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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2021/22
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
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Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
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  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
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  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Stammtisch - an informal meeting

FIND YOUR PHD PROJECT

Find out about some of the PhD opportunities that are currently available at the University of Reading using our search tool.

Student reading

How to apply

Before you can apply for a PhD you need to identify your area of research, and you have the option to speak to the department or supervisor you wish to work with. 

However, it is not essential that you contact a supervisor before applying because we will identify potential supervisors when we receive your application.

Please see the A-Z list of doctoral research areas. From here you can link to the respective department and find contact details.

Check you are qualified:

To be accepted onto a PhD programme, you will need an undergraduate degree of at least upper second-class honours level (or equivalent), or a master’s degree, in a subject related to your proposed PhD research topic.

If you are from outside of the UK, you will also need to demonstrate you have a certain level of proficiency with written and spoken English.

For more information on entry requirements, visit the Graduate School website. 

Select a topic:

There are different routes to selecting a PhD research topic. You may see an advert for a PhD on a specific project, hosted by a particular department, and choose to apply – a process which is relatively straightforward. Alternatively, you may wish to carry out a project in a particular research area. It is important the project you choose is suitable for study at PhD level, and feasible with the resources and time-frame available to you. It should also address a perceived ‘gap’ in the literature and, most importantly, be of interest to you.

You must check that your potential project is appropriate for PhD study by speaking to someone who can advise you; either at your current institution or from the relevant department at Reading. 

Identify a department/supervisor:

Once you have identified the right department at Reading, you should contact the School or Department Director of Postgraduate Research Studies to express your interest. You could also get in touch with the potential supervisor if you have someone specific in mind, but this should be in addition to contacting the School/Department Director. It is not essential to communicate directly with a school or department before submitting your application, but many candidates find it helpful to do this.

Write a research proposal:

Unless you have applied in response to a specific advertised project, you are normally required to submit an outline research proposal with your application.

The content and structure of this will vary depending on your discipline area and the nature of the project you wish to pursue. Broadly speaking, the proposal should describe the main research question(s) you want to address, and state why it is worth addressing. You should also outline your proposed research methodology, and an approximate timeline for how the work will be scheduled across the registration period. It is also important to state what the expected outcomes would be; how it will contribute to knowledge, advance theoretical understanding, or contribute to policy or practice.

More information on how to write a proposal can be found on the Graduate School website.

Arrange funding:

PhD fees vary according to: whether you come from the UK or overseas; whether you want to study full or part-time; and whether you will be based in Reading for the entire programme or will ‘work away’ for some of the time.

More information on fees and funding can be found on the Graduate School website and on our Fees and Funding pages.


Make an application:

Although you will be working with a specific department or supervisor, all PhD applications have to be submitted centrally. Please apply using the online application form. This allows you to complete the necessary information and attach copies of relevant documents, including the details of two appropriate referees. 

We will acknowledge your application and then pass it on to the appropriate school or department. 

Although most new students join the PhD programme in October, it is possible to start your studies at any point during the academic year.

View our step-by-step guide on how to apply

areas of doctoral supervision

Whatever your area, you can expect to receive first-class supervision from leading international researchers and practitioners who have expertise and passion in your chosen field.

Find out more about our areas of supervision.

Types of PhD Programme

PhD

  • By Thesis – our traditional PhD programme.
  • By Published Works – for candidates who have developed their knowledge and independent research skills to doctoral level, and who have a body of publications produced during the course of their careers either within, or outside, academia.
  • Practice-based – relevant for some arts subjects where the independent, original PhD research is presented through both practice and a thesis.

PhD by Distance

Our PhD by Distance programme is designed to support students who need to study for most of their registration period at another (normally overseas) site.

PhD Plus

Our PhD Plus programme is designed to meet the specific needs of overseas lecturers who want to study for a PhD whilst also learning about Higher Education in the UK and improving their teaching skills.

Professional doctorates

Undertake a professional doctorate, a programme of advanced study and research that combines professional and academic knowledge.

phd Funding available across all subject areas

The University allocates over £8m each year in postgraduate research studentships and bursaries. Around 150 entry awards are available to quality doctoral candidates per year.

These opportunities are funded from a wide variety of sources including: University of Reading, UK Research Councils, industry and charities.

Fees

PhD fees vary according to whether you come from the UK or overseas; whether you want to study full or part time; and whether you will be based in Reading for the entire programme or will work away for some of the time.

Our tuition fees are fixed for three years (i.e. international applicants who start a full-time programme based in Reading during 2020/21 will pay the same annual rate for each of the three years of their programme).

For more information on tuition fees, visit the Graduate School website.

Funding

In addition to paying fees, you will also need funding to support yourself while you study. You may already have funding or sponsorship arranged, but if not we can provide some help.

The University offers a number of studentships and bursaries for UK and international students. 

Further information can be found on the Graduate School website.

There are also opportunities to earn additional money whilst studying for a PhD at Reading. Many of our research students earn income from contributing to undergraduate teaching or working on campus. For more information, visit the Campus Jobs website.

More information about fees and funding
Maslanka balloon experimentDoctoral Research Conference 2015Image showing the enamel on teeth in a skullNuclear activity in subcellular galaxies45 keys and 90 characters on a typewriter

World-class research

The University of Reading is one of the top 20 universities in the UK for research intensity and 98% of the research conducted here is internationally recognised, according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.

Through the Graduate School, we have a building in which PhD students can work, meet, organise events and receive advice and support, which is an incredible added value that many other universities do not have.

Stefano Bragato
PhD, Department of Modern Languages and European Studies
Adeyinka Adewale joint winner of PhD of the year 2015

A PhD student profile

Adeyinka Adewale, joint PhD Researcher of the Year 2015, explains his reasons for choosing Reading and offers advice to prospective PhD students.

Why did you select Reading?

Between 2003 and 2008, I worked closely with some Reading Alumni. In 2005, I penned these words in my diary “By 2015, I will become a PhD graduate from Reading”. 10 years on, this dream is about to come true. I also desired three things in the school of my dreams – student support, a beautiful environment and a high level of scholarship. Upon visiting the University of Reading website in 2009, I was thoroughly convinced Reading would deliver and it has indeed.

What do you enjoy about studying at Reading?

Reading has exposed me to brilliant academics and students from around the world. I have had the privilege of working with colleagues from over 40 different countries, an invaluable experience I strongly believe has positioned me for a bright future as a global player at any level. Reading has also provided me with grand opportunities to affect lives within and around the community through volunteering schemes and student societies. All these coupled with access to amazing world-class academic and recreational facilities have also brightened my experience. Thus it has been about great minds, opportunities, inspiration, exposure and global positioning.

Knowing what you do now, what advice would you give a new first year PhD student?

You have chosen a great institution committed to your future. Reading offers you the right blend and balance of academic and social support, so don’t hold back. You are ultimately in for a win-win situation. A well-equipped library and frequently organised Reading Researcher Development Programme training courses will ensure you acquire vital academic and life skills for your PhD journey. Socially, you have incredible support and opportunities to make new friends by attending frequently organised socials or joining student societies. You will never have to be lonely. Also, join the gym early, eat well and stay fit. All the best!

Read Adeyinka's story

Thriving community

Join a diverse, vibrant community of more than 1,800 postgraduate researchers from 100 different countries.

Our talented postgraduate researchers work across a broad range of discipline areas.

Through the Graduate School you will access a range of facilities, funding opportunities, and social and networking events to complement activities taking place in your academic schools and departments.

Our supportive approach will provide you with a rich and stimulating research environment,​ and our extended research family will enthuse and inspire you.

Find out more about our community

Outstanding support

In a global study which assesses the satisfaction of international students, 96% of postgraduate respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the University of Reading Graduate School (International Student Barometer, i-graduate 2015. 2015 is the latest year in which the University of Reading participated in the survey).

University of Reading library

Excellent facilities

Over the past decade, the University has invested over £400m in a range of excellent research facilities to support and enhance your academic and research experience.

These include our Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, Chemical Analysis Facility, Centre for Advanced Microscopy, and our Design Innovation Research Centre.

The University also hosts the Museum of English Rural Life and many specialist collections, including the world-renowned Beckett collection.​

You will also benefit from a dedicated physical space for PhD researchers, a well-equipped library – containing over a million volumes and a wide range of electronic resources – and a number of 24-hour computer laboratories.

 
Read more about our facilities
Doctoral Research Conference 2015

Professional and personal skills training

The Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) offers over 90 courses, development workshops and activities designed to help you to gain the skills you'll need to carry out your research professionally and effectively, and to be successful in your ongoing career. 

The RRDP is flexible and can be tailored to meet your individual needs. Programmes include a quality leadership programme, delivered in collaboration with our triple-accredited Henley Business School, a bespoke teaching preparation and support programme, and the facility to study another language via our Institution Wide Language Programme (IWLP).

For further information, please visit the Graduate School website.

Read more about professional and personal skills training
Students studying together in the library

Learn a language as part of your degree

Add variety to your degree course and broaden your horizons. As a student at Reading, you’ll have the chance to study one of 10 languages from beginner to advanced level through our Institution-Wide Language Programme.

Every student has the option to study a language alongside their degree. You can choose from a wide range of languages, including Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, French, German, modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and British Sign Language.

For more information, visit the Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP) website.

Find out more

Ready for more?

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