Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements for PhD, MPhil, and professional doctorate programmes.

Academic requirements

If you're applying for a PhD and MPhil you must hold either:

• a UK undergraduate (Bachelors) degree with at least first class or upper second class honours, OR
• an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution

Your undergraduate qualification should normally be in a subject relevant to the subject of the PhD or MPhil you are applying for.

In some subject areas and for some funded studentships you must hold a Masters degree. Please refer to the relevant subject page or studentship advert to check this requirement.

In addition to the academic entry requirements, you must satisfy the English language entry requirements.

Personal attributes

Research degrees are demanding and intensive programmes. To succeed at this level, you must be highly motivated, be able to work both independently and as part as part of a team, be able to plan and manage your own work, and have an appropriate familiarity with the discipline and the associated research techniques.

Qualifications not completed at time of application

If you have not yet completed your undergraduate or Masters degree (if required), you may still be considered if you can provide evidence that you will complete this qualification before the start of the PhD/MPhil and that your marks/grades to date are at an appropriate level.

Equivalency of overseas qualifications

If you're an international applicants and you need advice on the equivalency of your qualification(s), you can contact our Admissions Office.

Please provide:

• The full title and subject area of your qualification(s)
• The name and country of the awarding institution
• Your marks or grades to date

Distance learning

If you're applying for a distance learning research degree programme, you must hold the standard academic entry requirements as described above. In addition, you may need to demonstrate that you have access to appropriate research facilities and resources - such as an academic library.

For more information, please see our information distance learning research degrees.

Professional doctorates

If you are applying for professional doctorate programmes, you must hold the standard academic entry requirements as described above. In addition, you must usually hold a Masters degree and be employed in a relevant context.

For more advice, please see the course description.

• Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

Non-standard qualifications and professional experience

If you do not hold the standard academic entry requirements, you may be considered if you can demonstrate relevant research or professional experience.

For more advice, please contact pgradmissions@leicester.ac.uk.