Complete our enquiry form and start the journey towards obtaining your PhD
Plymouth ÃÀ¼§¸ó University welcomes applications for postgraduate research students (PhD) across four key research areas: Education; Sport and Exercise Science; Health and Wellbeing; Business and Social Science.
The application process for a PhD is iterative: you are likely to be asked to refine your proposal and you can expect to be kept informed of progress. We recommend that you make your enquiry as early as possible to allow for the process which can take approximately 6 months.
The first step in applying to undertake a PhD at Marjonis to complete the RD1a Research Degree Enquiry which includes a brief 200-word overview of your research idea. If there is scope to supervise and support your research, one of our PGR Coordinators will contact you. You will be offered an informal meeting with a research supervisor to discuss the completion of RD2a research degree application form which includes a project proposal of 750 words.
Applications are accepted throughout the year. If successful in your application, your PhD programme will begin in early October or early February. Please refer to these typical timeframes as a guide:
Application stage | February start | October start |
---|---|---|
RD1a enquiry submitted | By 1st July | By 1st March |
RD2a application submitted | By 1st October | By 1st May |
Interview and opportunity for revisions | October | May |
Application considered by scrutiny panel | November | June |
Opportunity for panel revisions | Nov/Dec | June/July |
Final approval by University of Chichester | Dec/Jan | July/August |
Please contact the Doctoral College as soon as possible if you would like to apply for an ESRC funded studentship as the deadlines will be earlier.
For entry requirements and further details of the application process, please see Section 1 of the Handbook for Postgraduate Research Students (download available below).
Apply nowThe University has four key areas of research: Business and Social Science; Sport and Exercise Science; Health and Wellbeing; Education.
Business and Social Science
This is an exciting and expanding research area of postgraduate research at Plymouth MarjonUniversity. Drawing on the practical and theoretical expertise of staff who are experts in their field and internationally renowned. Business and Social Science covers a range of disciplines that may include, but is not limited to, business, sociology, criminology, economics, psychology, geography, international relations, social policy, law and many more. This area of research recognises that interdisciplinarity is important for addressing some of today's most pressing issues. These issues may include climate change, sustainability, social equality and environmental degradation and post-Covid recovery. If you have an idea for a research project please do get in touch.
Sport and Exercise Science
This area produces research that advances knowledge of how physical activity, exercise, and sport are related to human performance, social inclusion and sustainability. Research of human performance requires consideration of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors which influence performance. These include the investigation of physiological, psychological and mechanical factors across training, recovery, injury repair and rehabilitation to facilitate better understanding of the fundamental principles underlying performance.
Health and Wellbeing
Within the area of Health and Wellbeing, the university has particular and immediate strengths that will enable the advancement of knowledge and understanding through a supportive and vibrant environment. The research area is characterised by a density of individual researchers working in an exciting environment that includes a range of specialist facilities. The subject grouping is derived from a combination of speech and language therapy (with an NHS-commissioned programme and patient referral clinics), physical activity (clinics), mental health, musculoskeletal health, sports medicine and regenerative medicine.
Education
Research undertaken within education encompasses the full range of sectors of informal and formal education and addresses education pedagogy, policy, practice. Our researchers have developed innovation in education theory and methodology leading to equally innovative impacts on education pedagogy, policy and practice in early years, community, school, further, higher and career-long education at local, regional, national and international levels.
We are particularly interested in research proposals around the areas of Education, Sustainability and Health and Wellbeing. Some ideas for possible areas of PhD research:
We are currently accepting applications from self or externally funded applications.
For information about fully funded ESRC studentships at Plymouth MarjonUniversity click here
For information about the doctoral loan scheme click
For advice and guidance, check our student finance pages:
Postgraduate funding | Plymouth MarjonUniversity
Student funding advice | Plymouth MarjonUniversity
For postgraduate research programme fees click here.
A Research & Knowledge Exchange Support Officer sits within the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office and will provide support and updates throughout the PGR application process and beyond. The Support Officer is supported by a PGR Coordinator for each of our four key research areas:
We have a wide range of PGR supervisors here at Marjonfrom a range of disciplines. The PGR Coordinator will work with applicants and staff to form an appropriate supervision team to support your research. Our staff profile pages provide further information about all members of Marjonstaff.
The University is committed to supporting our researchers and offers a wide range of training events for postgraduate research students and staff. The Research & Knowledge Exchange Office is responsible for coordinating a programme of events which our postgraduate students are actively encouraged to attend and participate in.
Academy Lecture Series: high-profile speakers from a range of disciplines, open to the public.
Brown Bag Series: an opportunity for staff and students to share and discuss their research. A great opportunity for PGR students and early career researchers to build confidence within an informal setting.
Research Developer Series: a wide range of training workshops including support with bids, statistical workshops, life after PhD and much more.
01752 636700
(ext. 2069)