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 relevant to the study of Vision Sciences and/or Optometry, or
• an upper second class honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university in a discipline relevant to the study of Vision Sciences and/or Optometry, 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 of IELTS 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. See below examples of research areas including an outline of the topics, the supervisor, funding information and eligibility criteria:

Exploring the factors limiting holistic healthcare in the recently resettled refugee and asylum seeker community in the UK

• Outline: Many of us are facing increasing challenges in accessing the healthcare needs that we require, with people living in ill health for longer. For refugees and asylum seekers (ASRs), these barriers are even more so, with care often being disjointed and difficult to access. Issues seemingly trivial as a toothache can quickly become debilitating and have a profound impact on overall physical and mental health. Whilst it is known that ASR’s do face additional challenges when accessing healthcare services (e.g. lack of awareness, communication barriers, access to paperwork etc), little is known about which allied healthcare services ASR’s seek most, and the barriers associated with accessing each – an aim of the current study. The successful candidate will continue building external networks with community leaders and support workers in voluntary organisations to build a participant pool. A survey will be developed to investigate the top allied health services sought by ASR’s, whilst the challenges associated with accessing each sector will be explored through semi-structured interviews with ASR’s, ASR support workers and allied healthcare professionals. The findings of this study may help to better coordinate healthcare needs of ASR’s in the UK.
• Funding: Self-funding applicants are welcome. Applicants to cover any costs for conferences and travel, no bench fees
• Deadline: Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more
• Supervisors:
  • Dr Romana Mughal
  • Dr Lauren Coetzee

Physical activity, cardiovascular health and short-sightedness

• Outline: Short-sightedness has been increasing rapidly in children and adolescents across the globe. The axial elongation of the eye does not only require vision correction but can have long-term health consequences predisposing the myopic individual to a wide range of ocular pathologies such as retinal detachments and degenerative processes which can all lead to sight loss. A vast amount of research has been carried out to identify and modify the risk factors driving the progressive eye growth. And while there are multiple interventions trialled to slow myopia progression there is no silver bullet to halt is altogether. Time spent outdoors and physical activity have all been suggested as interventions to slow the eye growth. The effect of these interventions has been attributed in part to the increased light levels and reducing the amount of time spent on near work. Physical activity on the other hand has also been shown to improve the microcirculation of the eye and reduce pro-inflammatory markers (and inflammatory markers) thereby reducing cardiovascular risk. The ocular tissues are very susceptible to damage in cases of a compromised circulation and differences in ocular blood flow and structural circulatory parameters such as choroidal thickness have previously been identified in patients with myopia compared to emmetropic individuals. As part of this project you will examine cardiovascular and ocular structural, functional and vascular parameters in otherwise healthy emmetropic and myopic individuals and how they alter in response to changes in physical activity levels.
• Funding: Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of £6000 per annum are required for this project.
• Deadline: Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more
• Supervisors:
  • Dr Rebekka Heitmar
  • Dr Matthew Haines

Structural and functional ocular parameters in patients with glaucoma and those at risk of developing glaucoma

• Outline: Age is a major risk factor for developing glaucoma. However, family history and myopia also play a role. Those with high myopia have an increased risk of developing glaucoma later in life compared to those with low levels or no myopia. With life expectancy steadily increasing and the prevalence of myopia increasing at an even faster pace it is important to identify the mechanisms underlying glaucoma development in order to develop new treatment modalities and preventative strategies. Treatment to slow down myopia progression in children has advanced fast in the past decade but preventative measures for adults are somewhat absent. Identifying any shared pathophysiological processes and structural/functional predisposition is important for better risk stratification and to identify new treatment/ preventative strategies. As part of tis project you will examine ocular functional and structural parameters/ tissue from individuals with and without glaucoma/ myopia.
• Funding: Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of between £3-£15,000 per annum are required depending on the nature of the project.
• Deadline: Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more
• Supervisors:
  • Dr Rebekka Heitmar

Wellbeing in optometry students and practitioners

• Outline: It is notable since COVID-19 that mental health has been a global topic of concern. This has been highlighted in within the health care industry in terms of practitioner burnout and the impact on patient outcomes, as well as significant lost hours in the workforce. There have been studies in previous years that have investigated the experiences of medical students, and other health professions such as nursing. There is as yet a dearth of knowledge on the wellbeing and experiences of undergraduate optometry students and scarce findings on working optometrists. This study aims to investigate: anxiety, depression, resilience, wellbeing and grit in undergraduate, pre-registration and working optometrists with a view to recommendations for supporting these practitioners.
• Funding: Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of £5000 per annum are required depending on the nature of the project.
• Deadline: Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more
• Supervisors:
  • Dr Lauren Coetzee
  • Dr Romana Mughal

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).

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.

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.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

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.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Whilst the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure your supervisory team remains the same, sometimes it may be necessary to make changes to your team for reasons outside the University’s control, for example if your supervisor leaves the University, or suffers from long term illness. Where this is the case, we will discuss these difficulties with you and seek to either put in place a new supervisory team, or help you to transfer to another research facility, in accordance with our Student Protection Plan.

Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government. Where this is the case, we will discuss these issues with you and agree any necessary changes.

Your research project is likely to evolve as you work on it and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of your study. However, we may need to make more significant changes to your topic of research during the course of your studies, either because your area of interest has changed, or because we can no longer support your research for reasons outside the University’s control. If this is the case, we will discuss any changes in topic with you and agree these in writing. If you are an international student, changing topics may affect your visa or ATAS clearance and if this is the case we will discuss this with you before any changes are made.