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Innovative, internationally recognised research PhD research

Join the vibrant, diverse and intellectually invigorating community of MPhil/PhD researchers at Birkbeck

MPhil/PhD programmes
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PhD research

Browse our MPhil/PhD programmes

We offer expert supervision in over 40 subjects areas and specialisms.

Research funding

Find out about sources of funding, including government loans, Research Council studentships and Career Development Loans.

How to apply

Once you've found the course that's right for you, here's what to do next to get your place at Birkbeck. We can give you the advice and support you need.

Find a supervisor

Over 90% of Birkbeck academics are active researchers and we offer high-quality supervision by world-leading scholars in a wide range of subject areas.

How the supervisory relationship works

Discover more about how MPhil/PhD supervisions work and what you and your supervisor can expect from one another.

Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS)

The Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS) offers support and training to Birkbeck's vibrant community of MPhil/PhD researchers.

Inspiring research

We are one of the world's leading research universities, with a vibrant, intellectually challenging research culture.

Find out more

Fees and payment

With government loans for undergraduate and postgraduate study, fantastic financial support packages and flexible payment options, there’s never been a better time to study at Birkbeck.

Public engagement

Birkbeck is an open, outward-facing and socially engaged university, committed to making our world-leading research publicly available. Find out how we disseminate our researchers’ knowledge, expertise and discoveries.

Life at Birkbeck

Birkbeck offers a unique combination of evening study and a matchless central London location, right in the geographic and academic centre of the city, giving you exceptional opportunities.

Accommodation

Most of our students live in private accommodation, but we also offer student accommodation and access to the professional services of the University of London Housing Services.

Research centres and institutes

Discover more about Birkbeck’s specialist research centres, which work across our faculties and schools, encouraging collaboration and multidisciplinary thinking.

Research Excellence Framework

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a nationwide assessment of the quality of university research. In the 2021 REF, 83% of Birkbeck’s research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Visit us

There are lots of ways to come and visit us and meet our staff and former students, including Open Evenings, Open Days and guided campus tours. Discover more here.

International students

There is nowhere better to study than London and Birkbeck is at its geographic and academic heart. Find out everything you need to know about coming to study here.

Studying for a PhD at Birkbeck

Gabriella and Ajitesh share their experiences of completing their PhDs at Birkbeck. Ajitesh completed a PhD in Psychology while working full-time as Head of Research at Sky, and Gabriella combines her PhD in Criminology with teaching at the College.

Find out about the Birkbeck Graduate Research School
News
A woman with grey hair wearing acadademic robes and cap stands in dimly lit corridor where the walls are lined with oil paintings. She looks directly into the lens of the camera intently.

Birkbeck's Professor Laura Mulvey Becomes First Academic to Receive BFI Fellowship

The Fellowship recognises the huge global impact of Professor Mulvey's ground-breaking work as a film theorist, filmmaker and curator.
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Study Skills Workshops for AY25/26 Term 1: Week by Week

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Blog

Pre-trial detention and its overuse

Catherine Heard, director of the World Prison Research Programme, at the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research at Birkbeck discusses pre-trial imprisonment.