Frequently Asked Questions
General
- How long does a PhD take?
- Can I do part of my work abroad?
- What time of year do you start a PhD/MSc ?
- What was the result of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) for the School of Biological Sciences?
- Will I be able to take courses during my MSc /PhD?
- Will I be able to teach?
- Does the School have links with other departments?
- How will my progress be monitored?
- Is there support if I have problems during my postgraduate study?
- Is accommodation available for postgraduate students?
Applications
- Can I contact the supervisor I would like to work with before I apply?
- Can I apply for an MSc rather than a PhD?
- What level of English language is accepted?
- Do my references need to be sent with my application form, or can they arrive later?
- I would like to apply to two different research groups, do I need to complete two separate application forms?
- When should I apply?
Funding
- How much does it cost?
- Can I work and do a PhD?
- What are the most common PhD funding bodies for the School of Biological Sciences?
- Are there any scholarships available for overseas students?
- Can I apply for travel grants/other supplementary funds?
- What if I run out of funding before I finish writing up?
General
How long does a PhD take?
Usually a PhD takes a minimum of three years. Funding is usually for a three year period although some students take a little longer to write up their thesis.
What time of year do you start PhD/MSc?
Most students start in October, but postgraduate study may start at any time of the year.
What was the result of the Research Assessment Exercise for the School of Biological Sciences?
We received a top rating (grade 5A) in the 2001 HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise. The next RAE is in 2007.
Will I be able to take courses?
Yes, although the degree is research based, courses are also a very important part of postgraduate training. Some are subject-specific (e.g. statistics) and some are transferable skills (e.g. presentation skills). You may also attend any relevant undergraduate lecture courses. All such additional University of Bristol training is free.
Will I be able to teach?
Yes, there are formal (paid) opportunities for teaching undergraduates during practical classes, tutorials and field courses, and also informal opportunities, such as supervising the work of project students.
Does the School have links with other departments?
Yes, the School has strong links with many other departments including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and the Veterinary School.
How will my progress be monitored
Your progress is continuously monitored by your supervisor during the year. In addition you are required to write an annual report, which is assessed by your academic tutor and an independent assessor, drawn from the academic staff. The report and your progress are discussed in a meeting of the tutor, assessor and you.
Is there support if I have problems during my postgraduate study?
Yes, the School of Biological Sciences provides a network of support starting with your supervisor and tutor, through the Postgraduate Dean of the Faculty of Science. The University also has many support services including an advice centre, health service, counselling support, the International Students Advisory Centre and the Access Unit for Deaf and Disabled Students.
Can I do part of my work abroad?
This depends on the requirements of your research project, but many students undertake fieldwork or attend courses and conferences abroad during their postgraduate training. Where a research project involves extensive fieldwork overseas, the University requires a minimum period of attendance of 12 months full-time study, including the first 3 months and last 3 months of study.
Is accommodation available for postgraduate students?
The University Bristol has a good supply of both University and privately-owned accommodation for postgraduate students. The University has a limited amount of self-catering accommodation in student houses, and some flats suitable for couples or families with a maximum of one or two small children. In addition, the University has an allocation of rooms in privately-run self-catering hostels. The Accommodation Office maintains a large register of private accommodation of all kinds and provides all incoming students with detailed information and assistance and organises House Search Events to help new postgraduates find accomodation and get to know other postgraduate students.
Applications
Can I contact the supervisor I would like to work with before I apply?
Yes, this is recommended, but bear in mind that some supervisors are inundated with enquiries and you may not get an immediate reply. The supervisor will be able to tell you whether they have, or expect to have, a funded place for the next academic year and whether your academic background is suitable for their area of study.
Can I apply for an MSc rather than a PhD?
Yes, the same application form is used for both PhD and MSc by Research. Please indicate on the form which type of degree you are applying for.
What level of English language is accepted?
In all cases where English is not your first language, evidence will be sought of proficiency in English, such as an IELTS score, English language qualification or an English-based undergraduate degree where appropriate. Currently the university requires an IELTS score of 6.5 or above. The IELTS test is strongly preferred to any other test as it is a more accurate guide to a student’s skill in the sort of English required for academic study. If you have any further queries about requirements for international students please contact us.
Do my references need to be sent with my application form, or can they arrive later?
It is preferable to send your references with the rest of your application. However, if this is not possible, please ensure that they are accompanied by a letter stating the programme you have applied for and sent to the same office as the application.
I would like to apply to two different research groups, do I need to complete two separate application forms?
No, complete one application form and list the research projects in order of preference. Your application will be sent to each supervisor in turn. Please contact us if you need further advice.
When should I apply?
You may apply at any time of the year but UK Research Council studentships are generally advertised in February or March. The deadline for ORSAS is January and the deadline for DHPA is May.
Funding
How much does it cost?
The cost of a higher degree is made up of fees and living costs (stipend). An estimated £8000 per year is required for living expenses, but many studentships provide a larger stipend.
Can I work and do postgraduate study?
Yes, but remember that postgraduate study is quite demanding and you may need to work some evenings and weekends on your project. Some of our postgraduate students choose to study part-time (50%), so they can continue to earn a salary. A number of opportunities exist for full-time postgraduate students to earn a little extra money as part of their training, including teaching. However, many funding bodies have strict guidelines on the number of hours you are able to work.
What are the most common PhD funding bodies for the School of Biological Sciences?
For UK students the most common funding bodies are the UK Research Councils (BBSRC, NERC), government departments (for example DEFRA) and charities (for example RSPCA the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust). For overseas students they are ORSAS, DHPA and National Governments.
Are there any scholarships available for overseas students?
Yes. Please see the funding section of this website for details of some of the regular scholarships available to the school. There may also be other scholarships available to you, the British Council is a good source of information regarding sources of funding available to overseas students.
Can I apply for travel grants/other supplementary funds?
Yes. The University of Bristol has funds available from the Alumni Foundation and scientific societies often provide bursaries for postgraduate students to attend their meetings.
What if I run out of funding before I finish writing up?
The Graduate School encourages students to write up their PhD within three years. However, students may take longer than this to write up although they rely on income from part-time work or savings if this occurs.