Postgraduate research

When you study for a research degree with us you’ll be joining a vibrant and world-class research environment. Enjoy access to outstanding facilities and comprehensive support from our experienced academics.

A PhD is a big commitment, but we're here to support you. 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. A PhD will allow you to study your chosen research topic in-depth. You'll also build on your existing knowledge and develop valuable transferable skills.

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Studying for a research degree01 / 04

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PhD student Elisa tells us about her experience as a research student

What's the right research degree for you?

Students using social and study spaces in the student centre

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 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.

Alumni Loyalty Discount

If you're a UK student with a previous award from us you may be eligible to receive 20% tuition fee discount.

  1. 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
  2. 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

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    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
    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 3 months. Most students average around 6 months. 

    Part-time study

    Scroll or swipe on small screens to see all table columns

    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
    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 3 months. Most students average around 6 months.
  3. Supporting your research journey

    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

Research and Knowledge Exchange Institutes

Discover our range of University research areas to tailor your degree towards. Our Research and Knowledge Exchange Institutes enhance the quality of our research environment and create more opportunities to achieve world-leading impact through their activities.

Discover our Research and Knowledge Exchange Institutes

How to apply

Research of national and international excellence is at the heart of academic life at the University of Central Lancashire. On completion of your research degree you should be in a very strong position for pursuing your chosen career. If you're ready to start your research degree, you'll find details of the application process on the next few pages.

Application guidance

Fees, costs and funding

It is important that you know how you are going to fund your studies for the duration of your research degree, and ensure you have the resources to pay all your fees, costs associated with your research programme and your living expenses. 

Find out more

Studentships

Most studentship funding is for PhD places. Schemes vary and may provide either full cover or partial funding for tuition fees, and some may also include a maintenance grant. Please check individual awards for eligibility.

Current research students are not eligible to apply for our research studentships.

View our latest studentships
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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 student profiles

Browse some of the innovative research topics our students are exploring
  • Joanne Cull

    PhD Student: Joanne's research is to co-develop a trauma-informed intervention to address the question: how can maternity services empower pregnant women affected by previous trauma to access support?

  • David Macmillan

    PhD Student: David's research addresses the reduction of energy loss in tilting-pad thrust bearings by active control.

  • Jacqueline Anderson

    PhD Student: Jacqueline's project is entitled 'Dancing with Ancestors: A comparison of ancient and modern-day trance practices in psychedelic trance'

  • Jianyu Zhao

    PhD Student: Jianyu's research project: Deep Models for Objects Real-Time Characterization and Manipulation.

  • David Hall

    PhD Student: David Hall's research into a semiotic analysis of North Korean postage stamps, 1948-1980.