Information for Applicants

Applying for a PhD

If you wish to apply for a PhD at Liverpool John Moores University, the first step is to check the programmes on offer and the entry requirements as outlined on the specific programme page. Once you have confirmed you meet the requirements, you should then consider how your postgraduate research is going to be funded. Studentships are available, often for specific projects, but these can be competitive and are advertised when available throughout the year. Alternatively, and if eligible, PhD loans are available from Student Finance England and Wales. You should only make an application if you are confident funding can be secured.

Before you apply, you may want to approach academic staff relevant to your proposed research area to discuss a potential PhD application and supervision. Staff profiles are available on the University website. A useful starting point may be to review the Research centres and Institutes at LJMU. This is not essential, and applications can be considered without a named supervisor.

Submitting the application

Applications should be made via the Online Application Form.

A research proposal, qualifications and two references should be attached to the application. References should normally be academic, but employment references can also be submitted if relevant to your research. Have these documents available to attach to your application at the point of submission.

Applications are available on a full and part time basis and there are three admissions points a year – February, June and October.

Application Review

Your PhD application and associated documents will be reviewed in the first instance by the Doctoral Academy. Any outstanding documents will be requested and when the application is complete, it will be referred to the Postgraduate Research admissions tutor in the relevant School. The tutor will then review the application and signpost it to relevant staff members who will be best suited to supervise your PhD.

If the application can be progressed at this stage, you will then be invited for an interview, either in person or online. If the application cannot be progressed, feedback will be provided.

On average, we recommend that a UK applicant applies about 8 weeks before the intake month and an international applicant applies about 4 months in advance. International applications take longer to process due to the administrative processes required.

Making an Offer

If an offer can be made, this will be sent via email from the Doctoral Academy (home applicants) or the international team (international applicants). Offers are normally unconditional but can be conditional if a qualification is pending. All international offers will be subject to the appropriate checks and clearances. If you wish to accept the offer made, a formal acceptance is required. Details of how this can be done will be detailed in your offer letter.

Further information

The Postgraduate Research admissions team are based in the Doctoral Academy and can be contacted on pgradmissions@ljmu.ac.uk.