The PhD is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a thesis. The PhD programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting.

The MPhil is a programme of independent, self-directed research reviewing or surveying and collating and evaluating existing knowledge in an approved topic and presenting the findings in a thesis for examination including a viva. Like the PhD, the MPhil develops your research and generic skills and is pursued under the guidance of a team of expert supervisors. It differs from the PhD in that it is a smaller scale of work, conducted over a shorter period of time and does not create new knowledge in the field.

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a doctoral research degree undertaken by medical graduates. An MD project is of more focused scope and therefore shorter in length than PhD study but is of comparable depth and the work should also make an original contribution to medical knowledge. It may be laboratory- or clinically-based and will focus on a specific clinical research topic.

Practising UK-based GMC-registered clinicians may undertake a full- or part-time MD to work on a research question that arises from or is part of their clinical duties and interests.

To find out more about the course and to make an application visit the MD Course page

Professional doctorates are structured doctoral programmes with taught elements that address aspects of theory, practice and research. They are equivalent in time, intellectual demand and academic outcomes to those of a traditional PhD.

Professional Doctorate students make a contribution to both theory and practice in their field, and develop professional practice by making a contribution to (professional) knowledge primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis.

Professional Doctorate courses:

• Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
• Professional Doctorate in Health & Wellbeing
• Professional Doctorate in Education

The PhD by Published Work route is intended primarily for mid-career research-active academic who, for one reason or another, haven’t had the opportunity to undertake a research programme leading to a PhD. Submissions for this award will consist of coherent body of work which is of the same quality, rigour and volume as required of a standard PhD in your field and which constitutes an original contribution to knowledge. 

At the University of Wolverhampton this route is only available for academic staff of the University appointed to a full-time contract or occupying a substantive part-time post equivalent to at least 0.2 of a full-time contract.

See 'Appendix A: Regulations for the Degree Award of PhD by Published Work' of the 'Research Degree Regulations' for more information: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/about-us/governance/legal-information/policies-and-regulations/academic-regulations/

Higher Doctorates are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a command over a field of study and who have made a significant original contribution to the advancement of knowledge or to the application of knowledge (or to both).

Applications may be made for the following higher doctorates:

• Doctor of Arts (DArt)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Design (DDes)
• Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
• Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
• Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
• Doctor of Music (DMus)
• Doctor of Science (DSc)
• Doctor of Social Science (DSocSc)
• Doctor of Technology (DTech)

Higher Doctorates are awarded on the basis of a submission of a substantial portfolio of research-based work. The applicant must have published research outputs in the accepted media within their field of significant quality and number and be involved in peer reviews of their subject.

 The work submitted must be of high distinction and must establish that the applicant is a leading authority in the field or fields of study concerned. Applicants must evidence a sustained and coherent contribution in their field over a number of years that is consistent with the applicant playing a leading role in their subject area. Applicants must demonstrate leadership in their field, the nature of which must be set out clearly in the applicant’s statement.

See 'Appendix B: Regulations for the Award of Higher Doctorate' of the 'Research Degree Regulations' for more information: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/about-us/governance/legal-information/policies-and-regulations/academic-regulations/

All applications are assessed on an individual basis and in some cases the University may require you to meet higher entry requirements than the minimums outlined below.

To apply for a research degree, you should normally hold one or more of the following:

• a first or upper second class honours degree, or
• a master’s degree, or
• evidence of prior practice or learning that is accepted by the Dean of Research, or
• relevant professional experience 

For a Higher Doctorate, you should normally hold either:

• a first degree awarded by a UK University (or equivalent body), of at least seven years standing, or a qualification of equivalent standard; or
• a higher degree awarded by a UK University (or equivalent body), of at least four years standing, or a qualification of equivalent standard.

English language requirements

If your entry award was not delivered in English, you do not have a degree from an English-speaking University, or you are a non-native speaker of English, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English at least to the level of an IELTS score of 7.0 or its equivalent to be registered as a research degree student.

However is you wish to pursue a Research Degree in the areas of Chemistry, Computing and Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English at least to the level of an IELTS score of 6.5 (Writing - 6.5 and no less than 6.0 in any other component) or its equivalent.

Pre-Research Degree Course

If you need some support to meet the criteria of applying for one of our research degrees, we offer a Pre-Research Degree Course which is a bridging course to an MPhil or PhD.

The fees charged for our postgraduate research degrees depend on whether you are a home/EU student or an international student. Have a look at our Research Degrees Fees page for how much your programme will cost per year*.

*Research Support Fees: In addition to course fees, you may be liable for other charges, such as Research Support Fees (RSF). RSFs are a fee charged to provide funding to cover research-related items/activities which are essential in order to carry out the research. RSFs are detailed alongside our fees and these will be confirmed at the time of offer.

As a research student, you could self-fund or apply for funding from an employer or other organisation. Prospects.ac.uk has detailed information about funding postgraduate study.

Financial support for research study

Before applying, you should consider carefully how you will finance your studies for the duration of your programme, including tuition fees, research support fees and living costs.

We are able to take payments in instalments, to spread out the cost of your studies, and it is possible to switch between full-time and part-time modes of study. For more information go to www.wlv.ac.uk/howtopay.

Government loans

From 2018, the government is making loans available for postgraduate research students of up to £25,000, to cover fees and living expenses. More information can be found at www.gov.uk/doctoral-loan. 

Please note: If you are intending to make an application to Student Finance England (SFE) to fund your studies, before applying to SFE, you will need an offer letter from the University with a formally agreed start date for your doctoral research. An offer will only be made following sucessful completion of the application process, therefore your start date may be at least 3 months from the date you submitted your research application to us. 

Loyalty Discount

The Universiity offers a 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme and/or a taught postgraduate programme to a postgraduate research programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree and/or Masters level qualification, as long as the new award is at a higher level.

For full terms and conditions please see: Loyalty Discount for Postgraduate Research Students

International students

A number of International Scholarships are available by application in academic year 2021/22.

Further information and guidance can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/international-fees--scholarships/

Research councils

The UK Research and Innovation funds postgraduate study in all subject areas on a discretionary basis.

University Research Studentships

The University offers a very limited number of research stipends, formerly known as bursaries, to research students. Stipends are designed to support specific projects as determined by the Research Institute rather than individual student-led projects.

Funds are accessible from the relevant Research Institute or Centre - please contact them directly.

Other sources

The Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund

Living in Wolverhampton

It is enviably cheap to live in Wolverhampton and ideally located for travel around the UK. We are only one and a half hours from London, one hour from Manchester and 15 minutes from Birmingham by train. If you have not lived in the West Midlands or the UK before, you should research the average living costs.

For more information applicants should refer to guidance from our Visa & Immigration team

All of our postgraduate research students belong to both their Faculty and The Doctoral College. The Doctoral College delivers a comprehensive programme of research training and development, as well as social events for you to meet with others and exchange ideas.

Additional support for all of our research students includes:

• English language support - available to all students for whom English is not their first language.
• The Gateway - Offering advice before you join us, including information on funding and career
• Careers, Enterprise & the Workplace - Careers advice & guidance, jobs & placements, volunteering, start your own business.
• The Chaplaincy - A friendly and unique place on campus for people of all faiths and none.
• Nursery facilities - Our nursery on City Campus, Little Scholars, offers an excellent and convenient environment if you require childcare.
• Students’ Union - A comforting and welcoming space on campus, as well as opportunities to get involved in social and sporting activities, advice and support.
• Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) - Comprehensive support services for students with disabilities.
• WeLoVe Alumni Association: Careers advice, discounts and opportunities to network and join us at special events.