Entry requirements
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
The normal entry requirement for a research degree is a UK honours degree (first or upper second class) or a UK master's degree or a qualification which is regarded as equivalent. We will consider candidates with other qualifications, looking at evidence of academic ability such as published work.
If English is not your first language, you will need a British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking (or equivalent).
Research proposal
You will be asked to write a 2-3 page research proposal that specifies the:
- Aims of your research
- Rationale for the research question(s)
- Proposed methodology and techniques for analysis
- Provisional time plan for the research
Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.
Fees and finance
We charge annual fees while you are studying and researching for your degree.
2025/26 fees are:
If you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled:
- On-campus full-time: £4,700 per year
- On-campus part-time: £3,681 per year
- Distance learning full-time: £3,681 per year
- Distance learning part-time: £3,681 per year
Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.
If you are applying for a student loan to finance part-time study, the loan must be taken over the maximum permitted time of six years. If you are applying for a student loan to finance full-time study, the loan must be taken over the maximum permitted time of four years.
International candidates:
- On-campus full-time: £14,500 per year
- On-campus part-time: £8,500 per year
- Distance learning full-time: £8,000 per year
- Distance learning part-time: £8,000 per year
Tier 1 £4,700 Home/£14,500 International per year. This applies to the vast majority of research students who do not require specialist equipment.
Tier 2 £5,200 Home/£15,000 International per year. This applies to research students where there will be some additional expenses and the use of equipment.
Tier 3 £6,200 Home/£17,000 International per year. This applies to laboratory and clinical research students i.e. in sciences where there are consumables.
International scholarship
All full-time, on-campus international research candidates at postgraduate level are awarded a £900 scholarship per year of study. You do not have to apply for this scholarship; it is automatically applied to reduce the annual fees specified above.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.