How to write a PhD proposal

To support your application, the guidance below outlines what a typical PhD research proposal might include.

Please note:

• ESRC funding applications: proposals must not exceed 1,300 words.

• University of Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarship: proposals must not exceed 1,000 words (including footnotes).

• PhD in Law applications: there is no word limit, but shorter proposals will be required for funding applications.

Your proposal is an opportunity to demonstrate your potential as a researcher. It is normal for projects to evolve over the course of a PhD; your final thesis may differ from the initial proposal.

Supervision limits: We are generally unable to supervise projects focused solely on the law of a single jurisdiction outside the UK, EU, or international law. While we have many experts in comparative, international, and regional law, proposals confined only to one national legal system may fall outside our supervisory expertise.

Jump to section

• Title
• Abstract
• Rationale
• Research questions and key issues
• Methodology
• Expected contribution and impact
• Timetable
• Why Bristol?
• Bibliography

Title

Provide a clear, concise, and indicative title.

Abstract

A brief summary (usually written last) giving an overview of your project, research questions, and possible contributions.

Rationale

Explain the issue, debate, or phenomenon you want to study; why it interests you; and why it matters to legal scholarship or practice (the “so what?” question).

Research questions and key issues

Set out the legal or governance questions you plan to explore (these may still be tentative). Highlight the literatures or debates your project may engage with. Above all, demonstrate critical thinking, analytical ability, and clarity of expression.

Methodology

Outline how you intend to approach your research. At Bristol, we support a wide range of approaches — doctrinal, theoretical, empirical, historical, comparative, or policy-focused. Specify why your chosen method(s) are appropriate. If you plan empirical work, indicate whether this will be qualitative (e.g. interviews, ethnography) or quantitative (e.g. surveys, statistical analysis). If relevant, mention key theorists and acknowledge debates around their work.

Expected contribution and impact

Explain how your research could add to existing knowledge and what difference it might make — academically, societally, or practically. Funding bodies such as the ESRC increasingly expect applicants to consider both academic and wider impacts.

Timetable

Provide an outline schedule for your project: refining the proposal, literature review, methodology development, fieldwork, analysis, drafting, and final submission. Note that stages may overlap.

Why Bristol?

Explain why you want to pursue your PhD here. How would your research align with our themes and research culture? (See our ‘Applying for a PhD: Top tips' YouTube playlist for more details.) You do not need to name supervisors at this stage.

Bibliography

Include a list of key works in your area. This need not be exhaustive but should reflect the main sources you expect to draw on.