PhD study is usually self-funded and doctoral loans are available, subject to eligibility, to support your study. We offer limited funded full-time PhD studentships in our priority research areas annually.

Your PhD

As a research student, you’ll become part of our active postgraduate and research communities. You'll generate research that creates evidence-informed practice and drives change across sport and exercise science, equestrian sports and promotes positive animal and equine health and welfare, as well as increasing our knowledge of human-animal interaction and developing new technological approaches to agriculture and digital farming.

You’ll design and complete an independent research project supported by our experienced researchers who make up your supervisory team. You'll also have access to our extensive postgraduate research student support workshops and up to 120 credits of taught Masters modules at no additional fee, providing you with the opportunity to develop your research skills and subject expertise whilst making a difference in an area that matters to you.

We welcome applications from students wanting to develop their own research ideas linked to our Research Centres: Animal and Agriculture, Equestrian Performance and Sport and Exercise.

High-quality research environment

Throughout your doctoral study, you’ll be supported by our specialist academics and established researchers who are also leading coaches, trainers, scientists, behaviourists, nutritionists, veterinary professionals, psychologists and more.

You’ll also have access to our world-leading facilities and specialist populations to support your research. You'll have the opportunity to network and build exciting industry and academic partnerships by attending and presenting your work at industry events and conferences at national and global levels.

For a supervised PhD, we normally expect that applicants will hold at least a 2:1 or a Masters qualification from a UK university or a degree of comparable standing from a university outside the UK. We also require a recognised English language qualification prior to making an unconditional offer.

For international applicants an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, or equivalent qualification, is required. If you require a Student Visa to undertake your research degree, you must apply for an academic place at least three months in advance of your proposed start date so you can obtain an offer in time to apply for your visa.

Your application

We accept PhD students at three points during the year: 1^st October, 1^st January and 1^st April. You should submit your application a minimum of three months before your targeted entry date. We strongly encourage you to discuss your proposed programme of research with either an academic staff member or the relevant Research Centre Lead, prior to submitting an application. If you're unsure who to approach, you can explore our staff and their research interests on Hartpury’s PURE repository.

Your application should contain the following:

• Completed application form including an outline of your proposed programme of study: title, research aims and objectives, brief rationale outlining why your project is required and a summary of the studies planned to complete your project. You should also identify any resource requirements which the project will require and identify the potential academic and/or industry impact of your project.
• An example of critical writing: this could be a published paper you've been involved with, a previous piece of academic work or if returning to study, you may wish to write a short critical review of a topic related to your proposed programme of study.
• Two referees to support your application.
• Proof of qualifications: copies of transcripts of your qualifications.

Please note, applications which do not meet the minimum criteria will not be considered.

PhD study is usually self-funded and doctoral loans are available, subject to eligibility, to support your study. We offer limited funded full time PhD studentships in our priority research areas annually.

If you're a prospective UK doctoral student, and you normally live in England, you may be able to apply for a UK Government Postgraduate Doctoral Loan to support your PhD study at Hartpury. Loans are available up to £25,000, payable across the whole, or part, of your doctoral studies. Full details about the loan scheme, including details of loan payments and repayment, are available on the UK Government website.

We also offer a Research Bursary to support doctoral study. This can only be applied for once studies have commenced. PhD students can apply for up to £3000 per relative academic year for research project support, depending on mode of study.

The Research Bursary can be applied to support costs directly associated with their research e.g. laboratory consumables, specialist data analysis techniques or conference attendance to disseminate their research.  Please speak to your Director of Studies for further information.