Program Overview

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Overview

A PhD is the highest academic award for which a student can be registered. This programme allows you to explore and pursue a research project built around a substantial piece of work, which has to show evidence of original contribution to knowledge.

Completing a PhD can give you a great sense of personal achievement and help you develop a high level of transferable skills which will be useful in your subsequent career, as well as contributing to the development of knowledge in your chosen field.

Our research degrees are available as full-time, part-time and some are offered distance learning.

You are expected to work to an approved programme of work including appropriate programmes of postgraduate study (which may be drawn from parts of existing postgraduate courses, final year degree programmes, conferences, seminars, masterclasses, guided reading or a combination of study methods).

This programme of research culminates in the production of a large-scale piece of written work in the form of a research thesis that should not normally exceed 80,000 words.

You will be appointed a main supervisor who will normally be part of a supervisory team, comprising of up to three members to advise and support you on your project.

Key Information

Entry requirements

The normal level of attainment required for entry is:

• a Master's degree from a UK University or equivalent, normally with a classification of merit or distinction, in a discipline appropriate to the proposed programme to be followed, or
• an upper second class honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed, or
• appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level, which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

Start dates

1 October 2025 12 January 2026 20 April 2026

Application deadlines

For September 2025

• 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
• 04 July 2025 for Home Students

For October 2025

• 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
• 04 July 2025 for Home Students

For January 2026

• 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
• 14 November 2025 for Home Students

For April 2026

• 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students
• 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

The maximum duration for a PhD is 3 years (36 months) full-time or 6 years (72 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 12 months.

Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.

If studying on a part-time basis, you must establish close links with the University and spend normally not less than an average of 10 working days per year in the university, excluding participation in activities associated with enrolment, re-registration and progression monitoring. You are also expected to dedicate 17.5 hours per week to the research.

What can I research?

There are several research topics available for this degree. Examples of research areas include:

• Electrochemical Detection of Pesticides
• Extraction, purification and characterisation of novel polysaccharides from new sustainable sources
• Fabrication of a long-term stability CO2 electrolyser
• Modelling Materials and Minerals for Environmental Remediation
• Modelling Materials for Biomedical Technologies: from Sensors to Nanozymes
• Modelling Materials for Catalytic Applications
• Modelling Materials for Energy Generation and Storage Technologies
• Modelling Nuclear Materials
• Polysaccharide-based nanomaterials for water treatment
• Preparation, characterisation, stability and applications of tripolyphosphate (TPP) - chitosan nanoparticles
• Synthesis of Biologically Active Indolizidine and Pyrrolizidine Natural Products
• Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds with Biological and Pharmaceutical Applications

Teaching and Assessment

As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students). In practice you may meet with your supervisors more frequently. This time should include at least an hour of one-to-one supervision with each student.

Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor. Self-directed study and supervision time should equate to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University.

Tuition fees - part-time

In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University.

Why choose Huddersfield?

• Our teaching staff rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications, as well as being top five for those holding doctorates.
• £36,101.44 is the average salary of our postgraduates fifteen months after graduating.
• 97% of our postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

Researcher Environment

Our postgraduate researchers contribute to our thriving research culture at Huddersfield, in return we provide an experience that enhances your potential and inspires you to think big and become a globally competitive researcher.

Join our community of like-minded people who are passionate for research and gain access to world-leading facilities, advanced research skills training, and expert careers advice.

World-leading

We are in the top 50 UK universities for research power, and nearly two thirds of our research environment is classified as world leading and internationally excellent (REF2021).

As a researcher, you’ll gain access to our bespoke training programmes which are delivered in a variety of ways to take advantage of online platforms as well as face-to-face workshops and courses. You can access a range of tailored training opportunities available at each stage of your journey, including:

• sessions on PhD thesis writing, publications and journals, post-doctoral opportunities, poster and conference presentations, networking, and international travel opportunities
• opportunity to work and study abroad via the Turing Scheme through The Graduate School
• externally accredited training programme with Advance HE (HEA) and CMI
• online research training support accessed through a dedicated researcher module in Brightspace, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment
• We also hold a series of PGR focussed events such as 3 Minute Thesis, PGR led research conference, informal events throughout the year

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.