What to expect from a research degree

Undertaking a research degree is a large commitment. Before starting your studies, you should consider some things: You will need to attend university regularly to study, for supervision, training and research symposia. Your subject area and study mode will determine the amount of time you need to spend studying on campus Normally you are expected to be resident in the UK and within daily travelling distance of the University. Some programmes will include periods of fieldwork away from the University either in the UK or abroad

How long will my programme be?

Research degrees differ from other types of courses. The end date depends on you submitting a thesis and the outcome of the viva voce examination. The expected timelines for each award are below: Full-time study Award Expected timeframe to submit your thesis Max time allowed for submission of thesis MA/MSc/LLM (by research) 12 months 24 months MPhil 24 months 36 Months PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration) 36 months 48 months PhD direct 24 months 36 months Part-time study Award Expected timeframe to submit your thesis Max time allowed for submission of thesis MA/MSc/LLM (by research) 24 months 36 months MPhil 48 months 60 months PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration) 72 months 84 months PhD direct 48 months 60 months MD (Res) and MCh (Res) 36 months 48 months PhD (by published work) 12 months 24 months PhD (by portfolio) 48 months 60 months Time for examination to be completed and the award to be conferred The timescales vary depending on the result of the examination. The minimum time is around three months. Most students average around six months.

What is the Graduate Research School?

Our Graduate Research School supports the postgraduate research environment and culture. The school delivers training, as well as hosts events and activities. We offer research skills training that is mapped to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework We host the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition and Annual PGR Conference We support the postgraduate research (PGR) Society We manage the UCLan Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (UURIP) We represent the PGR community at University level We support research supervisors, research degree tutors and examining teams We listen and respond to the PGR student voice

Postgraduate research

Explore our research courses

A PhD will allow you to study your chosen research topic in-depth. You'll build on your existing knowledge and develop valuable transferable skills.

We're here to support you during your studies. You’ll receive regular supervision and training to help you succeed in your independent study. In some cases, you can undertake periods of fieldwork in the UK or overseas.

We offer alternative start dates for your research degree, starting in September, January or March.

What's the right research degree for you?

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Types of research degrees

We offer a range of postgraduate research options to suit researchers at all levels. Read our guide to postgraduate research degrees and choose the research degree that's right for you.

Research degrees guide

Frequently asked questions

Undertaking a research degree is a large commitment. Before starting your studies, you should consider some things:

You will need to attend university regularly to study, for supervision, training and research symposia.
Your subject area and study mode will determine the amount of time you need to spend studying on campus
Normally you are expected to be resident in the UK and within daily travelling distance of the University.
Some programmes will include periods of fieldwork away from the University either in the UK or abroad

Research degrees differ from other types of courses. The end date depends on you submitting a thesis and the outcome of the viva voce examination. The expected timelines for each award are below:

Scroll or swipe on small screens to see all table columns

Full-time study
Award	Expected timeframe to submit your thesis	Max time allowed for submission of thesis
MA/MSc/LLM (by research)	12 months	24 months
MPhil	24 months	36 Months
PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration)	36 months	48 months
PhD direct	24 months	36 months

Scroll or swipe on small screens to see all table columns

Part-time study
Award	Expected timeframe to submit your thesis	Max time allowed for submission of thesis
MA/MSc/LLM (by research)	24 months	36 months
MPhil	48 months	60 months
PhD (via transfer from MPhil registration)	72 months	84 months
PhD direct	48 months	60 months
MD (Res) and MCh (Res)	36 months	48 months
PhD (by published work)	12 months	24 months
PhD (by portfolio)	48 months	60 months

Time for examination to be completed and the award to be conferred
The timescales vary depending on the result of the examination. The minimum time is around three months. Most students average around six months.

Our Graduate Research School supports the postgraduate research environment and culture. The school delivers training, as well as hosts events and activities.

We offer research skills training that is mapped to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework
We host the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition and Annual PGR Conference
We support the postgraduate research (PGR) Society
We manage the UCLan Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (UURIP)
We represent the PGR community at University level
We support research supervisors, research degree tutors and examining teams
We listen and respond to the PGR student voice

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Research degree tutors

Before you apply or submit your own proposal it’s a good idea to explore your ideas with one of our research degree tutors. Email us and we'll put you in contact with the relevant tutor. Or email one of the research degree tutors directly, using the details below.

Astrophysics/Physics/Mathematics

Building Services/Fire Engineering

Andrew Fsadni

Construction Management/Facilities Management/Procurement/Economics

Champika Liyanage

Electrical Engineering/Digital Signal and Image Processing

Mara Bernabei

Electronics/Mechatronics/Tribotronics

Mara Bernabei

Energy and Environment

Matt Stables

Human Computer Interaction/Computing

Mechanical Engineering/Simulation/Oil and Gas (and Senior RDT)

Nathalie Renevier

Student stories

I never expected my MRes to open so many prospects for me, from the networks I have built, the skills I have obtained and the opportunities that allowed me to try new things.

forensic science student looking into a microscope

Tom

Forensic Anthropology, MRes

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Postgraduate research

Explore our research courses

What's the right research degree for you?

Types of research degrees

Frequently asked questions

Studying for a research degree01 / 04

Research degree tutors

Research and Knowledge Exchange institutes

How to apply

Fees, costs and funding

Studentships

Hear from our PhD students

Udit Tiwari talks about his PhD and University experience

PhD student Jianyu Zhao shares his experience

Elisa Pierella talks about her experience studying for a PhD

Postgraduate research

Explore our research courses

What's the right research degree for you?

Types of research degrees

Frequently asked questions

What to expect from a research degree

How long will my programme be?

What is the Graduate Research School?

Studying for a research degree01 / 04

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Research degree tutors

School of Arts and Media

School of Business

School of Engineering and Computing

School of Health, Social Work and Sport

School of Law and Policing

School of Medicine and Dentistry

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

School of Psychology and Humanities

School of Nursing and Midwifery

School of Veterinary Medicine

Research and Knowledge Exchange institutes

How to apply

Fees, costs and funding

Studentships

Hear from our PhD students

Udit Tiwari talks about his PhD and University experience

PhD student Jianyu Zhao shares his experience

Elisa Pierella talks about her experience studying for a PhD

Postgraduate research student profiles