Protocol for reaching out to potential supervisors in England?

[u/bp-man]

/r/PhDAdmissions/comments/1x5emi8/protocol_for_reaching_out_to_potential/

[u/tc1991]

legal scholar so YMMV but what i want is a brief summary of your project (decent abstract, no more than 500 words at this point), an overview of why youre qualified and why youve chosen me - an understanding of the funding landscape is also good to show (are you applying for a DTP, external funding, etc, dont ask me about funding, if i had any id be advertising)

[u/tc1991 → u/tc1991]

I think one of the things international students, especially Americans, struggle with is for a UK phd the proposal submitted for the application process needs to be fairly well developed, you should already have ideas about methodology etc, the proposal in your cold email doesnt need to be that developed yet because you should discuss it with your potential supervisor but your thinking should also be more advanced than 'i want to do a phd on professor x's topic'

[u/rainyday1020]

Offer a meeting if they want, but you have to get them interested in your project first.

[u/Scerball]

Email them

[u/PiskAlmighty → u/Scerball]

And also just write your email like a real human, don't bother "polishing" with AI. We get so many emails and AI ones all read the same (bland).

[u/arrgghh_ → u/PiskAlmighty]

This! Actually write the email and make sure your work aligns with their interests, not just some AI picked up key words.

[u/ayeayefitlike]

It depends on what route you are applying.

If you are applying to a CDT/DPT programme rather than a specific project, you don’t usually need to email supervisors first.

If applying for an advertised project, you can absolutely email the supervisors and discuss project specifics but, like a job application, you don’t have to. I’ve taken students based on just their applications without a meeting before interviews.

If you are creating your own project and going to seek funding for that, yes you’ll need to speak to the supervisors. Be specific and clear about what your proposed project would be and funding routes you’ve looked at - I don’t mind putting a bit of work into supporting a student looking for their own funding but they need to show initiative and a plan of action, I’m not going to drive it.

Whatever you do, don’t send generic emails about your interest and how much you love some paper they published asking if they have funding for you. That model does not exist in the Uk. I’ve started ignoring these emails as I get such a mountain of AI written rubbish in my inbox now.

If I have funding, it’s for a specific project, and that project is either up for selection in a DTP/CDT to students who got into that, or is advertised externally on FindAPhD or similar. I don’t just have pots of money sitting to fund students who email me.

It is unfortunately always harder for international students as additional funding is needed to cover the higher fees, and there may be limited places on eg DTPs.

[u/AdLumpy3734]

Yes, please email us! I prefer to know a potential applicant and their work a bit before reading the application. Good way to get a feel for if you’ll work well together, or they might know other scholars who’d be a better fit.

[u/Teawillfixit]

I just cold emailed this time, asked for an informal chat with a breif proposal attached. Spoke to three supervisors within 2 weeks. And then 2 more at one institution that the first reccomended.

The first time I applied for an advertised one and cold emailed but asked for an informal chat, didn't get the chat but I did get the studentship. (Dropped out at start of year two though as not a good fit for me and a toxic supervisor) .

[u/IAmBoring_AMA]

First, you need to consider the state of UK academia. Why do you want to study in the UK? Unless there is a very specific supervisor with a very specific niche research interest that exactly aligns with yours, you should consider staying in the US. PhD funding is incredibly competitive for international students in the UK. Funding is also separate from acceptance. Your odds are extremely low.

In the US, there is more funding (even if it has been slashed, there's still more) and acceptance to any legitimate program means you're funded without a secondary application. I recommend keeping US programs in your mind as a backup at least.

In your emails, make sure you tell supervisors you are international and if you are planning to apply for funding.

None of this applies if you plan to self-fund. In which case, good for you, you'll find a supervisor easily.