One year full-time or two years part-time. Research students can register to undertake a Master’s degree by research. Your thesis must show the ability to conduct an independent study and to understand its relationship to a wider field of knowledge.

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Two years full-time or three years part-time. Your MPhil thesis must show the ability to conduct an original investigation, to test ideas, to understand the relationship of the theme to the wider field of knowledge, and to organise material appropriately.

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Three years full-time or five years part-time. A PhD thesis should cover all the requirements of an MPhil thesis, and make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding in the field you are investigating, and should be of a publishable standard.

As your PhD progresses, you will move through a series of progression points and review stages to ensure that you are engaged in a process of research that will lead to the production of a high-quality PhD and that you are on track to complete this in the time available.

Following submission of your PhD thesis, you will have a viva voce (oral) examination assessed by experts in your field.

Jointly supervised PhDs offer research students the chance to be supervised by a member of staff at the University of Kent and a member of staff at a university in another country, resulting in a dual award: a PhD from Kent and a doctorate from the partner university.

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Up to six years. This degree provides experienced practitioners with the opportunity to obtain an MD (broadly equivalent to a PhD) after a period of research. The programme usually lasts between two and five years with the research taking place alongside normal clinical employment in an appropriate medical position. Students can undertake research either at the University or in a recognised medical institution in the region.

The University of Kent is one of a consortium of around 30 universities in the UK who offer New Route PhDs. This national initiative aims to provide professional and transferable skills for PhD students.

New Route PhDs are equivalent qualifications to traditional PhDs, but integrate taught subject-specific and skills modules with the research element.

The programme takes four years full-time. The first two years consist of taught subject-specific modules, modules in research and professional skills training, and a research element. Years three and four focus on the research project and thesis.

Students are assessed annually on their progress. You must satisfactorily pass all modules in order to proceed to the next stage of the programme.

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External research degrees are a means by which students can undertake a research degree at another location or organisation while being supported by academic experts from the University. This is subject to individual circumstances and the agreement of the academic school. Through this arrangement, where it is not possible or appropriate for you to be in attendance at the University, we can provide you with supervision under the guidance of a supervisory team from the University of Kent. We will conduct an assessment to ensure you have the appropriate facilities, resources and support available prior to your registration. Enquiries about the possibility of becoming an external research degree student should be directed to the relevant academic school in the first instance.

Further information

• External research degrees (pdf)