A personal statement is requested in the application form. We prefer applicants to write this up in a separate document to be uploaded with the application rather than entering the text directly in the online form. This makes it easier to circulate to members of staff. For PhD applicants this part of the application form is important.

For PhD applicants in Statistics, a fully developed research proposal is not required, (and is usually not desirable, but see the section on fees and fundingLink opens in a new window). Rather, we ask that applicants use the personal statement in the application form to provide information such as:

• What motivates you to do a PhD?
• What area(s) of probability or statistics particularly interest you?
• In what subject areas does your academic background best equip you to carry out research?
• What do you consider to be your particular strengths? (e.g., theoretical work? applied statistics? computational work?)
• Have you already identified and/or made contact with a particular potential supervisor in the Department?

Sometimes the University application portal requires applicants to upload a research proposal. In those cases we suggest applicants upload a blank document, or upload their personal statement twice.

Applicants are not expected to identify a PhD supervisor before applying.

All PhD students are expected to join the Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistics which commences with two terms of taught modules.

During Term 1 and Term 2 students are able to meet with potential supervisors to discuss possible research areas that they wish to undertake as a first year project (which is undertaken in Term 3 and over the summer) that often leads into the main PhD project.

An exception to this rule occurs when the PhD is funded by a competitive scholarship that requires a supervisor to be identified and a project to be developed at the time of application (e.g. Chancellor's International Scholarship or the China Scholarship Council). In this case we recommend that you contact potential supervisors. It will help to look carefully through the list of active research interests in the Department. The admissions tutors may also match you with a supervisor, based on the areas of interest in your personal statement, to develop a project proposal for the scholarships.

Students who have not been educated in English are required to provided evidence that their ability is IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6 in each component), TOEFL (iBT) 92 or equivalent. Details are given by Postgraduate Admissions:

• English Language Information & Entry Requirements (warwick.ac.uk)

Course applications should be submitted via the University's Online Application Portal. Please see the following webpage for full guidance on submitting a research course application: Research Course Applications (warwick.ac.uk)

Course title and code: MPhil/PhD Statistics (P-G4P0)

Once your application has been submitted, it will be considered by the PhD Admissions Tutors. If the application is complete, the PhD Admissions Tutors will ask several potential PhD supervisors to consider the application.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. We normally conduct interviews by video conference. If you are living in the UK, you may wish to visit the Department.

The PhD Admissions Tutors aim to have a decision within a month of receiving the application and supporting documents. Formal offers are made by the University after all conditions, such as English language proficiency, have been verified. It can take 4 weeks for this checking to be completed.

Please note that an offer of a place to study is completely separate from funding arrangements. However, to apply for certain types of funding, you should make use of the appropriate place on the application form for admission - see the Fees & Funding page for details.