Postgraduate research courses

Plot your postgraduate research path by choosing a topic from our wide array of specialist areas.

We offer a variety of PhD and MPhil options, both on-campus and through distance learning. As a researcher, you will also have access to advice, help and professional development.

Take a look at our research themes and explore the opportunities available. You can join us in September, January or April, giving you flexibility to design the PhD that best suits your interests.

Please note:

The subject areas listed on this page are currently under review, and should be taken as a guide. We are open to a diverse range of research projects, so please get in touch with us in the first instance.

Business, Enterprise and Management

If you are looking to pursue research in Business, Enterprise and Management, then connecting with our academic community is great place to start. Along with links to local, national and international businesses and organisations, you will also be part of an exciting group of researchers working on projects in management, marketing, tourism and economics.

Business Area - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Business Management - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Economics - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Crime, Justice and Security

Uncover the compelling world of research in Crime, Justice and Security for yourself by connecting with our academic community. With access to our cutting edge technology and expert supervision from leading researchers, you will be able to develop sustainable solutions to a range of challenges in the areas of forensic science, criminology, prisons and offender management, policing, law, international studies, archaeology, history and terrorism.

Criminology and Policing - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Forensic Science - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

History and Archaeology - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Humanities - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Law - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sciences Area - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sociology and International Relations - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Culture, Heritage and Society

Help to enrich local, national and international communities through research by joining a team of expert researchers in the field of Culture, Heritage and Society. Using creative practices and top-flight facilities, you can help to lead research in the arenas of regeneration of cities, social justice, philosophy, tourism, film and media production, augmented and virtual realities, theatre and drama, music, history and archaeology.

Art and Design - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Criminology and Policing - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Film, Media and Music - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Film, Theatre and Music - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Geography - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

History and Archaeology - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Humanities - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Social Sciences - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sociology and International Relations - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Engineering, Technology and Environment

If you have a passion for innovation, then pursue your research in Engineering, Technology and Environment with us. Take advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, and work alongside leading researchers in the fields of sustainable engineering, renewable energies, forensic science, biological and biomedical sciences, air quality, geography, computing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics.

Art and Design - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Computer Science - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Digital Design and Technologies - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Digital Design and Technologies - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Ecology - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Film, Media and Music - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Film, Theatre and Music - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Geography - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Mathematics - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Mechanical Engineering - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sciences Area - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Health, Wellbeing and Education

Join our academic community and be a part of research that can change lives in the field of Health, Wellbeing and Education. Gain access to our expert facilities and develop your research through practice alongside senior researchers in nursing, midwifery, social work, the allied health professions, education, sport and exercise, biomechanics and biomedical science, and psychology.

Biology - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Biomechanics - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Biomechanics - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Education - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Health and Welfare Studies - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Health and Welfare Studies - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Psychology - MPhil
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Psychology - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sciences Area - PhD by Published Work
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sports and Exercise - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Sports Science - PhD
  • Full-time, on campus
  • Part-time, on campus
  • Full-time, distance learning
  • Part-time, distance learning

Courses commence in September, January and April.

Contact Research, Innovation and Impact Services

The Research, Innovation and Impact Services team can provide information about all aspects of research at University of Staffordshire.


Make an enquiry

Speak to the Graduate School about postgraduate research.

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021