Why you should join us

Our research degrees will help you advance or change your career, deepen your expertise, and expand your research and practical skills.

Join a thriving research community

Work with our experts to improve the future health and wellbeing of local and international communities.

Get great postgraduate research support

Study a PhD programme that supports your academic and professional aims.

Use our outstanding facilities

Our ICON Centre hosts research, autism assessment speech and language therapy support, and clinical skills laboratories.

Develop your personal and professional skills

We provide a comprehensive development programme for research students.

Our research areas

Discover our areas of expertise and browse our experts. We encourage you to discuss your research ideas with us – even if your topic is not listed.

  • Augmentative and alternative communication
  • Mental capacity
  • Communication disability in under-served communities, including in low and middle-income countries
  • Communication disability in humanitarian contexts
  • Communication disability and justice
  • Service user involvement in research and clinical care
  • Aphasia
  • Autism (neurodiversity)
  • Hearing impairment and memory
  • Language development in the early years

Qualifications you can study

You can do a research degree on campus or remotely through distance learning. Choose from one of these programmes:

  • PhD Health Professions — three years full-time, six years part-time

Find out about the research degrees we offer.

Start dates

Most of our students enrol in October. You can also join us in January and April.

Application information

Entry requirements

To apply, you’ll need a first or 2.1 honours degree, or an equivalent qualification.

International students must have strong English language skills.

We welcome applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We’ll take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other relevant achievements into consideration.

Find out more about our standard entry requirements.

How to apply for a research degree

Discover the key steps in the application process.

Scholarships, fees and funding