Top Doctoral Degrees in United Kingdom 2019

The goal of the Ph.D. programme is to prepare the next generation of leading researchers.

The Ph.D. is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research degree, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a publishable dissertation. The Ph.D. programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting. The essential requirement of a Ph.D. is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge. Your research will inevitably build to some degree on the work and ideas of others, but as a research student, you are expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in your discipline.... [-]

A pluralistic programme offering existential, phenomenological, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches, with a strong focus on employability.

*For more information please refer to the fees and financial support sections below.

The DPsych programme aims to develop highly skilled, reflexive practitioner psychologists and researchers who will make a valuable contribution to the profession, both inside and outside the consulting room.... [-]

Our group has two broad lines of research activity.

The first is concerned with understanding the source, scope and pattern of education policy; that is in exploring the origins of policies, the nature and definition of the problems that education is asked to solve, and the historical, cultural and social practices that filter or mediate policies. The second concerns educational practices and performance and the development of quality in schooling, including work on the educational potential of new technologies, forms of excellence in teaching practice and the performance of schools.

Research into education policy draws on a diversity of intellectual traditions, including critical social policy, poststructuralist theories of governance, feminism, theories of identity and cultural studies. We have recently focused on two interconnected themes; the reshaping of education governance and its consequences for social inclusion/exclusion and education politics, and families, childhood and identity in education. Research into educational practices and performance and the development of quality in schooling focuses on teaching and learning practice school management and leadership. Projects are often run in close collaboration with schools.... [-]

Master's programmes at Kent Business School are driven by international research and relevance. At Kent Business School the research degree programme provides exceptional students with a dynamic research culture, supervision from our community of over 60 research active academic staff, high-quality resources and excellent research training. We offer the following subject specialisms:

Our PhD students all receive a dedicated office space with either a laptop or PC, conference funding, formal research methods training and full access to the facilities of the Graduate School. We also offer a range of PhD scholarship packages for outstanding candidates. All scholarship candidates must hold a first class honors degree (if still completing their master's programme) or a master's degree with Distinction in a relevant subject and a good standard of written or spoken English (IELTS 7 or equivalent). University of Kent PhD scholarships are based on a three year Graduate Teaching Assistantship that includes financial support in return for part-time teaching. This covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate (and some specific scholarships may include international fees) plus a combined salary and maintenance grant at the full UK Research Council rate. Applications from self-funded students are also welcome and the minimum entry requirement is a Merit at master’s level in a relevant subject as well as our English language requirements. Entry to the Kent Business School PhD programme is in September (application deadline 30 June).... [-]

The PhD is the highest academic degree and as such Durham graduates are in demand for academic posts in leading universities and top business schools; for business and management consultancy in commerce and industry; and for senior management roles in private sector organizations and government institutions.

Whatever your goals, the Durham PhD gives you the opportunity to combine rigorous academic theory with research to influence the world of business and make a unique contribution to your field of study. It attracts exceptional students of the highest caliber, and in conjunction with scholars internationally-renowned for their research and thought leadership, the PhD programme at Durham University Business School is both challenging and stimulating.... [-]

IDS is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. The University of Sussex is ranked first in the world for development studies. This QS World Ranking reflects the strong reputation and quality of research and course offerings across campus, including by IDS.

IDS is dedicated to research on processes of social, political and economic development and change in order to understand problems of poverty and development-related issues in local, national and global realms. Through our research we seek to achieve our vision of equal and sustainable societies, both locally and globally, where everyone can live secure, fulfilling lives free from poverty and injustice.... [-]

The goal of the Ph.D. programme is to prepare the next generation of leading researchers.

The Ph.D. is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research degree, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a publishable dissertation. The Ph.D. programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting. The essential requirement of a Ph.D. is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge. Your research will inevitably build to some degree on the work and ideas of others, but as a research student, you are expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in your discipline.... [-]

The research centre will address the topical grand challenges in the civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Financial support to meet these challenges will be acquired through both internal University initiatives (for enhanced infrastructure and facilities) and external funding from government grants, charities and direct industrial support.

The research will address the grand challenges of energy, carbon, clean water, infrastructure; exploring extremes and defining new limits. Key research areas include:

This PhD is based on the Faculty of Engineering. This provides the opportunity to undertake a PhD in a wide range of research areas and work across traditional research boundaries being part of interdisciplinary teams.

The research work within the faculty spans a range of applications including medicine, aerospace and automotive engineering, energy and the construction industry, sustainable design and development and it includes work from the most fundamental studies up to near-commercial investigations.

This course requires a 2:1 or international equivalent and/or a master's degree at merit level or above in a relevant subject, and an IELTS level 6.0 (5.5 in each element).

The primary focus of the Ecology, Evolution, Behaviour and Environmental Economics research cluster is fundamental and applied aspects of ecology, environmental economics, conservation, aquaculture, animal behavior, molecular taxonomy and molecular genetics, particularly involving links between these aspects. The cluster has a high level of research activity involving academic staff, Postdoctoral scientists, and postgraduate research students. The cluster has a high level of research activity involving academic staff, Postdoctoral scientists, and postgraduate research students.

A PhD is the most advanced form of postgraduate study. It is awarded on the successful completion of supervised research, verbal examination and final thesis. While an MPhil has less scope and complexity, it requires similar training and research, and is assessed by the submission of a thesis.

In the school, we have a broad commitment to improving and investigating social justice and equality in education. We provide a dynamic research environment, with a community of more than 300 students from 40 different countries. Some study and live here in the UK, while others are based countries around the world and make periodic visits to the UK to see their supervisor(s).

You will study alongside academic experts and will be assigned two supervisors appropriate to your field. Full-time students meet with their supervisors at least 10 times each year, while part-time students meet with them at least six times in the same period.... [-]

During your time with us, you become part of our specialist community, exchanging ideas and developing your own creative and intellectual interests, informed by expert academic staff within the Centre for Music and Audio Technology.

Individual staff research interests cover a wide range of aspects of music composition, performance, ethnomusicology, and music technology, and supervision is available in all of these areas. For these programmes, you have regular meetings with your supervisor as well as tuition in research methodologies in the early stages of your research. Additionally, we regularly invite academic and professional specialists for guest lectures, workshops and special events relevant to students’ research.... [-]

There is particular strength in web design and development, including e-commerce, e-learning, e-health; and the group has substantial experience in interaction design (e.g, Usability and accessibility), social computing (e.g, Social networking, computer-mediated communication), mobile technology (e.g, iPhone), virtual worlds (e.g, Second Life) and video games. In the area of time-based media, the group has a substantial interest in digital film capture and editing, and manipulation on to fully animated 3D modelling techniques as used in games and feature films.

The Kent School of Architecture offers a full-time and part-time research programme, leading to a Ph.D. research degree. The School promotes innovative and interdisciplinary research study in architecture, urbanism, and related fields. The main objective is to combine contemporary advanced research with an educational agenda, preparing candidates to practice in a global academic and professional world.

A particular feature of the KSA research degree programme is the wide spectrum of investigation and the possibility of undertaking research by design. Ph.D. students have access to all University of Kent facilities and a weekly seminar designed for research students only. Each candidate is entitled to two supervisors.... [-]

The PhD and MRes programmes are closely linked to our growing and dynamic research culture. You'll benefit from engaging with highly qualified academic staff, working alongside a portfolio of dynamic and popular masters programmes.

A member of staff, an expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. As a research student, you'll become part of our thriving academic community.