Hey guys!
I'm an italian student who is soon getting his Bsc in Chemistry. I've recently found out that, in Uk, you can go straight to a PhD after a Bsc. Is it true?

I'm trying to get more informations about how it all works there (which is very different from italy), especially the application process. For now, I'm contacting potential supervisors asking for detailed infos about their project (which I've found on PhD opportunities' page)...but what should I do next? Send them my CV, apply directly....? Is it really difficult to get a funded PhD offer?

I really don't know if I'm doing it right or not!



The typical email i'm sending is:

Dear Professor XXXX,
I'm an italian student, who is soon getting his Bsc in Chemistry (University of XXXX).

I'm almost at the end of my research project, which allowed me to understand how research could be hard and stressful,
but surprisingly amazing and exciting at the same time. It makes me faint on my bed just after dinner, but despite that I'm
always looking forward to getting back in my lab. This is how I have understood that I want to go on with my studies doing
a PhD.
To be sincere I'm totally new to the English University system and I didn't know that, with a Bsc, a student could go
straight to a PhD.

Now I do and I'm writing this mail because I'm interested in the natural products field and I have read there's a PhD project under your supervision.
I would like to have more informations about this specific project (although I have already read some of your publications) and, it if possible, to have
more informations about the PhD in general (Could I be eligible with my BSc? is it funded? when does it start? )

Hello,

Yes you can go straight into a PhD from a BSc. You are better off looking for funded projects for EU students on findaphd.com rather than just emailing professors. If UK PIs have funding they usually advertise rather than accepting random application from unfunded students (although I do know several UK PhD students that got their PhDs this way).

Regarding your intro email, I think you should make it more formal and stick to why you want to do a PhD, why that particular one and what skills and knowledge you can bring to the project. It's probably better not to mention that you find research 'hard and stressful' or that you don't know much about the English system.

They won't necessarily have much more information about the project, because they will expect you to have an idea of direction as well. I wouldn't ask too many questions about start date etc at this stage and it should say on the site that you found the project whether it is funded or not.

Thank you for your useful answer. As I mentioned, I'm not really used to this kind of approach (here we have a different road to get to a PhD), so each advice is really helpful!

And I'm not randomly emailing, of course I've looked for open positions..! Maybe too many questions are annoying, but I'm just doing what it's written: "for further information about the project contact directly professor..."

Arghhh I need to stop thinking in the italian way :D

oh last question:
what's next? email sent, waiting for the answer and then? they will already tell me if they are interested or they will just tell me to submit my application?

Ah I see, that explains it, I was wondering why you would ask for more information about the project if they were already advertising it! I think if someone asked my PIs for more info on an advertised project they would just send the most recent publication or something, but I guess every PI is different and maybe some do have more specific information.

If I were you, I would just send your CV and cover letter as requested, unless you are really interested in knowing more information.

Good luck with it!

Sorry to be blunt, but the above except sounds (a) very informal (b) quite unprofessional and (c) rather weird. Why would you approach a senior academic who you've never met and tell them about the 'drama' of your reaction to your work? Do you think this makes you sound attractive as a potential candidate? If I was a prospective supervisor I'd be a little concerned about all that 'fainting'....

The potential supervisor does not need to know anything about your realisation process (at least not in those terms). Nor does s/he need to know about your recent discovery that an MSc may not be necessary. Better to ask whether your existing training and experience is sufficient for the role and if not, what should you do about it?

How would you write a cover letter for a job application? Would you be as informal there? I'd advise sticking to factual statements, and structured and appropriate questions. Maybe get some advice from your university's career service, or search online for advice about how to structure an enquiry letter.

As for 'how to apply' - every university will have its own particular requirements - make sure you read their website carefully. If you ask the supervisor questions that are answered in the advert/on the website it will not reflect well on you.

Thanks again.
I agree it's really informal, but I have ingenuously done what is written "...INFORMAL enquires". But I was wrong and luckily there is this forum.

I've sent that mail once, so now I'm ready with a more formal, professional one. What do you think?


Dear XXXXX,
I'm an Italian student who is soon getting his BSc in chemistry (university of Milan). As mentioned in the subject line, I'm interested
in continuing my studies with a PhD in organic synthesis (especially natural products).

I'm completing my research project (lasted for about 6 months) which is about protein-protein interactions inhibitors. The aim of this
is to synthesize highly functionalized norbornene scaffold as strong inducers of helical structure and their use in the synthesis of
unnatural peptides of therapeutic interest.

I see myself as a hard-working, passionate and motivated student. I really want to learn as much as I can and I'm ready to work hard. I know a PhD could be the right place for me. I just need a chance.

My weighted average/mean right now is 25.5 (out of 30) and I could predict a final degree mark between 100-104 out
of 110.

So, after this brief presentation I'd like to tell you that I visited your research group's website and had the chance to read some of your publications. I find your research field extremely interesting, that's why I'm writing to ask.............................


Thank you for your attention.


Kind regards,









what do u think? be mean please :)

Obviously I'm NOT sending the same email to all potential supervisor, this would be the "general" one

I like your try, try again approach and ability to withstand criticism. This is a good start!

Here is my opinion on your cover letter. Bear in mind there is really no right way to do this.

I think this line could be improved: 'I know a PhD could be the right place for me. I just need a chance' because that sounds like you are not sure whether a PhD is right for you and you need someone to give you a chance because you are risky candidate. You don't want to say that.

I also think some reorganization could be beneficial.

You want to open the cover letter with a sentence on what you are applying for so that they know straight away what your email is about.

Then tell them about you, your degree and your research, and then you could suggest how this links to their research and the project, rather than having that at the end.

Then you could say about your interpersonal skills and that you are passionate about doing research etc.

You might also want to mention you have IELTS level xx etc (if you do) or something about your level of English.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate your help!

Glad to help :)

I actually just looked over my PhD application cover letter and it is terrible! I have no idea why they accepted my application haha. It's crazy how far people develop in 3 years of a PhD ;)

Ahhh, I see. In UK employment jargon, "informal enquiries welcome" means "You are welcome to email us to find out more but this is not part of the formal application process." It definitely does not mean "Feel free to be casual/informal". I can see where the confusion would arise!

Your revised letter is much much better although you could save some of that for the application form itself - don't assume that anything you write in that email will be considered part of the application. If you do have questions you want to ask, I would get to them quite quickly, as otherwise they might not be noticed if your email is long. Your grades, for example, can be saved for the application itself.