Distance Learning PhD Programs UK

The faculties of Environment and Arts, Humanities and Cultures offer PhD by distance learning across most schools.

PhD by distance learning allows you to study at a time and place that suits you and, with a part-time option available, you’ll have the flexibility to gain an advanced degree alongside work and other commitments.

Through completing a PhD, you will become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research training.

What is distance learning?

Our distance learning programmes offer a flexible way to study for a research degree – allowing you to gain a University of Leicester research degree wherever you are in the world. 

As with the campus based PhD programme, you will undertake a substantial research project that is written up as a thesis of 80,000 words and defended in an oral examination (the “viva voce” examination).

The minimum part time registration period is 4 years with a maximum of 7 years.

There is no difference between the distance learning PhD qualification and the campus based equivalent and both degrees are recognised internationally.

We offer distance learning research degrees in the following subjects:

• Applied Linguistics and TESOL
• Archaeology and Ancient History
• Criminology
• Education
• Doctor of Social Sciences (DSocSci)
• History
• Law
• Management
• Media and Communication
• Museum Studies
• Politics and International Relations
• Sociology

Benefits of distance learning

Distance learning research degrees allow you to:

• Develop your career without having to leave employment
• Continue earning as you study and spread the costs of your course
• Apply new knowledge and insights to your working life while you are still studying
• Tackle a professional or work-related topic of interest to you in your doctoral thesis

Support and training

On a distance learning programme, you are just as much a part of our research community as your campus-based colleagues:

• Many schools and departments now use email groups and other online forums to involve those on distance learning programmes in the day-to-day lives of their postgraduate communities and you will be encouraged to participate in campus-based research events as far as possible.
• You’ll have a personal supervisor who will help you plan and manage your research and develop your understanding of relevant research methodology.
• You can keep in touch with your supervisor and other researchers in your school or department through Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment.
• You can access online training materials, study guides, and multimedia resources to help you develop your effectiveness as a researcher
• We have extensive e-library resources including remote access to some 65,000 electronic journals and 800,000 e-books.

Distance learning PhD research students undertake a structured programme of research training, delivered entirely through a combination of module books and interactive tasks, readings, and discussion through the University’s online virtual learning environment.

The training covers core skills including:

• Requirements of the PhD degree and expectations for the thesis
• Finding and reviewing academic literature
• Formulating and refining research questions
• Research ethics
• Academic writing
• Quantitative research and analysis
• Qualitative research and analysis

PhD by Distance Learning

What are the main differences between doing a PhD by distance learning, and one in which you remain on campus? Well, you might be surprised to find out there’s not as many as you think. Unlike undergraduate degrees, where there’s a whole host of lectures, tutorials and classes going on, a PhD is much more self-driven.

As a PhD is research-based, rather than taught, it’s entirely possible to do in a completely different city to your university. The big differences are the environment – you’ll have less access to university resources (such as on-site libraries), a lack of in-person contact with other students perhaps doing similar topics, and you may miss out on relevant seminars. In addition, much of your communication with your PhD supervisor may be done by phone, email or other online methods.

With that said, many universities will require you to spend some time at the university – not a lot, but it’s worth bearing in mind. Many universities these days will also have online resources, meaning you should be able to access plenty of things via the internet, but certainly difficult to track down sources may require travelling!

On the note of supervisors, it’s important to remember that just because you’re doing a distance learning PhD program, doesn’t mean you can just choose anywhere. You’ll still need to ensure the department is good at the area you want to work in, and that you find a supervisor that is suited to you. Although you may not have to have in-person meetings with them, you still need to ensure that it’s someone whose research interests match yours and that you’re comfortable working with. 

Another thing to remember is that you will still have to pay fees. Though distance learning may cut down on your expenses somewhat – the lack of having to move, the possibility of keeping a current job, and so on – you will have to budget accordingly.

A distance learning PhD will still impact on your life significantly – you will have to devote the same amount of hours to research as you would doing at onsite course, and you’ll have to be responsible for your own time.

Distance Learning PhDs

The School of Advanced Study offers students with an appropriate topic and level of local resource the opportunity to undertake a PhD by distance learning.

Students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU, and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time).

If you would like to be considered for our Research Degree via Distance Learning programme, please complete the Research Degrees by Distance Learning form and attach it to your online application.

Mode of Study

Full time: 3 years with one year writing up

Part time: 6 years of study with one year writing up

Course structure

Compulsory attendance in London is required on three occasions: 

• Induction, the first week of the first term, to meet supervisors and to undertake an intensive research training course (an optional second week of research training is offered that can be completed either in the week after the initial compulsory induction week or online during the first term);  
• The point of upgrade to PhD status (usually between years 1 and 2 for full time students and between years 3 and 4 for part-time students)
• The final viva (oral defense of the thesis)

Note: The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies’ week-long induction/research training for research students (whether on campus or distance learning) is usually held in January. 

The induction week provides guidance in the following areas:

• Research ethics
• Academic writing
• Working with your supervisor
• Planning your thesis
• Building a bibliography
• Working in archives

Students are required to engage with further research training online as their programme commences.

The programme is run on the same basis as campus-based programmes.  Regular contact with the supervisor is required via video conferencing software.  Students will meet with their supervisor in the induction week where future arrangements will be made for the occurrence and means in which meetings will take place.  Students will need to demonstrate that they have the appropriate local resources, IT equipment and infrastructure before they can commence study.

Students will benefit from the School’s extensive research training portfolio, online e-resources, podcasting, video recordings, transcriptions and live streaming of research seminars on a wide range of topics to help them complete their research degree. 

Research modules will include, but are not limited to, Organising Successful Academic Events, Getting Research Published, Public Speaking, Research Data and Ethics.

Distance students will be supported in the same way that the on-campus students are with the use of video conferencing to supplement face-to-face interaction. Within the induction week distance students will be given the opportunity to meet their student representatives and other students beginning their PhD.

To ensure that the students are fully supported and provided with the best tools and guidance throughout their PhD, applications will be considered on an individual basis. As not all Institutes offer the distance program, each student’s needs will be considered individually and an appropriate Institute and supervisory team recommended.

Fees         

For complete fees and funding information, please visit the relevant course page. 

Application Deadline

31 July 2020 for October 2020 entry
31 October 2020 for January 2021 entry

Applications for entries in 2020-21 open 1 November 2019.

Distance Learning Subject Areas

English 

English and American literature and culture; gender and sexuality

History

British, Commonwealth, Latin American, political, metropolitan, historical geography, cultural and intellectual history

Human Rights 

Refugee and development studies

Modern
Languages 

Gender and sexuality, cultural studies (French, Spanish, Latin American, German, Italian), cultural memory, and film

Latin American Studies

History, geography, anthropology, human rights and memory

Digital
Humanities

Digital humanities, with a focus on classics, art history and history​

Law 

International economic law (IMF and WTO), as well as law and EU reform

PhD by Distance Learning

In ‘Postgraduate’

• Career opportunities
• PhD by Distance Learning
• Postgraduate

The University of Birmingham’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences now offers PhD by Distance Learning.

This means that wherever you are in the world, you may now be able register with the University of Birmingham for your Doctoral qualification but undertake the majority of your studies in your home location.Close all sections

Why study by distance learning? 

The main advantage of studying by distance learning is the flexibility. Financial and practical implications of moving closer to the campus make distance learning a more feasible option and could allow you to combine study with other commitments, including work and family.  Similarly, your research could be related to your area of residence and therefore moving would be detrimental to your capacity to carry out the research.

Is the distance learning route for you? 

The distance learning route to PhD study is not for everyone.  You have to have a very clear idea of your project and be able to motivate yourself.  Undertaking PhD study off campus can sometimes be quite isolating, so the ability to proactively seek out connections from within relevant research communities is important.  This route is well-suited to those who have a research project associated with their work or particular interests and where resources are available locally, over via the internet, to support your research e.g. appropriate archives and data collections.

How will I be supported? 

You will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students.  The only difference is that supervisory sessions will take place via audio and visual communication services such as Skype or Facetime, rather than in person.

What is the cost?

We charge an annual tuition fee which is the same as our standard on-campus PhD but includes:

• Economy class flights to and from Birmingham for the compulsory two-week campus visit in September
• Accommodation at the University for the compulsory two-week campus visit in September
• Economy class flights to and from Birmingham at the end of the study period for the three-day PhD viva examination
• Accommodation at the University for the three-day viva examination

How often will I need to be on campus?

Although you may be able to undertake the majority of your study at an off campus location, you will be fully funded to make one compulsory visit to the University per year of study.  This will enable you to meet your supervisory team, undertake intensive research skills training and make a start on your doctoral studies. You will then be invited to attend the University for annual ‘in-person’ meetings which give you the opportunity to interact with other doctoral students both socially and academically, undertake important progress meetings and carry out necessary training. You will also generally be required to be present on campus for your viva voce.

Am I eligible?

Before we can offer you a place it is important that you have agreement from your potential supervisor and that they are satisfied that you will be able to undertake the PhD on an off campus basis. This may mean that slightly different entry requirements apply, such as English language and more extensive research skills training. Agreements will also need to be reached regarding some of the more practical aspects of undertaking the PhD in this way (for example attendance requirements, suitability of the chosen residency etc). It is important that arrangements are discussed early so that all parties involved know what to expect and to ensure you are able to successfully complete your studies. 

Can I study by distance learning anywhere?

Distance Learning courses can be undertaken from anywhere in the world, including the UK. 

However, it is worth noting that supervisory sessions for Distance Learning students will take place via audiovisual communications, such as Skype or Facetime, rather than in person. 

While we have found that these 21st Century methods have proved popular, for those applicants who would prefer to visit the campus for face-to-face meetings with their supervisor, the traditional part-time study option may be more appropriate. 

How to apply?

Find the programme that you wish to apply for in our course finder and click on the ‘Apply’ button. 

As part of the application process, we will ask you to provide evidence to demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study for a PhD by Distance Learning. Please be prepared to provide evidence, and details, of the following:

• Examples of your postgraduate research experience and ability to work independently e.g. papers/presentations at professional and academic conferences or publications in professional journals or previous completion of an independent research project, etc. 
• Full reasons (academic and personal) for registering for the distance learning mode of study rather than by standard full or part-time on-campus options. In particular, how you will be able to carry out your project in your chosen location. 
• Access to local library facilities (where needed)
• Access to IT facilities
• Access to communications, including e-mail, and audiovisual communication media e.g. Skype and Facetime
• Access to facilities to support any study-related disability (where appropriate)