PhD Supervision

Doctoral study is not for the faint hearted. It is an isolating and challenging journey. You will need to learn how to write, critique and argue academically. Social life and holidays will sometimes have to be sacrificed.  If you do not have funding, it can place a strain on your finances. So, why do you want to study for a PhD?

If you are certain you would like to study at this level, the below guidance will be helpful:

Choosing a supervisor

Choose your supervisor with care.  A good supervisor will “walk alongside” you throughout your doctoral journey and, in some cases, offer pastoral support and sponsorship.  You should choose someone with whose work you are familiar.

Professor Rollock takes on students as a first or second supervisor at King’s College London only.

Before making contact with prospective supervisor(s)

Prepare your proposal, CV and research funding options.

Proposal

Prepare a brief proposal of no more than 2 A4 pages (excluding references) summarising your research plans.  This usually consists of:

    • what you plan to do (i.e. your research query/question)

    • why (i.e. the significance of the research question)

    • how you plan to explore your query (methodology)

    • what you expect to find as a result of your research (findings)

The proposal does not need to be finessed but should give a reasonable sense of your general line of thinking and plans.  Do not use AI.

CV

Update your CV and reduce to 2 sides of A4

Funding

Research funding opportunities at the institution where you would like to register as well as funding bodies.

Cover email to the prospective supervisor

  1. Keep your email polite and succinct; address them by their title

  2. Briefly explain why you would like them as your supervisor

  3. Briefly explain how you plan to fund the PhD. If you are applying for research funds state the deadline.  Where possible, contact your prospective supervisor at least a few months before the deadline.

What to expect after you make contact

The academic will read your proposal and may offer feedback on it.  If they feel there is merit in the idea and your writing shows promise for study at PhD level, they will offer you a brief meeting to discuss your idea and the application process further.