Nice. So they can hopefully prepare somewhat of a default letter that they only need to adapt slightly and copy&paste it. Thanks everyone! Hopefully I will stand a chance and find a funded project.

Thanks everyone for the responses.
Do the referees usually have to write a letter about me? Or do potential supervisors call them to chat about me? Just so I know and can warn my professors what to expect... ;-)

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Thanks, that is good to know that I will need referees. How many are they usually looking for? I know two professors who would give me excellent references. Might have to think harder to find a third one...

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Thanks Caro. Good to know that I am not the only one who is confused about this at times. ;-)

I will graduate next year in May. So would you say it is a reasonable strategy to start looking for projects on findaphd sometime this fall and apply once something sparks my interest?

If I understand you correctly, I should do a cover letter and a CV which includes all relevant pieces of information (work experience and skills in the respective field etc). Anything else only if asked for. Should I include my GPA somewhere? In the US I wouldn't unless it is specifically mentioned or asked for, but different countries, different standards...

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Hey everyone,

I would like to go back to Europe for my PhD (in the life sciences) to be closer to home and was thinking about doing it in the UK. I am not really familiar with the application process in the UK so I have a couple of questions:
1. How far in advance should I start looking for studentships? Here in the US you pretty much have to apply in December or January if you want to start in the fall. In Germany, the other country I am a bit familiar with, PhD projects are offered throughout the year and you just look for openings a couple of months before you want to start. I will graduate in May and would like to start as soon thereafter as possible, if that is of importance.
2. Is there a better website than findaphd.com to find studentships?
3. What exactly do they usually need from me? A CV, a cover letter outlining my qualifications and what interests me about the particular project, university certificates. Anything else?

I hope I put this in the right forum.. I am new here so it is still somewhat confusing. Mostly, I am hoping to get an answer to question 1. ;-)

Thanks!
Robbi

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======= Date Modified 15 Jun 2011 16:42:52 =======
Thanks everyone for their answers so far!

Hey everyone!
I am thinking about doing a PhD in the life sciences somewhere in the UK. Taking all admissions and funding criteria aside I have a couple of general questions about the organization of PhD's in the UK:

1. I checked a couple of websites such as findaphd and to me it seems like there are either organized graduate programs, similar to the US, for which people apply about a year before they start in the fall of the following year. Also, it seems that many groups have openings for individual projects throughout the year for which one can apply. Is that correct? Since I graduate in the spring I would not want to wait until the fall to begin my PhD..

2. How are PhD students treated at the university? Are they seen as normal employees? I.e. do they get a certain amount of days off a year? Is teaching a requirement?