PhD

The PhD is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research, supported by a team of supervisors, that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a thesis. The PhD programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting.

Attendance ModeNumber of hours per weekMaximum length of programmeStart dates
Full timeAt least 35 hours a weekFour yearsSeptember
January
Part time
(Home students only)
At least 15 hours a weekEight yearsSeptember
January
PhD by Published WorkBy arrangement with the supervisory team
Two Years 

September
January

Distance learning

The Research Degree by Distance Learning scheme allows candidates to enrol for a University of Westminster research degree.

Attendance ModeNumber of hours per weekMaximum length of programmeStart dates
Part-timeAt least 15 hours per weekEight yearsSeptember
January
Full-timeAt least 36 hours per weekFour yearsSeptember
January

PhD by published work

The PhD by published work route is intended primarily for mid-career research-active academics who, for one reason or another, haven’t had the opportunity to undertake a research programme leading to a PhD. Submissions for this award will consist of a coherent body of work which is of the same quality, rigour and volume as required of a standard PhD in your field and which constitutes an original contribution to knowledge.

What is an MPhil?

The MPhil is a programme of independent, self-directed research reviewing or surveying and collating and evaluating existing knowledge in an approved topic and presenting the findings in a thesis for examination including a viva. Like the PhD, the MPhil develops your research and generic skills and is pursued under the guidance of a team of expert supervisors. It differs from the PhD in that it is a smaller scale of work, conducted over a shorter period of time and does not create new knowledge in the field.

The MPhil can be taken as a separate, target award, but most commonly forms the initial stage of study within a linked MPhil/PhD programme, where the registration is upgraded to PhD once it is established that the work has the potential for an original contribution to knowledge.

Attendance ModeNumber of hours per weekMaximum length of programmeStart dates
Full timeAt least 35 hours a weekYour programme of research should be completed within 36 monthsSeptember
January

Part time (Home students only)

At least 15 hours a weekYour programme of research should be completed within 60 monthsSeptember
January

Apply for a research degree