Types of research degree
We offer a number of different types of postgraduate research degree across a range of biological, medical and health science disciplines.
Which research degree you study will depend upon a number of things including your prior qualifications and experience, your specific area of interest, and the project you apply for:
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): A three to four year degree of supervised research which offers an original contribution to a specialist subject.
- MPhil (Master of Philosophy): A one to two year degree centred around an independent research project and which can serve as a pathway to a PhD.
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): A one year (two year part-time) degree for qualified medical professionals, which will provide an original contribution and improve understanding of medicine.
- DForenPsy (Doctor of Forensic Psychology): A three-year degree for qualified and registered forensic psychologists, which will contribute original research to the subject.
- DProf (Doctor of Professional Studies): A three-year (six-year, part-time) degree for senior healthcare professionals to both contribute original research and develop new practice-based knowledge.
- Integrated PhD: A one year Master's which leads to a three year PhD of supervised research in a related area.
- PhD with Integrated Teaching Certificate: A four year PhD degree with an integrated Postgraduate Certificate in Medical and Health Education.
When exploring PhD and MPhil postgraduate research opportunities you will typically search for a project or funded research programme rather than the degree award itself, though you will require the name of the research degree when you make your application.
Find out more about each of our research degrees: