Guidance on how to apply with your own research proposal or for advertised PhD projects - applicants with external sponsorship or self-funding. We have PhD students funded by a variety of international government schemes and industry as well as those who self-fund. When Should I Apply? Externally Sponsored Applicants - we recommend you apply at least a month in advance of your funding application deadline. Those applying for an advertised PhD project must meet the University Application deadline.Self Funded Applicants - we welcome applications from self-funded PhD applicants with their own research proposal at any time of year. Those applying for an advertised PhD project must meet the University Application deadline. How to Apply 1. You will need to meet the University's Postgraduate entry requirements. Applicants can find international equivalents on the Postgraduate research programme degree finder.Postgraduate research programmes2. Contact your proposed supervisor to discuss your research proposal or the advertised project you are interested in. Supervisors are based in one of our six Research InstitutesAcademic Staff List 3. Submit an application for admission via the University's online application system - EUCLID. Document EUCLID Guidance - Self Funded and Sponsored Applicants (7.71 MB / PDF) Apply on EUCLID How to Write a Research Proposal Whether you are limited to one page (as part of a University application or enquiry form) or are required to produce something more substantial for an external funder, the rules about writing a good research proposal are the same: you want to stand out from the crowd and have the best chance of being selected.Our guide highlights the "golden rules" and provides tips on how to write a good research application. Document How to write a good research proposal (1.44 MB / PDF) What Happens After I Apply for a PhD? We will contact you if we need any further information to be able to consider your application. Please regularly log in to your EUCLID account to check for any messages from us. If you are shortlisted for a PhD place, we will invite you for interview in person or for a skype/telephone interview if you cannot attend in person. Interviews for funded positions are normally held in February/March. Please check your scholarship providers timeline for further information. Please note, if you are applying for a scholarship, your EUCLID programme application may be kept on hold while we wait an outcome on your scholarship application. Fees for Self-Funding PhD Applicants If you have graduated from the University of Edinburgh you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your feesGraduate discount schemeThe University Registry provides information on tuition fees and fundingPostgraduate tuition fees The University provides information on average living costs in EdinburghCost of living in Edinburgh This article was published on Friday 23 October 2026
