This applies to the following postgraduate research routes:

MA/MSc by Research
MPhil
PhD.

This application process is slightly different to other postgraduate courses as you may wish to discuss your research proposal with a potential supervisor before applying.

1. Decide on your proposed research idea.

First, decide on the research topic or research question that you would like to focus on.

2. Choose your subject area.

Look at the information on the different research subject areas that are offered at the University and select the one that most closely aligns to your research interest.

3. If you wish, make contact with one or more potential academic supervisors working in your chosen subject area.

Once you have identified your academic subject area and idea for your research project you may then wish to make contact with potential academic supervisors. You can find academic profiles on the relevant subject area page.

Your supervisory team is a vital part of your research degree experience, so it is important that the University is able to provide academic supervisors whose interests complement and align with your own.

4. Finalise your proposal and apply.

Once you are ready to apply, fill out a research degree proposal form. You will find this on your relevant subject area page, on the right hand side. To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ tab which appears in the blue band at the bottom of the research subject area page and upload your proposal form to your application along with all the other required information.

If you are applying for a research degree to start in September 2026 please send the following information together with the thesis proposal form to Postgraduate admissions (pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk)

First name and Last name
Date of birth
Address
Country of domicile
Nationality
Course applied for (please choose one of the following)
- PhD by Thesis
- PhD by Portfolio
- PhD by Publication
- MA by Research
- MSc by Research
Mode of Study (please choose either part time or full time)

Politics, International Relations, and Sociology