Self-Funded PhD/MPhil Research Degree- Oct 2027

This application portal is to be used by candidates wishing to self-fund a place on a research degree programme at Harper Adams University (MPhil or PhD) starting October 2027. Applicants must have their own, their employer's, their Government's or another source of research funding available to them. A letter of Confirmation of Funding must be attached/uploaded during the application process.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a Research Proposal where possible, as this provides the best opportunity to demonstrate the research skills, critical thinking and ability to develop a coherent doctoral-level project that will be required for successful MPhil/PhD research.

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

Candidates should submit a brief research proposal of approximately 1,500 words outlining the proposed area of research and the context in which the study would be undertaken. The proposal 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 that the proposed research could address.

- Research aim and questions: A clear statement of the overall aim of the research and the principal questions or objectives that the project would seek to address.

- Proposed approach: An indication of how the research might be undertaken, including appropriate methodologies, sources of evidence or data, and methods of analysis where these can be identified at this stage.

- Feasibility and requirements: Consideration of any particular facilities, resources, data, equipment, fieldwork, participant access or other requirements that may be necessary to undertake the research.

- Contribution and impact: An indication of how the research could contribute to knowledge, professional practice, industry, policy or wider society, as appropriate to the field.

- Fit with Harper Adams: An explanation of how the proposed area of research aligns with relevant expertise, facilities or research activity at Harper Adams.

The proposal is not expected to represent a final research plan. Candidates may refine their research questions, objectives and methodology through discussion with prospective supervisors and during the development of the project.

Research Interest Statement

If candidates do not yet have a specific research proposal, they should submit a research interest statement of approximately 1,500 words outlining their broad research interests and their motivation for undertaking a research degree at Harper Adams University. The statement should include:

- Area of research interest: An overview of the subject area, topics or challenges that the candidate is interested in exploring through research.

- Potential research direction: An indication of the issues, problems or questions that the candidate might like to investigate.

- Alignment with Harper Adams: Identification of the Harper Adams research group(s) and potential supervisors within that group who the candidate would seek to work with.

- Academic and professional background: Relevant academic study, employment, professional practice or other experience that has informed the candidate's research interests and prepared them for research degree study.

- Research experience and methodological interests: An overview of previous research experience and any research methods, analytical approaches or specialist techniques with which the candidate has experience or would be interested in developing.

- Motivation for undertaking a research degree: An explanation of why the candidate wishes to undertake an MPhil or PhD and how research degree study relates to their academic, professional or longer-term aspirations.

- Why Harper Adams: An explanation of why the candidate wishes to undertake research at Harper Adams and why they consider the University a suitable environment in which to develop their research.

- Potential contribution and impact: An indication of what the candidate would ultimately like their research to contribute to knowledge, professional practice, industry, policy or wider society.

Additional Guidance

Applicants will be asked to identify a research centre or group as part of their application. Where the project does not fit under one of the listed research centres or groups, candidates should select the centre most aligned to their proposed lead supervisor.

International applicants are welcome. 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. The minimum time to receive a conditional offer letter is typically four weeks.