Thinking of doing a PhD?

Become a Postgraduate Researcher at one of the world’s leading universities: Birkbeck, University of London

Research with impact

Birkbeck is a research-intensive university based in central London. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) Birkbeck was ranked 30th nationally for research excellence and intensity with 73% of our research rated 'world leading’ or 'internationally excellent'. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 puts Birkbeck in the top third of almost 1400 universities across 92 countries.

• Join a community of over 800 postgraduate research students. Our vibrant and intellectually challenging research environment is built upon 200 years of research excellence.
• Birkbeck has well established part time and flexible doctoral research as well as full time. Over half our doctoral researchers are part time and carry out their research alongside work or other commitments.
• Benefit from the support of your supervisor, department and the Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS) with access to training and professional development aimed specifically at PhD researchers
• Over 50 Research Centres and specialist Institutes with an interdisciplinary focus which enhance departmental resources and facilities for your research.
• Central London location a short walk from the British Library, British Museum, School of Advanced Study, Wellcome Collection and other internationally significant collections and resources
• Our links with national cultural institutions include the Tate, the Museum of London, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and City of London Metropolitan Archives
• Birkbeck has an Athena SWAN Bronze Award (issued by the Equality Challenge Unit), recognising the College's commitment to achieving gender equality and continued work in this area.

Opportunities for discovery: A diverse research environment

You can view research areas and the interests of potential PhD supervisors on the following Birkbeck departmental webpages. Potential supervisors can also be found on the Birkbeck Experts’ database.

PhD funding opportunities for 2020/21 Entry

As a research-intensive university, Birkbeck offers a range of competitively awarded PhD studentships and bursaries. Information about funded opportunities for a full range of PhD studentships is available.

Our PhD studentships include the following nationally funded programmes where Birkbeck is a key partner.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding

• AHRC
  Consortium for the Humanities and the Arts South-East England (CHASE)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
  BBSRC interdisciplinary London Interdisciplinary Doctoral (LIDo)
• Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC)
  UCL, Bloomsbury and East London (UBEL)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
  UCL-Birkbeck MRC DTP
• Natural and Environmental Research Council (NERC)
  London NERC DTP

UK Government Doctoral loans

UK Government Doctoral loans PhD students can borrow up to £25,000 to cover the costs of studying. These loans can be used to support both part time and full time doctoral research.