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Part-time doctoral research

Our part-time doctoral students make up an important part of our research community. At Reading, we recognise the distinct nature of studying part time, and we have a wealth of experience and resources to help you succeed.

If you are thinking of studying for a doctorate part time, you will be in good company. A quarter of our doctoral students either complete their entire programme on a part-time basis or switch after starting full time. You may find that studying part time suits you because:

• you have work commitments
• you have caring responsibilities
• it's preferable for financial reasons.

“As a part-time, mature student, there are times when I work full time on my thesis, while at other times it gets far less input due to my other commitments. Neither myself, my supervisor nor my postgraduate director have ever considered this a problem and this relaxed, flexible attitude has helped immensely and kept me unstressed and on track.”

Hilary Matthews

PhD in History

Time frames for part-time study

Working hours and patterns.

Your working hours and patterns are not usually specified; however, as a guide, you should expect to spend at least 15 hours a week working on your research or undertaking training and development events. At certain points in your doctoral journey, you may have to dedicate more time for intensive study.

You will find your own preferred way of working with us – a few of our part-time cohort attend daily, some others attend weekly, but most who live further afield attend less frequently.

Submission timescales

As a part-time doctoral student, you should aim to submit your thesis within five years of starting your programme. The maximum time allowed is six years, while the earliest submission date is four years (unless you have special permission).

The part-time journey

There are several milestones on your journey towards completing a doctorate. For an overview of the key activities and timescales involved, see our guide to what a doctoral programme entails.

Find out what's involved in a doctoral research programme 

Core training

To equip you with the skills you need to carry out your research professionally and effectively, we have created the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP).

As a part-time doctoral student, you should attend at least nine RRDP sessions over the course of your doctoral programme.

Learn about the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP)

Our part-time doctoral students

To get a fuller flavour of what part-time doctoral research is like at Reading, read about what Dr Natalya Sergeeva and Mark Player have to say about their experiences, and how studying part time works for them.

Dr Natalya Sergeeva: Exploring narratives of innovation in the UK construction sector

Mark Player: Japanese punk film production 

Funding for part-time study

Our regional PhD bursary scheme may be of particular interest to you if you are a local resident (i.e. living within a 25-mile radius of the University) and wish to undertake a doctoral programme while living at home. This competitive scheme has run for a number of years now and has proved particularly popular with those wanting to study part time, many of whom work in the region.

Discover more about our regional PhD bursary scheme

The University of Reading is also currently working with selected employers to support the career development of their talented employees, by means of the Wilkie Calvert Co-Supported PhD Studentships. If you are keen to develop your career further by undertaking a part-time PhD on a topic that is relevant to your organisation, this studentship may be of relevance to you.

Read about the Wilkie Calvert Co-supported PhD Studentships

Fees for part-time study

You will need to pay the relevant part-time fee for each year of study. If you are self-funded, your fees (including research expenses and supervisory visit fees) are normally payable in two equal instalments – one at the start of the academic year and one at the start of the second term.

Find out about fees for part-time study

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• Part Time PhDs – Everything You Need To Know
• Types of Doctorates

Introduction

Whilst the core activities of a part time PhD are identical of that to a full time PhD, its arrangement is different. This difference is not only in programme duration but also in fees and funding opportunities. In addition to this, part time study also has different benefits and challenges. Therefore, whilst your personal situation may not be ideal for a full time PhD, it could be perfect for a part time one. We’ve outlined these differences as well as the pros and cons of part time study to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Why Do a Part Time PhD?

Undertaking a part time PhD can be a great option for you if you fall into one of the four categories:

• Financial – a part time PhD provides the opportunity to earn whilst you study. Although you could secure a full time studentship, the stipend it offers may not be enough in all cases, for example, if you’re financially responsible for multiple family members.
• Career – working individuals, especially those who have already advanced several stages in their career, may opt for a Professional Doctorate. A Professional Doctorate is equivalent to a part time PhD, but focuses on a specific professional practice relevant to the individual. It’s usually undertaken when you wish to apply research skills in a professional environment or become more specialised in your industry.
• Caring obligations – part time study offers a greater deal of flexibility compared to its full time equivalent. This can be desirable in situations where the individual has considerable caring obligations, such as a young family.
• Intensity – many students feel that a pursuing a research degree over a longer period of time drastically lowers the intensity of postgraduate study. Part time PhD hours per week are typically around half that of its full time equivalent. This can come with a wide range of physical and mental health benefits.

Part Time PhD Fees

The average tuition fee for part time PhD study in the UK is approximately £2,356 per academic year for home students, and between £8,000 to £12,500 for international students.

This is typically 50% of the fee charged for an equivalent full time doctorate. However, a handful of universities use a prorated fee of up to 60% so it’s important to check the individual fees for each university you are applying to. These additional costs usually cover the admin/overhead fees associated with your time at the university.

Besides the tuition fee, there are several other costs which you need to account for. You can learn about these costs in our full cost breakdown of UK PhDs .

Part Time PhD Funding and Scholarships

As a part time student, most universities will expect you to fund your own studies. This is because nearly all part-time students will work a paying job alongside their studies which can be used to support their education.

However, you may still apply to department or university funding opportunities such as subject-specific bursaries. Besides this, external bodies such as Research Councils , research charities and industrial institutions also offer grants and PhD studentships for research projects related to their field. It’s worth remembering these opportunities are usually very limited and are awarded based on a candidates strength and not their personal situation.

One benefit of selecting a research project related to your employer is that it opens an additional opportunity for funding. It’s not uncommon for an employer to contribute to an employee’s tuition fee if there is a mutual benefit to be had.

How Long Is a Part Time PhD?

The average duration of part time PhDs in the UK is between 6 to 7 years. This is double a full time doctorate.

Universities also set registration periods which limit the minimum and maximum amount of time you can be enrolled in a course. For doctorates, the minimum duration is usually 4 years and the maximum 8 years.

How Many Working Hours per Week?

You will be expected to work half the number of hours of a full time student. Although full time students are expected to work 35 hours a week, in reality, most will work closer to 40 – 45 hours. Therefore, you’ll be expected to dedicate approximately 20 hours each week towards your degree.

However, you won’t always be able to achieve this many hours due to your other commitments. Therefore, working to a frequent and consistent schedule will be more important. Working on your research in irregular intervals or whenever time permits will be an inefficient approach – it’s far better, plus psychologically easier, to commit to a consistent schedule. Though your PhD supervisor may be able to offer guidance in this regard, ultimately the PhD is yours to shape.

Most part time programmes will also have some doctoral training courses with fixed dates, especially those which are organised by industry experts or visiting lecturers. There may also be time restrictions to be aware of if you are a postgraduate researcher involved in laboratory work, particularly where special equipment is needed as this may be rented by the university research centre and only available during certain times in the year.

Part Time PhDs for International Students

If you are an international student wishing to undertake a part time PhD programme in a foreign country, you will need to meet additional requirements.

For example, to study in the UK, you will need to secure both a work visa and a stable job. This is to prove that you can support yourself throughout the full length of your course. Unfortunately, even if you’re able to secure departmental or external funding, you won’t be able to use this to prove an income. Additionally, an international PhD student in the UK will need to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the application process. These entry requirements apply whether the overseas student is pursuing a PhD part-time or for full-time studies.

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

Challenges of a Part Time PhD

It’s generally accepted that undertaking a PhD part time is more challenging than undertaking it full time.

Age – although this shouldn’t be a factor, we know it can cause concern for some. If you have already been working for several years, you may find that some of your research colleagues or academic staff members are the same age or younger than yourself. This could cause apprehension or cultural issues if you fail to keep an open mind.

Detachment – as a research student, you’ll often doubt whether you’re working on the right thing or making sufficient progress. You can expect this feeling to be compounded if you’re studying on a part time basis. This is because you’ll have less interaction with your department, peers and supervisor given you won’t always be on campus.

Time management – juggling a career or significant family obligations with the demanding requirements of a doctoral degree can take its toll. Over the 6 to 7 years, you’ll no doubt encounter periods when your external commitments require more of your time, whether its intensive projects or the need for frequent travel associated with part time courses. During these times there is potential for your research to slip, or worse, become an unwanted burden.

Motivation – having to balance your time and focus with your other commitments can make it difficult to immerse yourself in your research. This often results in a lack of ‘momentum’, which coupled with a journey that’s twice as long, increases the risk of your passion fading out. Unfortunately, because of this, many supervisors observe the drop-out rate of part time students to be greater than that of their full time peers. This isn’t due to a lack of dedication or commitment, but due to the individual no longer being able to balance several demanding obligations without jeopardising their mental or physical well-being.

Funding opportunity availability – as mentioned earlier, since part-time applicants are able to work alongside their studies, there are fewer funding opportunities available to them.

Relevancy – as your doctoral study will take 6 to 7 years to complete, there is a risk that your research will no longer be relevant. This could be for several reasons. For example:

• An individual may be working on a research project very similar to yours. Assuming they are working full time and complete their project before you, it could render your project ‘unoriginal’ depending on the amount of overlap between your findings. It is important to discuss this with potential supervisors who may be aware of similar PhD projects being undertaken.
• New technology or knowledge may be developed which renders your original research question obsolete if the premise it was built on becomes ’outdated’.
• New observations could be made which have the potential to jeopardise your work. For example, a new study may be published which identifies significant limitations behind a method outlined in your research proposal. This would cast serious doubt into the validity of your research findings, and in some cases, may require you to start over with an alternative method.

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Part-time study.

Approximately 20-25 per cent of PhDs in the UK are taken part-time ( HEFCE 2015 ). It offers many PhDs the flexibility to combine other commitments alongside their research. For some it is a match made in heaven; for others mission impossible. Before you decide take time to reflect on whether it is right for you.

Key Benefits of Part-Time PhD Study

• Maintain an income while studying
• Maintain your employment rights, such as a pension
• Improve your future employability whilst working
• Ability to balance family commitments with studying
• Keep “in touch” with the working environment
• Opportunity to engage in research in relation to working life
• Some part-time students receive funding from their employers

Warwick supports the research and study skills development of both part-time and full-time PhDs.

Before you commit to doctoral study, it is worth taking some time to consider the implications on both your personal and professional life and think about where you may need to make changes to accomodate your studies:

Time Management

• A part-time PhD can take over 5 years to complete: can you realistically commit to the programme for the duration?
• Consider what you might need to alter in order to accommodate your research. You may find it helpful to block out set times of the week in which to undertake your study.
• Think about what inspired you to take on part-time research. Are you confident that your motivation levels will remain high throughout the programme?
• There are times when a researcher may feel isolated, this is especially true when studying part-time. Do you feel you have sufficient levels of self-motivation to carry you through these times?
• Many part-time researchers feel a greater temptation to "take a break" from their studies, plan in strategies to help keep yourself motivated through such times.
• Don't forget your work/life balance. Doing research is like any job, it is important to take breaks, holidays and spend time with family and friends.
• Nine part-time PhDs share their experiences and tips on Vitae's website

Other Considerations

• Ensure that family and work colleagues are aware of your programme, and supportive of it, before you start out.
• Do your current personal and professional commitments leave you enough time to undertake part-time study as well?
• Do you have a place to study away from distractions of your family life?

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142 Part time PhD Programmes in United Kingdom for 2024

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Accounting and Finance (Research)

Cardiff university.

• Cardiff, United Kingdom

Full time, Part time

Accounting and Finance is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our Business Studies PhD programme.

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Archaeology (Research)

Supervised by experts, our postgraduates encounter exciting opportunities to debate and exchange ideas, whether through our internationally-connected Research Centres or numerous seminar series.

Astronomy Instrumentation (Research)

The Astronomy Instrumentation Group (AIG) has a reputation for not only developing world-leading enabling technology but in translating these developments into state-of-the-art instrument design to fulfil current scientific needs. This is evidenced by our considerable involvement in virtually all FIR space instruments, including the Herschel (Cardiff is PI institute for the SPIRE instrument) and Planck space telescopes. The AIG comprises 7 academic staff, 9 post-doctoral research associates and 6 PhD students, supported by highly skilled cleanroom, cryogenic and electronic technicians and computer engineers.

Biosciences (PhD)

Research is led by internationally renowned researchers running dynamic research programmes, with access to a range of state-of-the-art technology facilities. Our reputation is reflected in the tens of millions of pounds in research funding that we attract annually and by our consistent high level of publications in top international journals. We encourage high-level interdisciplinary collaborations, both nationally and internationally.

Comparative Politics, Policy and Governance (Research)

The School has an exceptionally strong research culture with a strong reputation for the quality of the research produced and the growing number of research grants it is attracting. We are home to the Wales Governance Centre and to the European Governance, Identity and Public Policy Research Unit, attracting visiting scholars from all over Europe and the world.

Composition (Research)

This programme offers an opportunity to study with leading composers with internationally regarded expertise and experience in contemporary music composition.

Condensed Matter and Photonics (Research)

Condensed Matter and Photonics (CMP) brings together scientists with complementary skills, to share knowledge and resources, to provide a focus and direction for the future of our physics research, and provide training for the next generation.

Creative Writing (Research)

The PhD programme at Cardiff caters to individuals keen to join a thriving community of writers—from novelists and memoirists to poets and scriptwriters—all of whom share the common purpose of immersing themselves in the composition of a substantial piece of creative research.

Creative and Critical Writing (Welsh)

This unique PhD pathway offers students the opportunity to produce an original piece or collection of creative work as well as a thorough analysis of the work. The creative element can include prose (novel, short story, creative non-fiction or play/film script) or poetry.

Critical and Cultural Theory (Research)

Students on the PhD Critical and Cultural Theory receive supervision from academic staff with a long-standing commitment to excellence and diversity in research, who work at the forefront of pioneering research in critical and cultural theory.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

Studying for a PhD or MPhil in the area of data privacy and cybersecurity will see you join the School as part of a successful team of researchers with a range of industrial partners and academic collaborators.

Doctor of Applied Social Research

University of stirling.

• Stirling, United Kingdom

Distance learning, On-Campus

Doctor of Diplomacy (DDipl)

Doctor of philosophy (ph.d) in art history, selinus university of sciences and literature.

• London, United Kingdom
• Bologna, Italy

Distance learning

The history of art studies the origin of art from the first rock paintings to the experimental art of today. A PhD thesis in this partkicvolare versantem should cover the themes of Western tradition and the cultures of the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and the Americas.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Research in Anthropology

Auream phoenix university for women.

English, Italian

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Part time PhD Programmes in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom and Britain, is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe.The two most famous (and oldest) universities are Oxford and Cambridge (often referred to as Oxbridge by many Britons) England also has several other world-class institutions, including several in London (notably Imperial College, the London School of Economics, University College London and King's College London, all are part of London University)

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.

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The Department of Computer Science and Technology will offer a part-time route to the PhD Degree with effect from October 2022. 

Part-time structure

The Department of Computer Science and Technology could offer a part-time route to the PhD. At present, the University allows a part-time route which is 60% of a fulltime PhD route for which the minimum number of terms for a part-time student is 15. The maximum number of terms for a part-time student is 21 terms.

The requirements for the probationary CPGS in Computer Science will be spread across two years with the first-year report due near the end of the fifth term (i.e. end of March for a Michaelmas admittee), and the registration viva occurring in the sixth term (Easter term). The Department expects the completion of the required 12 units from the Researcher Skills Programme across two years. Part-time students are also encouraged to spend one term full-time in the first year of the programme and that students will be in residence in Cambridge during that time.

After successful registration for the PhD Degree, part-time Ph.D. students are expected to have between 2 and 4 meetings with their supervisor per term for at least a further ten terms. They are expected to spend an average of three weeks each term in the Department with a minimum of 45 nights p.a. in residence.

Requirements for a part-time PhD applicants in Computer Science and Technology

• The proposed topic needs to be suitable for study over a minimum of five years (15 terms) and a maximum of seven years (21 terms).
• If a supervisor identifies a potential student and a topic as being possibly suitable for part-time study, an interview report form must be sent to the PhD Applications Panel for consideration.
• Potential supervisors should invite the Chair of the PhD Applications Panel or a deputy to attend the interview.
• As well as consideration by the PhD Applications Panel, the interview report will be considered by, and a decision approved by, the Degree Committee. The approved form will also be loaded to the applicant portal for consideration by the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
• The proposed supervisor must be able to supervise a part-time Ph.D. for at least the minimum 15 terms. This means that supervisors on short-term contracts, or those due to retire within seven years of a part-time student being admitted, will not be eligible to supervise. Those who are due to take sabbatical leave should consider alternative supervision arrangements.
• Applicants should be aware that there is no obligation on supervisors to accept applicants who wish to be admitted as part-time students.
• The student must live close enough to Cambridge, or be able to spend enough time in Cambridge during the first two years, to be able to participate, as much as possible, in research group seminars, reading groups and other activities.
• The student and supervisor will sign an agreement about how often the student will be in the department. This might be, for example: 2 x 8-hour days per working week per term, or 3 x 1-week per term, plus 40% of time in the research term (1 July to 30 September).
• Most CST Research Skills courses are available remotely. For research themes’ group meetings and seminars, physical presence in the department is preferred.
• The student will be required to provide a letter from the employer (if the student is employed) confirming that they may have time off to attend the University as required for the duration of the course. Applicants are required to upload a part-time attendance Declaration to their application once approved for admission.

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Use our scholarships search tool to look for available scholarships. Also explore our latest funded PhD vacancies .

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common type of doctoral degree and the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. 

It normally takes between three and four years of full-time work to complete. It is also possible to undertake a PhD part time, over five to six years.

The main activity of a PhD is to carry out an original research project under the direction of one or more supervisors, to be written up as a thesis.

Different routes to achieving a PhD

There are a number of ways to achieving a PhD at Imperial:

• by undertaking a course of study based on your own research proposal
• by joining a research project that comes with funding attached (known as a studentship)
• by combining it with Master's study in an integrated route that typically lasts four years

Pursuing your own research idea

To search for PhD opportunities based on your own research proposal you first need to identify a research group within Imperial whose area of expertise best matches your idea.

Use the links below to search the different PhD opportunities within our academic departments, centres and institutes. This includes information about current studentships and often guidance on finding a supervisor.

Our interdisciplinary approach means our expertise often spans departmental boundaries – and so do our courses – so you may find opportunities in an unexpected area of the university.

Faculty of Engineering

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• Life Sciences
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• Centre for Environmental Policy

Imperial College Business School

• Doctoral programme

Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

• PhD in Arabic, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish Studies
• PhD in science communication studies

Global Challenge institutes

We have six Global Challenge institutes, which were created to address some of society's biggest challenges.

If you have an idea for a PhD that falls within the remit of one of our Global Challenge institutes please contact them directly to discuss before making a formal application.

• Data Science Institute
• Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment
• Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering
• Institute for Security Science and Technology
• Institute of Global Health Innovation

Energy Futures Lab  does not offer PhD programmes, but does deliver the  MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures .

Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies | Imperial College London-Technical University of Munich

We have recently formed  a strategic partnership in education, research and innovation  with the Technical University of Munich, one of Germany’s most international and entrepreneurial universities, producing highly ranked research, like Imperial, in science, engineering and medicine.

As part of the partnership, Imperial and TUM have launched a 'Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies' with the aim of co-developing cross-disciplinary clusters of PhD students who will have access to world-leading academic supervisors and state-of-the art facilities at both institutions.

The first round of the programme will focus on the theme of 'Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Robotics'.

Find out more about the Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies and apply

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Part-time study

MPhil, PhD, DHSC and EdD degrees are all available for part-time study. MPhil and PhD students are normally required to be resident in the UK, whereas the DHSC and EdD programme is available to students living anywhere in the world.

Studying part-time may be more convenient if you need to balance your studies with work and family commitments. Part-time students are supported by their supervisors and can access a wide range of virtual services and facilities, including the rich online resources of the world-class OU Library, Research Skills training modules, and live training and meetings via Microsoft Teams.

Access to tailored online spaces and communities provides a rich source of links to streamed events and training resources.

If you study for a PhD, you will be encouraged to come to campus for meetings, seminars and events in your research area, to make sure you can get the full benefit of integrating into the research environment. If you study for a Professional Doctorate, you will need to come to campus for residential weekends.

Can I work while I study?

There is no limit to the number of hours part-time students can work. Part-time students are expected to commit to spending a minimum of 18.5 hours a week on study.

The Perry Building, Walton Hall campus, Milton Keynes. Named after the OU's first Vice Chancellor, Walter Perry.

WIth a very full professional and home life, I needed a programme that would be flexible and personal. The OU programme has been diligently and sensitively planned to ensure high quality academic rigour in a format that works for everyone’s unique circumstances.

Your questions

For advice about applying for a research degree, or sponsoring a research student, email the Graduate School or call +44 (0)1908 653806.

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PhD Education / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page
• Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 60% or above, a minimum mark of 60% in your dissertation (or overseas equivalent)

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 19 January 2024.

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.

• For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024

Programme options

Programme overview.

• We're ranked in the top ten universities in the UK for Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
• Learn with research-active experts in the field of education and work with highly diverse cohorts of students and staff.
• Contribute to improvements in the overall wellbeing of students, their families and communities throughout the world through research.

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and programmes. On this day, you will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see Open days.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £6,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £3,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,750

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Your fees will cover the cost of your study at the University, as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and graduation (excluding graduation robe hire).

Payment of tuition fees will also entitle you to membership of The University of Manchester library, the Students' Union and the Athletic Union.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Environment, Education and Development studentships is 19 January 2024.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Environment, Education and Development Postgraduate Research Studentships 2024 Entry - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Environment, Education and Development Enhancing Racial Equality (SERE) Studentship - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

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The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

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Our part-time programmes offer a more flexible way to study for a degree at Cambridge, meaning you can fit your studies around your career and other commitments.

Part-time study can be ideal for those who are:

• looking to gain a postgraduate qualification without leaving employment
• wish to develop their careers while they continue earning
• home-based and wish to develop their skills

Part-time research degrees are particularly well-suited to those looking to undertake research in an area related to their current professional environment. 

Part-time courses at Cambridge

You can filter the course search in the Course Directory to view courses that are offered part-time.

Different types of part-time study are available from different parts of the University, including the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) and the Cambridge Judge Business School .

Unlike many other universities, part-time degrees at Cambridge are not distance learning, where study is undertaken remotely (although ICE does offer some non-degree online courses ).

• For taught programmes, you will be expected to attend Cambridge for lectures, to complete assessments and for other activities as required. 
• For research students, you are required to attend Cambridge for around 45 days a year, for formal supervision and training.

In all cases, you will be expected to actively engage in the intellectual and social experiences of Cambridge life.

The time that part-time students spend in Cambridge makes up just a part of their study commitment. Students are required to study for a set proportion of the full-time commitment.  

• For PhD students, this proportion can be set at either 60% or 75% of full-time study, in consultation with a department.  
• For MPhil students, the proportion is set at 50%.  

Applicants should check the course directory for any specific part-time study arrangements that apply. 

Further information

Related links.

• Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)
• Cambridge Judge Business School

Related Documents

Part-time Portal

This page is part of the portal for Part-time Applicants

As a part-time student, I was concerned that I would miss out on a lot. However that wasn’t the case, my experience at Cambridge has exceeded my expectations and I have really enjoyed my time here. Christopher, MEd in Researching Practice

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MPhil/PhD Programmes

There are over 400 research students at the Institute who come from a range of backgrounds including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work and basic sciences.

Our MPhil/PhD programme allows students to carry out research in any of our 14 departments and in a wide variety of areas;  from molecular genetics and biology, to neuroscience, neuroimaging, clinical research studies, psychological studies and new treatments; from longitudinal studies to clinical trials, bio statistics, epidemiology and health services research and transcultural studies. 

Please see their departmental webpages and online prospectus entries to see research options/areas currently being undertaken:

Is a PhD for me?

Our PhD students come from a variety of backgrounds, with a variety of qualifications and experience. Take a look at the following information and recent/current student profiles, to find out whether a PhD is right for you:

King's College London says:

• All candidates should usually possess the normal minimum entry qualifications for registration prescribed in the King’s  Core Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees . This is normally a 2:1 in a relevant field. 
• Candidates should possess an adequate level of English competence. Candidates for whom English is not the first language will be required to provide proof that they possess an adequate level of English competence . The minimum level accepted is an IELTS score of 6.5. Grade C or above in GCSE English is also acceptable. Candidates must also satisfy their appointment panel of their competence. 

The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) says:

• It is useful to have a Masters degree, or related work experience in your chosen area of interest.  

EU and International students should check the list of equivalent grades for international qualifications . Please contact the  Health Schools Admissions Centre  for further enquiries.

If you wish to study full time:

• You will be expected to submit your thesis within 3 years.
• You are permitted to work part time, but students are expected to work on their PhD for 35 hours a week and we encourage any part time work to be agreed with your supervisors.

If you wish to study part time:

• You will be expected to submit your thesis within 6 years. 
• You are allowed to submit your thesis early (as early as 4 years) but this must be agreed with your supervisors and other conditions apply. Please contact the  Postgraduate Research Team  for more information.

The current fees for the 2022/2023 academic year are:

• Full time Home = £7,050 per year
• Full time Overseas = £26,640 per year
• Part time Home = £3,525 per year
• Part time Overseas = £13,320 per year

If you are a member of staff at the IoPPN you may be eligible for a discount on fees. Please contact the  Postgraduate Research Team  for more information. 

Please note that tuition fees are subject to an annual increase of up to 5%. For more information, see the Fees webpage.

Students can start in either October (when most students start), February or June. 

Students who are being funded by an external source should check whether there are any limitations on start dates.

If you are not able to self fund your PhD studies, then you will need to find funding from another source. 

The IoPPN offers a number of full time studentships on an annual basis, funded by the Institute itself, and partly by the Medical Research Council. These studentships offer students full payment of tuition fees for 3 years and a monthly tax free stipend for living. These studentships are for set projects. 

Individual academics and departments also offer full time fully funded studentships, on an ad hoc basis, if they receive funding themselves. These are also usually for set projects.

All funded studentships are advertised on our Studentships webpage.

If you have your own project in mind and would like to find funding, browse these links:

• Centre for Doctoral Studies Funding Database
• Research & Development Office
• Research grants office
• Medical Research Council
• Economic and Social Research Council
• British Council
• Government Loans

For more information on funding at Kings, please see the  Funding  webpage.

Student Profiles

Students take classes together in their first year and all have offices on the same floor, which makes it a very social and friendly place to study. It also means that students researching different areas of psychiatry, psychology, neuroimaging, and genetics are in constant contact, which helps to broaden your exposure to research. 

Students and staff alike are always keen to get involved in collaborative projects, whether small or large, allowing students to explore areas of interest outside those strictly relevant to their PhD. 

The PhD itself is usually very independent, driven by the student's own ideas and interests. These collaborations often also extend beyond the Centre, allowing for research and conference opportunities abroad. 

All in all, it's a great place to be!

I wanted to understand how pioneering brain imaging could lead to new ways for diagnosing the condition, and as a result, I applied for a PhD with Dr Andy Simmons at the Department of Neuroimaging. 

As a PhD student, the Institute has provided outstanding research facilities for postgraduate education and the provision of college organised training courses for personal development and teaching has been fantastic. 

I have enjoyed this experience so far, and benefited from excellent supervision in a friendly and stimulating research environment. 

The IoPPN has great research facilities and I'm really pleased that I have had the chance to study here.  

With Psychosis Studies being one of the larger departments at the IoPPN, I've found there are always lots of opportunities to attend relevant talks and seminars, including weekly Psychosis Studies meetings with internal and external speakers.

I am really enjoying being a student here and one of the best things is that you can create your own opportunities.  I set up a problem-based learning group to help students gain a greater understanding of magnetic resonance imaging, including the physics and basic analysis. They have been really well attended and the group has grown considerably since it was first stated.  I have also had the opportunity to be the student representative for Psychosis Studies and be a mentor to some MSc students too.

When I graduate, I would like to continue working in research as a post doc, working my way up the academic ladder to professor.

The Next Steps

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The requirements for part-time students are the same as for full-time students, but the timings and deadlines are different. The table below sets out some of the main deadlines:

First year requirements for part-time students

As part-time students have almost five, rather than three, terms to complete their first year requirements (two taught modules, an RDC and the First Year Report), there is some flexibility in when the modules and RDCs are taken.

As the RDCs are a year-long programme, we recommend that part-time students start these in Michaelmas (October), if possible, but it is possible to join them in Lent (January) and finish at the end of the following Michaelmas (December). You should have completed a whole year's RDC programme before your First Year Report deadline.

Modules exams are examined in April, and the results are not available until August, so Michaelmas Term starters need to take these within their first year (as the exams are too late for the first year assessment in the second year). Lent Term starters can take modules during their their first or second year - or a combination - if preferred (which may allow for a greater choice of modules).

Keeping in touch

As a part-time student, you should expect to have 2 - 4 meetings with your supervisor per term.  Having a discussion with your supervisor early on about expectations regarding frequency of meetings, preparation expected and receiving feedback can help to clarify what each party would like, and it is also a good idea to have a written agreement. Supervisions do not need to be face-to-face; you can also make use of online collaborative tools (the University subscribes to some services and tools that might be useful).

If you have any changes to your circumstances that impact on your ability to work on your PhD, you should keep both your supervisor and College Tutor informed. This is both so that they can provide you with any necessary support, and also to ensure that you are aware of any relevant University regulations - the section below outlines some of these.

University regulations

Some University regulations for graduate students do not apply to part-time students, or apply differently. Please find a summary of some of the key differences and similarities below.

Working restrictions

Full-time research students may not work more than 10 hours per week

Part-time research students are not restricted in the hours that they may work, but should agree with their supervisor, before admission, how they will balance their work and study, and keep this under regular review.

Working (studying) away from Cambridge

Full-time students must apply for leave to work away if they will be undertaking work towards their PhD away from Cambridge for longer than two weeks.

Part-time students must apply for leave to work away if they will be undertaking work towards their PhD away from their normal place of residence for longer than two weeks.

Minimum terms of research

Full-time students must undertake at least three terms of research within the University (this should coincide with the first year, in order to meet the first year requirements)

Part-time students must undertake at least five terms of research within the University (this should usually coincide with the first five terms, in order to meet the first year requirements)

Intermission

Full-time students should apply for intermission if they are experiencing health (including mental health) issues which mean that they are unable to study. Intermission pauses the clock on the PhD until the student is ready to resume.

Part-time students should apply for intermission if they are experiencing health  (including mental health) issues which mean that they are unable to study. Intermission pauses the clock on the PhD until the student is ready to resume. Intermission can also be applied for when a break from study is needed for non-medical reasons .

Terms of residence

Full-time students are required to live within 10 miles of Cambridge city centre, unless they have been granted an exemption.

Part-time students have no residence requirements but are required to attend the University on a regular basis (and must keep five terms of research at Cambridge, as above).

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Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

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Course type

Qualification, university name, part time phd psychology.

124 degrees at 63 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

Related subjects:

• PhD Psychology
• PhD Applied Psychology
• PhD Behavioural Psychology
• PhD Child Psychology
• PhD Clinical Psychology
• PhD Cognitive Psychology
• PhD Criminal Psychology
• PhD Developmental Psychology
• PhD Educational Psychology
• PhD Forensic Psychology
• PhD General Psychology
• PhD Human Sexuality
• PhD Occupational Psychology
• PhD Organisational Behaviour
• PhD Organisational Psychology
• PhD Psychology Specialisations
• PhD Social Psychology
• PhD Sports Psychology

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

Psychology PhD

Bangor university.

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil Psychology

City, university of london.

• 2 years Full time degree: £5,000 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,500 per year (UK)

Psychology MPhil/PhD

University of worcester.

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,950 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,475 per year (UK)
• RSDP4002: Approaches to Research 1
• RSDP4004: Planning Your Research Project
• RSDP4001: Developing as a Researcher
• RSDP4003: Approaches to Research 2
• View all modules

University of Roehampton

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,711 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Sheffield Hallam University

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

Postgraduate Research in Clinical Psychology

University of east anglia uea.

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

University of Gloucestershire

• 4 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £3,400 per year (UK)

MPhil PhD Psychology

University of east london.

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,740 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,870 per year (UK)
• Independent Research- Core

University of Central Lancashire

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,000 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,500 per year (UK)

University of Brighton

Phd postgraduate research opportunities in psychology, liverpool john moores university, university of surrey.

• 8 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Psychosocial Studies

University of essex.

• 4 years Full time degree: £9,375 per year (UK)
• Psychoanalytic Studies - Research- Core
• Dissertation

Philosophy and Psychology PhD

University of glasgow, university of hull, psychology and vision sciences phd, mphil, university of leicester.

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Newcastle University

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 72 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Psychiatry and Applied Psychology PhD

University of nottingham.

• 6 years Part time degree

University of Plymouth

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,500 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £3,030 per year (UK)

Cognitive Psychology / Neuropsychology - PhD

University of kent.

1-20 of 124 courses

Course type:

• Distance learning PhD
• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Universities:.

• Royal Northern College of Music
• University of Warwick
• University of West London
• University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education
• University of Suffolk
• University of Buckingham
• University of Portsmouth
• Cardiff University
• Canterbury Christ Church University
• The University of Edinburgh
• University of Sussex
• Ulster University
• University of Reading
• King's College London, University of London
• University of Aberdeen
• UCL (University College London)
• Birkbeck, University of London
• University of Chester
• University of Lincoln
• University of Sunderland

Related Subjects: