Applying to do a PhD

How you go about getting the green light to start a PhD generally depends on which side of the academic divide you are on...

Arts, humanities and social sciences

Having already developed a research idea, you need to approach a possible supervisor. You should be doing this well in advance of possible start dates and deadlines for registration and applying for any funding. In times past locating likely supervisors could be a major task, but the internet makes it much easier. Making an approach through a personal recommendation is best but often not feasible. If making a direct approach, send a letter or email explaining your idea, your background and why you would like them to be your supervisor. If they decline, they may suggest somebody else.

You will have the benefit of your supervisor’s advice in drawing up the formal PhD/MPhil proposal. The required length of the proposal varies from institution to institution, from around 500 words to as much as 2,000 words. At the centre of the proposal is your concisely formulated research question. You will need to show how it will usefully and originally advance knowledge by referring to ideas, debate and literature within the field. You must describe and justify the intended methodology of your research, including its practicality and the likely outcomes. You also need to make your case for being the person capable of carrying out the project. A bibliography should be included.

Your proposal will be submitted along with an application form including the usual personal statement and details, as well as two academic referees. But it is the proposal which will be decisive and the centre of discussion in the formal interview to consider your application.

You will probably need to seek funding for your PhD separately once your proposal has been accepted by a university. Your supervisor and university department should be able to offer some advice if you are trying for support from the AHRC or the ESRC.

A minority of funded research opportunities in arts, humanities and social sciences are in the form of projects designed by someone else, in which case some of the points made below will be relevant.

Science and engineering

Prospective PhD students in science or engineering are looking for a pre-designed project which has funding attached to it. Such projects may either be advertised at a national level or on university websites. Although the advertisement may offer the opportunity to apply directly, talking to the university department and supervisor is valuable. The more you know about the project and the field in which it is situated the more convincing will be your claims of commitment to it.

When applying by letter or application form you will need to make a case that you will be able to do the projected research and you want to do it to such an extent that you will be able to keep going over two or three years working independently. So you should say why you are attracted by the particular project and research in general. Relevant modules and projects in your first degree, or Masters if you have done one, should be highlighted. The application should contain details of what your previous university studies covered as well as the normal information that is required in application forms.

The interview discussing your application will cover the same ground. You should be geared up to explain your reasons for wanting to go into research, making clear that you are not one of those unfortunate cases that just couldn’t pluck up the courage to leave university. You should also be ready to explain your interest in the particular project. Between your application and the interview you will have had an opportunity to look at relevant literature and particularly any that has been drawn to your attention when applying. Showing that you are interested enough in the project to have done some reading will aid your cause, apart from being the common sense thing to do.

What you need to find out

While you are trying to impress possible supervisors and departments with your dedication to a research project you also need to be assessing their commitment to you or at least to their research students.

Some universities are able and willing to provide better support and facilities than others. Such considerations will be less important than whether the university and academics match your research interests, but being well supported can make the difference between success and non-completion. Training is often provided and may be compulsory - for instance, in science there may be workshops on health & safety, writing up and referencing. Or. in science and engineering, a whole MRes in research methods is frequently required before doctoral studies begin.

The support provided by your supervisor will be of the greatest importance. You will need to be confident it will be forthcoming and that a good working relationship is possible. There should be a back-up for the supervisor who may not always be available when he or she is most needed.