Postgraduate Research Degrees (MPhil/PhD) – Graduate School Opportunities

General Description

Birmingham Newman University offers postgraduate research degrees including Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), delivered in partnership with Liverpool Hope University. Research students are jointly registered with both institutions and work towards a Liverpool Hope University-awarded research degree.

The Graduate School sits at the heart of the University’s research environment, supporting a vibrant community of postgraduate researchers across disciplines. It is responsible for promoting high-quality research, ensuring strong academic and pastoral support, monitoring student progress, and maintaining high completion rates. It also plays a key role in coordinating research training, seminars, workshops, and the University’s contributions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Postgraduate researchers benefit from access to a wide range of research centres and disciplinary areas, including Education, English, History, Psychology, Sport and Health, Theology, and Social Sciences. The University also maintains strong links with external networks and organisations such as GuildHE, CREST, and MURG, supporting broader academic engagement and collaboration.

The research culture is further enhanced through membership of Vitae, providing structured researcher development resources, career planning tools, and training frameworks designed to support academic and non‑academic career pathways.

MPhil and PhD research is undertaken across a broad spectrum of disciplines, with supervision aligned to institutional research strengths and expertise. Candidates are expected to contribute original research that advances knowledge within their field and demonstrates methodological and theoretical rigour.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should normally hold a First Class or Upper Second Class (2:1) Honours degree in a relevant subject
• For PhD entry, a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is typically required, although applicants with a strong academic record and relevant research experience may also be considered
• Applicants must demonstrate alignment between their research proposal and the University’s supervisory expertise and research strengths
• Evidence of readiness for independent research at doctoral level is required

Required Expertise/Skills

• Ability to design and develop an original research proposal of approximately 3,000 words
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills
• Understanding of relevant literature and research methodologies in the chosen field
• Ability to work independently and manage a long‑term research project
• Strong written communication skills suitable for academic publishing
• Commitment to contributing to a research‑active academic environment
• Familiarity with ethical research practice and academic standards

Salary Details

Not applicable (Postgraduate research degrees; funding and scholarships may vary by project and availability)

Application Deadline

Varies depending on programme, supervisory availability, and intake period (no single fixed deadline specified)

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