Research degrees at Royal Holloway

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, we ranked 16th in the UK for research of a 4* standard and 18th for 3* and 4* standard. This   highlights our position as one of the UK’s leading research-intensive institutions.

We have more than 900 postgraduate students conducting specialist research leading to a University of London PhD. 

The PhD programme allows postgraduate research students to explore a specific area of their own choosing overseen by a supervisory team culminating in a large-scale thesis. 

In addition to the subject-specific training obtained within the students’ home department, we also place great emphasis on transferable skills training provided by the Generic Skills Programme. |

All prospective applicants are encouraged to investigate the research opportunities available here by looking at individual departments and research centres and groups. 

An informal enquiry can also be sent to the postgraduate administrator or director of graduate studies, in your chosen department, to see what opportunities are available and if an appropriate supervisor will be able to oversee your research.

You can find contact details for postgraduate administrators under the Postgraduate Research section of each department, while contact details for the directors of graduate studies are available in the Directors of Graduate Studies| listing.

Research degrees at Royal Holloway usually start in September or January (although start dates can be flexible). 

In common with most UK universities, students are initially registered for an MPhil degree but are expected to transfer to the PhD programme during their second year, on meeting the formal requirements for progression.

PhD degrees usually last for three years for full-time students or six years for part-time students. An additional year is available for writing-up for both full-and part-time students, if required.