Commonwealth Scholarships: PhD Research Degree- Oct 2027

This application portal is to be used by candidates wishing to secure a place on a doctoral research degree programme at Harper Adams University (MPhil or PhD) starting in October 2027 whilst supported by a Commonwealth Scholarship.

Applicants must have the support of a supervisor at Harper Adams to proceed with an application under this route. Before the University is able to consider providing any documentation in support of a scholarship application, applicants should first identify a potential supervisor whose research interests align with their proposed area of study and obtain that supervisor's support in principle.

Once a suitable member of academic staff has been identified, applicants should contact them directly with: a research proposal or outline of the intended project; details of academic qualifications and experience; and information about the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme under which they intend to apply.

If a member of academic staff is willing to support the proposed research, they will be able to provide a letter confirming their willingness to supervise, subject to: successful application to the relevant Commonwealth Scholarship scheme; submission of a formal application to Harper Adams University; and meeting the University's normal admissions requirements. Any such letter does not constitute a formal offer of admission and cannot be used for visa purposes.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a Research Proposal where possible. Where a candidate has a clear area of research interest but is not yet in a position to develop a specific proposal, a Research Interest Statement may be submitted instead.

Research Proposal (approximately 1,500 words) should include:
- Research context and rationale: an overview of the proposed area of study, explaining why the topic is important and relevant.
- Engagement with existing research: a critical discussion of relevant literature and current knowledge, identifying key issues, uncertainties or gaps.
- Research aim and questions: a clear statement of the overall aim and the principal questions or objectives.
- Proposed approach: an indication of how the research might be undertaken, including methodologies, sources of evidence or data, and methods of analysis.
- Feasibility and requirements: consideration of facilities, resources, data, equipment, fieldwork, participant access or other requirements.
- Contribution and impact: an indication of how the research could contribute to knowledge, professional practice, industry, policy or wider society.
- Fit with Harper Adams: an explanation of how the proposed area of research aligns with relevant expertise, facilities or research activity at Harper Adams.

Research Interest Statement (approximately 1,500 words) should include:
- Area of research interest: an overview of the subject area, topics or challenges the candidate is interested in exploring.
- Potential research direction: an indication of the issues, problems or questions that the candidate might like to investigate.
- Alignment with Harper Adams: identification of relevant research group(s) and potential supervisors.
- Academic and professional background: relevant academic study, employment, professional practice or other experience.
- Research experience and methodological interests: an overview of previous research experience and relevant methods or techniques.
- Motivation for undertaking a research degree: an explanation of why the candidate wishes to undertake an MPhil or PhD and how it relates to their aspirations.
- Why Harper Adams: an explanation of why the candidate wishes to undertake research at Harper Adams.
- Potential contribution and impact: an indication of what the candidate would ultimately like their research to contribute.

Harper Adams is home to an international community of students and staff from more than 30 countries. International applicants should familiarise themselves with the University's English Language Policy, visa information and application guidance before submitting an application. Due to the time required to conduct the recruitment process, the minimum time to provide a conditional offer letter is typically four weeks.