PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

Hi, all! I was recently offered an interview for the philosophy PhD programme at Cambridge. Has anybody else had an interview for this programme in the past (or, indeed, for a philosophy PhD programme at any UK university)? If so, I'd love some insight into the kinds of questions I can expect to be asked. I'm super nervous!

Being nervous is normal. I’ve done interviews for PhDs several years ago although my field was STEM.

Just do the sensible preparation you can control. Understand the background literature of your area, key publications/knowledge that has recently come out. Read the interviewers research. Brush up on yourself, be prepared to talk about your prior academies, research or work experience… (have some personal case studies ready to go)

Be very clear why you want to undertake a PhD, what is the point of your research, why is it valuable…

Ultimately every PhD interview is different, every interviewer/panel has a different feel to it. Put in sensible prep work and then see what happens.

Update *Daughters got interview with head of particle physics dept at Manchester. Her niche topics are neutrinos and flavour physics and proton decay but has put in an open application so it goes to everyone. Im hoping, but we know how hard these things are to get, so fingers crossed for her and to everyone applying this year.

Congratulations!

Hopefully all goes well - if she already knows the main interviewer this will help crack the ice and allow the conversation to flow.

Ultimately in my experience they are looking for someone who can demonstrate ability to stay motivated, a passion for the subject (it’s normal for them to push your knowledge beyond the candidates level), and they can work collaboratively with their supervisor.

Has anyone has a skills based PhD interview? I’m applying to a programme with an integrated programme with a Masters beforehand and they’ve indicated that it will be more critically analysing data/figures type questions that motivation based.

Interview day came, and advice was very welcome on here. She did have some great advice from her supervisor as well. They did test her beyond her own knowledge to see how she could work things out and think outside the box. Obviously I cant say what the questions were about, but the interview was in front of a panel, and followed by two informal chats. Although its a competative uni and naturally it all comes down to the interviewers, department and funding, she felt her interview was much better than her Oxford undergrad one which had prompting on some of the maths questions; where as today she had no prompts and was showing her answers and exploring possibilities in particle physics. Even if she does not make this uni, she feels her interview was waymore of an inprovement and had more confidence in her presenting skills. 3 more unis to go now 🙂

Congratulations! It’s very positive that her wound be supervisor is supportive of her application & prep (this is something to draw confidence).

Best of luck - it sounds like she has performed as well as she could have and the potential supervisor also believes she is a great candidate.

it’s great she feels the development from her undergraduate interviews (the first interview is also generally the toughest). PhD interviews are also (imo) better assessments of student applicants as at this point in time students have been immersed in there subject for 4 years so you can truly see who is passionate & enjoys pushing themselves within the field (whereas at 18 a lot is due to resources, and life experiences outside of your control).

good luck with both outcome & remaining interviews.

I have been informed by a research associate that the PhD project that I'm interested in has already been filled with a suitable candidate.

However it is very early in the application process and the deadline is nearly 2 months away?

I'm getting the feeling that an internal candidate has already been earmarked for this particular project. The supervisor has not contacted me or responded to me directly.

Should I go ahead and apply anyway? The position continues to be advertised and I've already written my supporting statement.

I feel gutted right now.

I have been informed by a research associate that the PhD project that I'm interested in has already been filled with a suitable candidate.

However it is very early in the application process and the deadline is nearly 2 months away?

I'm getting the feeling that an internal candidate has already been earmarked for this particular project. The supervisor has not contacted me or responded to me directly.

Should I go ahead and apply anyway? The position continues to be advertised and I've already written my supporting statement.

I feel gutted right now.

I have been informed by a research associate that the PhD project that I'm interested in has already been filled with a suitable candidate.

However it is very early in the application process and the deadline is nearly 2 months away?

I'm getting the feeling that an internal candidate has already been earmarked for this particular project. The supervisor has not contacted me or responded to me directly.

Should I go ahead and apply anyway? The position continues to be advertised and I've already written my supporting statement.

I feel gutted right now.

Interview day came, and advice was very welcome on here. She did have some great advice from her supervisor as well. They did test her beyond her own knowledge to see how she could work things out and think outside the box. Obviously I cant say what the questions were about, but the interview was in front of a panel, and followed by two informal chats. Although its a competative uni and naturally it all comes down to the interviewers, department and funding, she felt her interview was much better than her Oxford undergrad one which had prompting on some of the maths questions; where as today she had no prompts and was showing her answers and exploring possibilities in particle physics. Even if she does not make this uni, she feels her interview was way more of an inprovement and had more confidence in her presenting skills. 3 more unis to go now 🙂

Thanks for your responses!

@Ghostlady They did put forward other potential PhD projects to me, but honestly I was considering doing a PhD just because I came across this particular topic. I will stay on the lookout for similar opportunities, but will submit my application to this anyway (Since they're still officially advertising).

@mnot Fingers crossed that something similar will pop up, I am now on the lookout internationally.

@JHK101 Thanks, I've just submitted my application...

... How are applications and personal statements typically considered? I mean will my application at least go through some committee or panel to be considered, or does it sit solely with the supervisor? It would be a shame if my strong motivations and skillsets were not considered at all.

Daughter has got the phd fully funded at Manchester uni studying neutrinos at the NEXT experiment (based south pyranees). Shes very chuffed 😀 and so are we.
She has got funding from not the stfc, but I think she said it could be ESPRC. They also advised her to apply for this other funding elsewhere, because if she got that one, then the ESPRC funding can go to someone else to fund another position which opens it up for someone else. If she does not get that funding, then the ESPRC one will still be valid. Also got teaching for 5 hours a week at the uni.
She has accepted and is now looking at accommodation in private halls.