Human Sciences, MPhil/PhD
Our doctoral programme in Human Sciences allows you to conduct cutting-edge research in fields including Psychology, Social Work, Public Health and Sports Science with support from our experts.
When you undertake a research degree (MPhil/PhD) at our School of Human Sciences, you are supported by a team of world-leading experts and active researchers. You also get access to a range of state-of-the-art facilities, including observation laboratories, eye-tracking capabilities, EEG, Edu-Logger, Nexus 4 and Biotrace.
As a research student in Human Sciences, you join a community of research students and benefit from the resources, community, and events at our Institute for Lifecourse Development (ILD). There are opportunities for PhD students to gain support with research costs and to present their research at national and international conferences.
School
Location
Duration
- 3 - 4 years full-time
- 4 - 7 years part-time
Start month
September
Home /international fees 2025/26
£4,925 /£17,975
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
We are a team of academics in the School of Human Sciences who are highly experienced academics and practitioners from various disciplines including Psychology, Social Work, Public Health and Sports Science.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
- A taught Master's degree, with a minimum average of 60% in all areas of assessment (e.g. Merit or above), in a generic subject area relevant to the subject matter of the proposed research project, and/or
- A First Class or Second Class, First Division (Upper Second Class) Honours degree in a subject area relevant to the proposed research project.
Required documentation:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), including the names of two referees (written references can also be provided using the reference form)
- A detailed research proposal of about 1,500 words (for scholarship applications, please see specific instructions in the advert and include the scholarship reference to the personal statement section).
Further information about entry
Before applying, please make informal contact with a potential supervisor within the School to express your interest and discuss your proposal.
When you apply online, attach a single PDF which includes the following documents: 1) a research proposal (approx. 1,500 words), 2) a personal statement outlining your motivation for a PhD and previous research experience, 3) a complete tabular CV, 4) transcripts of all degrees, 5) two reference letters, and 6) evidence of language proficiency (if relevant).
Your personal statement should name the supervisor you had a discussion with. You can include a Gantt chart at the end of your proposal as a schedule for your PhD project (excluded from the word count).
A research proposal template can be found here
Pathways:
- Psychology
- Sports Science
- Public Health
- Social Work
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
There are advertised research study days but most of the teaching takes the form of regular supervision meetings with members of the supervisory team.
Class sizes
Information coming soon.
Independent learning
The majority of your work is in the form of independent learning. Our libraries and online resources will support your further reading and research.
Overall workload
Independent research, but also training in research, teaching and transferable skills. Postgraduate research events such as talks, seminars and conferences. You will be expected to keep a record of your research activities, skills and training in a portfolio and upload it.
Assessment
As your MPhil/PhD progresses, you will move through several review points including a transfer viva to ensure good progress and high quality-work. You will be assessed through your research thesis. Following your submission, you will have an oral examination.
Feedback summary
Once a postgraduate research student has submitted their thesis for examination, the examination should take place within three months of the date the Faculty Research Degrees Committee approves the examination arrangements.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £4,925 | £2,463 per year | N/A |
| International | £17,975 | £8,988 per year | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
You will be well equipped for a research career within universities, private research organisations, charities or government departments.
Do you provide employability services?
We have a growing postdoctoral and early career researcher community within the Institute for Lifecourse Development. Equally, the mandatory postgraduate research training provides you with training, accreditation and experience of research and teaching in Higher Education.
The University also offers a careers service which postgraduate students can access.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre. There are research-related modules that you may benefit from. For further details contact the programme leader. You can also drop into relevant undergraduate and Master's programmes, upon agreement with the teaching teams.
Support from the department
In addition to the core postgraduate researcher training, the Research and Enterprise Training Institute (RETI) also run additional training courses aimed at the training needs of postgraduate research students.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
PE, sport and exercise science degrees
Are you interested in teaching or coaching sport? We stand out as one of the few London universities with sports pitches on campus, plus we’ve got a new strength and conditioning lab and great links with Charlton Athletic FC.
Psychology degrees
Gain an understanding of human behaviour and mental processes and develop your research skills. Many of our courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society and some include study in fields related to psychology, such as counselling.
Public health degrees
These courses are perfect if you’re passionate about helping people and want a career improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and their communities. Our research-active academics will support you throughout your studies.
Social work degrees
Strength and compassion are only part of what it takes to excel as a social worker. Study with us and you’ll gain knowledge, skills and experience to improve people’s lives and succeed in a field that has excellent job opportunities.
Mode of study
Select from the dropdown below.
| Course level | |
| UCAS code | |
| Duration | |
| Location |