provisional phd university of leeds

Applying for research degrees

You can apply for a research degree online and track your application at each stage of the process. 

Before you apply please read the following application steps and check the admissions process and requirements for your research area.

Some faculties have specific guidance relevant to their area. Where instructions or advice are different, the faculty-specific guidance should be followed. If you have any queries, please contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team .

Take a look at our most recent  postgraduate research admissions policy .

Apply online for a research degree now

If you are a current postgraduate researcher studying at another institution and need to use our facilities, please  contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team .

If you have any difficulties using the online application form, please email our research admissions team via [email protected] .

International applicants

International applicants can contact  University representatives overseas  for support.

You can also review  information about visas and immigration  and specific entry requirements, including English language requirements .

For specific information about visa and immigration requirements for all types of temporary study and research visits, see the visas for research and study visits page .

Disabled students

We are committed to providing high-quality advice and support for postgraduate researchers. You can choose to tell us about your disability during the application process. See how in our information for disabled postgraduate researchers .

Disability information that you disclose on your research degree application form will not be visible to admissions colleagues, but it will be made available to our Disability Services team who will contact you should you accept an offer from us. You can also  register with Disability Services in advance of accepting an offer .

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the admissions and scholarships selection process , please contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team to discuss your needs.

You are not obliged to inform us of any disability, but you will still be covered by the Equality Act (2010) if that disability becomes known to us.

Application process

Applying for a research degree is a simple five-step process:

Step 1 — choose an existing research project or start your own

For information on the research degrees we offer, visit our research opportunities directory .

Please make sure that you meet the following requirements before submitting your application: 

• The University's English language requirements .
• The academic entry requirements for your course. Programmes have different entry requirements. If you need confirmation of the academic and English language entry requirements for your programme, please contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team .
• Research degree fees .

Start dates vary and some academic schools and faculties have only one or two start dates per year. Main start dates are commonly in October and February. Please contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team for advice on when you can start your research or check individual school websites.

Start your own project

If you would like to start your own research project we recommend you are up to date with related literature and news so you are ready to discuss the direction you intend your research to take with potential supervisors. You need to identify the supervisors available to work with you. They must be experts in the topic you are interested in to ensure that your research is accurate and adding to current knowledge. You will then need to develop a research proposal for your application.

Please read the procedures for investigating plagiarism in a research proposal (at the admissions stage) (PDF) , which explains the actions taken when plagiarism is suspected when processing an application. 

How to search for supervisors:

• Search in our research opportunities directory .
• Browse  research news : find academics who are taking part in breakthrough research at the University.
• Check  faculty websites : browse our faculty site list by subject to find our academics.
• Search for authors of recent research journals and articles on The Conversation and Academia  websites.

Step 2 – apply

When applying, it is important you state clearly the intended project or programme.

The supporting documents your school needs to process your application may vary but you must provide copies of your academic transcripts or certificates. 

You may also need copies of:

• a research proposal
• certificates and transcripts of any academic qualifications
• English language qualification certificates
• visa and immigration documents.

All documents should be in English or be accompanied by a certified translation into English. They can be sent via the online research degree application or can be emailed to the relevant postgraduate research admissions team after you have submitted your application. Your email should include your student ID number (emailed to you on submission of your application), full name and your intended course of study.

Please do not send original documents at the application stage and only provide documents via email.  

In most faculties, you need to provide the names and contact details of a minimum of two academic referees in support of your application. These should be entered in the referees section of the online application form.

Read more about  references for research degree applications .

Research proposal 

Some faculties require a brief description of the general research area you are interested in, or a specific research proposal. Be aware that the faculty may have deadlines for your proposal so be sure to ask before you apply. Your research proposal is submitted via the application form.

You may not need to provide a research proposal if you are applying for a pre-defined project studentship but please check when applying. 

Declaring a criminal conviction

If you have an unspent criminal conviction, you may need to declare it to us. This is usually required when we make you an offer that you wish to accept. For a small number of our courses, you will need to declare it when you apply. Having a criminal conviction will only rarely stop you from studying at Leeds. Find out more about declaring a criminal conviction .

We advise you to apply at least four months before your proposed start date. This is to allow sufficient time to review your application and undertake any additional checks. You may also need adequate time to apply for ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance or a Student visa, as well as making arrangements to travel to Leeds.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able consider applications received after this date and, where there is not sufficient time, we may consider you for the next possible start date instead.

If you are applying for a scholarship or funding opportunity, this may require you to apply for a place of study much earlier and in advance of funding deadlines, which can often be up to 12 months before the proposed start date.

After you have applied

If you have applied online you will be able to log in and track your research degree application’s progress . The school will contact you if it has any further entry requirements and to let you know if your application status changes. 

Step 3 – find scholarships and sources of funding

There are many options available for you to secure the funding you need to commence your research studies including scholarships and bursaries.

• UK research councils : competition for these scholarships is high but the majority of your fees will be funded so it is well worth applying.
• University research degree scholarships : we offer scholarships centrally and on faculty level to help fund your research.
• Alumni bursary : if you are a University of Leeds alumnus you could receive a 10% discount on tuition fees.
• Other sources of funding: there are databases with funding opportunities as well as charities to help support your research.

Step 4 – accept your offer

If your application is successful you will be sent an offer letter that you will need to respond to. You can accept your research degree offer online using your web login ID and web login PIN. 

If you do accept your offer you will be agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined in your acceptance letter and you should only do so if you have secured funding for your studies.

Changing the start date

To request a new start date, you should contact the relevant postgraduate researcher admissions team . If they are able to accommodate this change then a new formal offer letter will be issued with your revised start and end date. You will have to accept this new offer as outlined previously. 

Related links

• Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research degrees

How to apply

Apply online now , or follow this guide explaining steps one , two , three , and four  to complete your application.

Step 1 — choose an existing research project or start your own

We offer a number of research project opportunities.

Directly-funded research projects: These are typically attached to a specific research project and usually cover tuition fees and maintenance for living expenses. PhD studentships are very competitive so it’s important that once you’ve found a project you apply as early as possible.

Project opportunities: If you have already secured your own funding (ie through your own finances, external funding or through a University of Leeds funding scheme), you can browse through our database of project opportunities to find one which matches your research interests.   

Start your own project: If you’d like to start your own research project, the first thing you’ll need to do is find a supervisor. Your potential supervisor must be an expert in the topic you’re interested in to ensure that your research is accurate and adding to current knowledge. When you contact a potential supervisor, be prepared to discuss your area of research, proposed topic and research interests.

Visit phd.leeds.ac.uk to search available projects, funding opportunities, research areas and PhD supervisors.

Step 2 – apply for a research degree

You can apply for your research degree online .

Make sure you complete the application form as fully as you can.

All applications require you to provide the following documents:

• copies of your degree certificate(s)
• copies of your transcripts of marks achieved for all qualifications
• evidence of English language qualifications (if applicable)
• references, if available (alternatively, the admissions team will contact your named academic referees directly)
• CV (this will provide important information as to work experience and publications)
• if you’ve applied online you’ll be able to log in and track your application’s progress at any time.

Directly-funded research projects (including Centres for Doctoral Training) - You’ll need to provide the following information:

• your proposed research area
• a brief summary of your research interests
• important information: please add the title of the funded research project/Centre for Doctoral Training in both the ‘funding’ and ‘research area/title’ section of the application form
• if applying for a directly-funded project, there is no need to supply a separate research proposal.

Project opportunities - You’ll need to provide the following information:

• your expected source of funding
• ff applying for a specific research project opportunity, there is no need to supply a separate research proposal.

Start your own project - You’ll need to provide the following information:

International applicants only.

The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). 

If you’re an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you may require an ATAS certificate to undertake a PhD at the University of Leeds. 

Our admissions team will provide you with further information once you’ve applied.

Step 3 – find and apply for funding

You don’t need to complete this step if:

• you’ve already secured funding
• you’ve applied for a funded research project.

If you’re hoping to secure funding for your PhD, there are many options available.

• You can browse our available scholarship on phd.leeds.ac.uk . Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and are very competitive, so it’s important that you apply as early as possible.
• There are many trusts, charities and foundations that award partial funding for postgraduate study. There are huge numbers of applications for these sums of money, so you’ll need a strong case to make a successful application.

Useful external sources

• findaphd.com
• postgraduatestudentships.co.uk
• prospects.ac.uk
• britishcouncil.org
• researchresearch.com
• postgraduatesearch.com
• epsrc.ukri.org

Step 4 – accept your offer

If your application is successful you’ll be sent an offer letter.

You can accept your offer online using your web login ID and web login PIN.

If you do accept your offer you’ll be agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined in your acceptance letter and you should only do so if you have secured funding for your studies.

• Academic life
• Registration
• Module Enrolment
• Making changes
• Attendance and Absences
• Academic Dates and Deadlines
• Study Support
• Leeds for Life
• Plus Programme
• Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
• School of Medicine
• Lifelong learning centre
• Online learning support
• Navigating online learning systems
• Key dates and locations
• Preparing for your assessments
• Online assessments
• On-campus assessments
• I need help during the assessment period
• What happens after the assessment period?
• Classification
• Academic Integrity
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Postgraduate research
• Starting your research
• During your research
• Thesis Submission and the Viva
• Postgraduate researcher policies and procedures
• Funding for postgraduate researchers
• The Doctoral College
• Research practice
• Prepare for your graduation ceremony
• Leaving the university
• Official documentation and regulations
• Feedback and complaints
• Responding to your feedback
• Research student policies and procedures
• Taught student policies and procedures
• Paying fees and charges
• University scholarships and funds
• Leeds Bursary
• University Financial Assistance Fund
• External funding
• Student loans
• American and Canadian student funding
• Funding for medics and dentists
• NHS Learning Support Fund
• Study abroad and work placements
• Finding work
• Opportunities
• Languages for All
• The Turing Scheme
• Leadership programmes
• Support and wellbeing
• Counselling and wellbeing
• Groups and workshops
• Togetherall, resources and self help
• Your emotional wellbeing
• Healthy relationships with yourself and others
• Dealing with academic challenges and life stress
• Academic stress and challenges
• Life stress and challenges
• Support for our diverse students
• Disabled student support
• Who we support
• Setting up your support
• Funding for disabled students
• Support for disabled students
• Your safety
• Online safety
• Safety at home
• Your safety out and about
• Your personal and emotional safety
• Bereavement
• Medical services and what to do if you're ill
• Harassment and misconduct
• Sexual Violence
• Your campus experience and life in Leeds
• Study abroad
• Where can I go?
• Prepare to apply
• Get ready to go
• Study Abroad funding and costs
• During your Study Abroad year
• Returning to Leeds
• Summer abroad
• International students
• Prepare for Leeds
• Your first weeks at Leeds
• International orientation
• Complete start-up processes
• Opening a bank account
• Settle into life at Leeds
• Global Community
• Intercultural work and volunteering
• Intercultural experiences
• Explore Languages and Cultures
• Living in the UK
• International families
• Work volunteering and your visa
• Student Life
• Your time in Leeds
• Finding Your Way Around
• Children and Family
• Staying Safe
• Fraud and scams
• Health and wellbeing
• The Leeds Partnership
• Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme
• Undergraduate research opportunities
• Applications and interviews
• Career options
• Starting your own business (SPARK)
• Jobs and work experience
• Discover your future
• Final year support
• Leadership programme

How long does a research degree take?

As a postgraduate researcher, you will be expected to be aware of your thesis submission deadline and to manage your time accordingly.

Managing your time

You are expected to work on your research project for an average of at least 37.5 hours per week, the same as a full-time academic post. This does not include paid work. If you are part-time, the usual expected workload is at least 20 hours work per week on your project. Your workload will inevitably vary throughout the year and should be agreed with your supervisor. Additional hours may be necessary when you’re approaching a specific deadline, such as the submission of a transfer report or thesis.

Paid work whilst you are studying

If you are studying full-time, you can undertake paid work outside of your studies, but there are limits that you should be aware of.

During the standard period of study (ie before your overtime period) any paid work you do must not exceed 250 hours per academic session. 

Once you have completed the standard period of study this limit does not apply. However, if you still receive a stipend from the University and start a full-time paid job, or are likely to exceed 250 hours work, you must let your Graduate School know.

Most scholarship payments will cease if you move into full-time employment or exceed the 250 hours per year limit. Any over-payment will need to be recovered, so please make sure you discuss any employment with your Graduate School.

If you are in the UK on a student visa, this limit still applies, even though your visa may permit a higher weekly limit. If you are in the UK on a student visa, at no point must you exceed the number of hours stated on your biometric ID card. For further information please contact the Student Visa Advice Service .

We also recommend that you are familiar with the Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students Engaged in Teaching (PDF) .

This table shows you the standard and maximum time periods to complete your research degree. The maximum period of study is the time limit you have for submitting your thesis. 

*In some specified cases, the standard period of study may be 3-4 years. For dual awards, please check your official University offer letter.

Submitting your thesis on time

PGRs are expected to submit their theses within the maximum time limit. You should keep in regular contact with your supervisor and let them know:

• if your project seems to be developing serious academic deficiencies;
• if you are concerned about finishing your project in the required time;
• if you feel you aren’t getting the technical or resources support that you need.
• Any personal/health difficulties which may have affected your progress

If you ever feel your supervision is inadequate it is important to discuss your concerns with your Director of Postgraduate Research Studies, your Graduate School or LUU.

Overtime is the period between the end of your standard period of study and the final time limit for submission. It is also referred to as “writing up”, as the expectation is that you are solely working on the thesis in this period and are not conducting any research. 

The overtime period allows all PGRs (except Masters by Research and miscellaneous study) to register on a reduced fee after the standard period of study but within the maximum period of study. The fee cost is updated annually and is non-refundable. For more information about the overtime fee please see the Postgraduate fees page of the For Students website .

If you submit before the end of the standard period of study, or up to one month after the start of the overtime period, then you will not be required to register during the overtime period.

Submitting your thesis early

In some cases you may be able to submit your thesis early, before the end of your standard period of study. Your Director of Postgraduate Research Studies must submit a recommendation to the Graduate Board’s Progression and Examinations Group for a ‘reduction’ to your standard period of study.

It is possible to submit your thesis up to six weeks before the end of your standard period of study, without the need for a special request.  However if you wish to submit earlier than this, a request for a reduction of your standard study is required. 

If you think you will be able to submit your thesis early (more than six weeks before the end of your standard period of study) you must first discuss this with your supervisors. Early submission of the thesis can only be made where it is supported by your supervisors and your Director of Postgraduate Research Studies.

A Director of Postgraduate Research Studies can only recommend early submission if:

• the thesis is complete and ready for submission, and;
• has been read by your supervisor in its entirety. Your supervisor must confirm in writing that they have read your thesis and they believe it is ready to be examined.

You must, however, take responsibility for the work that you submit. The Graduate Board is clear that even if the supervisor has agreed to early submission of the thesis, this does not mean that the award of a degree is guaranteed. 

There are limits to the length of the reduction that can be approved. With an approved reduction the earliest dates you can submit your thesis are:

No reduction of the period of study is permitted for the Masters by Research degree under the University’s regulations. Masters by Research PGRs may still submit their thesis six weeks before the end of the standard period of study, using the grace period noted above.

If you are receiving a stipend as part of a scholarship, payment will stop once you have submitted, even if it is before the end of the scholarship duration. You will also be liable to pay council tax once you have submitted. PGRs on a student visa are advised to contact the Student Visa Advice service for immigration advice on the implications of early submission to their visa status.

If you are funding your studies yourself, you may be eligible for a partial refund of fees if you have an approved reduction to the standard period of study and you finish early, subject to completion of a successful examination.  (This is not applicable to Masters by Research students as a reduction to the standard period of study is not permitted under University regulations).

No refund will be made unless all academic fees have been paid in full for the year/session in which you are submitting, you are successful in your examination and have appeared on a pass list. 

Please contact the Student Fees team for further advice on the fee refund arrangements.

The fee refund applies only to those submitting within the standard period of study. The Overtime period fee is a special concession that allows you to register for a reduced rate and is non-refundable, irrespective of the month of submission. 

Information about the duration of studies (including standard and maximum time periods, as well as information on submitting your thesis early) can be found in your official University offer letter. 

• The Library
• Leeds University Union
• Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Privacy and cookies
• Freedom of Information

© 2024 University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT

• Taught and research student operations
• Programme support-related policies
• Registration, enrolment and attendance
• Timetabling
• Student leavers
• Research degrees
• Research degree-related policies
• Research Degree Programme Development
• Research degree examinations
• Research degree admissions and registration
• Research degree progress and monitoring
• Research degree committees and groups
• Research degree contacts
• Programme and Module Catalogues
• Student Finance
• Funding and awards
• Fees and charges
• Admissions procedures and policies
• Undergraduate (full time) admissions procedures
• Taught Postgraduate Admissions Procedures
• Postgraduate research admissions procedures
• Foundation and pre-masters admissions procedures
• Academic qualifications
• Undergraduate academic requirements
• Taught Postgraduate academic requirements
• English language requirements
• Undergraduate English requirements
• Taught Postgraduate English requirements
• Research Postgraduate English requirements
• UKVI regulations
• Admissions Support Materials and training
• Guides to offer making
• CRM support
• Admissions teams
• Admissions groups
• Student Opportunity
• Student opportunity-related policies
• Study Abroad
• Employability
• Internationalising the campus
• Student Support
• Emotional and mental health support
• Academic processes and study support
• Supporting disabled students
• Dealing with disclosures
• Practical problems faced by students
• Supporting our diverse student community
• Training resources supporting you to support students
• Post training resources
• University support related policies, processes and guidance
• Support and further training for you
• Your wellbeing; helping you connect
• Student support-related policies
• International students
• Assessment and exams
• Assessment-related policies
• Taught student assessment
• Re-assessment
• Managing results
• Processes and training
• Research student assessment
• Quality Assurance
• Quality assurance-related policies
• Programme and module approval
• Student education review
• Collaborative Provision
• Teaching Enhancement Scheme
• Module evaluations
• Bookings, events and forms
• A-Z of policies and key documents
• Forms and templates
• Room bookings
• Bulletin, conference and news
• About the Student Education Service
• Roles and responsibilities
• Training and development
• Knowledge and skills development

Transfer process

All doctoral students are initially registered as provisional doctoral students and are therefore subject to a formal transfer assessment process within a specified timescale.  If successful in this assessment, the student is then transferred to doctoral study. 

What is the transfer process? 

The assessment at the "transfer" stage is to identify whether the student and the research project have the potential for research at doctoral level and also whether it is a reasonable expectation to complete a thesis within the standard period of study for the programme. The assessment will take the form of a viva voce examination.

All transfers are managed through GRAD.

The decision on transfer is based on the submission of appropriate material for assessment (ie a report written by the student).  The student should upload their report for assessment onto GRAD and also complete the online statement of Academic Integrity, Safeguarding Data and Ethical Requirements.

The transfer assessment panel can make one of four decisions:

• transfer the student to a doctoral degree category 
• on the first occasion only defer their decision for a limited period (see timescale in the guidelines document)
• transfer the student to M Phil degree category (available for Provisional PhD students only)
• require the student to withdraw. 

The graduate board has approved detailed guidelines on all aspects of the transfer assessment process 

Download guidelines on the transfer assessment process for information on the following:

• Composition of the transfer assessment panel
• Evidence upon which the transfer is based
• Conduct of the transfer assessment
• Possible recommendations following transfer
• Timescales for completing the transfer process
• Information about postponement and deferral of the decision on transfer
• Recording the transfer decision

The exact procedure for the transfer assessment may vary between individual Faculties/Schools according to the requirements of the different disciplines.  Faculties/schools should provide student with written guidance on the transfer process and material required.

Split Site Students

Split-site students must be present in the UK for their transfer assessment.  If not their studies may be suspended until they can return to the UK.

Students accepted directly to the degree of M Phil will not be required to undergo a transfer assessment.  However, progress should be reviewed annually in the same way as for doctoral students.  M Phil students are not normally permitted to transfer to registration for a doctoral degree.

Integrated degree of PhD and Master

A review process is undertaken at the end of each year of study, with registration as a Postgraduate Student in Year 1, Provisional PhD in Year 2, with a formal transfer process to full PhD registration taking place at the end of Year 2, emphasising the different stages in the progress, development and training. 

Progression into Year 3 is dependent upon both success in the research degree assessment process and success in the Mastership examination.  Exit qualifications exist at certain points in the programme.

In addition to undertaking research student, students undertake a number of specialised modules in the first and second years and must undertake training and skills courses throughout the programme.

• The Library
• Leeds University Union
• Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Privacy and cookies
• Freedom of Information

© 2024 University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT

• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
• School of Music
• Research degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD is an internationally-recognised research qualification. You can study for your PhD on campus or by online learning

Studying for your PhD in the School of Music means that you will become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research skills, which will equip you to undertake further research projects in addition to pursuing specialist career paths.

As a postgraduate researcher, you will conduct original research work under the guidance of  your supervisors. You’ll have regular meetings to monitor your progress and develop an initial training plan to make sure you are acquiring the appropriate skills for your research.

Your initial priority is refining a research plan and establishing a feasible timescale for your project. During the early part of your PhD, you will undertake various research methods modules to support your research activities.

For the first 12 months (or 18 months if part-time) you will be enrolled as a provisional PhD candidate and you'll develop a detailed research proposal and write a literature review. This work is submitted to a panel of examiners who will assess it and provide you with feedback and advice on the progress of your research.

This is called 'transfer' and is an important means of monitoring the progress of your work and assessing whether your proposal has enough weight to be accurately explored through a PhD research path.

After successful transfer, you'll enrol as a full PhD candidate, complete your research and write a thesis of approximately 100,000 words.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of this thesis, and your viva voce, where you present and discuss the rationale, methods and findings of your original study with an examining panel.

A PhD can be taken full-time (3 years standard) or part-time (5 years standard).

Areas of supervision

Research opportunities are available across the School of Music. Explore our research  to discover more about our academic staff and where your research interests may fit.

Practice-led PhD

If you want to pursue your chosen area of research through practice, we offer supervison for Music practice-led PhD and practice-led MPhil.

You should demonstrate a distinctive practice, an originality of thinking, and an ability to place the practice in an appropriate creative/cultural context. You'll be assigned appropriate supervisors, who will guide your research.

You will produce a body of work (for example, a portfolio of original compositions) demonstrating an original contribution to knowledge and scholarship. The work will comprise of a substantial body of creative practice produced in pursuit of the degree, displaying critical understanding, together with a written submission, which provides an exploration of the research question(s) and indicates the manner in which the research is embodied in the practice.

The written submission for practice-led PhD should be between 15,000 and 50,000 words.

Entry requirements

You should hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline, and hold, or expect to obtain, a Masters degree in a related subject.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an English language qualification, for example IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components. 

You can improve your academic English level to the standard needed to study a postgraduate research degree by taking one of the following pre-sessional courses:

6-week: Language for postgraduate researchers

10-week: Language for Social Science and Arts: postgraduate researchers

The online learning PhD requires IELTS score of 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in every component.

Scholarships and fees

A range of scholarships are available for PhD students.

Fees for PhD degrees are set independently and reviewed on an annual basis.

PhD by online learning 

We offer a PhD by online learning which is available to UK, EU and international applicants, allowing you gain an advanced degree from anywhere with internet access. You can study at the time and place that best suits you, and our part time options lets you study alongside work and other commitments.

For further information, please contact  Dr Pammi Sinha ,  Head of the Graduate School. 

Link to Leeds

Talk directly to some of our current international students

• Faculty of Social Sciences
• School of Law
• Research degrees

School of Law - Research Degrees

Our programmes.

Study for an MA by Research or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) within the School of Law and become a key member of our academic research community. You'll experience a supportive, stimulating and challenging research environment — operating on a global scale —  allowing you to pursue your research interests among the brightest minds in Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice.

MA by Research

Doctor of philosophy (phd), our expertise.

Our academic team come from a variety of professional, academic and cultural backgrounds, bringing a wealth of knowledge and insight to our research community. Our expertise helps to inform policy and practice across the globe.

'world-leading' / 'internationally excellent'

Submitted research - REF 2021

Research with us

Discover our current postgraduate research, video: hear from our postgraduate researchers, your career development.

Throughout your time as a postgraduate researcher, you will have ample opportunity to enhance your skills and prepare for a fruitful career in academia or beyond. With full-time and part-time research degrees available, we provide the flexibility for you to pursue your research whilst still developing in your existing career.

White Rose research training

The School of Law is part of both the  White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership  and the  White Rose College of Arts and Humanities , providing unique funding and training programmes, networking events and the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from other White Rose universities.

See more news like this

ESRC WRDTP Collaborative Studentship Opportunities at the School of Law

School of law welcomes the recommissioning of the new esrc white rose doctoral training partnership, professor gerard mccormack visits china and hong kong, publication of issue three of the leeds student law and criminal justice review, upcoming events.

Research opportunities

How do particle material properties (insoluble and partially soluble) affect sensory perception of fat-based products.

One full scholarship funded by the BBSRC-funded Mondelez International CTP in partnership with the University of Leeds, UK is available at the School of Food Science and Nutrition in 2024. This scholarship is open to UK/ international applicants and cover fees plus &pound;20,162 maintenance grant per year for 4 years. <br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in an industrially relevant food science project with Mondelez to understand how particle material properties may affect sensory perception in fat based products such as chocolate.

<p style="margin-bottom:11px">Mondelez is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world with sales of approximately $9 billion. It is Mondelez&rsquo;s vision to become the global leader in this category by 2030. To achieve this, it is key for Mondelez to continue growing in spaces such as health, well-being and sustainability while maintaining competitive advantages in delivering consumers the right chocolate experiences. To explore these growth opportunities, often it involves reformulation and evaluation of alternative ingredients. However, without knowing fundamentally what the key ingredient properties are and how they may impact chocolate transformation and perception in the mouth, the R&amp;D process can be inefficient in cost and time. Therefore it is important to improve our understanding and knowledge in this area.</p> <p>Among chocolate ingredients, insoluble particles (e.g. non-fat cocoa solids, and other cellulose rich fibres) as well as particles that are partially dissolved, or hydrated, within oral processing times (e.g. dairy powders) are very important in affecting the perception in mouth. However, the mechanisms by which these particles affect the transformation and alter the perception and the critical material properties of the particles are not presently understood. Without this information, it is very difficult to know what the success criteria is when evaluating new ingredients or flexing recipes to deliver the right consumer experience.&nbsp;</p> <p>This fully funded PhD project aims to bridge this knowledge gap in material science by building mechanistic understanding, exploring the research questions below:</p> <ul> <li>a) What are the key material properties of insoluble/partially soluble particles in the context of oral processing time?</li> <li>b) Which mechanisms affect the transformation and perception of fat-based products in the mouth?</li> <li>c) How do the levels/changes of these properties modulate the product perception in the mouth?</li> </ul> <p>This PhD research is relevant to the BBSRC&rsquo;s strategy on &lsquo;World-class underpinning bioscience&rsquo; by increasing the knowledge of understanding how food components interact with the oral environment. In addition, understanding the impact of food component-oral interactions on sensory perception will add to our capability to reformulate healthier foods, thus supporting the nutrition and health priority of the BBSRC.</p> <p><strong>Industrial Placement</strong></p> <p>The PhD student would take full advantage of the collaboration with Mondelez by taking up a placement during their studentship. During their visit in Mondelez, they can participate in relevant project activities such as characterising physio-chemical properties of the modelled systems using in-house state of art instruments, or application of concepts into selected food products.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University&#39;s website</a>. Please state clearly in the research information section&nbsp;that the research degree you wish to be considered for is BBSRC CTP-Mondelez Scholarship as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition/staff/7151/professor-anwesha-sarkar">Prof Anwesha Sarkar</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition should normally have a First class Undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) AND/ OR a First class in their Masters degree (both in an appropriate discipline). Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>Information about the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one UK/International candidate, including&nbsp;tuition fees and&nbsp;a UKRI maintenance grant with Mondelez top up (currently a total of &pound;20,162 in 2024/25), subject to satisfactory progress.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Duration of the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full-time (4 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st&nbsp;September 2024.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>For further information on the application process, please contact PGR Admissions:</p> <ul> <li>[email protected]&nbsp;</li> </ul>