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Applications for research degrees differ substantially from applications for taught courses such as Masters degrees. Although the application form is the same, the way in which you approach your application can make all the difference.

Step 1 - Determine our research expertise matches your areas of interest

Applying for our regular PhD/Research programmes

All PhD/MPhil students require supervision from at least one academic member of staff at the University. Depending on the specific area or theme that you want to research, you need to ascertain whether we hold sufficient expertise in your chosen topic to provide the required supervision.

Refer links below for major research themes and expertise  of our three academic colleges:
Arts, Humanities, & Business
Environment Sciences, and Engineering
Human Sciences

We also encourage visit relevant academic school's webpages, where you can also check academic staff pages which may include their area of academic and research interests . Once you have found a member of staff whose research interests broadly mathes with your own, you may contact them directly with a concise research 'brief' that outlines your proposal and ask whether s/he would consider supervising your project. If the academic expresses his/her interest, you may then further discuss your ideas and develop a full PhD/MPhil research proposal.

Applying for a specific PhD Studentship advertised by the university

Occasionally, the University advertises PhD Studentships. Studentships are funded/sponsored PhD placements which cover tuition fees and sometimes living costs, usually for a period of 3 years. They are offered for specific research projects. Studentships are advertised on the University website and Academic Schools' websites and there is normally a deadline for submitting applications. The terms and conditions of Studentships vary and may become available at different times of the year.

If you are applying for a Studentship, enter the name of the studentship on the application form.

Step 2 - Prepare your documentation

You will need to gather scanned copies of the following documentation to present with your PhD/MPhil application:

Essential Documents (you must submit these along with your application):

• Bachelor degree certificate and transcript(s) 
• Academic reference/support letter
• Passport
• Research Proposal (required if you are NOT applying for a Studentship) Click here for guidance about how to write a good research proposal.
• Detailed CV (highlighting your Relevant work experience, Research project experience, Publications, and Academic achievements) 

Optional Documents (if any of these documents are not available to you now, you may submit them later on):

• Masters degree certificate and transcript (if undertaken)
• English language test certificate (if undertaken)
• Confirmation of funding/sponsorship (if applicable)

Step 3 - Apply Online

• Students: can apply though our Online Application Portal. Refer to the Guidance notes about how to fill and submit Online Application form. If you need any assistance in completing your application, send an email to [email protected]

• Agents: if you are an agent applying on behalf of the student, then you can Apply here.  Refer to the Agent Guidance notes provided below for details. 

When do I Apply?

You can apply at any time of the year. 

It is possible to start a PhD degree at any point in the year at most academic Schools, subject to agreement with the supervisor.

We advise that you submit your application in enough time to:

• organise funding
• undertake an English course, if needed
• obtain documents such as transcripts and references required for meeting the conditions of the offer
• apply for a visa
• make accommodation arrangements

Other relevant information for PhD/Research Applicants

Applying for a self-funded or externally-funded Research Degree

As with all of our courses, you can apply to fund yourself through a PhD/MPhil at Bangor, or you may already have sourced external funding (e.g. from your employer or government), and we warmly welcome all expressions of interest in so doing. 

How to write a good research proposal

A good research proposal is essential if you are applying for a PhD or MPhil. Refer to our dedicated webpage here about how to write a good research proposal.