
How to apply
Early application is advisable. We cannot accept late applications without prior agreement via the Doctoral Academy.
Application deadlines
Home applicants - apply by 15 July
Overseas (including EU nationals) applicants - apply by 1 st week of June
Advice to applicants
- two academic references on official headed paper;
- a research proposal (see below for more details);
- personal statement (see below for more details);
- evidence of assurances about study leave where appropriate;
- formal confirmation of funding status, e.g. a letter from your sponsor or documentary evidence of your ability to meet all fees and living costs;
- a current CV;
- transcripts of your academic qualifications, including the marks obtained for individual modules, as well as the overall grade.
Candidates will be required to attend an interview. If it is not possible for you to attend in person, we will attempt to interview by Skype/video conferencing or telephone.
We are not able to process applications until we receive the required documentation.
About the research proposal
Your proposal should be 2,500 words (+/- 10%) long and include the following sections.
- Title.
- Background (previous research in the area and own interest in the topic).
- Research problem and study aims/research questions.
- Relevance of the proposed study to Manchester's research priorities and strengths in midwifery.
- Proposed study design, with justification for choice.
- Overview of proposed data collection methods and analysis techniques, with justification for choice.
- Unique contribution of the study to knowledge (what new knowledge might your study provide).
- Brief consideration of practical and ethical issues.
- References (these are not included in the word limit).
About the personal statement
Your personal statement should be approx. 1,000 words in length and must provide details on your:
- career development to date and why you wish to apply for PhD study;
- future career plans;
- research experience (emphasis on best project);
- research interests (area and methods);
- other supporting information: recent publications if any (indicate best publication) or other research training and experience.