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Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
PhD Admissions Process
Beth Shotton
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
A bit of Humour: Real World
You’ve been in some form of educational institution for upwards of sixteen years – probably most of your life. You’ve heard rumours that there is something beyond this environment, but you don’t want to take any
chances.
Heading out into the ‘real world’ can be delayed for up to five more years if you start a PhD now, and if you do well, you may be able to delay it
indefinitely by becoming an academic.
If this is your main reason for embarking on a PhD, you may wish to consider doing a Masters degree first – that way, you can add an extra
year or two to your total study time.
From: SO YOU WANT TO DO A PhD? The first in a series of articles on postgraduate studies by 10,000 monkeys.
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Route for Success
Which route is best for you?• Master of Research (MRes): offers the opportunity to prepare for a
PhD • Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): 3yrs full time (including initial period of supervision and training)
• Professional Doctorates – research degrees, with a taught component
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Do your research first!
Subject/Research area• Do we have expertise to suit your needs?• Contact relevant department• Visit departmental webpages
– Schedule Appointments with Relevant Department• Refer to prospectus
– Request a PG Prospectus from us
Student Recruitment & Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Apply Online or On Paper
• Apply online at http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/index.php
• Apply using paper Application Form
Application form requests to:
Student Recruitment & Admissions,
Pathfoot C3,
University of Stirling
Email: [email protected]
Student Recruitment & Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Apply Online
• Apply online at http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/index.php
1. Choose Programme
2. Register with System
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Required documents
• A fully completed application form
• Two references
• Qualifications & Certificates
• An academic transcript from your previous studies
• Evidence of English language proficiency (if required)
• A research proposal
– 500-2000 words depending on course applied for
What to include with your application
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Research Proposal – What to include
• Title / Choice of Topic
• Research Context – discuss general area of study & current state of debate
• Research Question – specific issues addressed?
• Originality & Importance – gaps to be filled, why important?
• Preliminary Assessment of Research – possible approaches, strengths/weaknesses. Address issue of scope, feasibility & ethics.
• Methodology – library-based, fieldwork, use of questionnaires, interviews, direct observation or other empirical methods?
• Sources – If library-based, where are your sources & how will you access them?
*Applicants applying for an advertised project are not usually required to submit a research proposal. Applicants who have secured their own funding should provide an indication of their subject areas of interest to support application.
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Process and Decision Time
• Application received – We’ll Email You: Acknowledgement email sent
• Complete application forms sent to selectors
• Decision made• Offer letter sent: Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research and
information on being a PG student at Stirling. Accommodation details also sent once accepted offer.
• Rejection letter sent
• Turnaround time between 1 to 2 weeks
Student Recruitment & Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Enrolment
• Enrolment e-mail sent one month before start date
• SGRS Induction e-mail sent (held in October & March)
• Enrol online
• Payment of fees
50% before or on arrival
Further two instalments of 25%
Where are we?
Postgraduate Admissions Office Student Recruitment & Admissions Service Pathfoot C3 University of Stirling FK9 4LA
Tel: +44 (0) 1786 466655 Email: [email protected]: +44(0) 1786 466039 Web: www.stir.ac.uk
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service www.stir.ac.uk
Postgraduate Admissions Office
www.stir.ac.ukStudent Recruitment and Admissions Service
Enjoy!
