Accessibility statement

How to apply

Applications

Applying for a PhD

To apply for a PhD place, you must submit an application form.

We cannot accept your CV or any other documentation in place of a formal application.

Being a PhD researcher at the Department of Education is a prestigious position. We consider all PhD researchers as active members of our research centres. The years you will spend with us if you come to do your PhD here will be rewarding and challenging in equal measure, and turn you into a world-leading scholar, whatever you choose to do next with your degree.

The application process for a PhD with us is, therefore, selective and competitive. We only accept the most motivated, intellectually curious, original thinkers who can work with us to a high level, in line with faculty and departmental expectations for research.

This selection process, which we devised with the help of the YCEDE team, is also designed to ensure equity. We pay attention to personal qualities and to contextual factors and we welcome candidates with varied backgrounds and life stories. While past experience is important, intellectual potential is even more so, and the selection process will allow you to showcase this potential. 

Selection process

The selection process is made up of 4 formal steps:

  1. Central preselection 
  2. Departmental preselection
  3. Interview with supervisor
  4. PhD committee final decision

Please see our FAQ page for a detailed overview of what to expect from the admissions process. 

Apply for a PhD in Applied Linguistics, PhD in Education or PhD in TESOL

Applying for a Taught Masters programme

It is most important you enter the final overall grade of your degree in your application and not individual grades for each module. Please do not just enter "pass" or "awarded".

You must also enclose a personal statement. This should be between 300 and 400 words in length, and follow our guidelines of writing a personal statement.

In most cases applications can be submitted online throughout the year, however, we recommend that you apply as early as possible due to competition for places. You may wish to read guidance for postgraduate applications before submitting your application.

Overseas candidates and those in their final year of undergraduate study should apply as early as possible, before the start of the academic year in which they wish to gain admission. You should also refer to relevant deadlines for any funding bodies to which you are applying.

Apply for one of our taught masters programmes

After submitting your application

You will receive an acknowledgement email the next working day. 

We aim to respond to applications within six weeks of submission, normally sooner.  For some programmes and at busy times, you might have to wait longer for a response. 

A decision on your application may be delayed if supporting evidence and suitable references have not been received.

Further information on what happens after you apply.

Eligibility

Eligibility

Our programmes are open to both home and overseas students. In recent years students have come to the department for postgraduate work from Austria, Botswana, China, Cyprus, Greece, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the USA.

Typical Degree requirements

    • UK: 2.1 or above.
    • USA: grade point average 3.2 or above.
    • P.R. China: average degree score 80 or above. The score you will need will depend on which university you attended and which subject you are applying for.
    • Your country information

Teaching experience requirements

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. For applications to the MA in Education programme we accept the following qualifications:

  • IELTS 6 (or equivalent) at the point of application.

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

From April 2015, the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) changed their list of approved English language tests for foundation courses and pre-sessional English courses.

For degree level courses, the UK government allows universities to accept English language tests which are not on the list of approved tests. Details of English language entry requirements can be found on each taught Masters programme page.

The Writing and Language Skills Centre provides presessional courses which can help students improve their English and meet their language requirements. Continual English language support is also provided throughout as an integral part of the programme. It is also possible to study further languages through the University's Languages for All programme.

Fees

Fees

Find out about tuition fees and funding opportunities for postgraduate study and research at York.

The University has made provision for home, self-financing, part-time students to pay fees in three termly instalments by standing order from a bank account. For details please contact the Fees Office: +44 (0)1904 322120, fees-office@york.ac.uk.