Research degrees

Study for a research degree

It's an exciting, interesting and rewarding opportunity to explore a topic in real depth.

Challenge yourself and reach the next level by thinking critically and applying yourself to solve real-world problems. Your work will further current knowledge and you will become a fully fledged expert in your field.

Our research is directed at making significant contributions to international society as a whole. It is grounded in addressing health, social, cultural and environmental concerns.

Our research expertise

Teesside's five research institutes work to consolidate and develop our areas of expertise. We benefit outside organisations by working in collaboration and applying our research knowledge. Businesses come from the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Digital Futures Institute - programming research, new technologies for user-centred systems
Health and Social Care Institute – rehabilitation, public health
Institute of Design, Culture and the Arts – history, social and cultural identities, new media,
design and creative arts
Social Futures Institute - sociology and public policy, crime and criminology, applied psychology, sport and exercise, business and management, public governance
Technology Futures Institute - advanced and functional materials, micro and nanosystems, engineering and technology management, sustainability
Research training is provided by the institutes and the Graduate Research School.

Research degrees

we offer research degrees at Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level.

you should ensure that your research proposal is aligned with the interests of a research institute member
- you will find information about these interests within the relevant research institute
we assess your research proposal when we receive your completed application form
if we believe that your proposal is viable and we have the capacity to supervise you, we will invite you to
complete an application form
you will then develop your proposal, which will incorporate a training needs analysis, working closely with your potential supervisors.

Entry requirements

Normal minimum entry requirements are a UK upper second class honours degree (2.1) or higher - or an equivalent international qualification - in a subject relevant to your research subject
If English isn't your first language, you should normally have (or expect to get) no grade lower than 6.5 in the IELTS English Language test; 232 in the computer-based TOEFL test; 575 in the paper-based TOEFL test; or 91 in the internet-based TOEFL (iBT).

Submitting an application

You can submit an application at any time of year. However, we have three enrolment periods each year for new research programmes - in early October, early January, and early May
If you are accepted for a research degree, you will be issued with an offer letter giving full details of your programme including the start date of your study
Offers of a place are made for the next available start date
Download the application form (word - 98kb). Applications will not be considered unless made using this application form. You should also download the document how to apply (pdf - 111kb) and see the other documents at the bottom of this page when making an application.
Return your completed application form to Graduate Research School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, or email it to graduateresearchschool@tees.ac.uk.

Details on our application process, fees, and information for research degree students are available in the following documents:

Important information for international (non UK/EU) applicants for research degrees (pdf - 99kb)
Postgraduate research studies – fees information (pdf - 58kb)
Research degrees offered by the University (pdf - 78kb)
Research degree student handbook and FAQs (pdf - 676kb)