PHD - how are people applying during their masters?

I just started my masters in cognitive neuroscience, and I have a dilemma when considering applying to a phd position, a lot of the potential valuable experience that is relevant for a phd position is gained throughout our masters i.e., our research project - would that mean applying for a phd would be stronger after we finish our masters? How can we stand strong against candidates who have completed their masters and have gained alot of experience. Would it then be better to apply for a PhD position after I graduate, or should I just apply during both application cycles and see what happens lol

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Reply 1

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi there,

I’m a current PhD student and can share some advice on this!

There are usually three PhD intake periods — January/February, June/July, and September/October. If you started your master’s this September, you’ll likely finish around September 2026, meaning you’d be aiming for the autumn 2026 intake. So, it’s still a bit early to apply just yet.

Your master’s will give you key research experience, especially through your dissertation. I’d recommend waiting until you’ve submitted your master’s dissertation proposal and received feedback — that will really strengthen your PhD proposal and overall application. You can then apply while working on your dissertation.

Waiting until after your dissertation proposal also means you can include a transcript with your Semester 1 and Semester 2 grades, giving supervisors a clearer idea of your progress. Applying in early summer also helps you avoid clashes with data collection or the more intense stages of your dissertation project, so the timing tends to work out well.

When I applied, I submitted my application in June, had my interview and research presentation in July, and found out later that month that I’d been successful.

If you’re interested in funded PhDs or scholarships, keep an eye on Find A PhD and your university’s studentship or scholarship pages — these have strict deadlines, so it’s good to prepare early.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your master’s and future PhD plans! 😊

Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Rep)

(edited 2 weeks ago)

Reply 2

studyholmes

Original post

by LJMUStudentReps

Hi there,
I’m a current PhD student and can share some advice on this!
There are usually three PhD intake periods — January/February, June/July, and September/October. If you started your master’s this September, you’ll likely finish around September 2026, meaning you’d be aiming for the autumn 2026 intake. So, it’s still a bit early to apply just yet.
Your master’s will give you key research experience, especially through your dissertation. I’d recommend waiting until you’ve submitted your master’s dissertation proposal and received feedback — that will really strengthen your PhD proposal and overall application. You can then apply while working on your dissertation.
Waiting until after your dissertation proposal also means you can include a transcript with your Semester 1 and Semester 2 grades, giving supervisors a clearer idea of your progress. Applying in early summer also helps you avoid clashes with data collection or the more intense stages of your dissertation project, so the timing tends to work out well.
When I applied, I submitted my application in June, had my interview and research presentation in July, and found out later that month that I’d been successful.
If you’re interested in funded PhDs or scholarships, keep an eye on Find A PhD and your university’s studentship or scholarship pages — these have strict deadlines, so it’s good to prepare early.
Hope that helps, and best of luck with your master’s and future PhD plans! 😊
Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Rep)

THANKYOU!! this is super helpful, and I was honestly so confused on what to do especially given I just started, but seeing students around me talking about PhD applications has made me feel like I am behind. Just a quick question, I know funding has different deadlines, but would someone apply for a funding before they apply for a phd? or do you have to secure a phd place first? Are there funding opportunities if you apply in the summer cycle? thankyou so much Megan!

Reply 3

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Original post

by studyholmes

Hi!

I’m really glad that helped! And don’t worry — you’re definitely not behind. A master’s degree is already a big step up from undergraduate study in terms of workload and expectations, so it’s completely normal to take time to settle in before thinking seriously about PhD applications. It’s usually better to wait until you’ve had the right training and a clearer sense of what makes a strong proposal and what potential supervisors are looking for.

There are so many PhD routes and opportunities out there. Some are self-funded, which usually means you choose your own topic. Others are partially or fully funded, often with a pre-defined project title or research area. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the process can vary:

•

Self-funded PhDs: You typically design your own research topic. Some universities ask you to contact and secure a supervisor first, usually by emailing academics you find in the staff directory whose research aligns with your proposed project. Others will assign a supervisor after you apply, so it’s worth checking each university’s 'How to Apply' page for details.

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Funded Studentships/Scholarships: These projects usually have a set topic, methodology, and supervisory team. You’ll often need to refine the research questions and explain how your background aligns with the project. It’s always worth emailing the listed supervisors to introduce yourself and express interest — it shows initiative and helps you stand out. Example: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/current-research-opportunities-find-a-phd

•

For some schemes, you apply as if self-funded first, and shortlisted candidates are then considered for scholarships. Sometimes, the lead supervisor will formally submit the application on your behalf. Example: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/phd-studentship-application

In terms of funding, you normally need to have been offered a PhD place (either a conditional or unconditional offer) before applying for a Doctoral Loan, since you’ll need to include your university details. Full guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/doctoral-loan

There are funding opportunities available throughout the year. If you’re starting to explore what’s out there, these are good places to look:

•

Find a PhD – Lists opportunities across the UK https://www.findaphd.com/

•

University Websites – Some universities only post scholarships on their own webpages and not external listing sites. It can help to make a spreadsheet to track deadlines and eligibility.

•

LinkedIn – Academics often share funded projects or openings for doctoral students, so it’s worth following researchers in your field.

For most PhD applications, you’ll typically need:

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Research Proposal

•

Statement of Interest (similar to a personal statement; may be required instead of or alongside a proposal)

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Two Academic References

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Academic CV

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Identification Documents (e.g. passport)

If you’re shortlisted, you may be invited for an interview, sometimes including a short presentation of your proposed research. Think of it as a two-way conversation — it’s also your chance to see whether the project, supervision style, and research environment feel like a good fit for you.

Hope that helps, and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions! I know it’s a lot of information, but the process really varies between universities, so it’s best to follow the specific application guidance for the ones you’re interested in 🙂

Megan (LJMU Rep)