One of the advantages of an excellent all round department is that we can offer supervision across a wide range of subject areas. We are able to take research students in Exeter and Cornwall, depending on the research interests of staff.
As a postgraduate research student you will have the support of both a supervisor and mentor, to make sure you get the one-to-one contact needed. We also run a Buddy scheme; a mentoring programme which links incoming first year research students with more established students.
Research methods training is a core component in the early stages of the PhD. We strongly encourage students to give papers at major conferences and help them to publish their work. Research students participate in the lively seminar series organised by our research groups with past speakers including leading academics from around the world. There are also teaching opportunities.
We accept graduate students for the degree of MPhil leading to a PhD. Transfer to PhD status takes place in the second year and depends on satisfactory progress. Students are required to complete their PhD in three years and take an appropriate programme of research training.
What is an MPhil or PhD?
Both MPhil and PhD research degrees involve an extensive investigation of a particular topic.
MPhil research takes a maximum of three years to complete full-time, or five years part-time, and is assessed by the submission of a dissertation of up to 60,000 words. The PhD takes a maximum of four years full-time and seven years part-time and the results of your research will normally be assessed by a written thesis of up to 100,000 words and oral examination. The PhD is only awarded when the results of your investigation make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.
A PhD is the highest qualification that a university can award and offers a challenging and exciting opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of research: if you have these qualities Exeter can offer a very supportive environment in which to pursue research.
Advice for PhD applicants
Our online learning resource 'Considering a UK PhD?' provides lots of helpful advice and information from staff and students about the PhD experience at Exeter.
You may wish to read our general advice for PhD applicants webpages, which give tips on how to put together a successful research degree application.
Applicants for research programmes are also advised to visit the College's webpages to check for specific advice (see further information link). Here you will be able to find out about staff research interests and make preliminary enquiries about supervision. We advise that you do this before applying.
Distance-based PhD
It may be possible to study for a PhD or MPhil with only occasional visits to the University. Distance-based students undertake the majority of their research at an off campus location of their choosing. This may mean they visit the campus at just a few keys times during their studies and for no more than four months per year. If you think you may be interested in a distance-based MPhil/PhD, please read the guidance and further information before applying.
