Applying for a research degree

A predesigned project will often be part of wider research being undertaken by an academic or research group. These types of projects will usually have a defined title, fixed aims and objectives, and you’ll normally be supervised by the academic that designed the project. Swansea University advertises a large number of these opportunities throughout the academic year in all subject areas. All available projects are advertised on our research scholarships webpages or on our self-funded PhDs page, with new opportunities added frequently.

Funding

Research scholarships at Swansea usually provide funding for the duration of your studies. This funding typically provides the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees (international fees are sometimes covered), plus a stipend paid yearly for the duration of the project. The stipend is tax-free, and can be used to cover the cost of your living expenses whilst you’re studying.

PhD loans are available for eligible Welsh and English domiciled students undertaking doctoral study. You won’t be able to apply for a PhD loan if you’re received a research council funded scholarship or other government funding.

Applying

Applying for a predesigned project is straightforward- you’ll just need to follow the instructions on the project advertisement. The application process will usually involve submitting some (or all) of the following items of documentation:

• Application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Covering letter
• References
• English Language Certificates (if English is not your first language)

It’s a good idea to contact the named supervisor at the point of application to discuss the project further and ensure it (and they) are a good fit for you.  If you are shortlisted as a result of your application, you’ll be invited to interview and informed of the outcome shortly after.

Predesigned projects will usually have a specific application deadline- allow yourself plenty of time to complete any paperwork and gather references if required.

A self-designed PhD will take a little more effort and thought to get started, but you should ultimately end up with a project theme that truly excites and interests you. After coming up with an initial idea for a project, you will need to identify an appropriate academic supervisor. A good starting point is to find the University department with the areas of strength that are most relevant to your research. You can also search Swansea’s directory of expertise to find an academic with research interests close to your own.

Funding

If you’re looking to start a self-funded project, you’ll have to ensure that you can cover the cost of tuition fees and your living expenses for the duration of your studies. Our Fees and Funding webpages contain lots of useful information and tips about funding your PhD study. PhD loans are available for eligible Welsh and English domiciled students undertaking doctoral study. 

Applying

First, please assess your degree qualifications/work experience held against the entry requirements listed on the appropriate research course page 

If you are unsure if you meet the entry requirements for a programme, Admissions Office staff are happy to advise you, please email pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk

Secondly, you’ll need to contact a potential supervisor(s) prior to submitting a formal application. Academics welcome informal approaches from prospective students- in your introductory email you should include a brief description of your research idea and details of your academic/employment background. The academic will be able to help you shape your research proposal into a coherent, workable project. Once you’ve made contact with an appropriate supervisor and they recommend you go ahead and formally apply, you can then submit a formal application for potential research study.

Please note that being asked to formally apply is not a guarantee of a future offer, as well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

 You’ll need to submit two references along with your formal application and research proposal. If you graduated within the last five years, these should be lecturers or tutors from a previous course.

If there's been a long gap since you last studied, admissions tutors will sometimes accept references from an employer or another appropriate individual who can comment on your academic ability. References from relatives or friends will not be accepted.

References from former employers should be approached with caution.  An employer's reference is only valuable if you're looking to research an area in which your previous employment is relevant.

Your research proposal is an important part of the application process. It summarises the question you want to answer through your research. It demonstrates your knowledge of the subject area and shows the methods you want to use. 

When writing your proposal, it is important to:

• Highlight it's originality or significance
• Explain how it develops or challenges existing knowledge of your subject
• Identify the importance of your proposed research
• Demonstrate why you are the correct person to undertake this research project

Read our handy guide to learn more of our top tips.