Postgraduate Applications (Research)

Research degrees within our home departments:

• Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
  • Economics
  • Essex Business School
  • Sociology and Criminology
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Government
• Faculty of Science and Health
  • Life Sciences
  • Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
  • Psychology
  • Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences
  • Health and Social Care
  • Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
  • Institute of Data Analytics and Data Science
• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
  • Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Essex Law School
  • Literature, Film and Theatre Studies
  • East 15 Acting School
  • Edge Hotel School
  • Human Rights Centre

If English is not your first language, you'll need to demonstrate that you meet the University's English language proficiency requirement before you can study with us. The English language requirement for your course is listed on each of our courses’ entry requirements. Proof is not required at the point that you make an application.

We accept a wide range of evidence of English language proficiency. These include IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson and other tests. Most tests must normally be less than five years old, and in some cases we accept proof of undergraduate or postgraduate study in English. You can see more detailed information about English language requirements here.

Official transcripts that show modules and marks/grades from prior academic studies must be provided at the time you make your application. Transcripts must be in English or must be a certified English translation of your academic results to date. (Transcripts are not required from current or previous University of Essex students).

Most of our PGR courses require that you have earned a good masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject.

Also known as a resume in some countries, a CV is required for all courses. Departments are especially keen to learn about any prior professional experience which may be useful in your chosen area of research and for understanding your future career goals.

Some departments encourage applicants to submit a personal statement when applying, to explain their motivation and aptitude for study. See the information on the PGR pages of the department you will be applying to.

Your personal statement should refer specifically to your reasons for wishing to study at the University of Essex, and why you have chosen your area of study.

Most courses don’t require you to supply a reference. If we need one, we will contact you at a later stage.

Your research proposal is one of the most important parts of your application, and it's one of the main things we use to differentiate you with other applicants. During your studies you will conduct and present the results of your original investigations and research. Therefore, you need to ensure that your research topic will engage and excite you enough for three or four years. Research your topic by reading around your subject area and start to think what you might like to include in your research proposal.

You may wish to create a few drafts of your research proposal before it is ready to submit. It is important that the proposal you choose to submit is clear, concise, and well written. If you want to discuss your research proposal with a potential supervisor before making an application, you should contact them to share your idea. You should also send them an accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV), as this will help them learn more about you. They may be able to help you refine your proposal further before you submit your final application.

Guidance on writing your research proposal

Your research proposal is your chance to explain your personal and academic goals in undertaking an extended piece of research, and reflect on the contribution you will make to the development of new knowledge, ideas and solutions. You should comment on how your research interests fit with the academic focus and expertise at Essex.

Your research proposal needs to demonstrate that you have, or are able to develop, the competencies and skills needed to complete your project, within the time and resources available. The quality of your writing is important and a good research proposal may be rejected if it is poorly expressed or badly presented.

Many of our departments, schools and centres offer more detailed guidance on preparing a research proposal on their web pages. If you are applying for funding, ensure your proposal fulfils the requirements of your preferred funding body.

Your research proposal should include:

• a working title and key words
• a summary of the aims and objectives of your research
• an outline of the ways in which you will meet these aims and objectives
• an overview of the expected outcomes and the original contribution your research will make to existing bodies of knowledge
• a brief statement on how your research interests tie in with those found in the department, school or centre

Faculties

Instead of a standard research proposal, applicants for a research degree in the Faculty of Science and Health will need to complete a Pro Forma document as part of their application. You do not need to write a separate research proposal.

The Pro Forma document has been tailored to each department, recognising the unique research environment for their respective fields. The Pro Forma is designed to guide your planning around your potential research degree. It will give us more information about the area you wish to research and your academic background, which will speed up our decision making and improve your applicant experience.

Our six departments all have their own Pro Forma document. Please visit the pages below to find the document and follow the step-by-step instructions for preparing your application:

• School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
• School of Health and Social Care
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
• Department of Psychology
• School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences

Applications for April 2026 and October 2026 are open.

We recommend that you apply as soon as you are able to as courses may occasionally close early. This webpage will be updated with any changes to application deadlines. You should also take into account any deadlines for funding applications, such as scholarships.

Please be aware that not all of our postgraduate research degrees offer an April start-date. 

An application is considered complete when all required documents have been uploaded and demonstrate that the relevant requirements have been met. This includes:

• English language (essential)
• Transcripts (essential)
• Personal Statement (check above to see if required)
• CV (check above to see if required)
• References (check above to see if required)

Visit our page on student visas if you are not sure whether you need one to study in the UK.

Visit our page on student visas if you are not sure whether you need one to study in the UK.

Please read our policy and procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

Applications are considered against the same academic criteria as those from other candidates. If you are disabled, state this on your application form so that we can give early consideration to any support requirements you may have. Please contact Student Support if you would like to discuss this in more detail before you apply.

We understand that sometimes circumstances beyond your control may have impacted your studies. The Admissions Selector may take into account any extenuating circumstances which have affected an individual applicant when deciding whether an offer should be made, or if an applicant’s place may still be confirmed where degree results miss the entry requirement. 

We will automatically consider information provided within the personal statement and reference about any extenuating circumstances which may have affected your academic performance. If you wish to inform us of any extenuating circumstances not disclosed in your application, such as illness or any other serious difficulties during study, these should be emailed to pgrquery@essex.ac.uk. You should inform us of any extenuating circumstances as soon as possible. If further information or evidence is required regarding any extenuating circumstances before a decision can be made, we will contact you. Any extenuating circumstances provided should only be those not already considered by an examination board prior to your results being issued.

The GraduateAdmissions Feedback Policy (.pdf) provides information on how to request feedback if your postgraduate application is unsuccessful. Feedback is not available for all postgraduate courses, and this is explained within the policy.

There is no right of appeal against selection decisions made by the University, including decisions about readmission. Complaints will normally be considered to be valid only where there is evidence of procedural irregularity. In the event that you are dissatisfied with the University’s readmissions process, you can submit a complaint in line with the complaints policy for applicants (.pdf).