A PhD is a postgraduate research degree that involves original research presented in a thesis and oral defense. It typically takes 3 years full-time to complete in the UK, and up to 5 years elsewhere. After a PhD, about 50% of graduates pursue further academic research careers, starting with a series of postdoctoral positions. When choosing a PhD program, students should select a research project they are passionate about and check the publication record and citations of potential supervisors. Funding for PhD studies comes from research councils or university bursaries in the UK, and teaching or research assistant positions in other countries. The application process involves standard forms, references, a research proposal, and interviews where applicants must demonstrate their preparation and interest in

1. Introduction
THE COSMIC WEB
to the PhD
Peter Coles

2. What is a PhD?
• Postgraduate Research Degree
• Examined by presentation of a
thesis and viva voce
examination (must contain
original, publishable research).
• 3 years (+~0.5 “writing up”)
UK
• Often 5 years elsewhere (USA,
etc)

3. What comes after?
• About 50% stay in academic
research..
• Next step is a postdoc (2-3 years)
• Attrition rate is heavy thereafter
• Steady-state means each
supervisor generates 1 permanent
academic..

4. How to choose a PhD
• The most important thing is the
project – it needs to be something
that will drive you.
• Check out potential supervisors.
Are they publishing? Getting cited?
• Talk to staff in your own institution
in the area you want to work; they
will help you find destinations
• Choose something that interests
you – not necessarily what you did
in your UG projects!

5. Qualifications
• A “good” honours degree – at least
a 2.1
• Some areas are more competitive
than others, and in sexy areas you
may need a 1st and or a Masters
• It’s easier to get a place than to
get funding because there are
fewer bursaries than qualified
candidates

6. Funding (UK)
• UK Research Councils pay
Universities (DTA) who pay PhD
students a STIPEND
• Current rate £13590 (£15590 in
London)
• Fee paid from DTA
• Most universities also have their
own bursaries at the same rate
• Teaching/demonstrating is extra

7. Funding (non-UK)
• Various schemes throughout
Europe – advertised in dept.
• Many institutes in EU have English
as their working language…e.g.
Max Planck Institutes, Denmark
and Netherlands
• In USA, usually have to do
teaching (graduate teaching
assistant), but better paid…

8. How to Apply
• Standard application forms
(usually).
• Two referees, usually personal
tutor and project supervisor
• Research “proposal”, usually
general area only needed.

9. Timescales
• STFC – interviews usuall in
Feb/March, decisions end of
March
• Most applications arrive in
January
• EPSRC a bit later

10. Interviews
• This is the crucial bit of the
process
• Expect a grilling!
• Be prepared to talk about your
project
• It’s your chance to find out
about the place..