Applying to PhDs in the UK

a step-by-step guide for the social sciences

Have you ever heard of the “hidden curriculum”? Neither had I until I started applying for PhDs. It seemed as though everyone else who was applying knew exactly what to do, exactly who to talk to, which programmes to apply to, which courses to take during their master's to have the most competitive CV, and which secret scholarship to get. It wasn’t just a feeling—they actually knew more than I did. But how?

I spent endless days, and sometimes nights, trying to figure out how to write the perfect personal statement, how to fill in Annex B of a certain Doctoral Training Partnership, and literally hours writing research proposals that didn’t even make it to the final application.

To spare you some time, and since I am convinced that this curriculum shouldn’t be hidden in the first place, here is a practical guide on applying for PhDs in the UK.

Disclaimer: This is not a recipe for success, and there is certainly no one right way to apply for PhDs. This is simply my attempt to summarise what I have learned after applying to PhD programmes for two years in a row and, finally, after a lot of Googling and reaching out, getting into one. This applies mostly to PhDs in the social sciences (specifically political science).

Before you apply

If you still have time and the opportunity, you should definitely consider enrolling in some methods courses. This applies even to those who work with qualitative methods. Not only are these courses extremely valuable outside of academia, but they also demonstrate to the admissions team that you are capable of conducting research independently.

If you have completed your master’s (or are just about to), there are a few summer schools you should consider:

LSE Research Methods Summer School

Oxford Spring School

Oxford LLMs (This one is free!)

ECPR Summer School

You can also look out on Twitter for training opportunities across Europe, there are more than you can imagine! And, of course, online courses.

MIT Open Course

Alternatively, apply for research assistantships. It is a good side hustle, and the professors you assist might be willing also to write you a reference letter

Step 1: Start looking for a supervisor

To figure out where to apply, I would encourage you to first start by looking for a supervisor. It may feel counterintuitive, but this step should come even before you start writing your research proposal. Why, you may ask? Simply put, you need someone in your corner who will flag your application and convince the admissions team to have you on board. Some argue that it’s almost impossible to get into a programme if you haven’t discussed your proposal with a potential supervisor.

Secondly, if they are approachable, they will explain the rules of the game at their institution. Every institution is different, and they know far more than you do about how to apply and get into that specific programme. At the very least, they can usually direct your research interests in a way that would appeal to the admissions team and highlight potential funding opportunities. Ideally, you’ll be able to discuss whether and how your ideas can materialise into a PhD.

How?

• Find papers and books you love, and get in touch with the people who wrote them. Ask yourself: who would I like to work with? Look up their institutions and PhD programmes. Generally, you should focus on stable members of staff; in the UK, this typically means associate professors and professors (senior lecturers and professors). Or, if you liked the institution where you did your master’s, get in touch with your former professors—they are usually happy to see a familiar face applying.

• Don’t be afraid to reach out. Don’t wait until the last minute. Send an email well before the deadline and share your ideas. Don’t wait to have a fully drafted research proposal—just get in touch. You can find more about approaching potential supervisors in this previous blog post.

• Show them how you think. Share your research agenda, your long-term plans, and ideas. Send them drafts and work on them together.

• Keep the conversation going. Professors are usually very busy, so don’t be afraid to send a follow-up email now and then. And don’t expect too much from them. Be flexible and respectful. But most importantly, look out for red flags—ask yourself, do I really want to work with someone who replies to every email with one or two words? Probably not.

• Don’t be upset if they say no; it’s not your fault. If anything, they are saving you time and energy. If they think the two of you wouldn’t be a good fit but like your research plan, they might still direct you to a colleague who could be interested.

Tip: Get in touch with the admin team! They’ll make sure you have all the information you need to apply and help ensure a smooth application process. They often know more about the rules of the game than the professors. They are there to help :

Step 2: You need funding!

I will say it once and for all: A PhD is a job. You are working, conducting research under the university’s name, and you should be paid for it—period.

So, look for funding. The most common source is the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council). Depending on the institution, they might have a separate application process. Also useful are Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).

Other funding options could be institution-specific, especially at Oxford and Cambridge.

Look into LISS (London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership) as well.

Otherwise, Twitter is your friend. Follow the academics you admire—they often advertise scholarships within their own programmes or funded PhD positions. I got three interviews and one offer for funded positions just from Twitter posts. So yes, get on Twitter ASAP.

Understand the deadlines, requirements, and procedures, and hit the ground running. Most of the deadlines are before January, so you should plan your application process accordingly.

Step 3: Reference letters

Get in touch with former professors and ask them for reference letters. It doesn’t have to be from a big name; it just needs to be someone who knows you, remembers you, and can vouch that you are good at doing research—not just at being a good student. Do this early, and make sure they upload the letters by the due date.

If you develop a good relationship with your potential supervisor, you could also ask them to write you a reference letter. It’s not common practice, but it is definitely acceptable.

Tip: If you are close enough with the academics writing your reference letter, ask them to include something about your personal structural or life challenges that you wouldn’t address in your personal statement—such as being a first-generation academic. Of course, everyone’s life circumstances are different, and I don’t want to assume that everyone has faced challenges, but if you have, I think it’s important to mention that.

Step 4 : Draft your research proposal and personal statement

This takes time and energy, so plan accordingly.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should reflect how you think about things, what drives you to embark on a 3+ year programme, and what gets you out of bed in the morning with a smile on your face.

Be creative, but be realistic with your time expectations and resources.

Don’t feel like you need to have all the answers figured out at this stage. Be transparent about what you do know and what you don’t. And don’t claim that you’ll be solving century-old questions that have divided the social sciences—it’s probably not true, at least not yet. Hopefully, you’ll have the rest of your academic career to tackle those big questions. So keep your proposal narrow and focused.

Tip: Each research proposal and personal statement should be tailored to the professor and the programme you’re applying to! It’s immensely time-consuming, but it’s definitely worth it. Don’t delude yourself into thinking that changing a couple of words will suffice. Put actual effort into this.

Step 5: Your CV

This is actually more important than people often realise. I personally made the mistake of only showcasing the very academic stuff. You shouldn’t.

My advice is to keep it simple, but include everything relevant—everything that shows you’re the keenest academic bean. That small talk, conference, or workshop you attended in undergrad? Yep. That pre-term coding seminar? Yep. Tutoring during undergrad? Yep. Don’t overdo it, but don’t undersell yourself either.

To conclude: apply widely and don’t forget your social network

Now it’s just a matter of getting this stuff done. It may seem like a lot, but it’s actually just five steps. Work on one at a time, and I’m sure you’ll be fine. My last piece of advice is to apply widely, but only to places where you can truly see yourself. Remember, you are the main character of your life.

Lastly, but most importantly, ask for help! You are not alone, and you shouldn’t do this alone. You’re much more likely to succeed if you let people guide and support you. You have a powerful social network that’s just waiting to unleash its potential. You might not have all the information about the process at the start, but you are as knowledgeable as the people around you.

Ask friends and family to proofread your work, or simply for a shoulder to cry on or to celebrate the little milestones along the way. Seek guidance from former professors, potential supervisors, current PhD candidates, and others in the process of applying. Don’t be afraid to ask or worry that your ideas aren’t good enough—the truth is, we’re all just winging it, and no one has it all figured out. Just ask.