phd application deadlines uk

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

Applying for a phd is not quite as daunting as you might think. a postgraduate student recruitment officer from the university of sussex shares his tips for putting together a phd application.

Ben Osborne

There are many different reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD – to move into an academic role at a university, to continue studying a subject you are passionate about or to further your career. 

Whatever your motivation, many students are now choosing to pursue a PhD abroad. This guide will help you understand how to apply for a PhD at a UK university and answer any questions you might have around doing PhDs.

Download your Study Abroad Guide for FREE!

How to apply for a phd.

Application rules and methods vary for each university. The number of courses that you can apply for in a year will vary. For example, at the University of Sussex , you can apply for up to three postgraduate courses per year using the postgraduate application system.

If you are applying for more than one degree, you must submit a research proposal/statement specific to each area of study you apply for.

You can also apply to different universities to improve your chances of being accepted to a PhD course of your choosing. 

What qualifications do I need?

Each PhD will have specific entry requirements and you will also need to meet a university’s general entry requirements.  This may be an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. For some PhDs you may need a master’s qualification, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

International students may also be required to prove language proficiency. This will vary across institutions so do check what level universities expect before starting your application. 

Applicants should always check the specific entry requirements in a university’s online prospectus before making an application.

When should I start applying?

This will depend on when your term start date is. Most research degrees will start in September but some courses offer additional entry points in January or May.

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May, and the deadlines for applying are usually one month before the course start date for UK applicants, and three months before for international applicants.

If you’re applying for funding from an external organisation you’ll need to be aware that they may have different deadlines for the funding application. So give yourself plenty of time to research your funding options, and ensure you know how long the application process takes. 

Many universities offer a number of funded PhD opportunities and PhD scholarships for UK and international students, and it’s always worth investigating funding routes such as research councils and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas.

In some cases, it may be possible to study a PhD by distance which means you’ll be able to learn online and have virtual meetings with your supervisor.

If this is something you would be interested in doing you should check before applying whether your university can accommodate this option. 

Nine things to know before doing a PhD Starting a PhD during the pandemic Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

How should I look for a supervisor?

Usually if you are applying for a funded project, or to a research centre or group, you will normally be asked to provide a statement explaining your suitability for working in that area, and if successful you will be allocated a supervisor.

If you wish to propose your own area of research, you need to decide on a research topic, and you will be expected to write a research proposal. In some cases you may only be required to provide a summary of academic interests and this can be used to match you to a researcher that suits you.

If you are proposing your own research topic, there may be a research database at your university that you can search, or your university will match you with a supervisor during the assessment of your application. It may be possible to request supervision by a particular member of faculty – this will be considered but not all requests can be accommodated.

If you do find a potential supervisor who matches your research area, check their online profile for indications of their doctoral supervision capacity. If they are open to doctoral applications, you can contact them directly to check their availability for supervising you.

It is a good idea to draw up a shortlist of two to three potential supervisors, and take an in-depth look into their research history. You can also find out more about your potential supervisors by looking in the reference sections of academic textbooks and searching for articles in research databases and academic blogs.

When you contact your potential supervisor, it is important to tell them something interesting about yourself, and explain your research interests and how you feel your research proposal matches their expertise.

How do I write a research proposal?

If you are proposing your own research you will need to write a strong proposal that formulates a precise, interesting research question, and establishes the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking.

You’ll need to make sure your proposal describes the data or source material your research requires, and outlines a clear and practical methodology that enables you to answer the research question and that states clearly what you hope to discover at the end of your research, and what new areas it might open up.

The precise content and structure of your research proposal will depend on your subject area, and the University of Sussex has some helpful resources on our website to guide you through the process.

How long does the application process take?

Completing an application and writing a research proposal may take some time and should not be left until just before the application deadline.

It’s not easy to give a definite idea of how long it takes to hear if your application has been successful, as it will depend on when the application is made and the nature of the specific PhD, and you would need to meet any conditions contained within the offer before you can start the PhD.

What are the associated costs?

There won’t typically be an application fee for PhDs but there are tuition fees. If a university does charge application fees they will usually be between £50-£100.

The tuition fees for students studying in the UK are set by UK Research and Innovation . Fees for international students are £18,975 for non-lab-based subjects, and £22,975 for lab-based subjects per year.

You’ll also need to factor in living costs, but there are a number of funding routes you can apply for to help with this. As well as PhD scholarships and funded research projects there are research council awards, PhD loans for those eligible, and various organisations to which international students can apply for funding, such as The Gen Foundation and Open Society Foundations.

It’s important to be aware of the costs involved, but it’s also worth remembering that the educational, career and personal benefits of PhD study can be worth it.

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We advise all applicants to apply as early as possible after thoroughly researching our courses, the funding available, and the University as a whole.

Apply by whichever deadline comes first

Applications open in early September and there are two deadlines you need to consider :

• Course deadline
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You must apply by whichever deadline comes first . This will depend on the course you have chosen and your funding status. If your application (including supporting documents) is not submitted by the relevant deadline, it will be withdrawn. All application deadlines are 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on the stated date.

Course deadlines

All courses have a deadline and applications cannot normally be considered after this date.

To find the deadline for your course, and details of which supporting documents need to be submitted at the same time, check your course entry in the course directory . 

You should not wait until the day of the deadline to submit your application or supporting documents, as there is no guarantee that places will still be available. If a course closes early, the course directory will be updated accordingly.

Occasionally, deadlines for some subjects may be extended, so you might still be able to apply even if the original deadline has passed. You should check the course page for updates. 

Funding deadlines

Funding deadlines vary according to your chosen course and funding source. There are three main funding deadlines that relate to the three academic terms.

Check the  course directory  to find out which funding deadline applies to you (they appear in the sidebar of every course entry).

See  How do I apply for funding? for funding deadline dates and further information.

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How to apply for a PhD

We are looking for ambitious, talented and motivated students. You'll have the passion to make new discoveries, the drive to test new theories, and the willingness to go above and beyond.

How do I apply?

To find out more about our degrees see our PhD degrees . You apply using our postgraduate application system.

Choose your PhD

Sussex is the perfect place to find a postgraduate research course that allows you to follow your passion and develop your research interests.

• a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil). There are more than 50 degrees to choose from
• Integrated PhDs in the University of Sussex Business School
• full-time or part-time PhDs
• all courses start in September and some courses offer additional entry points in January or May
• the opportunity for research students registered elsewhere to visit Sussex . For more information see our handbook .-->

Distance learning may be available for some PhD courses. Before applying, you should check whether this mode of attendance is supported for the PhD you wish to undertake with the relevant School.

Find out more about our PhD degrees

Check our entry requirements

Our specific entry requirements are listed with each PhD degree .

You also need to meet our general entry requirements, usually an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or equivalent international qualification.

You may also be required to have a Masters qualification. If you are applying to the University of Sussex Business School, you may wish to choose the Integrated PhD, which contains an initial year of rigorous training in the research skills needed to become a skilled practitioner. If you are unsure which route to apply for, please apply for the Integrated PhD.

If you are an international student, you need to meet our English language requirements , or successfully complete our Pre-sessional English course .

You may also be asked to attend an interview.

Find out more about our entry requirements for UK applicants

Find out more about our entry requirements for international applicants

Choose a research topic or project

If you apply for one of our funded projects or to a research centre or group you will normally be asked to provide a statement explaining your suitablility for working in that area.

If you wish to propose your own area of research, you need to decide on a research topic and you will normally be expected to write a research proposal. Some areas may only require a summary of academic interests and they will use this to match you to potential supervisors. Before applying check the requirements for your subject area .

Find a supervisor

If you are joining a funded project at Sussex, you will already have a supervisor allocated to you.

If you are proposing your own research topic , you can find a supervisor to support and advise you.

If you think you have found a potential supervisor who matches your research area, check their online profile for indications of their doctoral supervision capacity. If they are open to doctoral applications, you can contact them to check their availability for supervising you

You can either ask a member of our faculty to be your supervisor if you think they have the expertise to support you or we will match you with a supervisor during the assessment of your application. If you ask to be supervised by a particular member of faculty, this will be considered but not all such requests can be accommodated.

Apply to Sussex

You apply directly to Sussex using our postgraduate application system .

You can apply for up to three postgraduate courses. If you are applying for more than one degree, you must submit a research proposal/statement specific to each area of study you apply for.

You must submit the following documents when you apply:

• research proposal/research statement
• summary of academic interests (this is optional depending on the subject area you are applying for)
• degree certificates and transcripts. If the originals are not in English, certified translations must be provided
• your English language qualification, where applicable
• two academic references – including one from your most recent university. Or you can provide contact details for your referees and we will email them.

Follow our tips for applying to Sussex

Find out about our admissions policies

Deadline for applications

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May.

The recommended deadline for applications are:

International applicants: Three months before course start date Home/EU applicants: One month before course start date.

PhD applications received after these deadlines may be considered, but we cannot guarantee you will be able to commence your studies at your requested entry point.

Where you are applying for funding or scholarships, check the deadlines for your application. In some cases, you may need to have an offer from us before you can apply for funding.

Check fees, funding and support

We have a number of PhD funding and scholarship opportunities.

If your application is successful, you will have your fee status assessed . If your fee status is unclear, we will ask you to complete a questionnaire . If you disagree with the outcome of your fee status assessment, you can appeal .

Fees information is listed with each PhD degree

Receiving an offer

We will notify you through our postgraduate application system if we decide to offer you a place .

Your offer may include conditions – for example, completing your undergraduate or Masters degree with a certain grade or meeting our English language requirements . In the University of Sussex Business School, your offer may be for the Integrated PhD rather than the PhD. This will happen if the School feel you need the additional training in research skills which the initial year of the Integrated PhD provides.

If you are an international student studying a certain science- or engineering-based course you must apply for Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance after you receive your offer.

Find out about ATAS clearance on the Student Hub .

If you decide to accept our offer, you can notify us using the postgraduate application system .

You can still accept your offer even if you have not yet secured funding. However, you should have funding in place when you start at Sussex.

Confirming your place

If your offer is unconditional, we may still need to verify your qualifications .

If your offer is conditional, you should send in your results by email as soon as they are available, so that your place can be confirmed.

If you are unable to take up your place, you can request to defer your entry to another available entry point (up to a maximum of 12 months).

If your application is unsuccessful and you are not sure why, you can request feedback .

Before you start at Sussex

You will be sent information about joining us in the months before you start your research.

For most students, the registration process is completed online. Registration opens in:

• early September, if you are starting at Sussex in September
• December, if you are starting at Sussex in January
• early April, if you are starting at Sussex in May.

If you are an international student and you need a visa to study in the UK , you complete most of the registration process online. To register, you need to attend in person, so we can take a copy of your passport and visa.

You might also be interested in:

• student support
• applying for accommodation
• visas and immigration information on the Student Hub .

Postgraduate research

Apply to a research degree

Find out how and when to apply to a research degree at York.

 We recommend that you apply early and check the funding deadlines. If you're an international student, it's best to apply at least three months before your intended start date to avoid any issues with accommodation or visa applications.

1. Identify your area of interest

Read extensively about your subject and think about how you can best capitalise on your skills.

Find out whether our departments offer an advertised project which fits your interests. If you’re generating your own research project, seek guidance on its suitability and find out about funding opportunities.

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2. Check the entry requirements

Typically you’ll need at least the equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) honours degree and, in some cases, a Masters degree. Actual requirements vary by course.

• See the entry requirements for your course
• International applicants

If you're an international applicant, you may also need to consider some additional factors including:

• English language requirements
• Visa requirements , including how to get your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

3. Contact a potential supervisor

Decide  which academic  to contact to discuss the research area you are interested in.

4. Check the application deadlines

In most cases, applications can be submitted year-round. However, we recommend that you apply as early as possible as some areas are particularly competitive.

• Check the deadline for your course

5. Complete your application

Submit an online application. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

If you're applying to an advertised project make sure you follow the specific instructions.

Find your course and apply

• Supporting documents

We’ll let you know which documents you need to supply at the start of your online application. This will include a research proposal.   You can prepare in advance using our  supporting documents guide .

Paper applications

You’ll receive a quicker response from us if you apply online. However, if you are unable to do so, you can submit a  paper application .

6. Apply for funding

You normally need to have received an offer before you apply for funding, so be sure you check the  funding application deadlines . They usually fall between January and March.

UK Government loans : you may be entitled to a loan to help fund your research degree.

7. Get ready for your arrival

Now is the time to research your accommodation options and start  planning for your arrival .

Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.

If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 322142

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• Applying for Graduate Taught Study at UCL

We know applying for courses can be daunting, so we’ve made this guide to help you through.

If you’re applying for Graduate Research Study , see our separate guide .

Before applying

Please note.

you can only apply to a maximum of two taught graduate programmes in any academic cycle.

Selecting your programme

Each prospectus page has information about a programme’s content, entry requirements and application deadlines.

Find more specific information about a programme’s content from that academic department’s website.

Not sure which programme to apply to or about life at UCL? 

Check the academic and English language entry requirements

You need to check you meet the minimum academic and English language entry requirements for the programme.

Entry requirements are clearly listed on each programme’s prospectus page.

Funding your studies

Carefully consider how you will fund your studies. This includes tuition fees and the day-to-day costs of being a student, and not forgetting that some programmes require a tuition fee deposit.

See our scholarship and funding pages to check if you are eligible for UCL funding. This is a separate application and different deadlines apply.

Check if you need a visa to study

If you are an international student, you might need a visa to study at UCL. Please check our immigration and visas pages for more information about applying for a visa to study.

Transferring to UCL

For graduate taught programmes at UCL, you may be able to transfer to a programme from another institution. 

For example, if a student has already completed accredited learning of a standard judged to be the same as the UCL programme. But, this is at the discretion of the relevant department. Departments consider this on a case-by-case basis.

You can read more information about the recognition of prior learning for transfer students in the UCL Academic Manual .

Contact Graduate Admissions about transferring into a specific graduate taught programme at UCL.

Preparing to apply

Check if your application requires references.

The number of references needed to support your application can be found on the prospectus page for your programme.

Make sure you read about selecting your references to understand who to choose.

you should contact your nominated referee(s) before starting your application to check they can provide a reference for you.

Finding out if you need to pay an application fee

Most graduate programmes require you to pay a non-refundable application fee. You will be asked to pay the application fee when you submit your application.

Deciding when to apply

Not all programmes have the same application deadline. You must however submit (and if applicable, pay your application fee) before 5pm (UK time) on the day of the application deadline. In most cases there is a different deadline depending on whether you will require a visa to study in the UK or not. Please check this carefully and do not apply after the stated deadline if you do require a visa. If you do apply after the deadline relevant to you, your application will not be considered. 

See your programme’s prospectus page for deadline information.

We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Admissions take place throughout the year and programmes can close earlier than advertised.

Getting your supporting documents ready

As part of your application, you must provide the following supporting documents:

• Your official transcript. Please read our guide on getting your academic transcript . This explains exactly what UCL can and cannot accept. Sending documents that cannot be accepted will delay your application being processed.
• A personal statement. Our personal statement guidance offers advice on writing an effective personal statement.
• If you need a visa to study at UCL you will need to provide a copy of your current passport . If you do not have a valid passport, you can complete our Missing passport document and provide your passport later.
• Some programmes require you to provide additional documents as part of your application. Full details can be found on our additional programme requirements page.
• If you meet our English language requirements (using a UCL-recognised test), you should upload your official test report form or qualification. If you cannot provide this evidence when you submit your application, your application will still be considered.

Do not password-protect or encrypt files. Admissions selectors will not be able to access them and this will delay your application being processed.

Submitting your application

Applications should be submitted online.

Before you submit your application, please carefully check the information you have provided or uploaded. Once you have submitted your application, you can only update your name, contact details, referees’ details (if applicable) and passport details (if you require a visa).

you cannot replace or add additional documents once you have submitted your application

You should make sure:

• You have selected the correct programme of study
• Your names are entered exactly as they appear in your passport
• You have entered the correct details of your academic qualifications. These should match the information on your transcript.
• your institution
• a list of your modules and any grades you have received.
• You have provided accurate details of any work experience or previous employment you would like UCL to be aware of, either in the employment section or as part of your uploaded CV.
• You have uploaded any compulsory supporting documents required for your course to proceed.
• If applicable, you have entered your referee details correctly and have provided institutional or professional email addresses.

If you are unable to apply online due to accessibility reasons, please contact Graduate Admissions .

We advise that you add [email protected] to your list of approved contacts so that you receive any correspondence sent by the Graduate Admissions Office.

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• Queen Mary University of London
• Postgraduate
• Research degrees

Key Dates and Deadlines

You can apply online for all our Postgraduate Research programmes (doctorate or PhD). This page outlines the key dates and deadlines for both Home/ European and International students applying to Queen Mary University of London. 

Most PhD programmes at Queen Mary start in September-October or January each year. Enrolment at different points in the year may be possible, for example, where funding for a specific project starts mid-year.  A small number of students start their programmes in late Spring (April/May).

If a non-standard start date is approved, please note that enrolment must be completed within two weeks of the programme start date.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Any applicant who is not a European Economic Area or Swiss national, applying for a Postgraduate Research course, may require an  Academic Technology Approval Scheme  (ATAS) security certificate.

If you require an ATAS security certificate, you will need to obtain your ATAS certificate,  before  requesting a CAS. Queen Mary University of London will not issue a CAS until your ATAS certificate has been obtained. Applicants should note, during busy periods, it can take up to six weeks to receive your ATAS security certificate. 

Deadlines for funded studentships

• Law studentships: Wednesday 6th December 2023
• Humanities and Social Sciences Studentships: Wednesday 24th January 2024 (except Law)
• Science and Engineering Studentships: Wednesday 31st January 2024
• China Scholarship Council applicants for any subject area: Wednesday 31st January 2024
• MRes-PhD applicants for the School of Economics and Finance: Monday 5th February 2024
• Projects for the School of Medicine and Dentistry: various - check the advert for the project.
• Doctoral Training Partnerships: There may be an additional application and an earlier deadline. Please check their websites carefully.

Further information on  Queen Mary Research Studentships can be found on our dedicated webpages.

September 2024 Entry

• October 2023 - Applicants for postgraduate research programmes for entry in September 2024 open
• Wednesday 6th December- Law Studentships close for applications
• Friday 22 December 2023 - Tuesday 2 January 2024 - University Christmas Closure. Online applications may be submitted during this period. We will endeavour to respond to applicant enquiries and process newly submitted applications as soon as possible upon reopening in January.
• January 2024 - deadlines for other studentships (see above)
• March 2024 - Accommodation applications open. For further information, please visit our  Accommodation  pages.

• PhD Applications - Information, Guidance & Advice

PhD Applications

PhD applications are different to other university courses. For one thing, you won’t be applying to a course.

We’re here to help you through the PhD application process. We've explained how PhD interviews work (and previewed some of the questions you might be asked). We've also looked at common postgraduate entry tests and provided some advice on eligibility criteria for doctoral research. The main thing to remember is that you’ll need to show that you’re the right candidate to fill an advertised position, or complete a research project that you designed and proposed yourself.

In the UK, most PhD application deadlines are between late December and mid January. This coincides with the deadlines set by UKRI Research Council funding bodies. Most students will begin work on their application in the autumn. Although less common, many PhD positions and funding opportunities are still available to apply for year round.

Outside of the UK, PhD applications may be accepted for both the autumn and winter intake. As well as the below, you can check out our advice for international students , as well as country-specific guides and language tests , which you will need as part of your PhD application.

All that's left is to wish you good luck. So... good luck!

Ready to find a PhD?

Use our course search to filter PhD opportunities by topic, keywords, location and funding.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application.

Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

What actually happens at a PhD interview? And how should you prepare for yours? Read our top tips.

Some PhD applications require students to write a personal statement (also known as a statement of purpose) outlining their background, goals and academic interests.

What questions will you be asked at a PhD interview? And how should you answer? Find out with our handy guide.

Applying for a PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) often works a little different to other subjects. Here's everything you need to know about applying for a STEM PhD.

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MPhil and PhD

When do i apply.

For full-time and part-time MPhil and PhD applications, the main application period is from November to March, for study commencing on 1 October. Students may also make an application to commence study in February.

Closing dates can vary depending on the faculty and source of external funding, if applicable. The Research topic pages (within research areas ) on this website and studentship advertisements on the OU Studentships page  give details of specific application deadlines.

What do I send?

Before you apply, we recommend that you seek advice from the contact for the research area you are interested in – please read our How to apply page. In addition to a completed application form, we will normally require a research proposal. For advertised studentships, the advertisement will tell you what to send. A description of your suitability for the studentship, including information about your knowledge of the relevant literature and research methods, will normally be required.

The appropriate application form will tell you where to send your application. You should answer all the questions that apply to you, including the HESA data questions. If your application form is not completed in full, we will not be able to consider it.

If you wish to apply to undertake a PhD or MPhil at The Open University please click on the application form most appropriate to your circumstances from the list below:

• Application form (UK) if you are a UK citizen.
• Application form (International) if you are not a UK citizen.
• Application form (Transfer) if you are transferring from another institution.

Your proposal

You should check if a proposal is needed from you, and its format, in the studentship advert or by talking to a contact within the research area (see How to apply ). If a proposal is required for your chosen degree or studentship, we suggest the following format, but again research proposals may differ by faculty/studentship and it is important to check this before you apply. The proposal document typically consists of:

• the topic or area to be investigated
• the issue, research question or hypothesis that is to be tested (if it can be defined at this stage)
• the likely methods and techniques to be used in the investigation
• the relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and current research in your field, and an indication of the contribution your thesis would make
• details of work you have already done in the proposed field
• your suitability as a researcher for the proposed project.

The proposal enables the academic staff responsible for selecting applicants to assess:

• your competence in the proposed field of study
• your ability to conduct a research programme independently
• the nature of the supervision required.

The following books offer useful advice about how to develop a research degree proposal:

• Dunleavey, P. (2003) Authoring a PhD Thesis: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Dissertation  (Palgrave Study Guides), Palgrave Macmillian ISBN 1403905843
• Walliman, N. (2005) Your Research Project: A Step-by-Step Guide for the First-Time Researcher , Sage Publications ISBN 1412901324
• Cryer, P. (2006) The Research Student’s Guide to Success , Third edition, Open University Press, ISBN 0335221173

Advertised studentships

If you are applying for an advertised studentship where the research topic has already been defined, instead of preparing a research proposal you should explain in writing why you are interested in the project and your suitability for the studentship. Please include information about your knowledge of the relevant literature and research methods. The advertisement will tell you if you need to send a proposal.

If you are applying for part-time study, you should say what resources you will need (such as library, laboratory, record offices, computing, surveys), what they will cost and the proposed source(s) of funding.

What happens next?

When we receive your application it will be forwarded to the relevant research area for consideration. The research area will assess your eligibility to undertake a research degree, determine whether your proposed project will make a significant contribution to knowledge and determine whether a suitable supervisory team can be established with the relevant expertise in the subject area. The research area will also assess whether your proposed project is a good fit with the research strategy of the department, faculty and University.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview, normally held at the OU campus in Milton Keynes. If you have a disability or other need for which you might need an adjustment to be made in order to participate fully in an interview, please let us know so we can meet your requirements.

Within the selection process, you will be expected to provide your original qualification certificates (including official translation into English, if applicable), transcripts where appropriate, and your passport. We will follow up your references before an offer of registration will be made.

There are additional requirements and considerations for International research student applications .

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Your questions

For advice about applying for a research degree, or sponsoring a research student, email the Graduate School or call +44 (0)1908 653806.

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How to apply for a research degree

Once you’ve found a PhD project or decided on your own proposal and spoken with a potential supervisor, you can apply using our online application system.

Prepare your application

The online application form takes about 30 minutes to complete. 

Typically when you apply, you’ll need:

• your personal details
• how you plan to fund your studies
• project title
• supervisor name (you should speak to the supervisor before applying)
• 2 academic references from your most recent place of study
• an academic transcript of your undergraduate degree showing modules and marks achieved
• an academic transcript from your Master's degree showing modules and marks achieved if you have already graduated
• undergraduate degree certificate and Master's degree certificate (if you have already graduated)
• English language qualification (if required)
• CV (also referred to as a resume)
• personal statement
• research proposal (if you are planning your own project or if it states you need to provide it)

Apply as early as possible if you need to secure a UK visa or if you are applying for funding or sponsorship. Deadlines for research funding are usually at least 6 months in advance of the start date. 

Some projects will have a different application procedure. This is usually the case when the project is funded by a doctoral training partnership.

Steps to apply

• Check that you meet the entry requirements and confirm the key dates either on the project page or with your potential supervisor.
• Write a personal statement including your motivation for the project, your relevant skills and experience, and how it supports your future goals. Keep this focused and concise.  
• Have supporting documents ready to attach to your online application.
• Register for an account then complete and submit the online application form. You’ll be able to save and review your application before submitting it.  
• Check you have received our email confirming we've received your application. We usually send this straight away.
• Use your account login details to track the progress of your application.

Ready to apply?

 for questions about applying, please contact our faculty  graduate  schools:,  arts and humanities: .

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 Email: [email protected]      Phone: +44 (0)23 8212 6501

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Specialised doctoral training at the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).

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PhD Education / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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• Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 60% or above, a minimum mark of 60% in your dissertation (or overseas equivalent)

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 19 January 2024.

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.

• For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024

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• 2nd in the UK for Education (Complete University Guide 2024).  
• The University of Manchester was ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Education research (overall GPA, REF2021).
• Learn with research-active experts in the field of education and work with highly diverse cohorts of students and staff.
• Contribute to improvements in the overall wellbeing of students, their families and communities throughout the world through research.

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The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and programmes. On this day, you will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see Open days.

We will be conducting our PGR virtual open week in October 2024. Find out about future events and postgraduate research sessions by signing up for our email alerts.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £6,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £3,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,750

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Your fees will cover the cost of your study at the University, as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and graduation (excluding graduation robe hire).

Payment of tuition fees will also entitle you to membership of The University of Manchester library, the Students' Union and the Athletic Union.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Environment, Education and Development studentships is 19 January 2024.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Environment, Education and Development Postgraduate Research Studentships 2024 Entry - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• School of Environment, Education and Development Enhancing Racial Equality (SERE) Studentship - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

• Postgraduate Research

How to apply for a PhD programme

Now that you've chosen a PhD programme, it's time to submit your application. Follow the below instructions to get started.

Studentships

The University of Liverpool offers various PhD studentships, which may be funded, self-funded or competition funded. To apply:

• Find a  studentship/project   that matches your research interests.
• Check the studentship advert for any  specific application requirements  and follow them where applicable.
• Finally,  register and apply online . (See  full application requirements  below)

Research degrees

Research degrees (MPhil/PhD/MD) are usually self-funded or externally funded. To apply:

• Find a research opportunity  which matches your research interests
• Identify potential supervisors for your research project. You can do this by contacting the relevant institute or school’s   Postgraduate Research Support Team  and by viewing the staff and research pages of their area of the University website
• Whilst it's not obligatory, we encourage you to indicate your preferred supervisor(s) in your application. It's also a good idea to contact potential supervisors before making an application. They may indicate an interest in your research proposal, but this does not guarantee entry to the programme
• Put together a research proposal to outline the research you would like to undertake. You will need this for your application and may also need it for funding applications
• Finally,  register and apply online . (See  full application requirements below)

Application requirements

For both Studentships and Research Degrees, you'll need the following when completing your online application:

To complete the online application, you'll need:

• School or college transcripts/certificates
• University transcripts
• Degree certificates
• English language certificates (International applicants only)
• A personal statement
• Two signed references on letterheaded paper (these should be academic references if you have been in full-time education in the last three years)
• A research proposal (may be tested for plagiarism, collusion and other irregularities)

Applications are assessed primarily on the basis of prior and predicted academic achievement, so you should complete the application form without any omissions.  If you wish to apply for a degree under a collaborative agreement with another institution, you must state this in your application.

References can be either uploaded directly to the application form by the applicant or emailed to the Department Admissions team (details below).

If you're considering applying for a University of Liverpool PhD based at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), China, you should contact their Graduate School Office .

Useful contacts

For any admissions related queries please contact the relevant School/Institute Admissions Team :

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

• Institute of Life Course & Medical Sciences: [email protected]
• Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences: [email protected]
• Institute of Population Health: [email protected]
• Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology: [email protected]

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

• In the first instance, please visit  Applying for a PhD - Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences - University of Liverpool   For more detailed enquiries regarding opportuinities within Humanities and Social Sciences, please contact the one of the School teams below.
• School of the Arts: [email protected]
• School of Histories, Languages and Cultures: [email protected]
• School of Law and Social Justice: [email protected]
• Management School: [email protected]

Faculty of Science and Engineering

• School of Engineering: [email protected]
• School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science: [email protected]
• School of Physical Sciences: [email protected]
• School of Environmental Sciences: [email protected]

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• Applying essentials – PhD study

How to apply – PhD study

You can apply for postgraduate research using our Postgraduate Online Application Form:

Postgraduate Online Application Form

The form has comprehensive instructions for you to follow, and pop-up help is available on each page. 

Medicine graduates

If you are a graduate in Medicine and wish to apply for an MD research degree, you'll need to apply via a different route. To make an MD research application, please visit the Medical School webpages:

Medical School

Completing your application

The form is divided into two parts. Part 1 is for personal information, including English language ability, and previous education and employment. You have to complete all of the mandatory fields in this part (marked with a *) before you can go on to Part 2. Part 2 is where you select the course or courses you want to apply for. You can apply for a total of three different postgraduate courses.

Supporting documents

You'll need to include certain documents to support your application, for example evidence of your previous qualifications and a personal statement. You can supply these simply by uploading them to the relevant sections of your online application.

You can find more information about the supporting documents you'll need, and how to supply them, on our Supporting Documents webpage:

Submitting your application

Your application will only be submitted to us when you click the 'Submit Application' button. If you've forgotten to fill in any sections, you'll be prompted to go back and complete them at this stage. When you've successfully submitted the completed form, we'll confirm this on-screen. We'll also send you an email confirmation.

If you want to apply for more than one course, you don't need to submit them all at the same time. Each course choice has its own 'Submit Application' button.

If you have any problems completing your online application, please contact us:

Contacts for prospective students

See our key dates webpage for application deadlines:

Deadlines for postgraduate courses

After you've applied

When we've created your applicant record, we'll send you a second email to confirm this. This email will include your applicant and choice numbers, as well as information about what happens next.

You can find more information about what happens after you submit your application, and about preparing to study at the University of Sheffield, on the After You Apply webpage:

After you apply

Ask a question

Start a conversation with us

Related information

Applying Essentials

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

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When is the right time to apply for a PhD?

Are you considering applying for a studentship but have many questions? Firstly, let’s carefully explore what a PhD is.

The term “PhD” is often used as a synonym for any doctoral-level qualification. Doctorate degrees can often be split into two categories: MPhil and PhD.

An MPhil takes approximately two to three years to complete in most countries. Like a PhD, an MPhil consists of a research element (which is usually shorter and less in-depth than a PhD thesis, and often more akin to a dissertation undertaken at undergraduate or master’s level).

MPhil students concentrate more on interpreting existing knowledge and theory and critically assessing other people’s findings rather than producing their own research. The precise nature and definition of an MPhil can vary among institutions and countries.

Meanwhile, a PhD follows a more widely recognised and traditional path and takes approximately three years full-time or six years part-time to complete, however, it is usually longer. The journey requires students, often referred to as “candidates”, to produce their own work and research on a new area or topic to a high academic standard.

Upon completion, The successful candidate is awarded the title of “Doctor of Philosophy”, also called PhD or DPhil.

Undertaking a doctorate is a time-consuming and tiring process, and there are many different opinions on the need for doing a PhD. However, it remains a benchmark in the arena of higher education. It determines the quality, ranking, and evolution of the academic disciplines. There are still a high number of bright aspirants for the very few competitive PhD positions available at university departments.

Why pursue a PhD?

People have varying reasons as to why and when they undertake a PhD.  If you are looking to pursue an academic position, such as a university lecturer or researcher, then a PhD is normally a pre-requisite.

Many people obtain a PhD as part of a partnership with an employer, particularly in scientific fields such as engineering, where their research can prove beneficial for companies.

In some cases, however, PhDs are simply down to an individual’s passion for a subject, and their determination to learn more about their field.

There are many good and varied reasons why someone does a PhD degree . From advancing knowledge, personal ambition, changing career direction, future career prospects and job market requirements and so on, but no reason is better than another. At the end of the day, what matters is that happy with your decision to do a PhD. It may give you a purpose, make your life better, and by extension, make other lives better.

However, the act of pursuing a PhD can be a complicated, time-consuming, and expensive journey. Being fully prepared, obtaining sound advice and a thorough understanding of the task at hand will help you with this journey. Your years as a doctoral student can be some of the most rewarding of your life.

Regardless of whether you decide to pursue an academic career or an industrial R&D career, at some point, you might need a PhD degree.

If you wanted to do research and if you wanted to stay in academia, regardless of whether this is in the UK, US, or European Union, you really need to have a PhD degree. Increasingly more and more people decide to do a PhD stay in their jobs or progress in their careers.

Therefore, doing the PhD program at the early stage of your career can have benefits. The key benefits include the fact that you will develop necessary skills, such as grant writing, and time management, as well as other technical skills, soft skills and transferable skills that will help you advance your future career and get the research positions that you wish.

Remember, PhD graduates are sought after in the industry due to their transferable skills and the fact that they become subject matter experts.

Another reason to continue your postgraduate degree and get a PhD is that you might have an excellent idea that you would like to explore in detail.

You may already have a background in conducting research, and you would like to have academics who already have significant experience to support you in developing that research idea, while you get a PhD degree.

Each PhD thesis must contribute to the current body of knowledge, adding new insights and solutions, and creating new knowledge. As a PhD student, you need to have a valid reason for undertaking a PhD so that it motivates you to overcome the challenges. Your PhD outcomes usually tend to bring a positive change to the world we share and have a positive impact on society. That is a great reason to start the PhD journey!

How to apply for a PhD

Application rules and methods vary for each university. The number of courses that you can apply for in a year will differ.

If you want to apply for more than one degree, you should submit a research proposal specific to each area of study you apply for.

You can also apply to various universities to enhance your chances of securing a place on the course.

What qualifications do I need?

Each PhD will have specific entry requirements and you will also need to meet a university’s general entry requirements.  This may be an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. For some PhDs, you may need a master’s qualification, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

International students may also be required to prove language proficiency. This will vary across institutions so do check what level universities expect before starting your application.

Applicants should always check the specific entry requirements in a university’s online prospectus before making an application.

When should I start applying?

This will depend on when the term start date is. Most research degrees will start in September, but some courses offer additional entry points in January or May.

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May, and the deadlines for applying are usually one month before the course start date for UK applicants, and three months before for international applicants.

If you’re applying for funding from an external organisation, you’ll need to know that they may have different deadlines for the funding application. So, give yourself plenty of time to research your funding options, and ensure you know how long the application process takes.

Many universities offer several funded PhD opportunities and scholarships for UK and international students, and it’s always worth investigating funding routes such as research councils and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas.

In some cases, it may be possible to study a PhD by distance which means you’ll be able to learn online and have virtual meetings with your supervisor.

If this is something you would be interested in doing you should check before applying whether your university can accommodate this option.

One of the main reasons why people decide to do a PhD is to advance their understanding of the research area that they’re interested in.

It means that you recognise that there are some recent problems, which we like to call knowledge gaps or research gaps, that you would like to contribute to solving. You know that there are some challenges yet to be solved that will enhance our lives.

And more importantly, you’ve got some good ideas about how these problems can be solved. Or maybe you are just eager to dedicate your career to solving these specific challenges and finding solutions. Regardless of whether you’ve already got solutions or feel motivated to make a positive change in the world as a doctoral student, generating new knowledge is one of the key reasons to do a PhD.

Related article:

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

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Application deadlines

for Postgraduate Research Degrees

These are the deadlines for PhD studentships in the 2024/2025 recruitment year.

Details for each individual studentship can be found either via our  course search  or on the studentship's host website.  

PhD and Studentship funding deadlines

PhD project deadlines

Additional deadlines for individual PhD projects both self-funded and funded can be found on the Postgraduate Research  PhDs and Studentships  in our  course finder . 

Self-funded research degree start dates and deadlines

Please note that not all of the start dates are available for each school.  Contact the Postgraduate Research Service for more information.

The School of Global Development only has an October start date. 

The EdD has a start date every other year. The next start date is expected to be in October 2024.

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• Postgraduate study

Application deadlines

• About postgraduate study
• Taught degree programmes A‑Z
• How to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
• Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z
• How to apply for a postgraduate research degree
• Fees and funding

Application deadlines for each specific programme are available in the  Postgraduate Taught degree programmes A‑Z

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When should I start applying for a PhD program in the UK?

I am starting my MSc. this September (UK), and am strongly planning ahead and setting myself goals. Simply, when would be the appropriate time to submit my applications?

My MSc is 12 months long and will go from Sept 2018 to Sept 2019. I was thinking of applying 6-8 months into my MSc.

What do you think? When is the most logical time to submit my applications?

• application
• united-kingdom

• 4 Just before the application deadline? –  JeffE Commented Jun 30, 2018 at 13:19

3 Answers 3

This kind of depends on what sort of PhD you wish to study.

For the most part, you don't get accepted for a PhD position in the UK by applying to a graduate program. Most universities/departments simply do have a formal "program". There are acceptations to this of course. Several of the larger funders run formal programs, look out for the Wellcome Trust PhD 4-year programs for example. Some of the research council's Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) operate on this basis as well. These are rare, and tend to be highly prestigious and often associated with research institutes rather than university departments (the Wellcome trust ones are also very well paid compared to other ways of doing a PhD). They are recruiting earlier and earlier in order to try to grab the best students. For example, the Sanger Institute 4-year program's 2017 deadline with 2nd of December.

For the majority of PhDs in the UK though, the supervisor will apply for funding from a funding body for a particular project. If they are successful they will advertise individually for applicants, interview on their own schedule, and the successful candidate will start at the earliest convenience of the both the supervisor and the candidate. This often ends up being the start of the next academic year as the candidate generally has to finish their Undergrad/Masters degree first. When these positions are advertised/when the closing dates are will depend most of all on the funders grant deadlines. Our DTP (where we get most of our students from) has a dealine just before christmas and we will generally be advertising in Feburary. A good place to look for adverts for studentships like this is FindAPhD.com . Another place to look is jobs.ac.uk . I would have alerts set up on these sites for the whole year, but expect the busiest time to be the first quarter of the year.

Finally, if you will fund your PhD yourself somehow (either though your own funds, or that of a company or from a foriegn government), its generally up to you. The application process may take a couple of months and if you are not native the visa process can take months as well. If you want to aim to start at the beginning of the new academic year (which is not a terrible idea, since you'll be starting with all the RCUK funded students, making things socially easier), I'd probably start this process in the early spring: give you plenty of time, and it you are sorted early, waiting to start is not going to be a problem.

• 1 Minor counterpoint: this could be discipline-dependent, even within STEM. It seems currently the case in most UK (pure) maths departments that one should apply directly to the university, perhaps after unofficially contacting some people in the maths department, stating explicitly that one is seeking funding. Departments will then have their own mechanisms for allocating the limited amount of funding they have, from various sources; this can include RCUK studentships that have been allocated to the department from a more central pool –  Yemon Choi Commented Jul 2, 2018 at 14:17
• I guess this is more or less what I meant by the third route I talked about. Except that we would never consider anyone unless they knew exactly what funding it wast they were planning to apply for and what their chances of being successful were. The EPSRC, like other councils in RCUK, now longer awards all departments block grants for students, but operates through DTPs. Some depts will choose to operate a program, others will fund projects. I don't know of any that operate as a scholarship scheme that is only available if you apply by other means, but I guess that probably exists somewhere. –  Ian Sudbery Commented Jul 2, 2018 at 15:48

Funded PhDs in the UK usually follow the academic calendar and start in late September or early October. Accordingly, application deadlines tend to be in February or March (often set by the funding councils and hence will be the same for every university).

The exception to this is if you are planning to self-fund your PhD, in which case you will have more flexibility on starting dates (but check with the universities you are going to apply to if you are planning to do this).

The best time for you to submit your applications is probably as close to the deadline as possible, especially if you want to use your supervisor/ tutor/ other lecturer from your MSc as a reference. The longer you wait to submit the application, the better they will get to know you and hence be able to write a better reference.

However, don't wait until the last minute to ask for a reference! Ask well ahead of time (>1 month) and let them know when the application deadline is so they have time to prepare.

Google up the schools you are interested in and ask them. The people who will know are the support staff of the head of department, head of grad studies, and like that. Their secretary, clerk, assistant, etc. That's who you want to ask.

These are people that you should always try to stay friends with. They know everything. They see everything. And they know what will work and what won't. Always stay friends with the support staff.

• This is not helpful, almost any question could be answered by saying, "Google it, ask around and then figure it out". –  rhermans Commented Apr 25, 2023 at 15:30

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• Schools & departments

When to apply

We operate a gathered field approach to PhD applications, find out how this works

We are now accepting applications for entry in 2024.

The School operates a gathered field approach for applications to our PhD programmes. This means that all complete applications which meet our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline at which point the Admissions Panel will meet to consider all applications received at this time.

Only applications received by deadline 1 will be considered for University of Edinburgh based funding .

You may be able to secure external funding outside of this deadline.

Gathered field deadlines for this programme are as follows:

If you would like more information about submitting your application and the admissions process please do not hesitate to get in touch with the School Postgraduate Office.

Postgraduate Teaching Organisation enquiries

• School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Contact details

• Work: +44 (0)131 651 5002
• Email: [email protected]

Room 1.06, Dugald Stewart Building

Availability

Monday to Friday: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writingm, Distance Education (MFA)
• Graduate School
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Go to programs search

Creative Writers are at the heart of our cultural industries. Poets, novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, graphic novelists, magazine writers: they entertain, inform and inspire. For more than 15 years, UBC's Creative Writing program has been educating writers through distance education in a program which complements our long-standing on-campus MFA program.

A studio program with the writing workshop at its heart, the distance MFA focuses on the work created by students as the primary text. Through intensive peer critique and craft discussion, faculty and students work together with the same goal: literary excellence.

The MFA granted to distance students is the same degree as granted to on-campus students, and the same criteria of excellence in multiple genres of study apply.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

UBC's Optional-Residency (Distance) MFA was the first distance education MFA program in Canada and remains the only full MFA which can be taken completely online. It is designed to be uniquely flexible, allowing students across Canada and around the world to study writing at the graduate level while still living in their local communities and fulfilling career and family obligations.

The program is unique globally for its multi-genre approach to writing instruction: students are required to work in multiple genres during the course of the degree. As a fine arts program rather than an English program, students focus on the practice of writing rather than the study of literature. Students may work on a part-time basis, taking up to five years to complete the degree.

My time in the Creative writing grad program at UBC has given me the discipline and focus I need to complete long-form writing pieces and larger poetry projects.

Kwaku Darko-Mensah Jnr.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.

The optional residency MFA (distance) program only has a July intake.

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 90

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writingm, Distance Education (MFA)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Options

Graduates of the MFA program have found success in varied fields related to writing and communication. The MFA qualifies graduates for teaching at the university level and many graduates have gone on to teach at colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and overseas as well as holding writing residencies. Many publish books and win literary awards. Others go on to work in publishing, and graduates have become book and magazine editors.

Although the MFA is a terminal degree, some graduates go on to further study in PhD programs in the US, UK and Australia.

The Optional-Residency MFA is particularly well suited to teachers: our teacher-students have been able to gain an advanced degree while continuing their careers.

• Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Belcourt, Billy-Ray (Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry)
• French, Whitney (memory, loss, technology, and nature)
• Hopkinson, Nalo (Creative writing, n.e.c.; Humanities and the arts; Creative Writing: Speculative Ficton, Fantasy, Science Fiction, especially Other Voices)
• Irani, Anosh
• Koncan, Frances
• Leavitt, Sarah (Autobiographical comics; Formal experimentation in comics; Comics pedagogy)
• Lee, Nancy (Fiction; Creative Writing)
• Lyon, Annabel (Novels, stories and news)
• Maillard, Keith (Fiction, poetry)
• Marzano-Lesnevich, Alex (Nonfiction)
• McGowan, Sharon (Planning of film productions from concept to completion)
• Medved, Maureen (Fiction, writing for screen)
• Nicholson, Cecily (Languages and literature; Poetry)
• Ohlin, Alix (Fiction; Screenwriting; Environmental writing)
• Pohl-Weary, Emily (Fiction; Writing for Youth)
• Svendsen, Linda (Script development; Novels, stories and news; Writing for Television; Fiction)
• Taylor, Timothy (fiction and nonfiction)
• Vigna, John (Novels, stories and news; Fiction, Literary Non-Fiction, Creative Writing)

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Theatre (MFA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing (MFA)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Further Information

Specialization.

Creative Writing combines the best of traditional workshop and leading-edge pedagogy. Literary cross-training offers opportunities in a broad range of genres including fiction, poetry, screenplay, podcasting, video game writing and graphic novel.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

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