Types of Research Degree

Are you ready to take your studies to the highest level? We offer traditional PhDs, PhDs by Published Work, and Professional Doctorates.

You can study for your research degree either full time or part time and, in many cases, by distance learning. There may also be an option for a bursary.

To register for a PhD with us, you’ll typically need both undergraduate and master’s degree qualifications. However, this is not always the case, and we will also consider appropriate research or professional experience.

Traditional PhDs

We offer traditional PhDs where you undertake an in-depth research project while working alongside a supervision team. They are usually self-funded, but funded PhD studentships may be available for some new doctoral research projects. These will be advertised at jobs.staffs.ac.uk as they become available.

Before you apply, please check the postgraduate research courses to see if we can offer doctoral supervision in the area you wish to research, or look through our ready to go PhD projects to see if any of these appeal to your interests. You can then complete a PhD enquiry form to give us a little more detail about your proposed project. We’ll only offer a research degree where we have relevant expertise to ensure you get the right academic support in your area of interest.

Professional Doctorates 

Professional Doctorates are designed to develop research and professional skills related to professional practice. They combine taught modules with an in-depth research project. Work must demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge within your profession.

We offer Professional Doctorates in:

To register for a programme of doctoral research, please see the information on our Professional Doctorate course pages.

PhDs by Published Work

A PhD by Published Work allows you to apply for a research degree based on work you have already had published or exhibited. This can include edited texts, creative works or collections of artefacts that you have exhibited in public.

Your application should include a list of your Published Works that form the basis of your proposed PhD, along with a statement on how they will contribute to knowledge and when your research was carried out. Please contact phdenquiries@staffs.ac.uk for more information on how to apply.

Next steps

Once you know which programme of study you want to follow, the next step is to start your application.

A female and male are wearing white jackets and safety goggles working in a biomedical lab

Postgraduate research and Doctoral courses

Find out more about our Professional Doctorates, which combine taught modules with in-depth research. The research skills gained will inform your future professional practice.
A male wearing a suit and headphones is playing electronic music instruments, behind him is a male working in the music studio

Current PhD opportunities

See our wide range of PhD opportunities and topics. They include self-funded PhDs and those offered through fully-funded scholarships.

How to apply

Follow our step-by-step guide to applying for a research degree with us. It will help us ensure you get the right support in your specialist area.

Fees and funding

Find out more about the support available to help fund your studies. Options include Doctoral Loans. You can also see a breakdown of our course fees.

Make an enquiry

Start your postgraduate career by completing our enquiry form. We'll put you in touch with a member of staff to have an informal conversation about your proposed research and qualifications.


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