Applying for a research degree

All potential PhD or MPhil students must first complete an online application form, which will include details of their proposal.

Professional doctorates

These programmes have one intake each year, in October, with a deadline of 30th August 2025.

We are currently accepting applications for October 2025:

• DMin Professional Doctorate in Ministry
• EdD Doctor of Education
• Professional Doctorate (DProf) in Strength and Conditioning.

PhDs, MPhils to PhD Pathways, and PhDs by Published Works

These programmes have two intakes each year in October and February. We are currently accepting applications for October 2025.

You will need to upload a 3,000-4,000 word research proposal along with your application. Please see our research proposal guidance (PDF). 

To begin your application please select the link with your relevant subject area and degree type from these lists.

PhDs by Published Works

• PhD Theology by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Communications and Media by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Education by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD English Language/Literature by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Health Studies by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD History by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Law by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Management/Business by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Psychology by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Sociology by Published Works (October part-time)
• PhD Sports by Published Works (October part-time)

PhDs (full-time)

• PhD Communications and Media (October full-time)
• PhD Computer Science (October full-time) 
• PhD Drama (October full-time)
• PhD Education (October full-time)
• PhD English Language/Literature (October full-time)
• PhD Film (October full-time)
• PhD Health Studies (October full-time)
• PhD History (October full-time)
• PhD Law (October full-time)
• PhD Management / Business (October full-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy (October full-time)
• PhD Psychology (October full-time)
• PhD Sociology (October full-time)
• PhD Sports (October full-time)
• PhD Theology (October full-time)

PhDs (part-time)

• PhD Communications and Media (October part-time)
• PhD Computer Science (October part-time)
• PhD Drama (October part-time)
• PhD Education (October part-time)
• PhD English Language / Literature (October part-time)
• PhD Film (October part-time)
• PhD Health Studies (October part-time)
• PhD History (October part-time)
• PhD Law (October part-time)
• PhD Management / Business (October part-time)
• PhD Politics and Social Policy (October part-time)
• PhD Psychology (October part-time)
• PhD Sociology (October part-time)
• PhD Sports (October part-time)
• PhD Theology (October part-tme)
• PhD Theology - Maryvale (October part-time)

MPHIL to PhD

Full-time

• MPHIL to PhD Communications and Media (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Education (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD English Language / Literature (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Health Studies (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD History (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Law (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Management / Business (October full-time)
• MPhil to PhD Politics & Social Policy (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Psychology (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Sociology (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD in Sport (October full-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Theology (October full-time)

MPHIL to PhD

Part-time

• MPHIL to PhD Communications and Media (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Education (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD English Language / Literature (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Health Studies (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD History (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Law (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Management / Business (October part-time)
• MPhil to PhD Politics & Social Policy (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Psychology (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Sociology (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD in Sport (October part-time)
• MPHIL to PhD Theology (October part-time)

What next?

Please note: you should expect to receive a response from Admissions within 10 working days. For general enquiries please research@stmarys.ac.uk.