How to apply
To apply for a research degree at UCA you will need to apply online using this link:
The deadline for applications is 30 April 2025, please see below for more details about the application and assessment timeline.
Entry requirements
To apply for a PhD at UCA, you must have a recognised Master’s degree (or equivalent) relevant to your proposed programme of study, or a first-class honours degree (or equivalent) with appropriate research or professional experience.
International candidates must have an IELTS 7.0 in English Language for a standard thesis route (or equivalent qualification).
PhD application and assessment timeline
The portal is now open for applications until 30 April 2025, and applications will be reviewed in May 2025.
Applying will activate Stage 1 of the applications process, where our research degree team will assess your potential for PhD study at UCA.
If successful, you will be invited for an interview. Interviews will take place online, and will review your research experience, qualifications, references, motivation for study and the details of your research proposal and the feasibility of your potential PhD project.
If you are selected for interview, you will be invited to attend an online interview in May/June 2025.
If you are successful, you will enrol with the UCA Doctoral College in September 2025.
All students starting in 2025/6 will be invited to induction sessions at UCA mid-late September 2025. There are six days of intensive face-to-face teaching for this programme that require mandatory attendance in Canterbury: two days in October, two days in December, and two days in February 2026.
How do I find a supervisor?
When applying you will need to identify three potential supervisors at UCA for your proposed project, and to have discussed your proposal with at least one of them.
If you are successful in gaining a place on the PhD programme, UCA will appoint a supervisory team for your project. If there is a member of staff who you would particularly like to work with you can let us know in your application. If you wish, you may also contact a potential supervisor directly for their advice about your application.
Complete your application
After logging into the application portal, please ensure you have completed the below sections before submitting or we will be unable to process your application.
- Personal and educational Information
- A research proposal of up to 2,000 words, with an optional portfolio
- A two-minute video introducing yourself and detailing your motivations for undertaking a PhD, (uploaded to your personal YouTube, set to unlisted and with a link to the video provided in the application form)
- A 3,000-word writing sample (not a proposal, but example of your academic writing ability).
Before beginning your application, be sure to review this year’s Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Studentship competition, which offers candidates fully funded PhDs in a range of different categories.