Graduate School

Research degree options

The University of Portsmouth is justifiably proud of its extensive research programme and excellent links to industry and public sector partners. As a research student, you would be based within a school or department in the University. Where a research project is multidisciplinary, supervision will be by members of staff from different areas. We offer you the following degree options:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD is an advanced degree requiring considerable commitment and sustained hard work over a relatively long period of time. Normally this will be a minimum of three years for full-time study (six years part-time). Students on the PhD route will complete the University's research training programme in their first year, submitting a progression report at the end of this year (after two years if studying part-time) in order to continue on the PhD programme. To be awarded the PhD, the student is required to submit a thesis and to defend it in an oral examination (Viva Voce).

The NewRoute PhD programme is a national initiative provided by a network of collaborating UK universities. The University of Portsmouth is proud to be a part of this network as it seeks to widen participation within the research community. This particular four year scheme enables students to undertake a number of taught masters level units in year one before progressing onto their MPhil/PhD registration.  Further details of the NewRoute PhD at the University of Portsmouth can be found on our Business School pages.

Professional Doctorate

The University of Portsmouth offers a wide range of Professional Doctorates for professionals employed in both the public and private sectors. They are designed for professionals, who have an active interest in work-based research and professional practice issues, wish to attain the highest level of professional and academic achievement and develop their careers. It involves a combination of text-based study and action research, assessed through coursework at different stages, culminating in assessment of a doctoral level, research-based report.

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil)

Students following the MPhil route are expected to complete the University's research training programme, submit a thesis and defend their work successfully in an oral examination (Viva Voce). Ordinarily, full-time students would be expected to complete the MPhil programme in 2 years (4 years if part-time).

MRes Science 

This is a new research degree option offered by our Faculty of science.  The MRes programme has been developed to provide a structured entry into research for those applicants with a UK undergraduate degree or equivalent.