The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UWS London enables students to undertake advanced independent research within a chosen field, developing specialist expertise and contributing original knowledge to their academic or professional discipline.
PhD
3 years
Full-time
February and October
- Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Business and Creative Industries
- Education and Social Sciences
UWS ranked in top 300 in the world for sustainable development - UWS is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, UWS has been ranked in the world’s top 300 universities for sustainable development.
Our inspiring team and esteemed guest lecturers bring a wealth of knowledge and global experience garnered from their extensive careers in both UK-based enterprises and across international markets.
Live and study in London; one of the leading cultural, financial and cosmopolitan capitals of the world.
London is a global economic hub, which means there are abundant opportunities for professionals with various skill sets and backgrounds. UWS London's Careers department will help you to navigate the graduate job market during your studies and for up to 5 years after you graduate.
UWS ranked in top 300 in the world for sustainable development - UWS is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, UWS has been ranked in the world’s top 300 universities for sustainable development.
Our inspiring team and esteemed guest lecturers bring a wealth of knowledge and global experience garnered from their extensive careers in both UK-based enterprises and across international markets.
Live and study in London; one of the leading cultural, financial and cosmopolitan capitals of the world.
London is a global economic hub, which means there are abundant opportunities for professionals with various skill sets and backgrounds. UWS London's Careers department will help you to navigate the graduate job market during your studies and for up to 5 years after you graduate.
We have a proud record in developing effective partnerships with business, industry, public and voluntary sectors across Scotland, and in many countries around the world. With our cutting-edge facilities, practical knowledge, and proven expertise, we aim to help our industry partners get ahead. We focus on what we do well and what we can achieve, identifying opportunities we can exploit and problems we can solve. The result is that our research work has a tangible, early and positive effect on society. Right here, right now, we are making the world a better place.
Every year our expert academics work with around 600 students, including more than 250 international students from 25 countries, to support them through high-quality, highly-regarded research degrees at MRes, MPhil and PhD level.
With high tech facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading, internationally excellent expertise, UWS aims to develop research outputs that have a tangible impact on society across the globe.
The School of Business & Creative Industries at UWS offers professionally focused business and creative courses designed to equip you for career success and prepare you to make an immediate impact on your sector of choice.
1. Corporate Finance and Behavioural Finance
This interdisciplinary research area has a specific focus on Board Governance and particular interest in the way in which board composition, diversity, and decision-making processes influence corporate financial outcomes and firm performance. Topics include behavioural aspects of board members and their impact on strategic financial decisions, risk management, and corporate sustainability initiatives. Research approach combines quantitative methods with behavioural insights to understand the complex dynamics of corporate boards and their role in modern corporate governance structures. Doctoral research students may investigate the impact of board diversity on financial decision-making and firm value; and behavioural biases in board-level strategic financial decisions (CEO Overconfidence).
2. Sustainable Development
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, economic growth, and climate change. We invite PhD applicants to explore research on SDGs 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13, focusing on poverty alleviation, food security, clean energy, sustainable consumption, and economic resilience.
3. Finance and Investment
Finance plays a vital role in shaping economic development, supporting business growth, and addressing global challenges. We welcome applications for PhD research in broad areas of finance, including corporate finance, climate finance, financial decision-making, sustainability in finance, financial markets, and the evolving role of finance in society.
PhD candidates are encouraged to apply if they have a keen interest in exploring marketing and digital marketing research. This invitation extends over a wide range of areas, including traditional marketing practices, contemporary strategies, and interdisciplinary approaches. Proposals are welcome across contemporary topics, including but not limited to:
1. Digital marketing and branding:
This covers interests in leveraging AI and machine learning for marketing optimisation, exploring sustainable branding and marketing strategies, and decoding the impact of digital ecosystems. Possible research topics include content marketing and storytelling in digital spaces, E-commerce and online consumer behaviour, mobile marketing and geo-targeting, pricing strategies and optimisation, data-driven marketing and marketing analytics, social media marketing and influencer strategy, digital advertising and personalisation.
2. Consumer behaviour and customer research:
This involves understanding how individuals and groups select, purchase, use, and dispose of goods, services, or experiences, and how perceptions and associations influence choice through the lens of consumer psychology. Possible research topics are: Ethical consumerism and green marketing, pro-social marketing, service marketing, inclusive marketing and representation, marketing for non-profit and public sector organisations, mundane consumer choice and rituals, neuromarketing, experiential marketing and consumption, cross-cultural marketing and globalisation, consumer vulnerability, consumer culture, behavioural change, and behavioural economics.
3. Integrated marketing communications:
Integrated marketing communications incorporates the various methods and channels used to convey a brand’s message to its target audience. Possible research topics are crafting compelling narratives, utilising integrated marketing strategies, leveraging digital platforms to enhance brand visibility and engagement, the effectiveness of multi-channel marketing campaigns, the role of social media in shaping brand identity, and the impact of personalised communication on consumer behaviour, relationship marketing and consumer engagement.
4. Marketing strategy and performance:
This encompasses elements that drive organisational goals. Possible topics involve cultivating customer relationships and impactful engagement techniques, strategic communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and their effect on stakeholders, application of marketing principles to develop positive behavioural change and pro-social outcomes.
5. Marketing and entrepreneurship:
This area involves the dynamic process of creating, communicating, and delivering value, particularly within new ventures and small businesses. Possible topics could involve analysing the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on brand building in startups, entrepreneurship in developing and developed countries, and exploring innovative marketing strategies for resource-constrained entrepreneurs.
6. Sustainable luxury branding and marketing:
This involves creating and maintaining the prestigious image that is associated with exclusivity, high quality, and exceptional craftsmanship. The area focuses on building a brand that appeals to affluent consumers by leveraging unique value propositions, sustainable consumption, storytelling, and emotional connections in the era of sustainability and UNSDGs. Possible research topics include the role of heritage and tradition in sustainable luxury branding, marketing strategies for maintaining brand exclusivity, and the impact of digital transformation on sustainable luxury brand perception.
We engage with a vibrant academic community, and PhD students can benefit from close mentorship by internationally recognised faculty. Our program ensures a culture of intellectual curiosity and innovation, encouraging PhD students to explore bold, original ideas and tackle real-world challenges through scholarly inquiry. With extensive research interests spanning behavioural, managerial, technological, and societal dimensions of marketing, a PhD at UWS London provides an intellectually rich environment with support and resources to pursue cutting-edge research in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. The program emphasises publication in top-tier journals, academic collaboration, and practical impact, equipping graduates for successful careers in academia, research institutions, or industry.
1. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
UWS London Campus is excited to welcome PhD students in the field of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. UWS London is committed to providing an excellent research experience for postgraduate research students. We are keen to supervise projects that are focused on addressing ongoing and pressing issues in their field. This may include but is not limited to the research interests aligned to sustainable supply chain management, digital transformation, and logistics innovation. We encourage proposals that intersect sustainability, circular economy practices, and the integration of emerging digital technologies within supply chain operations. We welcome proposals that explore how digital tools such as blockchain, AI, IoT, big data analytics, digital twin and cloud-based platforms can enable more resilient, transparent, and sustainable supply chains across industries. We also welcome projects focused on supply chain risk management.
2. Critical issues in strategic management: Sustainability, Business Strategy, Systems Thinking and Strategic Change Management
This research area has a focus on the critical intersections between Organisational and Employee Behaviour, Equality and Diversity, Management and Technology, Human Resource Management and Leadership. We welcome PhD applicants with particular interests in investigating the evolving nature of organisational and employee behaviour, with a central focus on the role of leadership in shaping adaptive, inclusive, and high-performing work environments. In light of ongoing technological developments and changing workforce dynamics, we are interested in generating actionable insights into how leadership styles and organisational practices can effectively respond to and influence employee behaviour and explore evidence-based approaches that promote diversity, equity, and wellbeing while enhancing organisational performance. Candidates with an interest in understanding how organisations adapt to technological change, manage diverse talent, and foster positive behavioural outcomes are especially encouraged. We are committed to supervising and mentoring students in producing impactful, theoretically grounded, and practically relevant research that contributes to both academic and real-world conversations.
Our School is committed to issues around social justice. We strive to ensure that your studies with us are transformative of both your own journey and the communities in which you live and work.
1. Educational Leadership and Policy
This research area explores how leadership and policy shape educational systems, equity, and institutional change. It includes strategic and ethical leadership, policy enactment, ecological and environmental approaches to educational leadership, and organisational development across schools, universities, and communities. Emphasis is placed on inclusive, culturally responsive, and distributed leadership approaches that foster collaboration and challenge traditional hierarchies. Doctoral candidates may examine how policies are developed, interpreted, and implemented, and how they influence professional practice, equity agendas, and systemic transformation.
2. Inclusion, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education
Focusing on the role of education in addressing systemic inequalities, this area includes anti-oppressive pedagogy, inclusive education, decolonising curricula, and intersectional approaches. Research spans early childhood to higher education and considers race, class, disability, gender, language, and religion. Topics include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, inclusive policy frameworks, and the lived experiences of both students and educators. A key strand within this area explores teacher wellbeing, identity, and professional sustainability, examining how systems of inclusion—and exclusion—affect those who teach as well as those who learn. Doctoral research often engages with community-based inquiry and critical theory to reimagine education for equity and justice.
1. Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
This area addresses pedagogical practice and learner evaluation through the lenses of inclusion, responsiveness, and innovation. Key work in this area addresses how philosophy of education can inform and fuel innovation and development. Topics include culturally responsive pedagogy, intercultural competence, curriculum design, and multilingual education. Assessment literacy is a central focus, including formative and summative approaches, feedback practices, and the role of digital tools in evaluating learning. Research here investigates how teaching and assessment intersect with learner diversity, educator development, and systemic accountability.
2. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation in Education
This research area explores the transformative role of AI and digital technologies in educational settings. Topics include adaptive learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems, automated assessment, and learning analytics. Doctoral students examine the pedagogical, ethical, philosophical and equity-related implications of digital innovation, including its impact on professional identities, inclusion, and institutional change. Global perspectives are encouraged, with research critically assessing how digital tools are adopted, resisted, or reimagined across cultural and policy contexts.
3. Sustainability and Environmental Education
This area examines how education can address pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. Research includes sustainability-focused curricula, pedagogies for climate justice, philosophies of ecology, place-based and experiential learning, and the role of education in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research in this area offers critical perspectives on sustainability, and the role that anthropocentrism has in education.  Doctoral candidates investigate how learners engage with sustainability discourses and develop the skills, dispositions, and critical consciousness needed for environmental stewardship and transformative action.
4. Higher Education Internationalisation and Global Engagement
This research area investigates the dynamics of internationalisation in higher education, including cross-border mobility, global policy influence, and intercultural learning. It explores how institutions respond to globalisation, migration, and socio-political change while navigating equity, inclusion, environmental concerns and quality assurance. Topics include transnational partnerships, international student experience, global citizenship education, and comparative studies of policy and practice. Doctoral students may examine how internationalisation reshapes institutional priorities, governance structures, and pedagogical strategies in an interconnected world
The UWS London Campus is thrilled to welcome PhD students, offering an exceptional opportunity to develop as world-class researchers and be at the forefront of the cutting-edge technology. Committed to fostering an environment that supports excellence, the university provides top-tier resources to help you thrive in pioneering research areas. These include emerging technologies in transformative fields such as:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning are transformative technologies that simulate human intelligence to solve complex problems. AI encompasses a broad range of techniques, including machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics, while Deep Learning, a subset of AI, focuses on neural networks that mimic the human brain to process and analyze vast amounts of data. These technologies power innovations like self-driving cars, smart grid data analytics, personalized recommendations, advanced medical diagnostics, and intelligent virtual assistants. As industries adopt AI and Deep Learning, their potential to revolutionize how we work, live, and interact with the world continues to expand, shaping a future driven by intelligent systems.
Data Science is the art and science of extracting meaningful insights from data. Combining techniques from statistics, machine learning, and computer science, it empowers organizations to make data-driven decisions. Data Science involves collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data to uncover patterns, predict trends, and solve complex problems across diverse fields such as smart grid, healthcare, finance, marketing, and environmental science. In an era where data is abundant, Data Science plays a pivotal role in shaping strategies, optimizing processes, and driving innovation, making it a cornerstone of the modern digital world.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolutionary network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data seamlessly. By integrating sensors, software, and connectivity, IoT enables everyday objects—from household appliances to industrial machinery—to collect, exchange, and act on data. This technology drives smart homes, enhances healthcare, optimizes supply chains, powers smart grids and smart cities, making environments more efficient, convenient, and responsive. With its transformative potential, IoT bridges the physical and digital worlds, creating a connected ecosystem that reshapes how we live, work, and interact with technology.
Big Data Analytics is the process of examining vast and complex datasets to uncover hidden patterns, correlations, and insights that drive informed decision-making. Utilizing advanced tools, algorithms, and technologies. It transforms raw data into actionable knowledge across industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and beyond. Big Data Analytics enables organizations to predict trends, optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. In a world fuelled by data, it empowers businesses and researchers to harness the power of information, solving complex problems and shaping the future of innovation.
Cloud Computing is a transformative technology that delivers computing services including storage, processing power, networking, and software over the internet, enabling on-demand access to resources. It eliminates the need for physical infrastructure, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency to individuals and organizations. From powering everyday applications to hosting complex enterprise systems, Cloud Computing supports innovation, collaboration, and global connectivity. Its ability to provide secure, remote access to data and applications makes it a cornerstone of modern business, education, and technology, shaping a future where possibilities are limitless.
Cyber Security and Cryptography are vital disciplines that safeguard digital assets and protect information in the interconnected world. Cyber Security focuses on defending systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and breaches, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Cryptography underpins this protection by employing mathematical techniques to encrypt and secure sensitive data, enabling secure communication and authentication. Together, they form the backbone of trust in digital ecosystems, combating cyber threats and fostering a secure environment for individuals, businesses, and governments in the era of digital transformation.
All transformative technologies in computing start with a strong theoretical foundation. Logic and Universal Algebra provide strong and unambiguous formal systems for reasoning. Automata, computability, and complexity theory form a vital understanding of what models of computations exist, whether problems are computable, and provide time and space bounds for these computations. Formal verification is used to mathematically prove the correctness of computer programs. Without active research in these fields today, the computing of tomorrow is not possible.
Wireless and Network Communications form the backbone of modern connectivity, enabling seamless exchange of information across the globe. This field encompasses technologies like Wi-Fi, 5G, Bluetooth, and satellite communication, ensuring fast, reliable, and secure data transmission. From powering smart devices to supporting global business operations, wireless and network communications facilitate everything from internet browsing to critical infrastructure management. As innovation drives advancements in speed, range, and efficiency, these technologies continue to shape the way we connect, communicate, and collaborate in an increasingly digital world.
Our PhD in Project Management is an interdisciplinary programme designed for professionals from diverse fields who aspire to conduct cutting-edge research, advancing knowledge and best practices in project management tailored to their expertise. Whether your focus is construction, software development, healthcare, business, or finance, this programme supports the creation of innovative solutions that drive the successful and sustainable achievement of objectives in industry-specific projects. Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of experts, you will contribute to knowledge development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These topics include:
Modelling Sustainability for Project Management Using System Dynamics Approach: This research focuses on using system dynamics principles to create a model for achieving project management goals while integrating sustainability criteria. System dynamics modelling in sustainability is a cross-disciplinary approach that seeks to understand and reproduce the relationship between the environment and human systems, ultimately promoting sustainability and project management success. Sustainability challenges frequently encompass intricate dynamics that evolve gradually. System Dynamics models have the capability to reproduce these dynamics, illustrating how current decisions could impact the future condition of the system.
The outcomes will demonstrate the influence of sustainability requirements on project management achievements and present a framework that enhances the understanding of tackling these crucial elements of implementing suitable strategies and equipping managers with leadership abilities that align with the local culture and norms. Regarding external capability, project management teams are anticipated to actively perceive novel sustainability information and innovation strategies, and enhance their capacity accordingly.
This research proposes a Project Management Sustainability (PMS) model, using the system dynamics approach to measure the impact of sustainability consideration on project management success.
The research questions driving this study aim to understand:
The expected research outcomes will act as a guiding model for measuring the impact of decisions regarding sustainability requirements on the project’s management success.
Risk Management in Projects via AI Enhanced Digital Twinning:Â This project aims to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhanced Digital Twinning in developing large-scale projects and programmes risk management models. The work will explore the development of digital twins to simulate various risk scenarios and use AI to enhance risk detection and prediction.
These digital twins would enhance both the safety of large complex projects/programmes and cut down the cost of risk management.
The work will build on transferring and reengineering the existing experience and knowledge of the supervisory team in developing large scale simulation models and their knowledge in project risk management.
The transient nature of projects meant that it was not cost effective to effectively create digital twins, however, the cost of developing large scale models, is becoming far more affordable. Coupled with the availability of commercial AI systems, it will soon become far more cost effective to rapidly develop these for the modelling of risk on projects. These can give rise to safer and more cost-effective projects and enhance project success. The risk of unstainable projects can also be modelled, there by aligning to UN sustainable development goals.
Offers a platform to explore innovative approaches to the planning, execution, and management of renewable energy projects. As the world transitions towards greener energy systems, efficient project management becomes critical to overcoming barriers such as cost overruns, regulatory challenges, stakeholder alignment, and technology integration.
This interdisciplinary program combines expertise in project management, sustainability, and energy systems, providing you with the tools to tackle pressing issues such as:
Working closely with leading academics and industry partners, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant research network.
This PhD is ideal for motivated individuals with a background in project management, engineering, or sustainability who aspire to make a meaningful impact.
The research idea is on managing change and project leadership, exploring the people-side issues/ and challenges in any project, and how important it is to address them to ensure the project deliverables are achieved and delivered successfully.
The research problem/issue will be explored and addressed around project leadership and its influence on project progress and teamwork, managing conflict and its relationship with stakeholder management, and the role of the project manager as a leader in project performance and success/failure.
It is significant to research the people and leadership sides of the project to understand its influence and impact on the project process cycle and its dimensions. No project stands a chance without good, well organized leadership.
The aim is to explore and investigate the management and people side of the project regardless of its size and nature.
Energy & Resource Usage Optimisation in Projects via Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enhanced Analysis of a Multi-Criteria Constraint Model: This project aims to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhanced analysis of a Multi-Criteria Constraint Model in developing optimised projects that minimise the use of energy and resources.
Traditionally projects are constrained with respect to Scope, Cost and Time – referred to as the iron triangle. With the rising cost of energy and resources, but importantly the impact of these on the environment, it is important to introduce an additional constraint of environmental impact caused by energy and resources amongst others. This additional constraint needs to be included in the project and can be enhanced via the use of AI tools.
The work will build on the existing experience and knowledge of the supervisory team in developing solutions for the reduction in energy and resource consumption in operations for one of the sixth largest automotive manufacturers in the world.
Whilst the concept of the triple constraint model is well understood, the work will begin by investigating the existing literature for similar attempts in making projects greener. A multi-criteria constraint model will be developed to take into account the constraints of staying within the quality criteria for maintaining efficient energy and resource usage.
In order to simplify the work for the user of a multi-criteria constraint system, an AI enhanced simulation method will be developed to identify potentially inefficient pathways and come up with an optimal pathway that will deliver all the constraints within the quality limits.
The expected outcomes of the work would include a multi-criteria constraint model taking into account energy and resource usage efficiencies and a system for optimising the project within these constraints so as to deliver a greener, more efficient project.
One of the main significances of this work will be its ability to cut down the environmental impact of projects as part of the core project methodologies, resulting in more sustainable projects.
The PhD programme at UWS is designed for ambitious researchers and professionals who are passionate about making a significant impact in their field. It is particularly suited for:
Academic Innovators
Industry Professionals
Global Change-Makers
Required Qualities
Successful PhD candidates typically demonstrate:
The programme particularly welcomes individuals who share UWS’s vision of excellence in purposeful, impact-driven research and who are eager to contribute to our 90% world-leading and internationally excellent research profile.
A PhD from UWS opens doors to diverse and impactful career paths, supported by our world-class research reputation and strong global partnerships.
Possible career pathways:
Academia and Research
Industry and Innovation
Public Sector and Non-Profit
UWS PhD will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to make a meaningful impact in your chosen field, whether in academia, industry, or the public sector.
Professional Growth
Key Skills You Will Develop
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) represents the highest level of academic research qualification awarded by UWS. This advanced degree demands rigorous scholarly commitment and original contribution to knowledge within a chosen field of study.
The programme typically requires a minimum of 33 months of full-time study, culminating in the submission and oral defence (viva voce examination) of a thesis comprising 60,000-100,000 words, depending on the discipline. This thesis must present original research that makes a significant contribution to the field.
Entry typically follows completion of an MRes or MPhil, though candidates with substantial research experience may apply directly. Successful candidates must demonstrate research aptitude, typically evidenced through prior academic achievement at undergraduate or master’s level.
The programme demands passionate engagement with the chosen subject area, coupled with strong analytical capabilities and self-directed learning skills. Successful candidates earn the right to use the title ‘Doctor’ and typically pursue careers in academia, senior research positions, or management roles across government, industry, and commercial sectors.
UWS’s career-focused approach emphasises collaboration with international businesses, regional enterprises, and educational partners. This industry engagement ensures research activities drive innovation and address contemporary needs of society, industry, and government, enhancing graduates’ employability in both academic and commercial environments.
Postgraduate Research students work at the forefront of their academic subject and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. To be a successful researcher, you must be passionate about your subject area, with enthusiasm for research and analysis, and the motivation to manage a personal learning programme. You will have already demonstrated research aptitude in undergraduate or masters-level studies.
Entry onto a postgraduate research degree normally requires you to have obtained a good Honours degree (First or Upper Second Class) or a postgraduate taught or research qualification in a relevant area of study.
Professional qualifications may be considered along with extensive work experience, but this would be at the discretion on the School. Out-with the academic requirements, applicants are also required to provide 2 references (1 which should be academic, if studied within the past 10 years).
Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed. These are, however, minimum requirements, which do not guarantee entry and many PhD candidates, especially for competitive studentships, would also require a Master’s degree.
Once you have been accepted onto our programme you will be allocated a supervisory team. Supervision of postgraduate research students is undertaken by experienced, research-active members of academic staff. The School to which you are admitted is your base and will play a crucial role in providing guidance, resources and support for your research project. You and your project will have a Lead Supervisor and at least one other supervisor (Second Supervisor) who will support your development and the progress of your research. In addition to Lead Supervisor and Second Supervisor, an additional supervisor and advisor may be appointed to contribute particular specialist knowledge or a link with an external organisation. It is essential that you work closely and maintain regular contact with your supervisory team. There will be a statement of an agreement at confirmation of registration between the Lead Supervisor and the student as to an appropriate specified frequency of contact.
UWS Doctoral College provides support for our community of around 600 postgraduate research students at the university, creating an interdisciplinary research environment that enables the generation of impactful research.
The Doctoral College is here to ensure that your time as a doctoral candidate at UWS is as rewarding and enjoyable as possible and that you are prepared to meet your needs, expectations, and career ambitions. The Doctoral Training Programme will equip you for key roles in higher education and beyond, and enables you to make the most of the excitement and challenges of research.
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For detailed information on English language entry requirements for international students, including accepted alternative qualifications and possible exemptions, please visit our English Language Requirements page.
UWS London provides a comprehensive range of student services dedicated to ensuring your success and well-being throughout your studies:
For further details of the student services available at the UWS, please follow these links:Â student services and additional student services.
PHD (Education & Social Science based)
Home (UK including Scotland) – £5,238 per year
International (including EU) – £16,275 per year
PHD (Business based)
Home (UK including Scotland) – £5,238 per year
International (including EU) – £16,275 per year
PHD (Science / Technology based)
Home (UK including Scotland) – £5,238 per year
International (including EU) – £18,900 per year
No scholarships are available for PhD programme for 2026/2027 academic year.
PhD Application Process at UWS London
Application Intakes
UWS London welcomes PhD applications twice per year, with intakes in February and October. This schedule allows prospective students to align their research journey with their personal and professional commitments.
Application Requirements
A successful PhD application at UWS London requires a well-crafted research proposal. Your application should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of three key elements: the research process itself, the specific research you intend to conduct, and your proposed methodology.
Submission Process
To begin your application, you will need to submit two essential components through the UWS London website:
1. A completed application form
2. Your research proposal (Vitae)
Research Proposal Evaluation
Following your submission, our academic team will carefully evaluate your research proposal. We assess each proposal based on its research potential and alignment with our academic expertise and research priorities.
Foundational Research Methods Course
After a successful initial evaluation, you will receive an invitation to participate in our Foundational Research Methods Course. This valuable preparatory phase serves two important purposes:
This structured approach ensures that when you begin your PhD studies, you are well-prepared and have a robust foundation for your research journey.
Our modern London Campus is located in London Docklands, a one minute walk from East India DLR station. The campus is well connected and only a few stops away from the exciting city centre.
Our technology-rich campus with light and airy study spaces is the optimal place for learning, making international friends, and taking one closer step to your future career.
Learn more about our London Campus, the history behind it and what areas are nearby for you to explore as a student at UWS London.
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Ready to take the next step in your academic journey?
Explore the PhD application process at UWS, from choosing your research area and checking entry requirements to developing your research proposal and submitting your application.
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