PhDs and postgraduate research

take your research interest further

Ready to make a contribution to our outstanding research work? Explore our postgraduate research options

The challenges facing society, human life and our planet need answers – and our research is helping to find them.

If you'd like to play your part in tackling the problems ahead – and learn from people at the forefront of their disciplines – then our postgraduate research degrees are where your journey starts.

Search the different types of research degrees we offer, find a pre-approved PhD project to apply for, explore the research subject areas and topics we cover, discover how you can fund your research with us – including bursaries and studentships – and when you're ready, start your application to become part of research at Portsmouth.

Coronavirus information for students

Things will be a little different in 2020/21. We've put new safety measures in place across campus and have plenty of guidance on how to stay safe and what to do if you or someone you live with comes into contact with coronavirus.

See our coronavirus information for students to find out what to expect when you get here.

Types of research degrees

A research degree at Portsmouth is your chance to put your knowledge to work, and help find solutions to the problems facing society. Find out about our PhD, PhD by Publication, Professional Doctorates, MD, MPhil and MRes degrees.

Choose a research degree

Our research degree subject areas

Do you have an original research idea of your own? See the subject areas where we offer research supervision, find somebody to talk to about your potential project, and take your first step towards a postgraduate research degree at Portsmouth.

Find out more

Book your place at our next Virtual Postgraduate Open Evening

Interested in studying with us as a postgraduate student? Find out more about our upcoming events – including our Virtual Open Evening in March 2021 – and book your place today.

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Book now

Explore our PhD projects

Explore our pre-approved PhD projects – both fully-funded and self-funded – in dozens of subject areas across the University, from Architecture, Biological Sciences, and Cosmology, to Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics.

Find a project

Find a PhD Supervisor

If you already have your own original research idea, you can find an academic whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page.

Search now

How to apply

Ready to take your interest further and start your application? Read our helpful advice on how to write a great research proposal and personal statement, and how to apply for any of our research degrees, including a PhD.

Apply now

Reasons to do a PhD or research degree

Discover how a research degree could boost your career, and help you create innovation with lasting impact in a field you're passionate about.

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Our Virtual Postgraduate Experience

Find out more about the city and the University, from anywhere in the world, and get a taste of what life is like as a postgraduate student at Portsmouth.

Start exploring

Funding your degree

There are plenty of ways to fund your postgraduate research degree, including loans and bursaries that are open to both UK and International students. Explore your options, and find out how to apply for funding here.

Find out more

Writing a personal statement

Explore our advice on what you should be looking to include in your research proposal and your personal statement before you apply.

Get started

Our postgraduate prospectus

Explore our postgraduate taught and research degrees in our postgrad prospectus, and get information on how to apply, how to fund your postgraduate degree, and more.

Get your copy now

The Graduate School

Home to a community of more than 1,000 research degree students across our 5 faculties, our Graduate School is here to help you through every aspect of your research degree.

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Postgraduate student stories

Studying with us as a postgraduate student is a great decision, but don't just take our word for it - read stories from our students about why they chose Portsmouth and how studying with us changed their lives.

Research at Portsmouth

Find out more about the research our academics and researchers are conducting right now, and how their work is making a positive difference to the world.

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Contact us today, to ask anything about postgraduate study in Portsmouth, about life in the city as a student, or for more details on how to apply to join us.

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Coronavirus FAQs

Find out how to make sure you can continue your research and get support if your studies have been interrupted.

Find out more