There is no single “right way” to present a research proposal but the guidance that follows is indicative of good practice. Proposals should be a succinct 500 words and include a list of works cited (which may be brief and make use of any referencing style). It is advisable to draft a proposal and share it with your prospective supervisor and our the research admissions tutor Dr Jodie Kim before submitting your formal application to the University. A promising proposal is not, however, a guarantee that an applicant will be admitted to the programme; it will be considered alongside the other elements of the application, including your academic credentials and your writing sample.

Please note that the funding bodies, e.g. M4C, generally have their own proposal templates and will require you to structure your funding proposal and other supporting statements according to these templates. You are advised to identify potential funders and familiarise yourself with their application requirements at an early stage in the PhD application process. If you are admitted to the PhD programme and move onto the funding application stage, then you will need to restructure and augment your Warwick proposal as necessary and appropriate when it comes to filling out your funding application.

Information about the M4C scheme can be found here:

https://www.midlands4cities.ac.uk/

Applicants are strongly advised to attend one of the M4C preparatory workshops offered in the autumn.

Warwick’s Doctoral College offers advice about other funding opportunities here:

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/schols_fund/