How to apply to research programmes

Before applying for a research programme, please: 

• Check that you meet the programme entry requirements—you can find these on individual programme pages.
• Consider your funding options and check if we offer any studentships in your research area
• As part of the application, you will be invited to suggest a potential supervisor in your research proposal. This could be based on previous contact you may have had with an academic, or could be based on where you see alignment in research areas based on the academic profiles on our website. We cannot guarantee your chosen supervisor will be available, so this will just help guide us as we liaise internally to identify an appropriate supervisor.

The application deadline for Doctoral School MPhil/PhD programmes is: 15 June 2026.

The assessment of your suitability and the availability of supervision typically takes between two and three months from the submission of your application. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible within the admissions cycle.

If you do miss the relevant ‘apply by’ date we will do our best to process your application, but cannot guarantee that an offer will be made in time. 

Overseas and Visiting Research applicants

If you are an overseas applicant, we advise you to apply well in advance of your preferred start date as the Student visa application process can be very lengthy.

Visiting Research Applicants must ensure their application is submitted three months prior to the start date of the term you intend to commence your studies. Further information regarding VRS applications can be found here: Visiting Research Students | SOAS

Your application will only be initially assessed once we confirm all necessary documentation has been received, including an academic reference. The Doctoral School Admissions team will check that all required documentation has been provided and that the reference is acceptable and meets our requirements during the initial assessment.

Incomplete applications, missing any of the following elements, cannot be considered and will not go forward to the academic selectors within the department for consideration:

• a supporting/personal statement
• an up-to-date CV
• a research proposal
• academic transcripts
• degree certificates
• one reference

If you are applying for the joint MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics programme with University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), as well as completing the applications requirements listed on this page, you will need to ensure you apply to both Universities. The SOAS apply link can be found on the SOAS-Wits Joint programme page.