How to apply

• 1. Think of an area of research and potential research project

  There are three main ways of doing this. First, we often advertise for specific funded projects. These can be found on our School blog or FindAPhD. Second, some members of our School provide a list of research interests and potential projects that they are interested in supervising. Third, you can devise your own original research project.

• 2. Devise an initial research proposal

  You should draw up an initial research proposal that outlines your ideas. The research proposal, together with the result of an interview, is the most important part of your application. We provide a separate page with guidance on writing a research proposal.

• 3. Contact a potential supervisor

  You should next contact a potential supervisor to see if they are interested in supervising your initial idea and to help you flesh this out into a competitive application. If you are applying for a funded project or building on a proposed idea, then contact the named supervisor(s). If not, you can use this list of supervisors and their interests to identify a prospective supervisor. You should agree a suitable research proposal with a potential supervisor before you submit an application. Applications received without a proposal will be rejected.

• 4. Submit an application

  Once you have agreed on a supervisor and have completed your research proposal, you can apply at University's central postgraduate application page.

• 5. Await an interview and decision

  If you are applying for a studentship with an advertised closing date, then applications will be processed after the closing date. Applicants that are to be interviewed will receive an appointment request from their potential supervisor. Interviews are conducted in person or via video conference and will involve the potential supervisor(s) and the Director of Postgraduate Research or representative.
  Applications that are received outside of an advertised round may be considered on a case-by-case basis, or you may be asked to withdraw your application and reapply during a round.
  After an interview, the School recommends that the University either make an offer or to decline the application. Official notice of the application outcome will be issued within a month of the interview.