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All universities in United Kingdom Public universities193
Business & Management57 Medicine & Health Sciences54 Professional Accounting & Finance51 Computer Science & IT49 Social Sciences & Psychology48 Arts, Design & Architecture45 Engineering41 Education39 Law37 Science36 Media & Communication33 Life Sciences29 Languages & Linguistics26 Music & Performing Arts25 Economics & Public Policy19 Agriculture & Environment19 Sports & Recreation12 Veterinary & Animal Sciences9
Bachelor's universities72 Master's universities42 PhD universities17 Professional universities17 Foundation universities14 Diploma universities8 Bachelor's programs1,389 Master's programs505 Foundation programs42 Professional programs30 PhD programs29 Diploma programs24 Bachelor's Business & Management44 Master's Computer Science & IT19 Professional Business & Management6 Bachelor's Medicine & Health Sciences42 Master's Medicine & Health Sciences19 Professional Medicine & Health Sciences6 Bachelor's Professional Accounting & Finance41 Master's Business & Management18 Professional Education6 Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture39 Master's Engineering15
All scholarships Deadlines closing soon Medicine & Health Sciences93 Business & Management92 Computer Science & IT62 Professional Accounting & Finance60 Science55 Law51 Engineering45 Life Sciences42 Social Sciences & Psychology40 Media & Communication38
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29 Best PhD Programs in the United Kingdom

Across the United Kingdom, 17 universities offer 29 PhD programs — most run 4–6 years. The list starts with courses at University of Edinburgh, University of Bath and The Queen's University Belfast.

25PhD / Doctorate
CS City St George's, University of London logo
#134 in United Kingdom United Kingdom

Actuarial Science

City St George's, University of London — The PhD in Actuarial Science at City University delves into advanced theoretical and practical aspects of actuarial practice, equipping students with the skills necessary...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Professional Accounting & Finance
View program → About the university
28PhD / Doctorate
AU The American University in London logo
#142 in United Kingdom United Kingdom

Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)

The American University in London — The Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) program at The American University in London is meticulously designed to cultivate advanced research skills and critical thinking necess...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
5 YrsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
View program → About the university

Programs at other levels

Bachelor's Programs Diploma Programs Foundation Programs Master's Programs Professional Programs

Popular collections

Bachelor's Programs Master's Programs Programs in England Business & Management Programs Medicine & Health Sciences Programs Programs in Manchester Master's Programs in England Master's Programs in Manchester Arts, Design & Architecture Programs Bachelor's Business & Management Programs

How these courses are ranked

7 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #34 (University of Edinburgh) to #474 (University of Wales, Bangor); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. University of Edinburgh has the largest research record in this group, with 26,649,933 citations and an h-index of 1,347. 2 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

What the courses look like

The most common subjects are Professional Accounting & Finance (5), Science (5), Education (3) and Medicine & Health Sciences (3). The usual length is 4–6 years and 4 years. 89% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (11% of courses with a stated intake). Royal Holloway and Bedford New College offers the widest choice, with 7 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for PhD in the United Kingdom?

University of Edinburgh (QS World #34), University of Bath (QS World #132) and The Queen's University Belfast (QS World #199) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

How long does a PhD course take in the United Kingdom?

Most listed courses run 4–6 years, with 4 years the next most common.

When do PhD courses start in the United Kingdom?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Which university has the most PhD courses in the United Kingdom?

Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, with 7, ahead of The American University in London (4).

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