Applying to PhD Programs in the UK

General Application Information

The application process is shifted slightly later than that of the US programs but, as an international student, you may need to submit additional documents in order to apply for available fellowships and funding sources. Final applications are typically due in late January. Keep in mind that if you wish to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford) or the Gates Scholarship (Cambridge), you will need to be nominated by your home university. Applications for these nominations at UC Berkeley have, in the past, been due prior to the start of the fall semester.

You do not need to pay to apply for most schools in the UK. The exceptions to this rule are Cambridge and Oxford, which have similar application fees to schools in the US. You also do not need to send any GRE or physics GRE scores to UK schools.

Unlike institutes in Europe and in the US, UK universities do not typically fly international students out for visits. However, it is likely that they will contact you for a Skype interview if you are being considered for a position. Most of these interviews are fairly informal and you will just discuss your prior research background. Be aware that Oxford does sometimes conduct technical interviews in which they will test your knowledge on the topic that you wish to conduct research on in graduate school. It is possible that the same may be true of some other schools.

In particular, the University College London and the University of Exeter (and likely several other schools) have specific fellowships that you may apply to to obtain funding. These applications include a research proposal to work with an advisor at the university, and the potential advisor will help you to develop the research proposal if they agree to support your application. This system is beneficial in that you can choose your own project and develop the research proposal to suit your interests. At some other schools (for example, St. Andrews and Oxford), you will instead apply and indicate interest in particular set projects for which advisors are looking for students.

If you will be applying to graduate programs in Scotland, you may also consider applying for the SUPA prize scholarships. These are external to the graduate program that you will be applying to, but the scholarships will fund your PhD. Before applying, you must first find a potential advisor and discuss your application with them.

Program Differences

PhD programs in the UK typically do not include classes (although you may audit some if you or your advisor would prefer that). Because of this, they can be completed in 2.5-3.5 years, with an average of around 3 years.

UK PhD programs are purely research-based, and a general outline of your project will be determined before you enter. As a result, there may be less flexibility in switching projects than there is in the US, depending on where your funding is coming from.

You will likely receive less funding in the UK than you would receive in the US. This may partially be a reflection of differences in living expenses at the location of your graduate school, as well as a different funding system. Typically, you will not be required to teach during your PhD, although you can if you would like to. If you are successful in obtaining a fellowship, your funding should still be sufficient to cover your living expenses as well as your tuition fees. Universities will usually not accept students without providing funding to cover tuition and living expenses.

Students who have gone through this process

Malena Rice (Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions)

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