Hello,

I would be really grateful if someone could answer my question.

I am a Polish student currently doing an MA (finish: June 2017). I was wondering when I should to take part in an application process for a PhD (in the UK) as most enrolments for the next academic year 2017/2018 are already in progress and are about to end before I will get my master's diploma (June 2017). When should I apply, having in mind that I will get my master's diploma in June 2017 and it is the basic requirement? Is it possible to take part in the application process for the 2017/2018 academic year not having the diploma yet, indicating that I will get in in June? Or should I wait until next January which means taking a sort of a gap year between my MA and a possible PhD?

Sorry if the question is a bit confusing.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Martyna

It's possible to apply before you have your Masters. I got my PhD place before having my Masters results, and the university didn't actually ever ask for the final results, they just judged the application on the partial results and references I had at that stage.

I am also Polish. I had started my PhD before I officially graduated with Masters. However in my case it was only formality. As far as I remember a few friends were accepted to PhD programmes and they were still working on their dissertations. I believe it depends on Uni.

Hello Martyna,

I have also applied for Phd before I got the MSc. final certificate. As others have mentioned things will vary depending on the UNiversity to which you are applying. I had to submit the transcripts of my masters and I got a conditional offer from the University which I conducted my PhD. conditional offer contained the condition which I should full fill in due course i.e. submission of final Msc degree certificate. Having the conditional offer allowed me to proceed with all the other necessary steps including applying for fundings. Therefore since Phd application process takes a long time do not wait till you get your certificate but continue to apply. This way you will save your time.

Thank you all for your replies!

It's comforting to know I could apply for a PhD before I officially get my Master's diploma (of course as you all stressed, it depends on the uni).

But I have to say I was surprised that the application process starts so early, some of the offers are already unavailable, I hope I will find something if I start looking for it, let's say, in a month.

Thank you all again!
Martyna