Why choose Brighton Doctoral College?

Our aim is to nurture and celebrate our researchers, rewarding successful journeys with a highly supportive environment in which to undertake doctoral studies.

We have a growing research profile across a broad range of disciplines, enhancing our contribution to increasing economic, cultural and social wellbeing across the world, and with strong connections to regional, national and international research networks, industry, public services and professional associations, we can provide you with opportunities for collaborative working.

World-leading research - 2014 Research Excellence Framework

Brighton is in the top 25 per cent of universities for world-leading research impact.

According to the results of the 2014 REF, the university’s researchers in life, health and physical sciences, social sciences and art and humanities have all produced research, a percentage of which has been rated as “world-leading”.

The university has been recognised for producing research that brings significant benefits to the economy and society, with 92 per cent of its research rated as being world leading or internationally excellent in terms of the impact it makes.

The REF rated the University of Brighton as:

A top 5 university for world-leading research impact in Business and Management Studies.
A top 10 university for world-leading research impact in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (includes some staff from our Brighton and Sussex Medical School).
A top 20 university for world-leading research impact in Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; and Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management; and Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism.

Transformative research

Our multidisciplinary approach to research makes significant contributions to social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing across a broad range of work.

Over the last five years we've committed over £10 million to initiatives in support of research. We have enriched our research environment, balancing discipline-based research with more flexible, cross-cutting interdisciplinary strands of research enquiry.

Centres for Doctoral Training

Brighton is a partner within five prestigious Centres for Doctoral Training.

Two funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): TECHNE Doctoral Training Partnership and Design Star Centre for Doctoral Training.

Two by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) Centre for Doctoral Traning and EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership.

One by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): South Coast ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership.

Award-winning research support

Our Doctoral College provides an academic and pastoral support network for researchers and the university is recognised with the prestigious European Commission HR Excellence in Research Award. A recent government agency audit noted that since the Doctoral College’s establishment ‘the trajectory of almost all success indicators has been upward’.

All Brighton research students are appointed at least two supervisors - these are academics who have expertise in the field you wish to study and are there to provide you with support and guidance throughout your time at Brighton.

Each of our Doctoral College centres has a Director of Postgraduate Studies, with responsibility for overseeing the academic wellbeing, progress and pastoral support of all our research students. Research Student Administrators are also on-hand to guide you through the administrative processes required of a research degree.

You'll also have access to support services including advice and counselling, disability and dyslexia support and childcare facilities.

Research student development

The University of Brighton Researcher Development Framework (URDF) has been designed to support the intellectual and research development of postgraduate students and to add value to your research degree experience.

We recognise that training in research skills and techniques is a key element in your development as a research student. The URDF brings together students from different disciplines, helping to foster the university community of scholars. This allows you to interact with scholars from other disciplines and the public.

Meet our research students

The videos below will give you an insight into the postgraduate research student experience at the University of Brighton, and who better to talk to you about this than our current students.