Top PhD Degrees in England 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.... [-]

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).... [-]

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.... [-]

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.... [-]

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.... [-]

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 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.... [-]

Our Law PhD programme enables you to conduct legal research under the supervision of our international, experienced, and highly committed faculty.

You will be supervised by two academic members of staff, and take part in a research training programme which provides you with the knowledge and skills to design and carry out a rigorous PhD research project.

You also have opportunities to present your work in the School of Law’s research seminars and the Faculty’s annual postgraduate research student conference. This will enable you to discuss your research with fellow PhD students and staff in the School and the wider Faculty.

We encourage and support you to prepare and submit papers to academic conferences and journals. This provides you with an opportunity to gain feedback from experts in your research field and helps you in developing your academic writing skills.... [-]

Committed to teaching and research excellence, the School of Sociology and Social Policy is a dynamic center for collaborative and interdisciplinary PhD study.

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.

We offer PhDs in:

This programme combines advanced research training with high-quality supervision and feedback. You will study within a vibrant and active research community, and will be supported by two academic supervisors.... [-]

In accordance with the University’s mission ‘to be a global home for enterprising and confident students and graduates’, this course provides a springboard to engagement with the wider world. The Business School is committed to the belief that business education should facilitate rather than constrain, and this course presents a flexible and well-balanced curriculum that addresses the changing needs of contemporary forward-thinking businesses. You will be encouraged to reflect upon your own personal and professional, skills and engage in dialogue with global peers in order to prepare them to manage, lead and help transform their respective organisations. You will become a research-informed business leader who is able to apply best practice within your organisational and in your own managerial practices. The interaction between theory and practice provides leaders with research-informed perspectives that add value in terms of business effectiveness, efficiency and capability.... [-]

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.... [-]

Manufacturing engineering involves the research and development of systems, processes, machines, tools, and equipment. Projects areas can cover many different fields within this discipline, for example, design, manufacturing, assembly, measurement, testing, and modeling.

This Ph.D. is based within the Faculty of Engineering. The research work within the faculty spans a range of applications including medicine, aerospace and automotive engineering, energy and the construction industry 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 at merit level or above in a relevant subject, and an IELTS level 6.0 (5.5 in each element). It is usually completed over a period of three years but is also available over four years.... [-]

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.

NOWNano DTC: The North West Nanoscience Doctoral Training Centre

NowNano DTC students undertake a four-year doctoral training programme. A major aim of the DTC is to create a cohort of researchers that are able to draw on knowledge from a broad spectrum of sciences and to work in interdisciplinary teams. The challenge is to enable our students to understand the different languages and philosophies of disciplines as diverse as theoretical physics & astronomy and medicine.The aim of the first six months of the programme is to expose students to the full breadth of nanoscience and nanotechnology and to provide them with the skills and background knowledge that they will need during their Ph.D. projects in order to understand the diverse concepts and knowledge that they will inevitably encounter. To this end, the programme includes not only lecture courses and directed self-study (inquiry-based learning) but also extended (12 weeks-long) laboratory projects covering different aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology.Also during this time, students will have an opportunity to learn about the available Ph.D. research projects through presentations by potential supervisors and visits to research labs. It is expected that many projects will be interdisciplinary, with co-supervision by academics from different Schools/Departments, providing students with access to the world-class facilities.... [-]

1. Make sure we offer Ph.D. supervision in the area in which you want to work - search our staff research interests

2. Draft a research proposal that tells us what you want to research, how you intend to do it, and why it is worth doing

3. Prepare your supporting documents - with your application you need to include proof that you meet the academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements: