What is a PhD and is it for me?�October follow-up

Dr. Nichola Wood

Deputy Director (EDI), White Rose DTP

n.x.wood@leeds.ac.uk

Recording Information

This session will be recorded, including the slides and the audio/video. The recording is for the following purposes:

• To ensure that you can catch up if your connection drops out for a short time;
• To be inclusive and to offer support for people with specific learning difficulties who may benefit from recordings;
• To offer you the opportunity to revise the contents of the session.
• To create learning resources to be shared as part of the WRDTP’s website.

The recording, minus any Q&A, will be shared with participants through the WRDTP website. The recording will usually be available within 3 weeks of the live session.

What is a PhD and is it for me? June session looked at:

• What is the White Rose DTP?
• What is a PhD?
• Benefits of doing a PhD
• What studentships do WRDTP offer?
• How do you choose a PhD topic?
• How do you apply for a PhD?

Slides and video available at https://wrdtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/ (scroll down to bottom of the page)

Today’s session:

• Quick reminder of White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) funding opportunities – what we offer
• Timeline for applying for a PhD
• Some tips on applying for a PhD
• 7-minute talks by our PGRs on their experiences of applying for PhD funding and doing a PhD
• Q&A - chance to ask any questions about the application process and what it’s like to do a PhD.

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About the WRDTP

• We are an established partnership of the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Hull, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield Hallam who have been working together since 2017.
• A total of 62 departments and schools are eligible to host WRDTP-funded students across the social sciences.
• This year we are offering applicants the opportunity to apply for:
• 38 Pathway Awards, including 2 x Stuart Hall Foundation Awards (for Black British applicants) and 2 x Interdisciplinary Research Awards
• 2 Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) Awards
• 2 Advanced Data Analytics (ADA) Awards 

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WRDTP awards information session for applicants and drop-in

• WRDTP awards information session for applicants. Slides and video available at https://wrdtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/
• Lots of detailed information here on WRDTP funding schemes and what the WRDTP is looking for in applications.
• Drop-in session for student applicants Tuesday 3 November 17:30 – 18:30. Register here.

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Encouraging a broad range of applicants

• Want to attract the most diverse range of applicants possible. Applications welcomed from all applicants. Want to encourage applicants from groups currently under-represented in the UK’s doctoral community including those who:
• identify as Black British, Asian British or are from a Minority Ethnic British background,
•  are from a Gypsy, Traveller or Roma background
•  are autistic and/or have ADHD,
•  have a disability,
•  are the first generation in their family to attend university 
• identify as LGBTQ+
• are trans, non-binary or gender questioning,
• have experience of the care system (e.g. are "care leavers")

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Timeline for applying for a PhD – see https://wrdtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

• Applicants do not apply directly to the WRDTP, but are nominated by their university. Check your school/department’s guidance on applying for WRDTP funding.
• Sometimes apply for a PhD study place first and then apply for funding once a study place is confirmed.
• Liaise with potential supervisors to get advice on preparing your application

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• Applicants must submit the following by 17:00, 20 January 2027* in order to be considered for an ESRC WRDTP studentship:
• Their application for a PhD study place
• A WRDTP application form

* Some schools/departments may set earlier internal deadlines so you need to check what the process is in your school/department

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Timeline for applying for a PhD

• Your application will be considered by your university and, using fair and equitable processes they will determine which applications are put forward to the WRDTP for consideration.
• If you are chosen for nomination your department/school will compile a nomination pack which includes your WRDTP Student Application form and they will submit this to WRDTP for consideration by 17:00, 24 February 2027.
• All nominations to the WRDTP are then assessed by senior academic staff from all of our partner universities during April 2027. Award winners will be announced by 23 April 2027. Your university will contact you to let you know if you have been successful.

Tips on applying for a PhD

• Give yourself time to develop a research project and discuss this with your potential supervisor
• We need as much detail as you can give us on your proposed research so that we can assess:
• How your proposed programme of social science research will make a difference. How it will shape how we understand our world and the problems that are faced.
• That your research is feasible – that it can practically be achieved in the time you have to complete your PhD and will the resources you have access to. (Remember to include your 3-month placement in your plans)
• You can change your research plans – not writing anything in stone at this stage – but it has to be well thought through and convincing.

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• Check the WRDTP Pathway, AQM and ADA Awards Assessment Criteria and (if applicable) the Stuart Hall Foundation Awards Assessment Criteria.

Tips on applying for a PhD

• Write as clearly as you can. Explain any technical jargon – the people assessing your PhD application are all social scientists with a good knowledge of social science research, but they may not be specialists in your specific area of interest.

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• If applying for AQM, ADA or SHF award apply for pathway funding as well (increases your chances of getting funded). Not more work you can apply for multiple awards on one application.

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• When choosing a pathway make sure you look at the pathway descriptors so that you can refer to this in your application where it asks you to talk about pathway fit.

Tips on applying for a PhD

• Remember to talk about research ethics! Ask your potential supervisor about how you will obtain ethical approval for your work.

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• Research impact – need to talk about your research’s potential societal (ie non-academic) benefits and how you might achieve this. Not expecting these plans to be put in place yet, but you need to have some convincing ideas.

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• Keep to the word count! (overlength applications won’t be considered).

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PGR experiences of applying for and doing a PhD

Any questions?