Applications and Studentship Awards

Applications for our postgraduate programmes can be made using our online application form.

Entrance and Support

The minimum entry requirement is normally an Upper Second class or equivalent undergraduate degree or an appropriate MSc qualification. 

The minimum English language requirement is band 1b, IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components; for more information visit www.southampton.ac.uk/pg/englang

Usually, about twenty new research students join us each year, two thirds of whom have First class degrees. Some are graduates from Southampton, but many come from elsewhere in Britain and also overseas. 

• Approximately half of our entrants are supported by (3 year) studentships provided by the Research Councils. 
• The remainder are supported in other ways, for example by research contracts, European Union or other government studentships, and private trusts. 
• In a few cases, studentships are funded by the University of Southampton itself. 

Some Research Council studentships carry additional remuneration through industrial sponsorship, especially via the Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) scheme. This often provides an opportunity to develop valuable contracts with industry, for example through periods of research in industrial laboratories. 

More details of studentships, and how and when to apply for postgraduate study, are given below.

Studentships and Financial Support

A variety of studentships and other financial support is available through the school. If you require financial support, please make this clear to the relevant selector. The University has several scholarships available to candidates.

Candidates with UK or European Union (EU) citizenship are eligible for one of the school's quota of Research Council studentships (under present rules these studentships are not available to non EU citizens). Nomination for these studentships is at the discretion of the Head of School, and is made by mid-July.

The EU offers studentships to candidates from EU countries other than the UK for tenure in the UK. Applications are made to the EU by the student and the department together. You will need to check with the EU for the current arrangements.

Certain research programmes within the school have financial provisions that allow for the support of research students. Such support may be arranged on an ad hoc basis between the candidate and his or her potential research supervisor.

Find out more

If you would like to get more information on the options available then contact our PhD Admissions Team or email them directly at feps-pgr-apply@southampton.ac.uk.