Take your postgraduate research interests 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.
Postgraduate Open Events
Come to our next event to talk to our course leaders, researchers, expert support teams and current students.
Explore our PhD projects
Look through our funded and self-funded PhD research projects and find out how to apply.
Our research degrees subject areas
Take your expertise further by studying for a PhD or other research degree at the University of Portsmouth. Explore the subject areas you can study & get started on your research journey.
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.
Discover Portsmouth | City Guide
Portsmouth is a great place to live as well as study. We're the UK's only island city and life as a student in Portsmouth is unbeatable. We’ve got beaches, great places to eat, heaps of independent shops and music venues, cultural and artistic hotspots, and stacks of green space. Portsmouth is one of the most picturesque, welcoming and interesting places to live in the UK, and was voted the in the top 10 trending hotspots by Airbnb (2022).
I think Portsmouth is very forward thinking.
It's got such a really friendly atmosphere and even though it's a city, it’s quite a small city, so it feels really welcoming and homely.
When I first came to the open day for Portsmouth, I instantly fell in love with it.
When the sun is shining, there is nowhere better than Portsmouth.
Welcome to Portsmouth, the UK's only island city and home to the University of Portsmouth.
Join us today as we show you some of our favourite spots so you can take advantage of studying at the heart of our community.
It's a very cosmopolitan city, it's got so much to offer.
You have the commercial road, you have the city centre ar the heart where it's all lively.
Student nightlife is really, really good. You’ve got lots of nightclubs, lots of stuff to do.
But then as soon as you come to Southsea it’s more of a lazy seaside town, you get to go to the beach.
You just have to go down to the beach or the common on a sunny day and everyone's having picnics. It's just beautiful.
Fuelling up for the day, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice.
Everyone I know has a different favourite café spot.
We’ve got you covered for freshly roasted coffee, doughnuts, fish and chips, vegan food and artisan bread.
And that’s before we even get to the restaurants and bars. Cheers.
Okay, shopping. I love to shop local myself and the top spots for that are Palmerston Road, Marmion Road or here, Castle Road.
Commercial Road has you set for your shopping essentials. Or pop down to Southsea for charity shop bargains and quirky independent businesses to browse for something unique.
Or join us in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth's Waterfront Shopping Centre to check in on your favourite brand outlets or catch the lights at Christmas.
I love that kind of vibrancy of the city
It's got a real independent spirit about it.
I think it's got a really good mix of independent businesses.
There are so many local independent businesses.
There are entertainment activities in terms of lots of bars and restaurants and loads of cool places to eat.
There's so much to do right here in the place you live.
There's an island’s worth of beautiful coast to explore and unique green spaces like Canoe Lake and the Rose Garden to enjoy with your friends or by yourself as a space for study or reflection.
Or for something a little different, you could wander into an art gallery, try an escape room, or book a table with your friends at DICE, the local board game café.
And don't forget the nights. There's a ton of live music events happening every week as well as karaoke comedy nights and live theatre.
There are lots of cultural events, art galleries, music venues.
And there are so many shows. You've got kite festivals.
Food festivals.
The big one that really helps the town is Victorious Festival.
It is such a really lovely community.
And I think after you've been here a while, you feel part of the community.
It just makes you feel like you're at home away from home.
Portsmouth is a one of a kind place, a place for you to explore and thrive.
There's something for everyone here, and we can't wait for you to be part of it.
To find out more about our city, book an open day and get exploring, visit port.ac.uk.
Find a PhD Supervisor
If you've already got your own research idea, start looking for a supervisor whose research interests match yours.
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.
Funding your research degree
Find out how you can fund your postgraduate research project, with options including loans, bursaries, and scholarships.
How to apply for postgraduate research
Read our guide on how to complete and submit your postgraduate research application. Take the next step in your academic career today.
Postgraduate Research Proposal Guide
If you are considering undertaking a postgraduate research degree, follow our step by step guide to writing the perfect research proposal.
Order your digital postgraduate degree guide
Explore our Master's courses and research degrees in our postgrad course guides.
Outstanding teaching
Our teaching gives you everything you need to succeed on your course and thrive in your career, wherever it takes you.
The Graduate School
Get support to develop the research, professional and transferable skills you need to succeed.
Research and innovation
Find out more about research opportunities at Portsmouth, and how you can help us tackle the planet's most urgent challenges. Start your research journey today.
Contact us with your Master’s or PhD questions
Contact us about building on your existing academic qualifications & knowledge with a postgraduate degree at the University of Portsmouth.
Student stories
Studying with us is a great decision, but don't just take our word for it – read stories from our graduates about why they chose Portsmouth and how studying with us changed their lives.
