How to apply

We offer a number of research project opportunities. PhD and MSc by Research projects are often part of a wider context of ongoing research within the faculty. You can visit our Research and Innovation pages to find out more about the vital work happening in the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Apply online now, or follow this guide explaining steps one, two and three to complete your application.

Step 1 — choose an existing research project or start your own

Directly-funded research projects: These are typically attached to a specific research project and usually cover tuition fees and maintenance for living expenses. PhD studentships are very competitive, so it is important that you apply as early as possible once you have found a project.

Project opportunities: If you have already secured your own funding (i.e. through your own finances, external funding or through a University of Leeds funding scheme), you can you can browse through FindaPhD and our research opportunities database to find one which matches your research interests and is not directly-funded.

Start your own project: If you would like to start your own research project, you first need to find and contact a supervisor via the research supervisor database. Your potential supervisor must be an expert in the topic you are interested in to ensure that your research is accurate and adding to current knowledge. When you contact a potential supervisor, be prepared to discuss your area of research, proposed topic and research interests.

Step 2 – apply for a research degree

You can apply for your research degree online. Make sure you complete the application form as fully as you can.

All applications require you to provide the following documents:

copies of your degree certificate(s);
copies of your transcript(s) of marks achieved for all qualifications;
CV including information on academic study, work experience and any publications;
evidence of English language qualifications (if applicable).

Fill out the names and the university email addresses of two academic referees in the online application form. The Admissions Team will contact your named referees directly.

We do not require a research proposal for applications at this stage. A cover letter or personal statement can be helpful but it is not compulsory to provide one.

Directly-funded research projects, including DTP (Doctoral Training Partnership) research projects – You will need to provide the following information:

the title of the funded research project/DTP in the ‘Funding’ section of the online application form;
the title of the research project you are applying for in the ‘Research Area’ field of the online application form.

Project opportunities – You will need to provide the following information:

your expected source of funding in the ‘Funding’ section of the online application form;
the title of the research project you are applying for in the ‘Research Area’ field of the online application form.

Start your own project – You will need to provide the following information:

your expected source of funding in the ‘Funding’ section of the online application form and a funding award letter, if you have received one;
your proposed research area in the ‘Research Area’ field of the online application form;
the names of up to three supervisors you are interested in studying with in the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Step 3 – find and apply for funding

You do not need to complete this step if:

you have already secured funding;
you have applied for a funded research project.

If you are hoping to secure funding for your research degree, there are many options available.

Find out about University scholarships and funding available to UK and international research degree students from across our schools and subject areas.
There are trusts, charities and foundations that award partial funding for postgraduate study. There are huge numbers of applications for these sums of money, so you will need a strong case to make a successful application.