Hi I'm about to apply for a PhD, finished my Masters 3years ago, been working in a lab. Can anyone let me know how long it takes for a reply? Deadline 14th July to start in Sept, don't want to be out of work if unsuccessful!

It took the universities I applied to from two weeks to three months to decide if they want to take me (afer they got my application).

I have applied for 2 and in both cases been called for interview within 2 weeks, for one I found the outcome the next day and the other one got back to me within a week. Though some people I have spoken to say they dont get around to telling people for weeks on end

It varies. Edinburgh contcted me immediately after they received my letter. Leeds took 1 month for one supervisor and the other hasn't replied 2 months on. Canterbury took one month to apologise for not contacting me sooner and that they would contact me soon (:-s) so I'm still without a PhD. Presumably, for an advertised course beginning in 3 months, they will be getting back to people as soon as possible. Particularly popular ones may not reply at all if you've been rejected as they have too many people to contact in such cases