Procedure for the recruitment and selection of Post-Graduate Research Students (MPhil, PhD & Professional Doctorates)
There is no single pathway for a research student’s journey. The research idea may originate from the candidate or within the university. A research student may be self-funded or receive funding from another source, either from the University or a third party such as a Research Council, commercial partner or other funding body. It is important that the recruitment process is open and fair.
Application
Potential applicants will apply through the university's online application form once they have spoken to a prospective Supervisor or Programme Leader. Faculties have staff identified to review and circulate these applications through the Electronic Application System accessed via the Staff Portal.
Click here for detailed information on how to apply.
Recruitment and Selection
Those involved in the shortlisting of applicants must be members of the interview panel and have completed the training on Recruitment and Selection of PGR students which includes guidance on open, transparent and merit-based recruitment. The interview panel should be composed of ideally more than 2 people and normally no more than 3 people and should reflect the EDI representation expected on academic panels. One member of the interview panel should have knowledge of the research area.
Scholarship Candidates
- For ‘targeted’ scholarships (e.g. VC, UA DTA etc.) the interview panel must include the First Supervisor, Associate Dean (R&KE) or their nominee, the Head of School or their nominee, and an early career academic as per the VCO Scholarship Terms and Conditions.
- Candidate selection into higher profile or collaborative ventures, such as UKRI funded DTPS or scholarships, must be part of a robust process for recruitment, in accordance with the set criteria and T&Cs.
Faculty requirements
It is the faculty’s responsibility to arrange the interview, contact the applicant(s) and communicate with the admissions office after the interview as detailed below.
After the interview
The shortlisting and interview assessment forms need to be completed and sent from the faculty to the Admissions Office.
Please familiarise yourself with the following codes of practice. These documents set out the standards and regulations that the university adheres to ensure a fair recruitment process for all students, and what supervisors should endeavour to provide to research students:
Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Awards
Research Student's and Supervisor's Handbook
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) guidelines
Admission
Once a decision (reject, invite for interview or accept) has been made, the decision is placed on the online application form via the Electronic Application System. The application form also must be referred to the Research Office via the Electronic Application System. The shortlisting and interview paperwork, along with the contract proforma, must be submitted the Admissions Office.
The Admissions Office will then run the admissions checks (entry criteria, fee assessment, and the initial immigration assessment). Once these checks are complete, an they will issue an offer letter via email to the applicant.