PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

Hello,

PhD advise seems to be a common thread amongst the TSR postgrad community. This thread provides an insight into the early and later PhD application process.

Warning! This is not a definative guide by is aimed to be added to with other peoples advise.

Mod edit: this post has also been added to the TSR wiki, and expanded upon. It can be found at: PhD Courses: Tips and Advice for Making your Application. Many thanks to Epoch for his hard work!

Reasons for doing a PhD

Everyone has thier own reasons for doing a PhD but serveral things are considered a must

1) Commitment and an eye for detail
2) Intelligence (not merely high grades but a willingness to learn etc)
3) Independance
4)Aspiration
5) Passion for your subject

Keep these in your mind during the application process and interviews!

Applying for a PhD

First things first think about what you want to do, the subject your intrested in and make a list of ideas. A good person to seek early is your supervisor if still at uni. They should stear you in the right direction and give you sound advise. But be warned some academics an be out to curtail your plans before you start and are best ignored!

Ok now to start looking for your subject area. A great place to start is

www.findaphd.com

This list all current phd courses in all subjects and is a great place to see whos offering what. Then start looking for department specific websites this is where there are detailed PhD listings. Remember PhD details will be released at different times so contact the postgraduate admissions tutor.

Fear not! if your subject of choice is not there then contact the academic staff directly with your C.V and a letter detailing you situation and intrests. This is a good way to get first hand advise and also a way of testing the water some what regarding your credentials

At this point make sure you know the funding situation of the PhD as this will dictate much of the application process. You can be awarded a PhD place with no funding which is very difficult to pursue.

As a rule in house school scholarships are very hard to get so projects which are specifically funded are worth finding.

The C.V

Now you have found your course or have a contact in the department of your choosing sit down and get that C.V in order. For PhD places an academic C.V is often needed. This is a posh term for a detailed subject break down of your undergrad and postgrad (if any) degrees so far. Include any relevant experience relating to the project and do not be afriad to tailor a C.V for an individual PhD. It helps to be affilitated with a academic society as this shows that you are serious and implies that you are well read (May be!).
This keeps cropping up in discussions and I would like to help provide a guide line about what to expect as I have been through a few already!

Good C.V links
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/downloads/documents/prospects/IDD/Special%20Interests%20Series/CVs/2007/Academic%20CV%20updated%20version.pdf

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/jobsintro/apply/cv/

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers/articles/1220/Academic_CV_Building_Where_to_Start

Coverng letter and Online applications

The covering letter may not be asked for as of the variety of submission processes that each university may imply. Make it concise why have you chose this PhD and what makes it suited to your skills. Do not try to answer the question just outline why you want this place and your qualifications and where you currently study/work.

Online applications are slightly more difficult in that more specific details need to be employed. However if you have a good C.V then it becomes easier to fill in. Personal statements for PhD need to be academically focused as well as social.

DONT forget your references

Remember to ask academic staff which know you and are not just associated with the subject. From this they want to know whether you are hard working, commited and shown intrest in the subject before. Pick your references carefully as they have possibly the most say in the early PhD selection process

The research proposal
This is where I need help and addition advise would be greatly accepted! I did not have write a long one alot of science subjects do not need one at all but arts most likely do. Consultation with the supervisior of the PhD is paramount in my experience.

Now you wait and hope for the dreaded interview.............

The Interview
This is not a definative guide and it would be good for other people to contrbute there experiences and opinions on the matter

The "formal" interview and Interview styles

The interview can take two different paths the first often an informal chat with the supervisior where the project is discussed generally

The second is usually a board of people usually 3 to 5 which ask questions. As far as I know Oxbridge is different in this respect they seem to have a series individual interviews.

What to expect

The first question in most interviews seems to be "Why do you want to do a PhD and what has brought you to this position so far ?"

What follows is a series of questions that is designed to test your knowlegde of the basic aspects of the programme. What it entails and what contibution is expected. The project supervisor will want to know specifics the other will want to see how you delt with the question.

During my interview they seemed to want to see my past work, e.g dissertation etc. but they would never ask directly. It is a good idea to have the work prepared and key places marked. Make sure you know the work in depth and be prepared to ask answer any questions on it.

Usually if the PhD involves a studentship or is funded by an outside body they will have a representative. They will assess how you present youself and will probably want to hear how the project is likely to benefit the company or the University.

The interview panel want you to express a wider knowledge. It is key you have read reccomended references and understood them as it will just help your case. Also find out what is cutting edge at the moment and bring with you or make a typed sheet with problems you might want to tackle during the PhD

Remember that you do not want to answer the PhD title but you are aware of lines of evidence that you might want to pursue.

Presentations

Be confident and speak fluently. Made the audience know you are confident (even though you might not feel like it)

Focus on your research unless asked not to and relate this to the project. Essentially what can you bring to the table?

Have it practiced and timed. Draw together on a concluding slide and expect questions

You and yourself!

At the interview they want to see that your motivated to do the project and prepared.

Be confident and don't be afriad to say "I don't know".

Wear something smart. I know some places are not to fussy but it never harmed any one to look smart on interview

Try not to be nervous!

Again each institution has its own style and i would like to open a thread to disscuss the possiblities.

!!!!Sorry about the poor spelling!!!!

Reply 180

Bluth.

16

Original post

by itzme

hey guys and girls,

have any of you just applied to one place? This is what I am thinking of doing. If I don't get in, I will re-apply.

Me

. I've already been accepted but now I have to win funding

Original post

by TheRandomer

Blaaaa why is everyone taking so long to get back to me :frown:

At least January is finally over! :yawn:

Reply 181

telltheking

I am currently in the process of applying for a PhD in History. I have applied to Bristol, Sheffield, Birmingham, Leicester and Exeter (I have already been offered a place at Leicester and Sheffield). I have 2:1 in Economics (BA) from Leeds Met and currently about to finish a masters program which will see me get 2 MAs in Social Science and History jointly awarded from the University of Tartu (Estonia) and West Virginia University. My application is pretty strong I have been told, my research proposal has gone down very well with supervisors and my CV and references are strong.

My main concern is over funding! Self-funding isn't really an option and I have applied for all the scholarships and AHRC awards possible. I just have no idea what to expect - does anyone have experience or know the rate of acceptance for these awards? I don't really know what I am asking for on here, just some reassurance that someone else is/has been in the same position i.e. having your future decided within the next month or so based on a seemingly arbitrary set of criteria for funding!

Anyone applying for History PhDs would be great to talk to to share your experiences.

Rant over!

Reply 182

Jennys1977

Original post

by telltheking

I am currently in the process of applying for a PhD in History. I have applied to Bristol, Sheffield, Birmingham, Leicester and Exeter (I have already been offered a place at Leicester and Sheffield). I have 2:1 in Economics (BA) from Leeds Met and currently about to finish a masters program which will see me get 2 MAs in Social Science and History jointly awarded from the University of Tartu (Estonia) and West Virginia University. My application is pretty strong I have been told, my research proposal has gone down very well with supervisors and my CV and references are strong.

My main concern is over funding! Self-funding isn't really an option and I have applied for all the scholarships and AHRC awards possible. I just have no idea what to expect - does anyone have experience or know the rate of acceptance for these awards? I don't really know what I am asking for on here, just some reassurance that someone else is/has been in the same position i.e. having your future decided within the next month or so based on a seemingly arbitrary set of criteria for funding!

Anyone applying for History PhDs would be great to talk to to share your experiences.

Rant over!

I am applying for a History PhD at Sheffield, Birmingham, Nottingham and Leicester and am currently refining the funding form. If you would like to chat further about your experiences, message me.

I too would love to know more about the rate of acceptance and realistic chances of gaining an award. From what I have heard, much of it depends on the amount and quality of applicants that year and how much funding is available.

A prospective supervisor at Leicester advised me to not give up if you don't get funding the first time round. Register part time and be patient - something will come up somewhere down the line and your supervisor will help with finding you some money in the meantime towards fees (helping with applications to charities, etc).

Next academic year there will more funding available for universities in the midlands through a consortium - so you can have joint supervision between local universities (e.g. Birmingham and Nottingham). There will be 60 fully funded spaces and the universities are also expected to match that offer. If I do not gain funding this time round I'll register p/t, make a start on the PhD and try for the consortium funding.

Good luck with it and it would be great to hear from other History PhD's experiences of gaining funding.

Reply 183

gutenberg

14

Original post

by telltheking

x

Original post

by Jennys1977

x

I'm in the first year of my PhD, studying history, having applied last year & won funding. AHRC studentships are, to quote one of my old tutors, like 'gold dust', so I would go into the funding rounds with your eyes open & in expectation that you will not receive anything. There were 26 of us on my MPhil course last year, and of us I am the only one to have received AHRC money to stay here. Now, a few others secured money elsewhere (at York, and Sheffield in fact) but there were really aren't a lot us who were successful :s-smilie:

It's never quite made clear what exactly it is that will secure you money, but obviously a fantastic research proposal is the basic thing; after that it is factors like the 'fit' between you & the supervisor, and between you & the institution, plus your past record & references. From my experience, only people who had firsts at undergraduate were successful with funding, but of course this not a hard & fast rule; in addition you really have to get the prospective supervisor on board in supporting you. The person I know who went to Sheffield is the first PhD student of her supervisor at Sheffield (he was previously here at Cambridge) and he was really keen to have a PhD student from his first year, which helped a lot in securing her money (she isn't on the AHRC, rather a Wolfson scholarship).

If you have any other questions I'd be happy to try & answer them :smile:

Reply 184

Jennys1977

Original post

by gutenberg

I'm in the first year of my PhD, studying history, having applied last year & won funding. AHRC studentships are, to quote one of my old tutors, like 'gold dust', so I would go into the funding rounds with your eyes open & in expectation that you will not receive anything. There were 26 of us on my MPhil course last year, and of us I am the only one to have received AHRC money to stay here. Now, a few others secured money elsewhere (at York, and Sheffield in fact) but there were really aren't a lot us who were successful :s-smilie:

It's never quite made clear what exactly it is that will secure you money, but obviously a fantastic research proposal is the basic thing; after that it is factors like the 'fit' between you & the supervisor, and between you & the institution, plus your past record & references. From my experience, only people who had firsts at undergraduate were successful with funding, but of course this not a hard & fast rule; in addition you really have to get the prospective supervisor on board in supporting you. The person I know who went to Sheffield is the first PhD student of her supervisor at Sheffield (he was previously here at Cambridge) and he was really keen to have a PhD student from his first year, which helped a lot in securing her money (she isn't on the AHRC, rather a Wolfson scholarship).

If you have any other questions I'd be happy to try & answer them :smile:

Thanks for your response and congrats on securing funding. I am aware that chances of sceuring AHRC are zilch so am hoping I may stand a slight chance with university studentships. Do you have any idea how competitive these are compared to AHRC?

Reply 185

gutenberg

14

Original post

by Jennys1977

Thanks for your response and congrats on securing funding. I am aware that chances of sceuring AHRC are zilch so am hoping I may stand a slight chance with university studentships. Do you have any idea how competitive these are compared to AHRC?

I don't know anything about the scholarships in the specific universities you've applied to, sorry :dontknow:

However, are the university scholarships spread across all faculties & departments? Because in that case you'll be competing with every newly-registered postgrad (and possibly even already-registered ones, if the university allows them to re-enter), which would include people in the sciences etc. So they can sometimes be even harder to get than AHRC, which is at least only for your subject. In my university they offer Home & European scholarships, for example, and there are apparently around 80 offered across the entire university; to put that in perspective, there were 100+ new history postgrads alone this year (if you include MPhils, as the awards can be given to MPhils too). But you know the situation at your prospective universities better than me, so you'll probably be able to judge your chances better; or else you could ask? In practice, at my university I've met more people who are either AHRC-funded or funded by a college than on a university scholarship.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 186

TheRandomer

18

Is anyone else going absolutely crazy with the wait? I'm starting to think what if some places aren't even going to interview me... getting nervous. Damnit damnit damnit. GIVE ME A PHD NOW OKAY?!?

Reply 187

kpr

Hello all,

Does anyone know how important it is to the PhD application process to have a confirmed supervisor? I have read a few posts that seem to suggest that once a professor has committed to be a PhD supervisor, the application process is more of a formality to ensure the minimum requirements are met. Any idea if this is true? I have a prof who has confirmed he would be interested in supervising my PhD research, and I’m positive I meet the minimum requirements, however, I’m still sweating out the application process like everyone else. Some schools I have contacted seem to take the approach of just apply and a supervisor will be assigned if available, others seem to require one in advance...Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Reply 188

Jennys1977

Original post

by kpr

Hello all,

Does anyone know how important it is to the PhD application process to have a confirmed supervisor? I have read a few posts that seem to suggest that once a professor has committed to be a PhD supervisor, the application process is more of a formality to ensure the minimum requirements are met. Any idea if this is true? I have a prof who has confirmed he would be interested in supervising my PhD research, and I’m positive I meet the minimum requirements, however, I’m still sweating out the application process like everyone else. Some schools I have contacted seem to take the approach of just apply and a supervisor will be assigned if available, others seem to require one in advance...Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi,

It is best to have a supervisor in mind and have met with them informally. They will support your application and guide you on improving the proposal for the application form. They will also advise you on the funding application (some supervisors will even look at rough drafts and make suggestions for improvement). Getting a place for a PhD isn't that difficult if you meet the requirements, its funding that's the difficult part. It sounds like you have an interesting project and the potential supervisor may suggest you meet to discuss it further. Treat it as an interview of sorts and show an interest in their research too. Good luck with it all.

Reply 189

itzme

14

hey everyone!
So on the form, I ticked that I wanted the university's funding, and then also wrote that I was applying for research council funding. However, the form said to only tick 1 choice (internal, external or self-funding)... I submitted the application, so what will happen? Will they not consider me for both sources of funding? Confused....

Reply 190

TheRandomer

18

Got 3 interviews next week, aaaaah. So nervous and excited and aaah.
Hopefully I will get a few more too but I'll have to wait and see :wink:

Reply 191

PhD Candidate

Hello all,

I have had my phone interview this morning (first in my life - and I am applying for PhD in Applied Linguistics at the Uni of Melbourne Australia). Although it is a non-uk university, which might be irrelevant somehow to the issues discussed in this thread. However, I was really suffering looking for experiences with/tips for phone and/or in-person interviews specifically for Hums candidates. I finally got to this thread two days ago and, from the bottom of my heart, thanks to all of you who've participated and shared their experiences in this thread. Today, as a candidate who's already went through a phone interview, I am going to share you my experience so that everybody could benefit from it in a way or another.

Although I can call this as an informal chat with two of my potential supervisors, but they tended to ask some deep questions on my proposed topic. So, I encourage you to prepare yourself and read your proposal and write down any things you might anticipate to be questioned about (nature of study, questions of the research, hypotheses, methodology -though I wasn't questioned about it).

The interview lasted for about 25 minutes. I rang up the principle supervisor's office and she greeted me. I was somehow nervous at the beginning, but she calmed me down by trying to clarify that I shouldn't worry about anything (yet I forgot to say how are you! :eek:

) They started questioning me...

1- Would you tell us about yourself, research interests? --> 1-2 minutes

2- Why did you choose our university? --> 2 minutes

3- What made you choose this specific topic? --> 3-4 minutes

4- Would you please talk about research project? --> 4 minutes

5- Some questions about the environment where the study will take place (accessibility, participants, etc.) --> 3 minutes

They then told me briefly about the nature of study at the university and what should be done in the first year. Afterwards, they asked whether I have any questions. I raised some questions related to the elective courses I am supposed to take, the start date, their impression about my project. They answered all my queries. At the end of the call I was so curious to know whether I am on the safe side! (I read some suggestions here not to ask such question but I took a risk because I am a very impetuous person!). I asked; May I please know whether I am on the safe side for now at least? They both replied; (Oh yes you're, we will recommend you for admission but the final decision will be made by the RHD committee. So, so far things aren't actually finalized. You'll hear from them in a month time because some people in the department are still on leave).

After the interview, I sent them an email thanking them for the time they spared for this interviewed, they replied with a very motivating answer. :biggrin:

This is my first (and hopefully last) phone interview with my potential main and co- supervisors. I am just wondering whether anyone could advise me about the next step? Do you think things are informally finalized, just need some formal signature?

I hope this experience will be in support of you when attending any sort of interview.

Thanks again to all of you, I do appreciate all your advice and suggestions.

All the best, :smile:

Reply 192

231240

Hi,
Hope this article might be useful http://www.postgrad.com/editorial/advice/phd/interview_dos_and_donts/ too.
The dos and dont seem pretty obvious but not a bad reminder but i found the questions visual helpful to structure my thoughts and felt a bit more prepared!!!! :rolleyes:

Reply 193

TheRandomer

18

So tired of waiting *cry*
Manchester get back to me with an interview already please? And someone tell me I have an offer, that would be nice.

Reply 194

nikita25

Original post

by kpr

Hello all,

Does anyone know how important it is to the PhD application process to have a confirmed supervisor? I have read a few posts that seem to suggest that once a professor has committed to be a PhD supervisor, the application process is more of a formality to ensure the minimum requirements are met. Any idea if this is true? I have a prof who has confirmed he would be interested in supervising my PhD research, and I’m positive I meet the minimum requirements, however, I’m still sweating out the application process like everyone else. Some schools I have contacted seem to take the approach of just apply and a supervisor will be assigned if available, others seem to require one in advance...Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi! I had applied to bristol last year for a phd in psychology and had written to the professor too. The prof told me to look for other funding options as the scholarships were already allocated. I waited a year and in the meanwhile I never heard from them again. I applied for the commonwealth scholarship and wrote to the prof for a supporting letter if he was willing to be my potential supervisor. He gave an excellent letter of support but unfortunately I couldn't get through the second round. I have applied again to bristol and checked the boxes on the form for being considered for a scholarship. Its been a month now and the decision date of the scholarship is fast approaching but i haven't heard from them again whether I've got through or not. The whole thing is stressing me out now because I don't know where i stand. Should I write to the admissions team or to the professor? I'm seriously confused and worried! Any kind of advice or reply would be welcomed!

p.s: I'm an international applicant from India.

Reply 195

cwaltz

Hi everyone,

I need some advices. I applied to only one institution and I have got now an offer for a non-funded (I have not been nominated) PhD in the humanities in one of the best unis in my field.

I will probably be able to work part-time and fund it with the help of my family but I would like to know if you think that it would be preferable to apply for a less renowned department (where I will get more chances to have a scholarship)? Is the reputation of a department still important at the phd level, or is it better to have a phd funded with a scholarship (for the after-phd prospects..), even if it means studying in a less renowned uni?

thanks in advance for your answers

Reply 196

itzme

14

Original post

by cwaltz

Hi everyone,

I need some advices. I applied to only one institution and I have got now an offer for a non-funded (I have not been nominated) PhD in the humanities in one of the best unis in my field.

I will probably be able to work part-time and fund it with the help of my family but I would like to know if you think that it would be preferable to apply for a less renowned department (where I will get more chances to have a scholarship)? Is the reputation of a department still important at the phd level, or is it better to have a phd funded with a scholarship (for the after-phd prospects..), even if it means studying in a less renowned uni?

thanks in advance for your answers

I am in the same situation: only applied to 1 uni. I got an offer, but have no idea if I have been nominated or not. How did you find out? How soon after your application/offer letter?
Thanks.

Reply 197

cwaltz

Original post

by itzme

I am in the same situation: only applied to 1 uni. I got an offer, but have no idea if I have been nominated or not. How did you find out? How soon after your application/offer letter?
Thanks.

I applied in mid-January and had the offer letter last week. The department sent me a separate mail to inform me of their decision.

Reply 198

TheRandomer

18

Hiiii, how's everyone's applications going?

Reply 199

jamcal66

I have applied for three PhDs. The university says it will fund up to 10 PhDs (competitive funding), there are 14 title up so will that mean that they will fund the top ten projects with the most academic students. I am expected to finish my biomed science course with a 2:1.

PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

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