6 years part-time
Distance learning available
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Join a passionate and intellectual research community to explore literature across all periods and genres.
Our PhD in English with Creative Writing encourages distinctive approaches to practice-based literary research. This route allows you to develop a substantial research project, which incorporates an original work of creative writing (in prose, poetry, or other forms). As part of a thriving community of postgraduate researchers and writers, you'll be supported by world-leading experts with a wide range of global and historical specialisms, and given access to unique resources including our letterpress printing studio and Writer in Residence.
Under the guidance of your supervisor, you will complete a critical research component of 30-40,000 words and a creative component written to its natural length (eg a book-length work of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction). A typical semester will involve a great deal of independent research, punctuated by meetings with your supervisor who will be able to suggest direction and address concerns throughout the writing process. You will be encouraged to undertake periods of research at archives and potentially internationally, depending on your research.
Throughout your degree, you will have the opportunity to attend a wide range of research training sessions in order to learn archival and research skills, as well as a range of research and creative seminars organised by the research schools and our distinguished Writers at York series. This brings speakers from around the world for research talks, author conversations, and networking.
Applicants for the PhD in English with Creative Writing should submit a research proposal for their overall research project, along with samples of creative and critical writing, demonstrating a suitable ability in each, as part of the application. Proposals should include plans for a critical research component of 30-40,000 words and a creative component written to its natural length (eg a book-length work of poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction), while demonstrating a clear relationship between the two.
Students embarking on a PhD programme are initially enrolled provisionally for this qualification until they pass their progression review at the end of their first full year of study.
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You also have the option of enrolling in a PhD in English with Creative Writing by distance learning, where you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. You will attend the Research Training Programme online in your first year and have supervision and progression meetings online.
You must attend a five-day induction programme in York at the beginning of your first year. You will also visit York in your second and third years (every other year for part-time students).
Apply for PhD in English with Creative Writing (distance learning)
We're a top ten research department according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
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We're proud to hold an Athena Swan Bronze award in recognition of the work we do to support gender equality in English.
We host a series of hugely successful seminars, open to everyone, where a stellar cast of world-famous contemporary writers deliver readings and workshops.
Explore funding for postgraduate researchers in the Department of English and Related Literature.
Explore the expertise of our staff and identify a potential supervisor.
You'll receive training in research methods and skills appropriate to the stage you've reached and the nature of your work. In addition to regular supervisory meetings to discuss planning, researching and writing the thesis, we offer sessions on bibliographic and archival resources (digital, print and manuscript). You'll receive guidance in applying to and presenting at professional conferences, preparing and submitting material for publication and applying for jobs. We meet other training needs in handling research data, various modern languages, palaeography and bibliography. Classical and medieval Latin are also available.
We offer training in teaching skills if you wish to pursue teaching posts following your degree. This includes sessions on the delivery and content of seminars and workshops to undergraduates, a structured shadowing programme, teaching inductions and comprehensive guidance and resources for our graduate teaching assistants. Our teacher training is directed by a dedicated member of staff.
You'll also benefit from the rich array of research and training sessions at the Humanities Research Centre .
This course is run by the Department of English and Related Literature.
You'll be based on Campus West , though your research may take you further afield.
We also have a distance learning option available for this course.
For doctoral research, you should hold or be predicted to achieve a first-class or high upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualification) and a Masters degree with distinction.
The undergraduate and Masters degrees should be in literature and/or creative writing, or in a related subject that is related to the proposed research project.
Other relevant experience and expertise may also be considered:
Supervisors interview you to ensure a good supervisory match and to help with funding applications.
The core deciding factor for admission is the quality of the research proposal, though your whole academic profile will be taken into account. We are committed to ensuring that no prospective or existing student is treated less favourably. See our admissions policy for more information.
Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.
Before applying, we advise you to identify a potential supervisor in the department. Preliminary enquiries are welcomed and should be made as early as possible. Please email one member of staff at a time, after checking that their research expertise matches your project. Emailing several staff members at a time regardless of the relationship between their research interests and yours means that you are unlikely to find a good supervisory match.
If it's not clear which member of staff is appropriate, you should email the Graduate Chair .
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Students embarking on a PhD programme are initially enrolled provisionally for that qualification. Confirmation of PhD registration is dependent upon the submission of a satisfactory proposal that meets the standards required for the degree, usually in the second year of study.
Find out more about how to apply .
You'll need to provide evidence of your proficiency in English if it's not your first language.
Check your English language requirements
In order to apply for a PhD, we ask that you submit a research proposal as part of your application.
When making your application, you're advised to make your research proposals as specific and clear as possible. Please indicate the member(s) of staff that you'd wish to work with
You’ll need to provide a summary of between 250 and 350 words in length of your research proposal and a longer version of around 800 words (limit of 1000). The proposal for the MA in English (by research) should be 400–500 words.
Your research proposal should:
What we look for:
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You apply for the PhD in English Literature through the University’s online Degree Finder. Here is our guidance on how to write an effective application.
The two elements of an application that are most useful to us when we consider a candidate for the PhD in English Literature are the sample of written work and the research proposal.
You will probably choose your sample of written work from an already-completed undergraduate or masters-level dissertation or term-paper.
Your research proposal will be something new. It will describe the project that you want to complete for your PhD.
Take your time in composing your research proposal, carefully considering the requirements outlined below. Your proposal should not be more than 2,000 words .
PhD degrees are awarded on the basis of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The ‘Summary of roles and responsibilities’ in the University’s Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students stipulates what a research thesis must do.
Take me to the Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students (August 2020)
It is in the nature of research that, when you begin, you don’t know what you’ll find. This means that your project is bound to change over the time that you spend on it.
In submitting your research proposal, you are not committing yourself absolutely to completing exactly the project it describes in the event that you are accepted. Nevertheless, with the above points in mind, your research proposal should include the following elements, though not necessarily in this order:
1. An account of the body of primary texts that your thesis will examine. This may be work by one author, or several, or many, depending on the nature of the project. It is very unlikely to consist of a single text, however, unless that text is unusually compendious (The Canterbury Tales) or unusually demanding (Finnegans Wake). Unless your range of texts consists in the complete oeuvre of a single writer, you should explain why these texts are the ones that need to be examined in order to make your particular argument.
2. An identification of the existing field or fields of criticism and scholarship of which you will need to gain an ‘adequate knowledge’ in order to complete your thesis. This must include work in existing literary criticism, broadly understood. Usually this will consist of criticism or scholarship on the works or author(s) in question. In the case of very recent writing, or writing marginal to the established literary canon, on which there may be little or no existing critical work, it might include literary criticism written on other works or authors in the same period, or related work in the same mode or genre, or some other exercise of literary criticism that can serve as a reference point for your engagement with this new material.
The areas of scholarship on which you draw are also likely to include work in other disciplines, however. Most usually, these will be arguments in philosophy or critical theory that have informed, or could inform, the critical debate around your primary texts, or may have informed the texts themselves; and/or the historiography of the period in which your texts were written or received. But we are ready to consider the possible relevance of any other body of knowledge to literary criticism, as long as it is one with which you are sufficiently familiar, or could become sufficiently familiar within the period of your degree, for it to serve a meaningful role in your argument.
3. The questions or problems that the argument of your thesis will address; the methods you will adopt to answer those questions or explain those problems; and some explanation of why this particular methodology is the appropriate means of doing so. The problem could take many forms: a simple gap in the existing scholarship that you will fill; a misleading approach to the primary material that you will correct; or a difficulty in the relation of the existing scholarship to theoretical/philosophical, historiographical, or other disciplinary contexts, for example. But in any case, your thesis must engage critically with the scholarship of others by mounting an original argument in relation to the existing work in your field or fields. In this way your project must go beyond the summarising of already-existing knowledge.
4. Finally, your proposal should include a provisional timetable , describing the stages through which you hope your research will move over the course of your degree. It is crucial that, on the one hand, your chosen topic should be substantial enough to require around 80,000 words for its full exploration; and, on the other hand, that it has clear limits which would allow it to be completed in three years.
When drawing up this timetable, keep in mind that these word limits, and these time constraints, will require you to complete 25–30,000 words of your thesis in each of the years of your degree. If you intend to undertake your degree on a part-time basis, the amount of time available simply doubles.
In composing your research proposal you are already beginning the work that could lead, if you are accepted, to the award of a PhD degree. Regard it, then, as a chance to refine and focus your ideas, so that you can set immediately to work in an efficient manner on entry to university. But it bears repeating that that your project is bound to evolve beyond the project described in your proposal in ways that you cannot at this stage predict. No-one can know, when they begin any research work, where exactly it will take them. That provides much of the pleasure of research, for the most distinguished professor as much as for the first-year PhD student. If you are accepted as a candidate in this department, you will be joining a community of scholars still motivated by the thrill of finding and saying something new.
If you have read the guidance above and are ready to apply for your PhD in English Literature, you can do so online through the University of Edinburgh's Degree Finder.
Applications to start your PhD in September 2025 open in October 2024.
Take me to the Degree Finder entry for the PhD in English Literature
If you've got any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Aaron Kelly by email in the first instance.
Email Dr Aaron Kelly
How to structure your personal statement, final thoughts, phd personal statements.
Updated March 14, 2023
When applying for a PhD position, a personal statement is often required. This can be the case whether you are applying for an advertised PhD research project or with a personally devised project.
This personal statement is separate from your PhD research proposal, which will go into much greater detail about the PhD project you are proposing or applying to undertake.
This article will delve into what to your PhD personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.
A PhD personal statement will support your application and is intended to shed more light on your motivations, academic background/ achievements and personal strengths .
Your statement will most likely be read by the admissions tutor for the department, who, based on your statement and research proposal, will decide whether your application should progress to the next stage of the process.
A personal statement will not always be required, so make sure to check the requirements for your institution and department.
When writing your PhD personal statement, you will need to convey your suitability for the programme or position, indicating that you have the academic ability, background knowledge and drive to take on a project of this level of complexity.
Statements are expected to be heavily related to the discipline and research angle being proposed. Your statement should draw out the strands of your previous exploration and research and illustrate what led you to apply to complete this particular PhD project.
It should discuss your interest in the subject matter, your academic interests within the field and your motivations for applying to the institution in question.
Below is a list of topics that need to be addressed in your personal statement .
The examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. It is important that your writing is grounded in your own experiences and aspirations, and consistently linked to your research proposal.
It is important to talk about your motivations for undertaking the project, along with an awareness of the challenges you may experience, as this will display your drive for completing your research.
Directly reference your research proposal, talking about how your current or previous studies relate and have prepared you to undertake this project.
The strongest argument for why you want to undertake the PhD will come from the arc of your academic research and displaying a genuine enthusiasm for advancing the research of your chosen field.
During my master’s degree at the University of Nottingham, I had two primary focuses: cultural behaviours and social media impacts. I was interested in how culture reacts under new stimuli, so I wrote my dissertation on how cultural practices can be newly read through the lens of media platforms. My proposed research proposal takes this theoretical and desk-based research a step further, exploring the reflections of the specific cultural practice of...
When applying for a PhD, what you will bring to the university as a junior academic is an important factor in the decision-making process. You will not just be a student but a member of the department, most likely with teaching responsibilities.
The faculty will want to know that you can meaningfully contribute to the department through both your research and teaching.
If your work links into other PhD projects currently being supervised, or to the research of a senior academic or professor, it is good to indicate these connections and the potential they hold – whether this is in terms of supportive research, a complementary strand or a new angle or perspective.
If there is an academic whose work you are particularly interested in and you have not already indicated that you would like the opportunity to work alongside them, highlight this. Display that you are knowledgeable about the department’s current research interests, specialities and standing.
Since beginning my MSc research and developing a more specific interest in mangrove restoration, I have closely followed the research being conducted by Professor Stephens into restoration and wave attenuation. As I subsequently elaborate upon in my research proposal, I believe that my project fruitfully intersects with this research. It aims to make a meaningful contribution to a department world-renowned for its research into marine and coastal climate change impacts.
It is important to convey why you want to conduct your research specifically at the institution you are applying to. Admissions will want to know that you have thought carefully about your application and know exactly what undertaking a PhD with their department will involve.
Conveying this intersects with the sentiments of the above point, as you should display that you have investigated the work of the professors in the department and are aware of any individual research groups or projects that relate to your work. These intersections help to show why the university is the best choice for you.
I believe that the University of Cardiff offers the best reciprocal environment in which to grow and diversify my approach to this research. Working alongside my supervisor, I intend to tap into the departmental expertise on biodiversity mapping and – using the framework of the 2019 report by Fischer, Raymond and Wills – reveal new insights by building upon the current research.
The PhD personal statement is an opportunity to promote yourself, so it needs to be specific, personal and unique – nobody else has your history, aspirations or skill set, so explain what it is about you that makes you best suited to this endeavour.
When stating that you possess certain skills, back them up with concrete examples or explanations that are unique to you.
Be wary of making your personal statement too general or simply writing what you believe the admissions team want to hear. There are no correct answers, perfect CVs or ideal academic paths to have followed to reach this point. Your personal statement should reflect your journey and what you have gained from it, segues and unconventional routes included.
During my English Literature master’s degree, I focused on videogames and late medieval literature. I could see at that point that literary studies had a lot to offer the study of games and that games provided interesting new angles for applying longstanding theoretical approaches and fields. This led me to complete a further master’s degree in videogames as I sought to apply my research in a more specific and digitally focused arena. I found, because of my background in humanities and literary theory, that I possessed a perspective that my fellow empirically-minded colleagues, with backgrounds in coding, lacked. Using this unique perspective, I am now seeking to develop the research of my master’s dissertation through a PhD project
To get to this stage, you will have already spent many years devoted to studying and growing your interest in your subject matter, so sell yourself and your talents. Think about the individual and group projects you have undertaken and the skills they helped you to develop and hone.
Remember to be specific and relate your skill set back to your proposed PhD project. For example, talk about the methodological approaches you have used previously to yield results, the new connections and collaboration you fostered across disciplines, or the positive impact made by projects you were involved in.
Your examples will vary greatly depending upon your academic background and the PhD you wish to complete but, regardless of topic, it is important to reveal your high level of skill and competence.
During my MSc, I conducted fieldwork in [location] and gained direct experience of collecting samples for paleolimnological analysis. I developed an aptitude for rapid algal species analysis and enjoyed the challenge of comparing this population data across cores and sample locations. This practical background has enabled me to be confident in my ability to source and analyse the sediment cores I require for this PhD project.
If you have any extenuating circumstances for any results or grades, do not be afraid to explain the situation in your statement. Be honest about your struggles or challenges and seek to convey how you have grown as a consequence of these.
It is important to have thought carefully about your plans for life after your doctorate, as displaying clear goals will help the admissions team to determine that you have the correct motivations for applying.
Having a considered path you intend to follow beyond your proposed research gives confidence in your dedication to the project. Someone with articulated ambitions is more likely to be committed to the programme in the face of challenges.
If you wish to pursue a career in academia, as many PhD graduates do, show that you are aware of what this will involve. If you have a different industry path in mind, don’t be afraid to share it in your statement. PhDs can lead on to a variety of different career paths, so impress the admissions team with your aspirations of practical application.
The university will also want to ensure they can provide you with the skills and training you require to be successful and reach your goals. Letting the department know early on about your aspirations can help to ensure that the tailored support you will require can be provided.
After completing my PhD here, I intend to pursue an academic career within an architectural faculty in the UK. If the opportunity is available, I will be looking to apply for a lecturing position within this department. I am, however, acutely aware of the fierce competition in this field. I will be proactively seeking legacy funding for my research project as its potential to inform the typologies of housing used for settlement upgrading extends well beyond the timescale of this PhD.
If you are applying to more than one institution, which is highly likely, ensure that you tailor your personal statement to each university. Taking the time to craft a statement that speaks to the specificities of the university and the research of the teaching department will exponentially increase your chances of moving on to the next stage in the admissions process.
Below are our tips for structuring your PhD statement. You must ensure that you are aware of all the requirements set out by the university to which you are making your application, as these will influence the structure and content of the piece.
PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication .
The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count , or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form . Check if this is the case, as it is far easier to write to a specific word limit rather than having to make extreme edits to a piece that exceeds accepted length.
A PhD personal statement should be approximately one to one-and-a-half pages in length and be split into clear and concise paragraphs. If a sentence does not add value to the personal statement, omit it.
As a guide, aim for between four and six paragraphs , depending on their length. As previously indicated, it is best to keep paragraphs shorter rather than longer, as this will make your statement easier and more enjoyable for the admissions team to read.
Open your personal statement with a context-setting introduction regarding your academic interests and what has led you to apply for this research project. Seek to convey a real sense of yourself, so that those who read your statement can get a genuine sense of the student and junior academic you will be.
In the middle paragraphs , explore your motivations in greater detail, along with the qualities that make you a suitable candidate– with examples of when you displayed them.
It is important to provide a closing paragraph , bringing together the strands in your statement to solidly iterate why you are the right candidate.
Although it is best to avoid clichés and keep your writing original and interesting, conclude your personal statement by thanking the admissions tutor for taking the time to read your statement and considering your application.
When writing your statement, use a formal tone , correct grammar and appropriate language.
Colloquial and familiar language should be avoided. It is important to talk about your past academic and, perhaps, fieldwork or research experiences, but keep these professional in tone rather than anecdotal.
Ask someone to read through your statement to sense-check the tone and language used. It is always good to get a new perspective, particularly on a piece you spent a long time crafting.
Ensure you thoroughly check your grammar and spelling using the spell check function on your computer and also by eye. If including complex academic terminology, double-check that your terms are spelt correctly and have not been mistyped or incorrectly recognised and changed by your computer.
Writing a personal statement that accurately reflects your achievements, abilities and drive to take on your PhD can be a difficult task.
It is important to leave yourself enough time to write a draft statement so you can receive outside feedback, review it yourself and make the necessary improvements to ensure your piece does your potential as a PhD student justice.
Demonstrate your suitability for doctoral work with a personal statement that is personal to you and your unique experience and skills. A carefully thought-out, well-structured and well-evidenced statement will sell yourself and your academic abilities.
Seek to connect with those who read your application, explaining why your journey has equipped you for completing a PhD you will be proud of.
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Or explore the Postgraduate / PHD sections.
For your PhD personal statement to tick all the right boxes, it needs to answer all the questions which university admission teams will have in mind while reviewing your application.
While you will have the opportunity to fill in some of the blanks during your initial interview, with the competitive nature of some PhD programs, for the best chance of success, you will want to assure your favoured institution that you are the right person to carry out the research.
Your PhD personal statement should also prove that the research aligns with your career goals, why the university is a good fit for your skills and knowledge, and how your strengths set you apart from your peers.
After outlining what a PhD personal statement is and its purpose, this article will highlight all the bases you will want to cover and provide helpful tips on making the best first impression with your PhD personal statement.
While not every university or PhD program requests a PhD personal statement be submitted, usually, they are a key part of the PhD application process.
A personal statement for PhD applications shouldn’t be confused with research proposals, which allude to the potential of your research; personal statements, sometimes referred to as statements of purpose, are your chance to demonstrate your suitability for doctoral research.
Rather than seeing writing your PhD personal statement as a challenge, see it as the ultimate opportunity to make your skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise seem invaluable to an institution. Even if the prospect of selling yourself to an admissions team makes you feel uncomfortable at first, see it as the first step in your doctoral journey which will bring you closer to your opportunity to create new knowledge in the academic arena and your career goals.
A PhD personal statement is a necessity in most PhD applications as it provides additional information on the relevant experience, academic background, and motivation for undertaking doctoral research. Unlike a PhD research proposal, it shouldn’t revolve around outlining the research topic you want to dig into, the aim of the research or its scientific value.
All PhD candidates are accepted on programs due to their ability to carry out unique and individual research; along with several other factors, acceptance depends on a prospective candidate’s ability to demonstrate they are unique individuals who can complete the research.
The required format of a PhD personal statement can vary; always ensure that you have looked at the unique requirements set by the university or universities you are applying to. Some universities may ask you to write your statement on the application materials provided. Other universities may ask you to submit a separate document, sometimes referred to as a cover letter; always check the requirements before you get to work writing and completing the application.
Some universities prefer to focus on your research proposal and will get to know you on a better basis via their interview questions. However, if you are applying for a project with pre-defined aims, as opposed to submitting your own research proposal, you will likely need to write a PhD personal statement. Your statement will be your chance to prove why you are the best candidate for the position and funding – if applicable.
Each university and institution has its own application process, which means that who reads your statement can vary. Typically, you can expect your statement to be read by the following people:
Admissions tutors will read your statement to verify that you have the relevant qualifications and experience for the program, both of which meet the standards set by the institution.
With some PhD programs, your PhD supervisors will be appointed to you; in these instances, potential supervisors will scour your statement with a particular interest in your academic background and motivations for joining the research group or department.
Interview panellists are admissions team members tasked with preparing personalised questions based on your statement; this could include admissions tutors and potential supervisors.
Even though admissions tutors, potential supervisors and interview panellists will all be interested in different aspects of your statement, an effective statement should provide the information to satisfy all of them.
Generally speaking, a PhD personal statement which gets you through to the initial interview stage should answer the questions outlined below. However, you should always ensure that your statement is written with a particular focus on the candidate requirements, as outlined by each university or program.
Why are you interested in doctoral research in this field?
Where possible, try to avoid answering this question generically, and always keep your answer as academically relevant as possible. When explaining your interest, share the extent of the knowledge you have gained. Concisely, outline how your previous work and research have built the foundation for your interest and further study.
Why do you want to carry out your research at this particular university?
Before attempting to answer this question, conduct thorough research into the curriculums, facilities, equipment and projects the university has been or is currently part of. Be sincere in your answers but not overzealous in your flattery.
What strengths will you bring to the university and program?
As PhD programs can be highly competitive, the onus is on the applicants to stand out from the rest, especially if the research has pre-defined objectives and aims. To distinguish yourself from the other candidates, always use evidence to back up your proficiency and capacity to carry out the research. This can be achieved by highlighting relevant projects, such as essays or dissertations and mentioning other technical skills or experience.
Do you have any transferable skills?
Just as a PhD can allow you to obtain transferable skills, your transferable skills can secure your acceptance into a PhD program; relevant transferable skills could include project management, networking, and communication skills. Always back up any mention of your transferable skills with evidence of how you acquired these skills.
Does the PhD program align with your professional goals?
Not every PhD candidate knows which career path they want to take as they apply to a program, but even if you have a vague idea, this could demonstrate your dedication and commitment to the program and research.
Personalise your statement
While guidelines such as the one you are currently reading can help you to write your statement effectively, never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Always tailor your statement to fit the program you are applying for. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your willingness to go in-depth with your research on the program and institution.
Ensure your statement is as unique as you are
Anyone can reel off a list of desirable traits in their PhD personal statements. If you are only using a brief list of attractive attributes and not backing them up, your statement won’t be far from the bottom of the pile. For example, don’t just say you are determined and highly motivated; provide an example which proves this kind of tenacity. Furthermore, once you have drafted your statement, review it with the question, could this personal statement also be applied to the other applicants?
Don’t rush your personal statement
Personal statements are typically around one to two pages long. However, you shouldn’t aim to complete a personal statement in one sitting. Give yourself plenty of time to write a strong, concise, and impactful statement, then give yourself a period of reflection before you return to your statement and develop a final draft. Once your final draft is ready, ensure the vocabulary and grammar are above par for a doctoral research candidate.
Additionally, you will also want to make sure that the sentences are succinct and flow well. If writing isn’t one of your strengths, enlist the help of a proofreader you trust who will give you constructive criticism.
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So you’ve decided to enrol onto a doctoral degree and study abroad at the same time. This is a great opportunity to develop yourself both personally and academically. However, do you actually go about securing a PhD as an international student? To help answer this for you, we’ve created this guide to explain how to apply for a PhD in foreign universities.
There are many benefits to studying abroad.
Some PhD students do so as a way to develop a new language, discover more about a different culture, and to meet new people.
Besides personal reasons, undertaking a doctorate degree abroad can also for academic purposes. For example, in some countries, a particular research field may not be very popular and so there may not be many doctorate options available. In these cases, undertaking a PhD abroad will open up many more opportunities. It could also offer greater funding, lower tuition fees, better laboratory equipment and more experienced supervisors. Not only would these factors result in a more enjoyable PhD, but they could also contribute to greater career prospects. For example, you will likely have more opportunities to write publications, attend conferences and collaborate with other researchers. All of these will help you establish yourself as a respectable researcher within your field.
It’s not as difficult as you would imagine when it comes to applying to a PhD in a foreign country. Regardless of whether you’re applying to a university within the EU, such as the UK, Finland or Spain, or to universities within the US or Asia, the processes are relatively similar.
The differences in the application process can be categorised into three areas.
We’ve provided a basic outline of the application processes below. Although this will provide you with a good starting point, we highly recommend you look at the university websites for specific instructions and guidance before applying.
This will depend on what country you are applying to. For example:
Because of the significant differences between countries, we highly recommend it is highly that you check the requirements on an individual case-by-case basis. This is best done by checking the government website of the country you wish to apply to.
When applying to a PhD position, most universities regardless of where they’re located will require:
If your PhD is to be undertaken in English and English isn’t your first language, most universities will require you to sit an English language proficiency test. The most common tests, in order of popularity, are:
The minimum test scores will change from university to university. They will also vary depending on the research field. For example, research projects related to English Literature or Law will require relatively high scores whilst projects in Science and Engineering will require slightly lower scores. To provide an example, the University of Leicester in the UK requires a minimum overall IELTS score of 7 for Law PhDs but has a lower overall score requirement of 6 for Engineering PhDs.
Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.
For UK universities, there are generally two ways of applying. You can either apply directly through the university’s website or you can make an application through the UCAS Postgraduate system .
In Spain, Italy and Germany, before applying to a PhD you will first need to pass a pre-application process. This involves checking that your qualifications meet their eligibility requirements. Before undergoing this pre-screening process, it would be beneficial to first speak to your government. They may offer advice on how your countries qualification system corresponds to the qualification system in the country hosting the PhD.
Once you’ve made your application, the university will review it and get in contact with you. For most EU institutions, they will invite you for a Skype or telephone interview with them if they believe you may be a suitable candidate.
If you require a student visa to study in an EU country, it’s recommended that you submit your application at least 3-4 months before the proposed PhD start date.
In addition to the English language exams mentioned previously, international applicants will also need to sit additional exams to be eligible for PhDs in the USA. These are the GRE General Exam and GRE Subject Exam(s). The GRE Subject Exam(s) you will need to undertake will be specific to your field and will be specified by the university as part of their edibility requirements.
Securing a PhD position in the United States is considered relatively difficult compared to other countries. As a result, it is commonly recommended that you apply to at least 9 different universities to increase your chances of securing a position.
As Asia covers a wide range of countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, UAE and India, their application processes naturally differ from one another. Therefore, check the specific application process for each university you’re interested to get the most accurate information.
To summarise:
To apply to a PhD in Australia , you will first be expected to find and email a potential supervisor. If you’re an international student and you make an application directly to the university without doing this first, it’s highly likely that you won’t be considered for the position.
Upon discussing the project with the supervisor, they will instruct you to put in a formal application. This formal application will require the information previously outlined above.
Similar to EU institutions, if an Australian university believes you’re a strong candidate, they will likely invite you to a Skype or telephone interview.
Unlike EU universities, PhDs in Australian universities can start at any time of the year. Therefore, unless a specific funding requirement is attached to the project, there are usually no deadlines associated with applying to their PhDs. However, try to apply 3 to 4 months before you intend to start your studies.
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PhD and Ph.D. are both correct. Canadians tend to omit the periods and those from the U.S. tend to keep them. A reference grammar explains it like this: 2 abbreviations and acronyms. 1 punctuation. We usually write abbreviations without full stops in modern British English.
Vocabulary / By Conor. PhD and Ph.D are both correct ways to indicate the title, or honorific, of a doctor. However, Ph.D isn't nearly as common as PhD. In fact, Ph.D is an old-fashioned method of writing it. But, there's nothing wrong with using it that way. However, it's more visually correct and recognizable in the modern world as PhD.
It is correct to write both Ph.D. and PhD. Which one is best to use depends on where you are in the world. In Great Britain, they tend to use Ph.D. In the United States of America, they prefer to use Ph.D. What Does Ph.D.
Pluralizing "PhD" or "Ph.D.": PhDs vs. Ph.D.'s. Punctuation marks are generally avoided in British English, while punctuation marks are mainly preferred in American English. That said, we can already assume that the use of "PhDs" is mainly a British practice, whereas the use of "Ph.D.'s" is substantially American.
Place the title of "Dr." before the name of a person who is a doctor of medicine or psychology, doctor of dentistry, or doctor of veterinary medicine. Never write, for example, "Dr. George Ross, PhD," even if the person is a medical doctor who has also earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Put a comma followed by the title "PhD" after the name ...
To get into a PhD programme in an English-speaking country, you have to have demonstrated you already have a really high level of English.We set this hurdle, because we believe it is the level you need to succeed in your degree. You've proven you meet the criteria - so you meet the criteria. (Go you!) Writing a PhD is hard.
Examples of PhD and Ph.D. usage in a sentence. John is currently working towards his PhD. Sylvia has a PhD in chemistry. A PhD is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities. His current PhD research focuses on second language acquisition. How to write Ph.D. in a signature? Examples of Ph.D and PhD in signatures. Timothy Smith Ph.D ...
The PhD. Overview The PhD is a research degree examined by a dissertation of up to 80,000 words, usually after three or more years of research. The criteria for obtaining the degree are that the dissertation represent a 'substantial contribution to knowledge' and that it also represents a realistic amount of work for three years' study.
In English, PhD can be written with or without periods; both are correct. The trend today is to drop periods with abbreviations of academic degrees. However, many sources, including the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, still recommend the use of periods: Ph.D.. When you are addressing a person with a doctoral degree, it is considered more polite to use the title Dr. or the academic abbreviation PhD ...
A Template To Help You Structure Your PhD's Theoretical Framework Chapter. In this guide, I explain how to use the theory framework template. The focus is on the practical things to consider when you're working with the template and how you can give your theory framework the rockstar treatment. Use our free tools, guides and templates to ...
There are two main forms of formal English: British and American. A thesis written in English should use one of these forms consistently, and university or department guidelines (or the style guides they recommend) may indicate which form of English is most acceptable. However, many doctoral candidates whose first language is not English and ...
Therefore, in a good research proposal you will need to demonstrate two main things: 1. that you are capable of independent critical thinking and analysis. 2. that you are capable of communicating your ideas clearly. Applying for a PhD is like applying for a job, you are not applying for a taught programme.
PhD in English. English is no longer accepting new applications. Cambridge is an outstanding place to work on Anglophone literature. Students and scholars benefit from world-class libraries, and from each other. The PhD cohort is diverse and large in number. No particular area or approach is preferred. Faculty members who act as supervisors and ...
Here's a glimpse into the exciting array of non-academic careers English PhDs are well suited for: 1. Content Strategist and Brand Storyteller: English PhDs thrive in the realm of content strategy and brand storytelling. Their profound understanding of narratives and language nuances can transform English PhDs into sought-after content ...
Put a comma followed by the title "Ph.D." after the name of a person who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy doctoral degree. For example Stacey Childs, Ph.D. Do not combine the title of "Ph.D." with any other title even if the person could appropriately be addressed by a different title. For instance, even if the person being addressed ...
Therefore, you say or write their name and follow it with PhD. to indicate Doctor of Philosophy. But, you can also use it to be superbly formal with a medical or scientific doctor. This means you can use both Dr and PhD in the same line. But, here, you will add a comma (,) after the last name. Sarah Kimmons PhD.
Both PhD and Ph.D are correct and acceptable when referring to the title of a doctorate degree. However, these terms are primarily used in writing and not as direct forms of address. Similar to using Mr., Mrs., or Ms. before a person's name, the choice between PhD and Ph.D depends on individual preferences and conventions.
Applicants for the PhD in English with Creative Writing should submit a research proposal for their overall research project, along with samples of creative and critical writing, demonstrating a suitable ability in each, as part of the application. Proposals should include plans for a critical research component of 30-40,000 words and a ...
Take your time in composing your research proposal, carefully considering the requirements outlined below. Your proposal should not be more than 2,000 words. PhD degrees are awarded on the basis of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The 'Summary of roles and responsibilities' in the University's Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research ...
Step 1. Structure. PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication. The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count, or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form.
Personal statements are typically around one to two pages long. However, you shouldn't aim to complete a personal statement in one sitting. Give yourself plenty of time to write a strong, concise, and impactful statement, then give yourself a period of reflection before you return to your statement and develop a final draft.
For UK universities, there are generally two ways of applying. You can either apply directly through the university's website or you can make an application through the UCAS Postgraduate system. In Spain, Italy and Germany, before applying to a PhD you will first need to pass a pre-application process.
Knowing what to write in your CV is one thing, but without a solid CV layout, you risk your valuable content being overlooked. When adding your headings and formatting text within your CV, take care to maintain consistency. If one header is in capitals, they should all be. If one paragraph is left-justified, they should all be.