We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates. Please note that it is not necessary to have identified a potential supervisor before submitting your application.
Students successful in obtaining a place on our PhD programme normally commence their research studies at the start of the academic year in September. However, it is possible to join the PhD programme at an agreed date during the academic year.
Applications should be submitted via the Heriot-Watt online application portal.
N.B: In order that your application can be processed please ensure all of the supporting documents listed below are submitted with your application:
1. Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
Copies of full academic transcripts from all previous academic degree courses and copies of degree certificates for degrees already awarded.
If you are currently pursuing a degree course please provide all available marks to date.
2. Research Proposal
The research proposal should be around 5-8 pages long and contain as much as possible of the following: an introduction or outline of the proposed topic; a statement of objectives and/or specific research questions; a summary of some of the relevant literature which supports the research objective(s); an indication of the intended research methodology; an indication of the theoretical structure and/or conceptual outline; a provisional timetable of the major phases of the research process; results expected from the research e.g. practical value of the research or possible contributions to knowledge or policy or methodology. At this stage we are not looking for a definitive document but merely an indication that you have thought through most of the above issues.
Please note that work submitted may be subject to screening via plagiarism software.
3. English Language Requirements
See section on English Language Requirements below.
4. Funding Information
You should confirm how you are proposing to fund your studies.
5. References
If you have references available these should be submitted with your application. If they are not currently available please ensure that you provide the names and contact details, including email addresses, of two academic referees on the application form. You may also submit a Curriculum Vitae if you wish.
English language requirements
If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English we require evidence of language proficiency:
For IELTS: the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, speaking and Listening.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/knowledge-of-english
