Applying for postgraduate research

When you apply for postgraduate research study at UEL, we'll give you all the support you need.

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When you apply for postgraduate research study at UEL, we'll give you all the support you need.

Applying for postgraduate research

Apply for a postgraduate research degree

To apply for a postgraduate research degree at the University of East London, you must first identify a research topic and contact a potential supervisor. You then submit an online application with a research proposal and supporting documents.

Before you apply

You should: 

  • identify a research topic
  • check that UEL offers expertise in your subject area
  • prepare a research proposal
  • contact a potential supervisor to discuss your project

How to apply

Follow these steps. 

1. Develop your research proposal

Your proposal should outline:

  • your research topic
  • the research questions you want to investigate
  • your proposed methodology
  • why the research is important 

2. Find a supervisor 

  • Search UEL academic staff profiles to identify a supervisor with expertise in your research area.

 3. Contact the supervisor 

Email the academic with: 

  • your research proposal
  • your CV
  • academic transcripts
  • any relevant publications or experience

They will confirm whether your project is suitable.

4. Submit your application

Once a supervisor supports your proposal, apply through the UEL postgraduate application portal. 

Your application must include: 

  • your research proposal
  • academic transcripts and certificates
  • references
  • proof of English language ability (if required)

What happens after you apply 

The research admissions team reviews your application. If successful, we will contact you with an offer and further enrolment instructions.

How to write your research proposal

Your research proposal should explain your research idea, the academic context, and how you will conduct the project.

Research aim and objectives

Explain what your research will do. 

Summarise:

  • the main aim of your PhD project
  • the key research objectives
  • the main research questions you will address

 

Context

Explain why this topic matters.

Provide background on the research area and describe why the topic is important. Show how your project fits within the wider academic or social context.

Literature review

Identify the gap in existing research.

Summarise the key literature in your field and explain: 

  • what research has already been done
  • where gaps exist in the literature
  • how your project will address these gaps

Methodology

Explain how you will conduct the research.

Describe your research methodology and methods, for example: 

  • qualitative methods
  • quantitative methods
  • mixed methods 

Explain why these methods are appropriate for your research questions.

Impact

Explain the potential contribution to knowledge.

Describe: 

  • why your research matters
  • who may benefit from the findings
  • how the project contributes new knowledge or understanding

Proposed thesis structure

Provide a draft chapter outline for your thesis.

For example:

Chapter 1: Introduction 
Chapter 2: Literature review 
Chapter 3: Methodology 
Chapter 4: Data 
Chapter 5: Analysis of the data 
Chapter 6: Significance of the findings
Chapter 7: Conclusion

Conclusion

Summarise the proposal

Briefly explain:

  • what your research will investigate
  • how you will conduct the research
  • why the research is important

Bibliography

Provide a list of references used in your literature review and other works that influenced your proposal.

Timeline

Outline the stages of your research and when you expect to complete them

Provide a proposed timeline covering the full PhD period (typically three to four years full-time).

Your research experience

Explain how your previous education has prepared you for doctoral research.

Include: 

  • your academic background
  • relevant research experience
  • key skills you have developed and how you will use them in your PhD

Why you are applying to UEL

Explain why you chose the University of East London.

Describe: 

  • why the programme is suitable for your research
  • how UEL expertise or research groups support your project
  • why the university is the right place for your doctoral study

Questions about a research course?

If you're interested in doing research at UEL, please speak to Applicant Engagement.

Contact us View our research degrees Find a supervisor

Qualifications and research supervision

Find out the qualifications required for postgraduate research study and how to find a research supervisor at UEL.

    Qualifications and experience

    To apply for a research degree such as a PhD or MPhil, you should normally have one of the following:

    • a first or second-class Bachelor's degree with honours from a UK university
    • a Master’s degree from a UK university

    If you hold qualifications from outside the UK, we can still consider your application. We will assess whether your qualifications are equivalent to UK academic standards. 

    You must also provide two academic referees who can comment on your recent academic work.

    Finding a research supervisor

    Before applying for a research degree at UEL, check whether we conduct research in your chosen field and identify potential supervisors.

    1. Check research expertise

    Confirm that UEL conducts research in your chosen area of study.

    2. Identify potential supervisors

    You will normally need two academic members of staff willing to supervise your research.

    Use the Find an Expert tool to identify academics who supervise research students.

    When choosing a supervisor, consider:

    • the department that best fits your research area
    • academics whose research aligns with your topic
    • researchers who are recognised for work in your field

    3. Contact potential supervisors 

    Once you identify a suitable academic, email them to discuss your proposed research. 

    Your email should: 

    • outline your research idea
    • ask whether they would be interested in supervising your project
    • confirm whether the topic is suitable for an MPhil or PhD 

    4. Contact the research degrees leader 

    Before submitting your online application, you should also contact the School’s research degrees leader to discuss your proposal.

    Processing your application

    After you submit your application, we will review it and contact you with updates.

    Application acknowledgement

    We will send you an acknowledgement as soon as we receive your application.

    Check your email regularly for:

    • requests for additional information
    • updates about your application

    If you do not respond to information requests by the dates provided, we may cancel your application.

    Application decision

    If your application is successful, we will send you an official offer letter.

    This will include: 

    • any conditions you must meet before enrolment
    • the tuition fees you need to pay

    If you have not heard from us 

    If you have already submitted your application and have not received an update, contact Applicant Engagement.

    Phone: +44 (0)20 8223 3333, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

    Live chat: Click the live chat icon in the bottom left of the screen.

    People in a meeting room

    Understanding our decision

      Unconditional offer

      An unconditional offer means we believe you already meet the academic and personal requirements for the course based on the information in your application and any interview.

      Before you enrol, you must provide evidence of the qualifications listed in your application.

      Additional checks

      If you:

      • declared a relevant criminal conviction, or
      • applied to a course involving contact with children or vulnerable adults we will request additional information to assess your suitability before enrolment.
      Conditional offer

      A conditional offer means you will be academically qualified for the course once you meet the conditions listed in your offer. Your offer conditions may include:

      • achieving the required grades in qualifications you are currently studying or waiting to receive results for
      • meeting the minimum English language requirements
      • completing a minimum period of relevant work experience 

      Once you provide evidence that you have met these conditions, your offer will become unconditional.

      Additional checks 

      If you: 

      • declared a relevant criminal conviction, or
      • applied to a course involving contact with children or vulnerable adults we will request additional information to assess your suitability for enrolment.
      Offer of alternative course (conditional or unconditional)

      We may offer you a place on a different course from the one you originally applied for. This offer may be conditional or unconditional.

      This may happen if: 

      • the course you applied for is full, or
      • you do not meet the entry requirements for your original course.

      Alternative offer for research applicants 

      If you applied for a research degree, we may offer you a place on our Master’s in Research course. This ensures you develop the skills needed to successfully complete a research degree.

      Application withdrawal

      You must respond to all requests related to your application.

      If you: 

      • do not respond to a request for an interview, test, or portfolio, or
      • fail to attend an interview or test without prior notification, we will assume that you no longer wish to study at the University of East London.

       In these circumstances, we will withdraw your application without assessing your academic suitability for the course.

      If you cannot attend 

      If you cannot complete an application requirement, contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate your situation.

      Unsuccessful

      If we believe you are unlikely to successfully complete a postgraduate qualification at the University of East London, we will mark your application as unsuccessful.

      Before making this decision, we will have already considered whether you could be offered:

      • a place on another degree programme, or a
      • foundation year

      If we do not make an offer, it means we believe you may need additional qualifications or skills that are not currently available through UEL. You are welcome to apply again in the future.

      Advice and guidance 

      To explore other routes into degree study, contact the Information, Advice and Guidance team. 

      An advisor will be able to discuss your options and next steps.

      Fees assessment

      Before you enrol, we must determine whether you will pay Home or International tuition fees. 

      How we assess your fee status 

      For most students, we can assess your fee status using the information provided in your application.

       In some cases, we may need additional information about: 

      • your residence status, and
      • your history of living in the UK 

      Why this matters 

      Your fee status as a Home or International student affects: 

      • the tuition fees you pay
      • the financial support you may be eligible for
      • access to UEL bursaries and scholarships 

      For more information about how we determine tuition fee status, see fees and funding.

       

      Alumni discount

      If you graduated from the University of East London (UEL), you may be eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee discount. You may receive: 

      • up to 25% discount if you progress directly from your UEL degree to a postgraduate course with no gap year
      • 10% discount if you return to study at UEL after graduating 

      See our alumni discount page.

      Help and support staff

      Further checks

      You may need to provide us with further information, such as a Disclosure and Barring Service check, as part of your research application.

        Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

        Some courses require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure certificate.

        This usually applies to courses that involve working with children or vulnerable adults, such as:

        • physiotherapy
        • social work

        Check your course requirements to confirm whether a DBS check is required before we can accept you onto the programme.

        What a DBS check includes 

        A DBS check confirms whether you have: 

        • spent or unspent criminal convictions
        • cautions, reprimands or final warnings
        • any relevant information held by local police 

        This information is assessed to determine whether it may be relevant to the groups you will work with during your studies.

        Occupational health clearance

        Some courses require occupational health clearance to confirm that you are medically fit to undertake the programme.

        Check the requirements for your individual course to see whether occupational health clearance is required before you can enrol.

        Academic Technology Approval Scheme

        The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a UK government requirement for some international students applying for postgraduate research programmes.

        You must obtain an ATAS certificate to support your visa application if you:

        • are an international student (non-UK or non-EU/EEA), and
        • plan to undertake postgraduate research in science, engineering, or technology subjects

        When to apply 

        If ATAS applies to you, apply for an ATAS Clearance Certificate from the UK government after you receive an offer from UEL.

        Courses covered 

        At UEL, ATAS applies to postgraduate students in the following schools: 

        • School of Health, Sport and Bioscience (HSB)
        • School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE)

        Contact the Graduate School

        For more information, contact the Graduate School:

        • Phone:  +44 (0)20 8223 6274 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or
        • Live chat (click the live chat icon in the bottom right of the screen)