Overview
Make a substantial contribution to knowledge in your specialty, in the shape of published research. Work in an inspiring multidisciplinary setting that reflects latest trends in the field.
Supervision and support
We’ll compile a specialist team that reflects your research interests and supervisory needs. This can include clinicians.
Your supervisors will meet with you regularly to provide advice and guidance with your studies and with the writing of your thesis.
Find out more about our supervisors on our School of Allied Health and Social Care staff profiles.
Where you'll research
Your faculty
We’re proud to be educating the future nurses, midwives, teachers, and social care professionals of Peterborough and the surrounding region. These are the careers that truly change lives, both yours and those of the people you’ll encounter throughout your working life.
Where can I study?
Chelmsford
Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students, 2024/25 (per year)
£4,786
UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)
£2,392
International students, 2024/25 (per year)
£15,900
International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)
£7,950
Bench fees
In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.
Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.
We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.
If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.
For 2024/25 the bench fee bands are:
- £500
- £1,200
- £2,200
- £4,500
- £8,900
PhD by Published Work
Initial registration: £1,500
Full registration: £4,500
Writing up fees 2024/25
£1,200
Funding
For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU research
ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.
Careers
Research and professional training will be part of your programme, with workshops including scientific writing and publishing, research methods, subject updates and conference presentation.
Contact details
If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities, please email our Research Administrator, Emma Smith: [email protected].
Entry requirements
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelor degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Master degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You may receive a conditional or unconditional offer from us. We operate a policy of making contextualised offers to applicants who have not yet completed their qualifications based on meeting certain criteria. Read more about how we make offers.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
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