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.
• Check that your chosen school can provide supervision in your research area. Please indicate a supervisor in your research proposal.
• Consider your funding options and check if we offer any studentships in your research area
• Contact the PhD coordinator for your research area before you apply (you can find their details on the relevant research area page).

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 formal application form
• 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 also need to specify either SOAS or Wits as your ‘Home Institution’ in the Programme Related Information section of the application form.

You should select as your home institution the university you plan to be mainly based at for the duration of the programme.