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School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Tips on Writing a PhD Proposal

1. Reflect first on whether a doctorate is right for you and whether the timing is right:
  • Are you passionate about your topic/field? Have you got a very good idea of what you want to research?
  • Are you able to work independently? Are you self-motivating?
  • What are the advantages of taking a year out vs. an immediate transition from MA into MPhil/PhD study? Or, if you have been away from academic study for a while, what makes you well-equipped to embrace a project over 3 to 4 years of full-time (or 5 to 7 years of part-time) PhD study?

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2. Take advice and gather information:
  • Who is best suited to supervise your research project and why?
    • What are you looking for in a supervisor? You can get in touch with a possible supervisor with a polite request, to gauge their interest.

We can only accept PhD proposals in areas for which we can provide appropriate expertise. To find out about expertise in SMLC, go to https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/research/expertise/ or (more generally) https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/academic/

If you are still unsure, please consult with the Director of Graduate Studies via SMLCOffice@warwick.ac.uk -- please clearly indicate that it concerns a Postgraduate or PhD enquiry in the subject line.

  • Single or dual supervision?

Co-supervision is the norm in our School of Modern Languages & Cultures. It can be essential for interdisciplinary projects. Some funding schemes also encourage supervisory teams, even across institutions (e.g. M4C, Monash-Warwick Alliance). Ideally, your supervisors should have a similar outlook and highly compatible or complementary expertise.

Pay attention to the different types of funding available:

  • Internal / external funding; a doctoral loan
  • Subject-specific or open; home vs. international students
  • Full or partial
  • Conditions attached to grants
  • Eligibility criteria and prerequisites
  • Separate vs. integrated application process?

Like many other institutions, the University of Warwick requires you to submit separate applications for a place of study and for PhD funding. Application platforms may have different formats for the proposal, but you can often reuse material. Make sure your referees know that they may have to submit separate references.

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3. Getting ready to apply for a place of study:

Applications for a place of study go through Warwick's Admissions portal (Universal Admissions). Following the links on the University's Admissions pages.

  • Prepare some detailed notes for your research proposal and/or personal statement:
    • Why this project?
      • What does it entail? What are its aims? Its research questions? Is it do-able in 3 years of full-time study (3.5 years maximum)?
  • Get the necessary documentation together: transcripts; visa requirements; English language test if needed (must be in date – see https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/faqs/#engrequirements )
  • Funding situation – take note of the form's financial declarations; consider any financial commitments
  • Line up appropriate referees: make sure you have correct names and contact details; you need 2 referees for admission to a postgraduate research course at Warwick. Think of a third person as a reserve.

References are most effective if they show a good knowledge of the applicant, their project, and their ‘fit’ with Warwick / the funding scheme. Check if you need to generate separate reference requests for the funding application, or if the references submitted for admission will also be used for funding.

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4. What must go in the research proposal?
  • Formulate a clear project title and/or start with a brief summary of your topic, with a well-defined corpus of material to investigate and a clear geographical and chronological delineation
  • Indicate its intellectual purpose and originality
  • Key research questions.
  • Aim(s) and objectives: what are you seeking to achieve?
  • Research method or approach
  • Delineation of your corpus (or primary sources) (e.g. geographically, chronologically, linguistically, genre)
  • Will any fieldwork / visits to libraries or archives be required?
  • Is your work likely to have any ethical implications?
  • Length: a short proposal (around 500 words) may suffice for an initial enquiry. We may ask for more information or further development if needed. For a formal application for admission to a place of study, you will likely be asked to submit a longer proposal (2 pages or more). Funding schemes will have separate guidelines (and often strict word limits) for the research proposal.