Application process

The Global Development Institute provides PhD researchers with the opportunity to study a wide variety of exciting topics in global development.

Admission to studying for a PhD is highly competitive, so please allow as much time as possible to prepare your application, browse our research pages and academics' profiles, and familiarise yourself with the application process and any important deadlines.

Many of the scholarships have early deadlines so if you are looking for funding you are advised to apply early.

Application requirements

Your completed application should include:

  • two references, one of which should be familiar with your academic work, on headed paper from the institution, signed, dated and stamped;
  • a degree certificate and transcript for your bachelor's and master's degrees;
  • a research proposal;
  • evidence of your English language proficiency;
  • a personal statement outlining your reasons for wishing to study on the programme, and the experience and skills you will bring;
  • a detailed CV.

Finding a supervisor

Your supervisor will be an important part of your PhD programme. It's a close relationship over many years, through which you develop your ideas, skills, thinking and research. As a result, your supervisor's research interests need to closely align with yours. PhD study is structured through the PhD supervisory framework and PhD researchers are part of the Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Doctoral College.

If you aren't applying for a specific project, you'll need to find potential supervisors who will support your research. Details on recent publications, ongoing projects and particular research interests are all available on our academics' profiles.

It is important to approach academics who complement your research interests before you apply.

Most potential supervisors will also be happy to provide pre-submission feedback on a well-developed draft proposal that closely matches their research expertise. For more guidance, see How to write a research proposal.

PhD supervision framework

All PhDs are be supervised by and consult with internationally recognised academics in their chosen field of research.

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