Make an impact with UWS Postgraduate Research
Join a world-leading postgraduate research community driven by curiosity, innovation, and real-world impact.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, tackle global challenges, or shape the future of your field, we provide the support, resources, and industry connections to help you succeed.
Explore our research opportunities, connect with expert supervisors, and take the next step in your academic journey.
Contact our team
UWS Research subject areas
Find Your Research Programme
UWS offers a wide range of postgraduate research degrees designed to help you make a meaningful impact in your field. Whether you choose a Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or a Professional Doctorate, you’ll be supported by expert academics and industry partnerships that enhance your research experience.
Explore research subject areas
Ahren found his place with a PhD in Computing – you could too!
In five years’ time, I would love to be in academia, so that the love and joy I found in my course can be passed on to the next generation.”
Ahren, PhD in Computing
Funding Your Research
We offer a range of fully funded PhD studentships across all academic schools, providing financial support to help you focus on your research. In addition to studentships, you may also be eligible for other funding options, such as scholarships, loans, and external grants.
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UWS Postgraduate Tuition Fee Offer
The University offers a 20% tuition fee discount for UWS alumni or UWS undergraduate students in their final year of study, who wish to progress to full-time postgraduate study at UWS. This includes postgraduate research (MRes / MPhil / PhD) studies. UWS students wishing to progress from a postgraduate taught to a full-time postgraduate research degree are eligible for the offer.
Doctoral College
When you start a research degree at UWS, you automatically become a member of our Doctoral College - joining a vibrant community of almost 600 researchers. You’ll benefit from expert guidance, training, and events designed to support your research journey.
Curious about life as a postgraduate researcher?
As a part-time research student, I have bi-monthly chats with my supervisor to make sure I’m meeting deadlines and staying on track. They also run fantastic seminars for research students, every two weeks.
PhD Performance student Kennagh shares a week in her life at UWS!
Also, watch the video opposite to hear more about how Kennagh found her place at UWS.
Award winning students
There is a lack of research into people who use drugs but who are not using support services. Researching this population will allow these voices to be heard and for the development of interventions that will have a positive impact on lives through harm reduction and allowing access to treatment for those who may go otherwise unnoticed.
Beata Ciesluk, PhD student, the first UWS recipient of the Robertson Medal for her research into drug use in Scotland.
The journey to a PhD at UWS
Since I completed my undergrad at UWS I knew it would be a great place to return to. There was just something about the way I felt supported throughout my undergrad that made me feel like it would be nice to come back.”
PhD Social Sciences student Emma joins fellow PhD students to share their experiences of becoming research students at UWS.
Research at UWS
As a career-focused university we work with international businesses, regional enterprises, local and international education partners to ensure that UWS research drives innovation and supports the future needs of society, industry and government.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
UWS has set the vision to be recognised as a world-leading university based on supporting excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, UWS has been ranked in the world’s top 300 universities for sustainable development. And 26th in the world for impact on reducing inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10).
How else can we support?
Our friendly team are here to support you with any questions you might need answered. We also have a number of students who can give first-hand experience of what it is like to be a part of postgraduate research at UWS.