Following registration, a research student, with the support and direction of the supervisory team, will establish the detailed programme of study.

Students will register for the MPhil course, with the possibility of transferring to a PhD.

Students undertake two Progression Point assessments during their study. These are aimed to help students complete their research degrees successfully and on time. They are designed to align with the need to compile a thesis for the final examination and simulate the final examination processes. The assessments rest on the submission of substantial written documents and a short Viva Voce examination. The documents contain material that will be needed for the final thesis. Upon successful completion of the second Progression Point, the student will transfer to the PhD.

This formal scrutiny process provides quality assurance of the postgraduate research degree progression and effective formal academic feedback for the research student at critical stages during their study.

Timings for the academic progression of part-time students will be longer and will vary depending on the nature of the agreed commitment.

Part-time study

Part-time study is available on most of our research degrees if you are a UK (Home) or EU applicant.

Due to UKVI regulations, we are unable to accept students who require a Tier 4 student visa onto our part-time programmes.

Entry qualifications

Applicants for a research degree should have a good honours degree (2:1 or above) or a Master's degree or equivalent in the relevant subject area.

English Language Entry Requirement - Research Graduate School

All international/overseas research degree applicants for whom English is not their first language* must have a UKVI-recognised English language qualification (ELQ).

Please see the example of acceptable ELQs and the level required:

IELTS

• with an overall score of 6.5 or more
• The individual tests within IELTS must have a score of no less than 5.5.

For a full list of acceptable English language qualifications, please see GOV.UK Student Visa

Please note that the test must have been taken no more than two years prior to application.

Applicants who have successfully completed a degree from a UKVI-recognised English-speaking institute may use this as proof of English proficiency.

* Please note the UKVI has permitted exemptions from the requirements for sponsors to confirm English language competence for those who are nationals from a majority English-speaking country. Further information can be found at GOV.UK Student Visa - Knowledge of English

For the most current information on the fees to do a PhD for both UK and international students, please visit the Research Graduate School fees page

 Research Studentships 

Studentships are an amount of money awarded to a student to work on a research project at a university. Where Studentships are available, these are advertised on this area of the University of Bedfordshire website on jobs.ac.uk   

Postgraduate Loans 

If you are a Home or EU student, you may be eligible for a  Postgraduate Loan from the Government to help with course fees and living costs. 

Career Development Loans 

You may be able to take out a Career Development Loan (CDL) to help cover the cost of fees and living costs. 

Research Council Grants 

Research Councils UK are made up of seven awarding bodies. Between them, they offer funding in mostly all areas of postgraduate study. 

Each year they award around 6,000 studentships, so there is quite a bit of competition. 

Visit Prospects for more information and to find out what your options are. 

Support from an employer 

This could be an option for you if you are currently working and would like to progress further in the company you are already in. 

Employers may wish to sponsor your whole degree or partially fund some of it. Some companies already have sponsorship programmes in place, so it is worth doing your research. 

Employer sponsorship could also contribute to the cost of books and materials, day release to attend classes or the provision of study time.

You will be under the supervision and guidance of two or more academic members of staff. You will have a Director of Studies who will act as your main supervisor throughout your PhD. At least one of your supervisors will have experience in seeing research students through to successful completion and both will be actively engaged in an area of research relevant to the student’s field of inquiry. Your supervisory team will provide guidance in the selection of a research topic and in the conduct of the research and will support you across all milestones.

In the School of Psychology, we have an international staff body with expertise in psychological well-being and mental health, health across the life course (maternal and child health, adolescents, and end of life), cognitive neuropsychology and community and organisations. These are our current areas of research

You can see more details about our current students and what they are doing

See here for details about our academic staff and their areas of expertise