Entry Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For admission to a programme of study leading to the award of a PhD an applicant should normally possess a Masters degree from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution. However, in some circumstances applicants with a Bachelors Degree at 2.1 Honours standard or above will be considered.

At Liverpool Hope meeting the minimum academic standard is only one of the criteria considered for entrance to the award; other factors include excellent potential for research. As a consequence applicants must also successfully undertake a doctoral research interview as part of the application process.

Applicants applying from another country with a non-UK qualification will also be considered but must additionally satisfy the English Language requirements stipulated by the University.

Advanced Standing

MPhil and PhD applicants who have successfully completed one or more years of full-time study (or two or more years of part-time study) for a research degree at a UK University may be considered for admission with advanced standing. In such cases, the admissions procedure shall be identical to other applicants; however, the duration of the programme may vary and shall be as specified at the time of entry.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The requirements for admission to a programme of study leading to the award of an MPhil are that an applicant should:

[a] possess a Bachelors Degree at 2.1 Honours standard or above from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution

[b] successfully undertake a doctoral research interview as part of the application process.

[c] hold an equivalent non-UK qualification if applying from another country and satisfy the English Language requirements stipulated by the University.

Advanced Standing

MPhil and PhD applicants who have successfully completed one or more years of full-time study (or two or more years of part-time study) for a research degree at a UK University may be considered for admission with advanced standing. In such cases, the admissions procedure shall be identical to other applicants; however, the duration of the programme may vary and shall be as specified at the time of entry.

Professional Doctorate

To apply for a Professional Doctorate, you should normally possess a minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

Applicants should also have at least three years’ experience of professional practice relevant to the programme of study. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a UK University (or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK) is desirable.

Applicants who do not satisfy the above requirements may nevertheless be considered eligible for admission if they have relevant experience. Such applicants may be asked to submit a written review of contemporary issues in their field that is judged by the University to demonstrate both a critical understanding of those issues and the potential to undertake research at doctoral level.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a high level of competence in written and spoken English.

Advanced Standing

Professional Doctorate applicants may, by following the University's Accreditation of Prior Learning procedures, request exemption, on the basis of prior certificated learning, from one or more Part Once courses. No applicant shall normally be exempted from the Research Proposal, and no candidate shall be normally exempted from more than 135 credits.

International Entry Requirements

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages.