Dr Martina Faller

Director of Postgraduate Research

• A large, vibrant and diverse PGR student community:

more than 400 HOME/EU students and more

than100 Overseas

• Wide range of supervisory expertise from world-class

researchers

• Lots of opportunities for interdisciplinary work within

School and with other Schools

I want to do a PhD

How do I apply?

Apply online

• Research proposal (of about 1500 words)

• Two references

• Academic transcripts

• Additionally:

– Portfolio or writing sample for some programmes

– Evidence of English language ability if English is not yourfirst language)

– Copy of passport if you need a visa

Before Applying

• Consult subject webpages for staff research interests

• Identify potential supervisor(s) and get in touch!

I want to do a PhD

Help ... How do I fund it?

Funding Schemes

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC):

fees and maintenance

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC):

fees and maintenance

• President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards (PDS):

fees and maintenance

• School Funding: – fees and partial maintenance

– fees bursaries

AHRC: am I eligible?

• Subject areas: Archaeology; Classics; Dance, Drama and Performance; English; German Studies; History; History of Art; Linguistics and English Language; Museum Studies; Music; Religious Studies; Russian and East European Studies; Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies; Translation and Intercultural Studies

• UK and EU applicants only (EU students fees only unless they meet criteria on previous period in UK (e.g. if took first degree in UK, or resident for three years))

• full time or part time

AHRC: How do I apply?

• Two stages:

– apply for place on programme by 1 Feb

– apply for funding by 1 March

• Funding application requires:

– 1,000-word research proposal

– 2 references

ESRC: am I eligible?

• Subject areas:

– Economic and Social History

– Language-Based Area Studies (LBAS) (including East Asian studies; Latin American and Caribbean studies; Middle Eastern studies; Russian and East European studies)

– Linguistics

• 1+3 (MA+PhD) and +3 (PhD) schemes; full time or part time

• UK and EU applicants only (EU students fees only unlessthey meet criteria on previous period in UK, e.g. if took first degree in UK, or resident for three years)

ESRC: How do I apply?

• Two stages: – apply for place on programme by 17 Jan

– apply for funding by 4 Feb

• Funding application requires:

– 1,500-word research proposal

– 2 references

PDS

• Eligibility: all Subject areas; UK, EU and Overseas students; full time or part time

• Two stage application:

– apply for place on programme by 1 Feb

– apply for funding by 1 March

• Application requires:

– 1,000-word research proposal

– 2 references

School Awards

• Eligibility: all Subject areas; UK, EU and Overseas students; full time or part time

• Two stage application; deadlines to be announced

• Some subject areas may offer additional funding; details to be announced

Research proposal

• research problem or question

• research context for this question

• contribution to knowledge

• methods and critical approaches to be used

• the sources you will use, where they are located, and how they will be accessed

• timescale – what needs to be done when

• any ethical issues raised by the research project

Defining your project

• be specific

• be precise

• be assertive

• be practical: a 3-year thesis, a viable project

• avoid jargon

• show that you are informed on scholarship

Your record so far

• Specific skills– Research skills

– Linguistic skills

– Work experience

– General distinctive features

• Qualitative appreciation: awards, examiners’ comments

• Research activities –conferences, student networks

Help your referees

• References need to be constructive, realistic, and factual

• Work references may be relevant for professional doctorates

• Hyperbole doesn’t work

• Talk to your referees. AHRC and PDS guidance give detailed instructions to referees. Pass them on!

• Supply them with information (transcripts, feedback sheets, background information)

What are the panels looking for?

• Can you identify and articulate a coherent research project?

• Are you aware of the field, and how the project will make an original contribution?

• Do you have the methods or critical approaches that will lead to significant results?

• Sensible choice of sources

• Is it feasible in the time?

• Can/should it be done in Manchester?

Summary of the selection criteria

– The Four P’s:

– Person (track record of grades/experience; evidence from references)

– Preparation (relevance of prior experience; coherent story of how you have got here, where you are going; do you have the right skills?)

– Proposal/Project (is it clear? Is it original? Is it viable?)

– Place (good fit between the student and the institution in terms of resources and research strengths)

More information

• Talk to subject PGR representatives today

• Funding info on Graduate School website:

http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/

Subject/Division Contact Hours

Drama Dr Jenny Hughes 3.30-5pm SL06 Martin Harris

Classics and Ancient History Dr Polly Low 3.30-5pm S2.11

English and American Studies and Creative Writing

Dr Anastasia Valassopoulos 2-5pm S1.19

French, Italian, German and Translation and Intercultural Studies Dr Luis Peréz-González 2-5pm W4.07

History Dr Julie-Marie Strange2-2.30pm, 3.30-5pm N2.07

Dr Pedro Ramos Pinto 2.30-3.30pm N3.2

Linguistics and English Language Prof Eva Schultze-Berndt 3-5pm NG12

Dr Martina Faller 2-3pm NG8

SPLAS, EAS, MES and REES Professor Alex Samely 2-5pm WG17

HCRI Dr Jen Peterson 2-5pmC1.24, Ellen Wilkinson

Archaeology Dr Stuart Campbell 2-5pm4.07, Mansfield Cooper

R&T Dr Jean-Marc Dreyfus 2-5pm WG20B

Art History and Visual Studies Anthony Gerbino2-2.30 and 3.30-5pm

3.08, Mansfield Cooper

Music David Fanning 2-5pm F27 Martin Harris