About our Doctoral qualifications

Types of qualifications

The main aim of any research programme is to carry out original research that furthers knowledge in your chosen subject field. This will involve working under the direction of one or more supervisors who is an expert in your field, and sometimes as part of a team, with other students and staff.

We offer the following research degrees – each requires a significant time commitment to achieve, usually three years full-time.

Split PhD scheme

Our Split PhD scheme allows you to carry out some of your research abroad, either in the field or at an overseas institution.

Arrangements are normally confined to institutions with which the College has established links and in cases where the research problem requires local fieldwork, for example, the study of a particular aspect of geology or biology.

Students on the Split PhD scheme are required to be in physical attendance at the College for a minimum of 12 months out of the normal 36 months duration of a PhD programme.

Before applying for a split PhD, you are advised to first discuss this with the Imperial department of interest at the admissions stage. Please be aware that not all departments in the College will necessarily entertain applications for a split PhD.

If the department is open to a Split PhD proposal, you should submit a covering note with your application explaining why it would be advantageous not to pursue your proposed research project wholly at Imperial, together with a copy of your local supervisor’s CV. If your Split PhD proposal is approved, the department will advise you of the next steps to progress your application.

You can find more information about Split PhD's on the How to apply section of our website.