Research degrees

To decide your research topic, explore our research pages and academic staff’s research interests.

Your research topic should be related to your previous studies or career experience, as you will need to have some background knowledge for your research.

It is important to be aware of the full costs that a research degree can incur, so please review the standard tuition fees.

Describe how the research topic/interests align with your background, experience, education, skills and motivation in relation to the school research using our Research Proposal Proforma.

Please complete all sections of the Research Proposal Proforma and include this in your application. A research proposal is not required.

Your completed Research Proposal Proforma (.docx) should be uploaded together with any other documents (e.g. CV) onto the postgraduate application portal. If you have everything ready to go, then the process should take around 20 minutes.

When applying you will need to specify the research degree you are study (i.e. PhD Mathematics) and the month/term you wish to join us in (October for Autumn Term, January for Spring Term, or April for Summer Term).

If you are an international student who requires a visa then please ensure you get your PGR application submitted as soon as possible, as the visa process can take several weeks to complete.

We aim to review applications as quickly as possible and will get in contact by email if we have any queries. You may also be contacted by email for an online interview as part of the application process.

If you are having any problems with the application portal, please email the Admissions Team (pgresearchquery@essex.ac.uk).

A Master of Science by dissertation (MSD) is a one year postgraduate research degree. An MSD is ideal for a candidate who wishes to improve their research skills, without undertaking the 3 or 4 year commitment of a PhD.

An MSD does not exclude you from doing a PhD in the future. Rather it can help you make a decision about your future plans for a research career.

During your MSD you will meet regularly with your supervisor. If your research is progressing well then you can apply for your MSD to be "upgraded" to a PhD.

A PhD is typically a three or four year postgraduate research degree. During your first and second years you will develop your research skills, and write up your results in your final year. You are expected to meet regularly with your supervisor to discuss your work.

During your PhD you will have opportunities to attend conferences and publish papers in relevant journals, with support from your supervisor.

When you start at Essex you will be enrolled on an MPhil pathway, which will be changed to a PhD in your second year if your progress has been satisfactory.

There are three different routes that you may select during your PhD studies:

• A standard PhD which includes only research and is completed within a period of 3 to 4 years.
• An integrated PhD which includes a taught first year, akin to a master, on the subject of the PhD and is completed within a period of 4 to 5 years.
• An integrated PhD (with research and communication skills) which includes a taught first year on research and communication skills and is completed within a period of 4 to 5 years.

Many of our research degrees can be undertaken on a part-time basis.

A part-time research degree can be a good option if you have other life commitments, such as family or caring responsibilities, or need to continue employment while undertaking your research.