University also provides English courses for students wishing to improve their English skills. This may be particularly useful for improving writing skills. Supervisory teams will also provide timely advice to students on this matter during the master’s dissertation period

In the following years, students will have regular meetings with their supervisory team and discuss their learning strategies as well as the progress of their research. This is the most important part of the programme. The student together with the team may decide to attend additional modules and learning activities. Students wishing to gain further training in research methods are also able to attend the specialised training offered by the  National Centre for Research Methods led by the University of Southampto.

An important component of the subsequent research-based training involves participating in research workshops and seminars in Economics.  All PhD students are required to present their research in one workshop per year during their third and fourth years of registration.  The Department is also running weekly external speaker seminars and internal staff workshops to which PhD students are asked to attend.

Between months 30 and 33 of the start of the programme students are assessed on their performance. If students meet the requirements, they will be confirmed on the PhD programme, otherwise they may be given further time to satisfy the confirmation requirements or be asked to terminate their studies without the PhD award.

Evidence of continued progress is provided by publications and presentations in a suitable venue (e.g. an international conference). It is unlikely that further major training will be needed at this stage. The target date for submission of the PhD thesis is normally at the end of Year 4 as this may coincide with the end of any supporting studentships.

Normally, students are expected to submit their thesis by the 48th month of study. However, for students in full time registration who need a fifth year (in nominal registration role) for writing up, the final PhD thesis must be submitted at the latest by the end of the 60th month (excluding periods of suspension) unless special dispensation is granted by the Graduate School. The latter will only be granted rarely, in the case of exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.

The iPhD is typically a four-year programme, if studied full-time. In year 1 students are required to complete the taught elements of one of our two MSc Programmes (MSc in Economics, MSc in Economics & Econometrics). Students who satisfy the progression requirements for the iPhD proceed with PhD research. The following modules are only indicative examples of the options available. There is a wide array of option modules to choose from, subject to availability.

Macroeconomics Microeconomics Dissertation

Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics

Optional Students must choose ECON6004 Quantitative Method OR ECON6024 Econometrics 1. This module will become core once chosen. Quantitative Methods Finance Macroeconomic Policy 3 International Trade Labour Economics

These modules are only indicative examples of the options available. There is a wide array of option modules to choose from, subject to availability.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees.

Fees for postgraduate research degrees vary across the University. All fees are listed for UK, EU and international full-time and part-time students alphabetically by course name.

Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Learning & Teaching

The learning outcomes corresponding to the taught component are:

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

A1 mathematical and statistical tools for economic analysis;

A2 the theoretical foundations of microeconomics and macroeconomics;

A3 the process of model formulation, analysis and validation in economic theory;

A4 the application of economic theory and economic reasoning to a range of topics, including the analysis of economic policy;

A5 qualitative and quantitative economic data and the appropriate methods for structuring and analysing such data;

A6 the statistical foundations of econometric methods;

A7 recent developments in econometric inference and their application to economic data;

A8 alternative approaches to quantitative modelling in economics;

A9 theoretical and empirical developments at the research frontier in two specialised areas of the subject.

Teaching and Learning Methods

• Lectures, seminars, problem classes and independent research.

Assessment Methods

• Written examinations, problem sets, project-based coursework and periodic meetings with supervisory panel.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to demonstrate the following key intellectual skills that characterise the economist's approach to problem solving and decision making:

B1 The ability to abstract the essential features of complex data and to formalise and construct a model for the critical analysis and evaluation of theory, of its application and of policy.

B2 A critical understanding of the application of inductive reasoning to assumption based models.

B3 The ability to validate empirically economic models through a process of estimation, testing and evaluation using a range of statistical methods applied to a variety of economic data.

B4 The ability to evaluate the applicability of a range of research methodologies to the conduct of economic research.

B5 The ability to formulate research questions in economics and/or econometrics and translate these into appropriate research designs.

Assessment methods

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to:

C1 communicate complex economic arguments in both written and oral form;

C2 make effective use of a range of ICT including the Internet, word-processing, databases and spreadsheets;

C3 identify, select and access a range of sources of printed, electronic and other material as a means to the development and presentation of arguments and evidence;

C4 demonstrate awareness and understanding of the ethical and legal issues associated with the conduct of research in the social sciences;

C5 design, implement and manage a piece of research.

• Written examinations, problem sets, project-based coursework, Master’s dissertation and periodic meetings with supervisory panel.

Subject Specific Practical Skills  

D1 make informed judgements on the design and effective implementation of policies to address a range of economic problems;

D2 have an extensive knowledge of the principal sources of economic information and data;

D3 master a range of statistical software for the organisation, presentation and analysis of economic data.

Career Opportunities

Successful iPhD doctorates will be able find work taking up positions as teaching and research academics. They will also be leading economic or econometric analysts in public or private sector, including central and local governments and the institutions of the European Union, in statistical offices, central banks, financial supervision authorities, international aid organisations, commercial banks and financial institutions, etc. Finally, this programme also forms a solid basis for a career in private sector in management, or in consultancy.

Study locations

Highfield campus

Economic, Social and Political Science is based on the main campus of ... Find out more

• Integrated Masters with PhD – Explained
• Types of Doctorates

An Integrated Masters with a PhD (iPhD) is a four-year postgraduate level programme that combines a one-year Masters course with a three-year PhD course. They allow students to familiarise themselves with their chosen topic, research methods and academic writing techniques before embarking on their own independent research project. An Integrated Masters with a PhD is particularly popular with international students and students who initially lack specialised knowledge or research skills.

Introduction

An Integrated Masters with PhD, also commonly referred to as either just an Integrated Masters degree or an Integrated PhD, offers a relatively new way to undertake postgraduate training. They maintain the depth and focus of a conventional PhD but offer a more comprehensive doctoral training experience.

Due to their growing popularity, both the number of universities offering these newer forms of PhD and the number of students applying to them has steadily increased.

This page describes what Integrated Masters with PhDs are, who they are for, their advantages and disadvantages, how they differ from conventional PhDs and how they are structured in terms of programme, eligibility and costs. This page is for you if you are considering applying for an integrated course, or simply want to know more about them.

What is an Integrated PhD?

An Integrated PhD is a four-year postgraduate programme. They involve undertaking a one-year Masters degree (MRes or MSc) in your first year, followed by a three-year PhD programme in your second to fourth year. Although the courses run back-to-back, a student can only progress to the second year if they show satisfactory performance in their first year. The one-year Masters and the three-year PhD are considered separately in terms of qualifications; therefore, a student who completes an Integrated PhD will receive both a Masters degree (MRes or MSc) and a PhD as opposed to a single postgraduate qualification.

The aim of an Integrated PhD is to provide a structured approach to doctoral studies, combining advanced PhD research with formal teaching in relevant subjects, research methods and communication skills.

As Integrated PhDs are relatively new compared to more regular doctoral pathways such as stand-alone or MPhil-upgraded PhDs, some professors informally refer to them as ‘New Route PhDs’.

Difference Between Integrated PhD and Regular PhD

The most significant difference between an Integrated PhD and a regular PhD is the addition of the one-year Masters degree at the beginning of the programme. This results in an Integrated PhD typically lasting four years, as opposed to the three years as with regular PhDs.

Integrated PhDs are structured in such a way that they provide students with a broader range of foundational skills than a regular PhD. The first year introduces you to a combination of taught elements, practical experience and advanced research skills. In a regular PhD this mode of teaching is missing as it is assumed you already have this level of knowledge.

The last significant difference between the two types of doctoral programmes is the ‘group’ aspect associated with the Integrated version. Since the Masters programme also includes other students enrolled in Integrated PhDs, you will have a small cohort with whom you will work closely alongside during your studies.

Who are Integrated PhDs suitable for?

Integrated PhDs can be an effective pathway for any student, but they stand out in two situations:

Scenario 1: International Students

The Higher Education system differs across countries , although not by a large amount, enough to where an unfamiliar student may struggle, especially when working independently. An Integrated PhD allows you to adapt to the UK education system by offering a more guided and hands-on approach to your learning and research process before you embark on your three-year research project.

It also has visa benefits. If an international student seeking a Masters degree in the UK already knows they want to follow it up with a PhD, enrolling in an Integrated PhD will save them from having to leave the country and re-apply for a visa after completing their initial postgraduate degree.

Scenario 2: Lack of undergraduate research experience or a relevant Masters degree

An Integrated PhD is useful for students who have academic abilities but lack the necessary background to be considered for a standard-route PhD. This usually occurs under one of three scenarios:

• The applicant is currently an undergraduate student or only holds a Bachelor’s degree,
• The student has a Masters degree, but in a subject only loosely related to the discipline they wish to pursue at doctoral level,
• The student has a relevant Masters degree, but the programme lacked a research focus, leaving the student with underdeveloped research skills.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Integrated PhD

The advantages of an Integrated PhD are strongly linked to the international and inexperienced students they cater for. They offer students an effective means of gaining more confidence, knowledge and research skills in their field before starting a doctorate, and also provide visa benefits to international students who will be undertaking prior postgraduate study.

Integrated PhDs also enable students the possibility of receiving funding for the Masters phase of their programme, as will be explained in more detail in the ‘Funding Opportunities’ section.

Integrated doctorates have no obvious disadvantages, but are generally not suitable for those who already have a Masters degree or well-developed research skills in their chosen field. For these students, the additional costs and duration of an Integrated PhD can be avoided by opting for a traditional PhD for which they will already be suited for.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

The programme of study is naturally divided into two parts, the first for your Masters studies and the second for your PhD studies.

Your Masters studies will usually be divided into 180 module credits, half of which will focus on taught components and the other half on research components.

The modules will be tailored to your course, but they will include a variation of:

Taught modules:

• Subject-specific module – You choose one or two modules from a predefined list of topics within your subject area. Your selection should reflect the research area you want your PhD to focus on.
• English and Communication – Academic language and communication skills will be taught to prepare you for the ‘writing-up’ phase of your doctorate. A common misconception is that this module is similar to the English language requirement tests required to apply to a iPhD. In reality, the module will focus on learning how to critically evaluate research sources, write abstracts, literature reviews and conclusions, communicate in lab-based environments and present to audiences.
• Research Techniques  – You’ll receive in-depth training to familiarise you with the different research methods and analytical techniques available to modern researchers.
• Research Proposal Development  – You’ll work with your intended PhD supervisor to prepare a research proposal for your three-year PhD research project.

Research Modules:

You will carry out one or two small laboratory research projects under supervision for practical experience.

If you complete these modules with satisfactory performance, you will be awarded a Masters degree and will be considered for the following three-year PhD programme.

Each university has its own process for making this consideration, but most invite you to an interview with the supervisor you wish to conduct research with. The interview is used to confirm that you have acquired the specialised knowledge and research skills expected at masters level, and beyond that of someone capable of completing doctoral study.

If your interview goes well, you will be enrolled in your PhD programme. From this point on, your path will be the same as a regular PhD student. During your doctoral phase, you will conduct independent research and laboratory work for two years, followed by a final year of writing up and formally submitting your findings as a thesis. Your thesis, expertise and research competence will be assessed in an oral examination known as a viva. Upon successful completion of your viva, you will be officially awarded a PhD, and your studies will come to an end.

It should be noted that aside from the above, your university may offer optional modules which can equip you with a wide range of transferable skills.

Eligibility

Entry requirements for an integrated masters degree in the UK will vary from university to university, but the typical requirement is an Upper Second Class (2:1) honours Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted.

If you are an international student and English is your second language, most universities will require proof of your English language proficiency through an exam certificate. It’s best to check directly with the universities which certificate types they accept, but the most common English language qualification requirement is an IELTS certificate, with a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each category.

The typical annual tuition fee for an Integrated PhD in the UK is £4,712 per academic year for home/EU students (or £2,356 for part-time study) and £19,596 per academic year for international students (or £9,798 for part-time study).

As with all doctoral programmes, there are likely to be additional costs associated with your studies, such as bench fees for lab work, travel costs for collaborating and potential write-up fees for students who need more time to submit their thesis. You can get more information about these additional costs on our cost breakdown page .

Funding Opportunities

You can obtain funding for Integrated PhDs in the same way as for regular PhDs. Funding is usually provided by one of the seven UK Research Councils  and research charity organisations such as the  Wellcome Trust ; grants, scholarships and funded opportunities can be found directly in our searchable database .

Funding can either be partial (tuition fees only) or full (tuition fees and living costs). Most funding providers also cover the tuition fee for the Masters degree programme due to being integrated with the PhD, however, you should confirm this on a case-by-case basis.

As with regular PhD funding, the fully-funded opportunities are generally limited to home and EU students.

It’s also worth noting that PhD programmes which include an integrated Masters degree are eligible for a Doctoral Loan , even if you already have a postgraduate Masters degree from a previous university. Applications for Doctoral Loans must be made directly to Student Finance England and you must first be registered for a full doctoral degree. Due to application restrictions, you won’t be able to apply for a separate Postgraduate Masters Loan for the integrated Masters phase of your degree.

Availability

You can search for Integrated PhDs in three ways:

• Our Search Page  – Search for the term ‘Integrated’ in our  comprehensive database of STEM PhDs .
• University Search Pages – Universities advertise their Integrated PhDs on their postgraduate search pages. You can find them by searching the name of the university followed by “ search postgraduate courses ” directly in Google.
• Funding Body Websites – Funding bodies which provide studentships for Integrated PhDs sometimes advertise the positions on their website. A list of the most common funding providers can be found here: PhD Studentships .

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Imperial College London Imperial College London

Latest news.

Imperial academic wins €2.4m European funding to improve solar harvesting tech

Meningococcal vaccine is cost effective at protecting men against gonorrhoea

Shape-shifting cancer cell discovery reveals potential skin cancer drug targets

• Undergraduate

Intercalated PhD option for Medical Students

Build on your study of Medicine with the chance to complete a PhD as part of your course.

Applications open on 14 May 2024

Include a PhD as part of your Medicine degree

Explore research from a range of specialities

Benefit from world-class facilities and collaborate across departments at Imperial

Showing course information for 2025 View 2024 course information

Course key facts

Qualification, october 2025, ucas course code, apply to a100, not set home, not set overseas, delivered by, school of medicine, south kensington, applications: places, 10 : 1 (2023), course overview.

This course offers exceptional students on the standard Medicine MBBS/BSc degree the opportunity to include a PhD as part of their course.

This consists of three years’ research, taken after completion of the BSc component.

Research within the Department covers a very broad range of specialities, and you will benefit from access to world class facilities and the chance to collaborate with researchers from other departments and faculties at the university.

After your three years of research are complete, you will continue with the remainder of the MBBS programme, graduating with both an MBBS and PhD qualification.

• 4th in the world Medicine, Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
• Specialist pathways so you can focus on core fields of interest such as neuroscience or mental health.
• Accredited by the General Medical Council Graduate qualified for provisional registration with the GMC
• Phases 1-3 (MBBS/BSc)
• Intercalated PhD

Phase 1 of the course runs over three years. You will undertake an integrated programme covering the scientific basis of medicine and the foundations of clinical practice, with clinical experience from the start.

The third year consists of clinical attachments in hospitals and placements in a primary care setting, supported by structured teaching.

Phase 2 leads to the award of a BSc degree at the end of year four. We have many specialist pathways available, exposing you to research at the cutting edge of the field. You also undertake a supervised research project.

Phase 3 covers the final two years of the MBBS qualification. You rotate through a wide range of clinical specialties, such as obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, general practice and paediatrics.

In the final years, you have the freedom to follow your own interests and undertake an eight-week elective, which you may complete in the UK or overseas.

For full details of each phase, including specific modules, please see the Medicine MBBS/BSc page.

You will initially apply for Medicine MBBS/BSc .

During your fourth or third year of study, you will contact the BSc Programme Officer to apply to undertake an intercalated PhD.

While undertaking a PhD, you will be placed on an interruption of studies from your MBBS medicine course.

Professional accreditation

This course is professionally accredited by General Medical Council .

This means that your education meets a respected and recognised standard, starting your career with skills and attitudes needed to deliver high-quality care.

Associateship

As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Imperial College School of Medicine (AICSM). This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods.

Assessment methods

Your timetable and learning

We use a repeating schedule to allow you to focus on Professional Knowledge, Clinical Skills, Professional Values and Behaviours at specific times.

You will focus on deep and active learning methods, such as flipped classrooms and team-based Learning so you can practise and apply your knowledge and critical thinking. 

Your performance will be assessed by a combination of written and clinical examinations and continuous assessment.

Assessments for the MBBS programme are pass/fail. In-course assessments and examinations relating to the science modules in Phase 2 contribute to the final classification for honours for the BSc element of the MBBS/BSc degree and are graded.

Medical Licensing Assessment

The General Medical Council's Medical Licensing Assessment aims to demonstrate that those who obtain registration with a licence to practise medicine in the UK meet a common threshold for safe practice.

To obtain registration with a licence to practise, you will need to pass both parts of the MLA, pass university finals and demonstrate your fitness to practise.

Student agreement

Due to the unique nature of Medicine courses, which emphasise clinical placements, all students will be asked to sign an agreement upon entry which sets out the responsibilities of both the university and the student.

The agreement complements the university's current policies and procedures, promoting a coherent understanding between students and the Faculty as to what is expected from each and improving the student’s learning experience.‌

Placements and location of study

You will complete a number of placements and clinical attachments throughout your degree. Most of your study will be at our South Kensington and Charing Cross Campuses, however, your studies will also take you off-campus at various points in each academic year.

During phase one, you will undertake community-based experiences at General Practices in London. Practices will be accessible by either bus or train, usually requiring under one hour travel.

The Phase 3 clinical specialities, as well as other opportunities to specialise, may be located at other Imperial campuses such as Charing Cross ,  Chelsea and Westminster ,  Hammersmith ,  Royal Brompton ,  St. Mary’s .

You can expect to complete attachments at the below list of teaching hospitals, provided as a guide:

• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
• London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Ealing Hospital
• Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary's and Western Eye Hospitals
• London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Northwick Park
• Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust
• West Middlesex University Hospital

We have partnerships with healthcare providers inside and outside of London, and the list above is given as a guide and is not intended to be exhaustive.

The main clinical attachments or training away from South Kensington and Charing Cross are in the Phase 1c, Phase 3a and Phase 3b:

• Phase 1c: three 8-weeks clinical placements (including one in General Practice)
• Phase 3a: dedicated pathology course and a range of clinical specialities
• Phase 3b: range of clinical attachments and elective period

Staff expertise

At Imperial, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field. You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the university.

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

• Minimum entry requirements
• Foundation programmes

MBBS/BSc requirements

You apply initially to the Medicine MBBS/BSc course. You can find the initial entry requirements to this on the Medicine MBBS/BSc page.

PhD requirements

The eligibility requirements for the PhD programme include:

• Satisfactory performance in the early year(s) of the MBBS course
• Normally no previous examination re-sits
• A BSc classification of at least 2.1

If you meet these requirements and are given permission, you can either apply for one of the advertised MB/PhDs funded by a division in the Faculty or secure the required funding for the three years of the MB/PhD from external sources in collaboration with your proposed supervisor.

Oxbridge students are also eligible once they have completed the first year of their course at Imperial, have had no examination re-sits and a BSc classification of at least 2.1.

Support for widening participation applicants

The School of Medicine invites applicants to interview on the basis of predicted grades and BMAT scores. Applicants with predicted grades of AAA (including Chemistry and Biology) will be considered on the basis of an adjusted BMAT threshold score.

Applicants who meet the adjusted minimum score will be invited to interview and successful widening participation applicants at interview will receive an adjusted offer of AAA at A-level, or an equivalent level qualification.

Find out more about our admissions schemes

Imperial does not offer its own Foundation Programme.

Currently, Medicine courses do not accept UCL UPCSE or Warwick IFP Science and Engineering applications.

How to apply

Apply via ucas.

When applications open, you can start your application via UCAS Hub. You must initially apply for the Medicine MBBS/BSc course (UCAS code A100). On UCAS hub you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.

Admissions test – the UCAT

To be considered for this course for 2025 entry, you will need to sit the Universal Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as part of the application process.

Find out more about the UCAT and how to register for 2025 entry.

Application process

You will initially apply initially for Medicine MBBS/BSc (UCAS code A100).

You must meet certain academic requirements in the early years of your degree to be eligible for the PhD programme, and places are competitive so cannot be guaranteed.

While undertaking a PhD, you will be placed on an interruption of studies from your medical course.

Student visas

If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa.

Find out more from our International Student Support website .

Tuition fees

Overseas fee, as a guide, the home fee for 2024–25 was £9,250 dependent on the year in which you study, inflationary increases.

Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.

Find out more about our  tuition fees payment terms , including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.

Which fee you pay

Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out  how we assess your fee status .

Government funding

If you're a Home student, you can apply for a  Tuition Fee Loan  from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.

You can also apply for a means-tested  Maintenance Loan  to help towards your living costs.

Imperial Bursary scheme

We’re offering up to £5,000 each year through our Imperial Bursary scheme for eligible Home undergraduates.

If your household income remains under £70,000 a year, you’ll automatically qualify for every year of your course.

Find out more about our Imperial Bursary scheme .

As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2024–25 was £50,400 per year

Scholarships, imperial bursary, value per award.

• £1,000–£5,000 per year

Who it's for

• Home students whose household income falls below £60,000 a year

Medicine scholarships

• Students who have Firm Unconditional places to study Medicine at Imperial.

NHS funding

• Full tuition fee support and a means-tested bursary or a tuition fees only bursary.
• Students in the final (clinical) years of their MBBS

How will studying at Imperial help my career as a doctor?

Graduate with the skills and knowledge to enter into a diverse range of careers including clinical medical practice, biomedical research, the pharmaceutical industry, scientific journalism and healthcare management.

Access the specialist careers support from the medical school careers team, alongside the support offered through your personal tutor and other medical school staff. Including one-to-one appointments, talks from doctors in different specialities, skill sessions, networking events and careers fairs, a dedicated careers websites and much more.

Achieving this MBBS provides you with a primary medical qualification (PMQ), entitling you to provisional registration with the GMC and license to practise in approved Foundation Year 1 posts. In your final year, we will support you to apply for a Foundation Year 1 post through the UK Foundation Programme selection scheme.

On successful completion of the Foundation Year 1 programme you can apply for full registration with the GMC before entering Foundation Year 2.

As a doctor you’ll need full registration with a license to practise for unsupervised medical practise in the NHS or UK private practice, although regulations in this area are subject to change. Then, you can train as a specialist through an NHS scheme, choosing from around seventy different specialities.

Further links

Contact the department.

• Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 7259
• Email: [email protected]

Visit the School of Medicine website

Request info

Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.

Events, tasters and talks

Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.

Find an event

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.