How To Apply For A PhD

How do I apply for a PhD in the UK?

To apply for a PhD at a UK university, you will need to:

1. Choose your universities
2. Check the entry requirements for the university(s) you want to apply to
3. Pick a research topic or project
4. Find a supervisor
5. Complete your application and submit before the deadline
6. Check the fees, funding and support
7. Wait to receive offer(s)
8. Confirm your place.

For more help and advice, please see our Applying for a PhD guide.

How much does a PhD cost in the UK?

For 2020/21, outside of London most new PhD students in the UK earn £15,285 per year, or £17,285 within London.

This isn't very much compared to a graduate salary which can sometimes be twice this amount or more. Therefore, budgeting is a must, and you may have to consider getting a part-time job to help fund your studies.

In the UK, being a self-funded PhD student can be a expensive, with an annual tuition bill of approximately £3,000 to £6,000 (about US$3,800-7,670) for domestic students and up to £18,000 ($23,000) for international students for the first three years.

How long does a PhD take?

Full-time PhDs typically last three or four years, while part-time PhDs last six or seven.

However, the thesis deadline can be extended by up to four years at the institution's discretion. Indeed, many students who enrol on three-year PhDs only finish their thesis in year four.

How do I choose a PhD topic?

To make sure you pick the best PhD topic for you, we recommend:

1. Brainstorm for ideas - think carefully about what you want to pursue, and take your time in deciding whether this is definitely the right step for you
2. Decide what kind of doctorate you're looking for
3. Pick a project that matches your enthusiasm with something that's appropriate to your research goals
4. Read around your research and check whether you have an original idea that's worth investigating further
5. Look at what's involved in your type of research and whether it appeals to you
6. Think about your research environment - does the university have all the required equipment and postgraduate facilities you require?
7. Talk to potential supervisors - introduce yourself to a few tutors and find out how many students they have supervised before, how well their research aligns with their interests and what they're involved in at the moment.

For more help and advice, take a look at our Choosing A PhD Topic guide.

How do I choose a PhD supervisor?

To pick a good supervisor for your project, we recommend:

1. You choose someone with shared interests to help you form a solid relationship
2. Has successfully mentored a number of students in the past
3. They are approachable and supportive
4. Choose someone who makes you enthusiastic about your research
5. Introduce yourself to a variety of tutors
6. Make a shortlist and pick the person you feel you get on with most
7. If unsure, ask for feedback on their supervision abilities from previous PhD students
8. Be honest, clear and open in all communications.

For more help and advice, read our Choosing A PhD Supervisor guide.

How do I write a PhD personal statement?

To write a successful PhD personal statement, we suggest:

• Talking about yourself to give a personal picture of who you are
• Explain why you want to do a PhD
• Showing how your skills and experience fit with the PhD you are applying for and how it will help
• Displaying your intellectuality and passion to learn more
• Not focussing on teaching, as this is an independent research project and this could put some tutors off
• Including all relevant research experience and skills to demonstrate why you make a great candidate
• Mentioning your career plans and future ambitions.

For more information and advice, please see How To Write A PhD Personal Statement.