This page gives a detailed view of the application process for 2012-3 entry - please study it carefully.
1. Think carefully about what areas of research, supervisors or projects most interest you.
2. Make an electronic application.
- All applications MUST be made using the University's online postgraduate application form.
- Typically, for funding you can just put one or more of: "STFC studentship", "EPSRC studentship", "Chancellor's Scholarship", "Self", "Family", "XXXX Government scholarship".
- Under "Purpose of Study, Research Proposal" you can indicate which research groups, topics and/or supervisors most interest you. A detailed proposal is not needed.
- You will be able to further discuss funding for your studies if you are interviewed.
- If you are applying for a SCHOLARSHIP (e.g. CS) you MUST discuss your application with us first, and the deadline is 31st Jan. 2012.
- By ticking "apply for a scholarship" you will generate three extra plain text boxes. The most important is the "Research proposal..." box - see here for guidance.
- Where possible please provide both a university and non-university email address on your application, as university addresses are often closed-down throughout the summer leading up to the start of the academic year.
- An email with a CV does NOT constitute an application.
- Please do NOT make more than one application. You can update us by email if, for example, a new project comes up in which you interested.
- Please do NOT apply for schoalrships separately from the standard application - it just complicates the administration.
3. Supporting documents, including two suitable references, will be required.
- It is your responsibility to make sure references are sent correctly and on time: make sure your referees know that they cannot simply email a reference to the department!
- We strongly recommend that references are sent electronically by the secure link emailed to your nominated referees: make sure you fill in their email addresses correctly!
- If it is more convenient, referees can send a hard-copy of their reference to the Postgraduate Coordinator, but this must be an original, on letter-headed paper and signed by the referee. It cannot be an email, scan or photocopy.
- The references must be from academics rather than employers. An exception can be made if your graduation date was more than 5 years ago and you do not have regular contact with your university.
- If your first language is not English and you have not been taught entirely in English for at least one year within the last two years, you will also need to provide up-to-date, official evidence of your English language competence.
- Paper originals can be sent to either of the Postgraduate Admissions contacts (details found here) should it be more convenient for you.
Note: Internal candidates from the Physics department can obtain paper and/or pdf copies of their interim transcripts from Susan Tatlock (on request).
4. How will you fund your studies?
- UK PhD students will normally be funded by a Research Council studentship, industry support or a combination of the two.
- Exceptional UK/EU students can apply for a prestigious Chancellor's Scholarship - you MUST consult the PG Admissions Tutor first.
- Overseas students may also apply for a Chancellor's International Scholarship, which pays full fees and stipend.
- EU students are eligible for some Research Council and other studentships - consult the PG Admissions Tutor.
- If you are an overseas applicant planning to apply for an International Office MSc Scholarship, you should consult with the PG Admissions Tutor.
- If you are applying for (or have successfully obtained) external funding you should inform the PG Admissions Tutor, even if this is after you submitted your application.
5. We will arrange interviews for the most promising candidates.
- Overseas candidates may be interviewed by telephone (or Skype if you prefer) by the Admissions Tutor and potential supervisor.
- UK candidates will usually be invited for an interview and visits to the research groups in which they are interested.
- Dates for group interview days (e.g. for all Round 1 Particle Physics candidates) will be announced well in advance.
6. Offers will be made after the first round of interviews.
- Offers are normally conditional on degree result for candidates yet to graduate.
- The offer of a place will be made along with a guarantee of funding if required (e.g. Research Council studentship for a UK student).
- The start date can be flexible but most students will begin in October 2012.
7. Additional information for overseas applicants
- Please follow this link for details on visas, ATAS, CAS, funding, etc.
8. What does my offer email mean?
A conditional offer will only be turned into an unconditional offer once all conditions have been met. This means that all supporting documents must have been received and must satisfy the requirements outlined above (section 3).
- The award of your degree and final degree result must be confirmed via either the original or an attested copy of your degree certificate or transcript or by downloading this Certification of Degree Result form, which must be completed by your University's registry. This confirmation should then be sent to the Postgraduate Coordinator. If you send the original, we strongly recommend you send it via registered post and it can then be returned to you when you arrive at the Department.
- English language certificates, where necessary, must also be either original or attested copies. This confirmation should also then be sent to the Postgraduate Coordinator.
- Both of your references must satisfy the conditions outlined above (section 3).
- Hard copies of your offer letter can be requested via a link on the offer email if needed, e.g. for visa or scholarship applications.
