Choosing the right research degree

What type of postgraduate research degrees are available?

The University of Bath offers PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees across all academic faculties, as well as a small number of professional doctorates.

PhDs can be:

student-led PhDs, where you develop your own research proposal
academic-led PhDs, where you apply for a defined, advertised research project
integrated PhDs, where you study taught units as well as conducting your own research

A Professional Doctorate is equivalent to a PhD but is designed to be carried out in a professional context.

Explore PhD and doctoral research options.
Search for current PhD programmes.

What subjects can I study at PhD level?

You can study for a PhD in science, engineering, humanities, social sciences and management. Each faculty or school lists its research areas on our website.

What is the difference between a PhD and a Professional Doctorate?

A standard PhD is a research-only degree overseen by a supervisory team. Professional doctorates are equivalent in academic level but include taught elements alongside independent research. They are designed for working professionals, are usually part time, and do not normally require a research proposal at application stage. These are typically self-funded or funded by an employer.

The University of Bath offers five professional doctorates and two Doctor of Medicine degrees which you can find via Course Search.

What is an integrated PhD?

An integrated PhD may be an alternative to a standard PhD in certain subject areas at the University of Bath. It combines doctoral research with an initial programme of taught modules. These modules develop research and professional skills alongside subject-specific knowledge.

After successfully completing the taught element, you will progress to original doctoral research and produce a thesis in the same way as a traditional PhD. Most students studying full time complete the programme within four to five years.

The University of Bath offers integrated PhDs in subjects including Management, Molecular Biosciences, Biotechnology, Sustainable Chemical Technologies, and Statistical Applied Mathematics.

Find an integrated PhD course.

Can I study for a PhD part time?

Yes. Some PhD programmes are available part time for Home (UK) students. If you plan to study part time, you should use the programme’s part-time application form. International students normally study full time because of visa restrictions.

Do you offer distance-learning PhDs?

No. The University of Bath does not offer PhDs by distance learning.

Can I come to University of Bath for a short period of study?

Yes. The University of Bath offers a Visiting Postgraduate Scholars scheme. This scheme is only open to students who are currently studying for a doctoral degree at another university. We cannot accept applications from students who are studying at undergraduate or master’s level. To apply, you must have the support of a University of Bath academic.

You can use our Research Portal to identify and contact an academic whose research aligns with your interests.

How can I talk to someone about doctoral research?

You can contact a prospective supervisor directly to discuss your research ideas and confirm suitability for PhD study.

You can also attend a University of Bath postgraduate virtual open day.

Funding doctoral studies

What funding options are available?

Funding options depend on the type of PhD, your fee status (Home or Overseas), your nationality and the source of funding. Many funded PhD projects are advertised on findaphd.com and have fixed eligibility criteria that cannot be changed. Always check eligibility requirements before applying.

Find more information about doctoral funding.

When should I apply for funding?

Major PhD funding competitions usually run from September to March, and deadlines vary by competition. You should begin preparing early and contact potential supervisors several weeks before funding deadlines. Applications received after the deadline cannot be considered.

Can international students apply for Home-only funding?

International applicants are not usually eligible for funding that is restricted to Home students. Always check the funding advertisement carefully. If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact the intended project supervisor before applying.

Do I need to pay tuition fees?

Tuition fees cover the cost of academic supervision and access to research facilities. If you receive a funded studentship or scholarship, tuition fees are usually paid on your behalf. Self-funded students are responsible for paying their own fees.

Postgraduate research tuition fees for 2026 to 2027 vary by programme and whether you are classified as a Home or Overseas student.

What is the current stipend rate?

A standard University of Bath studentship offers the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend rate of £21,805 for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, starting on 1 October 2026.

How much does a self-funded PhD cost?

If you plan to cover your own costs, you will need to pay annual tuition fees. You should also budget for living costs and research-related expenses. International students will need to factor in visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge, if applicable.

Is financial support available for international PhD students?

Many studentships are open to international applicants, and details of different types of funding can be found on our website.

Some international PhD applicants may be eligible for a Vice-Chancellor’s International (VCI) Scholarship. This provides a fee reduction for self-funded students, but you must still cover remaining fees and living costs.

How do I check my tuition fee status?

Information on how your fee status is assessed is available in our guide Understanding Your Tuition Fee Status. You can also consult the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). If you are unsure about your status, we can advise once you have applied.

Applying for a PhD

Who can apply for a PhD at the University of Bath?

We welcome applications from Home (UK) and international students who meet academic entry requirements and, where applicable, English language requirements. International students can apply for full-time PhD study, but part-time study is normally restricted due to visa regulations.

How do I apply?

All applications must be submitted online through the University of Bath application system using the relevant programme application form. We cannot accept applications by email.

Find out more about how to apply for doctoral study.

Do I need to find a supervisor before I apply?

If you are applying for an advertised PhD project, the lead supervisor is already confirmed. You should include the supervisor's name in your application.

If you are applying with your own research proposal, your application must name at least one proposed supervisor who is working in a relevant research area. This is important as that supervisor will review your application. We strongly recommend contacting potential supervisors before you apply to discuss your research ideas and confirm that they are available to supervise you.

The Doctoral College cannot help you find a supervisor, but you can use our Research Portal to identify academics working in your area of interest.

What are the academic entry requirements for a PhD?

Most PhD programmes are open to applicants with a first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree or a master’s degree with Merit (or their international equivalents). You can find more information on the relevant PhD programme pages.

What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language, you must meet our English language requirements. You may be exempt depending on nationality or previous study. We can advise on your eligibility after you apply.

Do I need all my documents when I apply?

To maximise your chances of success, we strongly recommend that you gather all required documents in advance and upload them as part of your initial application.

If we request more documents after you apply, you can upload them using your Application Tracker. You will be given access to that once you've applied.

How do I write a research proposal?

Find advice on our How to apply for doctoral study webpage.

How do I write a personal statement?

Your personal statement should be approximately one page in length. It should explain why you are applying to the specific research project and demonstrate your suitability for doctoral study.

If you are applying for funding, your personal statement should explain why you are a strong candidate for funding and what distinguishes you from other applicants.
If you are an international applicant, you must explain why you wish to study in the UK and why you have chosen the University of Bath.
If you are applying for more than one advertised research project, you should submit a separate personal statement for each project, tailored accordingly.

Will I need references?

Yes. You will need to provide email contact details for two referees when you apply. We will contact your referees directly. You may also upload copies of any references you already have.

Can I apply before completing my degree?

Yes. You may apply while completing your current degree, provided you graduate before enrolment.

If you are studying for a UK master’s degree and wish to start your doctoral programme in September, you might not graduate before enrolment. This does not prevent you from applying, so long as you will have completed your course before your doctoral studies begin.

How do I find the right application form for my course?

A full list of application forms is available on our Submit your application for a postgraduate course webpage.

Can I apply for more than one project?

Yes. You can only submit one programme application per year, but you may apply for up to two projects within that programme. For example, if you are applying to the PhD programme in Chemistry for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, you can list up to two projects on the same application form.

If you have already applied and would like to be considered for a different project, contact the Doctoral Admissions team at doctoraladmissions@bath.ac.uk.

If you are applying for more than one programme (for example, Health and Chemistry), you must submit a separate application for each.

Can I apply after the application deadline?

No. We are unable to accept applications submitted after the deadline.

After applying

What happens after I apply?

Once we receive your application, it is sent to your nominated supervisor for review. If they wish to progress your application, they will contact you directly to arrange an interview.

How do I manage my application?

After submitting your application, you will receive login details for the Application Tracker. You can use this to upload documents and monitor your application’s progress.

You may not be able to change some parts of your application after you have submitted it. If you need to request a change, such as updating a nominated referee, contact the Doctoral Admissions team at doctoraladmissions@bath.ac.uk

Why can’t I access the Application Tracker?

You should receive your Application Tracker login details by email shortly after you submit your application. Please check your junk or spam folder before contacting the University.

If you cannot find the email or experience any other issues accessing the Application Tracker, contact the University IT Service Desk at it-servicedesk@bath.ac.uk

Please note that your access to the Application Tracker will end 30 days after your intended course start date.

When will I receive a decision?

You can track your application in the Application Tracker. Decisions are normally communicated within six weeks of applying, or within six weeks of the project or funding competition closing date.

Can I receive feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

The Doctoral College cannot provide individual feedback. In some cases, you may contact the proposed supervisor for further information.

After receiving an offer

What should I do after I receive an offer?

You should respond to your offer as soon as possible using the Application Tracker. If your offer is conditional, your offer letter will explain how to meet the conditions. International students must have an unconditional offer before applying for a visa.

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

Most international students need a UK Student visa. The University’s Student Immigration Service will support you with this after you accept your offer.

Visa guidance is also available on our website and from the UK government.

What are UK visa costs?

Use this UK government tool to work out your visa costs.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory payment that allows international students to access NHS healthcare during their studies. It must be paid in full before arriving in the UK.

Find current rates on the UK government website.

What is ATAS?

Some international students require Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance to study certain subjects in the UK. Your offer letter will confirm whether this applies to you.

Further guidance is available on our website or from the UK government.

Can I apply for university accommodation?

PhD students are not guaranteed university accommodation, which is subject to availability once your course offer is unconditional. Information about postgraduate accommodation is available on our website.

The ResLife team can also support you in finding privately rented accommodation in Bath. Contact them after receiving a firm unconditional offer at reslife@bath.ac.uk