Hi everyone,
I’ve been trying to find a PhD position by replying to university/research institutes web posts. I believe I have good CV: two times MSc; numerous publications; research fellow for 2 years in the US. A month ago I sent out about 10 applications, but I’ve got no reply whatsoever (whether yes or no). What is your experience with this matter? Has anybody found a position without a backup from previous supervisor, i.e. arranged and how long did it take? What is your chance when you are on your own and non-EU?

Hi irina. being 'on your own' shouldn't make a difference, but being non-EU might. are you sure all the PhDs you applied for were open to non-EU students?

Have you contacted any of the groups you applied to? Sometimes it's helpful to ask for feedback as to why your application was unsuccessful. Good luck with your future applications.

Irina, give them some time to receive your applications. It could be just problems with the post. For example, it took over three weeks for my documents to get from my country in Eastern Europe to the universities. You can write to the PhD offices by email asking if they received your application. After they got it, it will take from a week to up to 2 months before they got back to you.

The longest wait I had was with University of Manchester. Perhaps it is connected with their recent merger. From the first acknowledgement from the university 20 days after I sent out the documents, with further acknowledgement from the department 1 month after that, and to an inverview request email from them 1,5 month later. All together it took them almost 3 months after I sent out my application. Furthermore, only 3 weeks later I had an interview, and one week after it got an offer. It may sound too long, but it's the reality.

As for help from previous supervisors, I just had a reference letter from mine. I got three offers out of four universities I applied to. I am a non-EU applying to the UK. I think what helped me the most was contacting potential supervisors in advance. You have to write a very well-prepared and competent email to be noticed, but you can't expect to hear back from all professors at this stage. Later you can send them your research proposal if they show interest. They will know about you in advance and will be expecting your application.

Takes about two months to hear from most unis, though sheffield is now on its 5th month with my application and manchester took 3 and a half months with my application. so try not to worry. everything is fine. make sure you've sent out all documentation esp references. most unis expect you to send them with ur application. otherwise they just hold ur application in the postgrads office.

Is it possible for you to email the supervisors to arrange an informal chats about the projects (in person of by phone)? I have found they are interested if you approach them this way and it gives you a chance to show your interest and that you want to make sure it is right for you. I did this soon after sending off the applications, they rushed my application through the admissions process because the supervisor was interested in taking me on. My application with the University Manchester took less than 3 weeks.

i have been thinking about that, but how do you decide who to contact especially where there are a couple of lecturers with your reseach interests? Any tips? what's your subject?

Hi Sweetchic, my subject is biological sciences. You could contact the lecturer who's research you are most interested in, and if you arrange a time to see them, contact anyone else in the department you're interested in and tell them you're going to be there. Ask if you can see them on the same day, they do expect you to have applied to several supervisors. The main tips I can give you are to keep the initial email brief and to the point, just say you are applying for the PhD and you want to meet to discuss further details, and suggest a day, maybe attach your CV as well. When you go to see them, find out as much as you can about the actual project and the support available to students; also ask about how progress is monitored and what previous PhD students are doing now. Try to talk to other students in the lab, ask about their experiences and what they think of the supervisor, it’s important that they like you as well, because they are in a position to encourage the supervisor to take you on.