Student Recruitment and Admissions Servicewww.stir.ac.uk PhD Admissions Process Beth Shotton Student Recruitment & Admissions

Student Recruitment and Admissions Servicewww.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 Servicewww.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 Servicewww.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 Apply Online or On Paper Apply online at Apply using paper Application Form Application form requests to: Student Recruitment & Admissions, Pathfoot C3, University of Stirling

Student Recruitment & Admissions Service Apply Online Apply online at 1. Choose Programme 2. Register with System

Student Recruitment and Admissions Servicewww.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 – words depending on course applied for What to include with your application

Student Recruitment and Admissions Servicewww.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 Servicewww.stir.ac.uk Process and Decision Time Application received –We’ll You: Acknowledgement 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 Enrolment Enrolment sent one month before start date SGRS Induction 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) Fax: +44(0) Web: Student Recruitment and Admissions Servicewww.stir.ac.uk Postgraduate Admissions Office

Recruitment and Admissions Service Enjoy!