Research degrees

Postgraduate research degrees can open up a range of opportunities for graduates. It is a period of intensive training and intellectual challenge, which allows students to build upon their existing knowledge within a certain subject area, and push the boundaries of current research. Using this experience, our graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in a range of sectors, including health and sport research and development, clinical and industry practice, the government, research councils, and further academia.

Typically, a full-time PhD course in the UK lasts between three and four years, but the duration depends largely on the funding stream. The University and Faculty have a number of initiatives to help you stick to your planned research timetable and meet your milestones throughout your study. There is an active postgraduate research community, where the level of peer and supervisory support is second to none.

Stirling has developed strong relationships, and participates proactively, with the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership Scotland and the ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre, also known as the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS). The SGSAH and SGSSS offer additional training opportunities for postgraduate research students, allowing them to benefit from the latest learning and teaching in research, and connect aspiring researchers to a vast network of leading academics in their fields. These two national graduate schools are fully funded by two leading UK Research Councils: the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). For research students funded by the National Environment Research Council (NERC), Stirling also has established links with the IAPETUS Doctoral Training Partnership. In addition, our own Institute for Advanced Studies participates regularly in UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) events to ensure our students are up to date with wider postgraduate research sector developments.

Normally, a Masters-level degree – or international equivalent – is required to progress to a research degree. However, it can sometimes be possible to transfer directly from your undergraduate studies if you are interested in pursuing further study. Regardless of your subject preference, it is expected that you will have achieved at least an upper second-class bachelor’s degree in your undergraduate studies. For students who are keen to progress to doctoral study but do not have a Masters, we offer more than 100 postgraduate taught courses across a range of disciplines at Stirling to bridge the required knowledge gap. All of our taught courses include an element of research-based learning, but the Master of Research – commonly known as MRes – in particular offers students an intensive training in research methods, and will put graduates in good stead for PhD study.

Read more on our How to apply for our Research Degrees page. 

There is no minimum requirement in order to graduate. Students may publish one or two papers during their studies, but there is a large variance in this area. Although it does not affect your ability to graduate, high-quality publications will make you more competitive in the job market, particularly if you plan to follow an academic career.

Students who do not have a Masters qualification but are passionate about progressing to PhD research can apply for an integrated 1+3 degree programme. This study option allows you to complete a full year of taught study and, providing you meet the necessary progression criteria, move immediately on to three years of PhD research. Securing an integrated Masters and PhD programme will not only provide you with an excellent route into doctoral research; it also gives the added security of knowing your research funding is taken care of before you begin your studies.