To apply for a research degree you will need to have a sound research proposal. The proposal is your first opportunity to capture the imagination of your potential supervisors. Your proposed area of interest needs to match ours, so we can ensure that we are able to advise you on your work.
A proposal should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words and will include:
Working title of the topic area
This should accurately reflect what it is that you want to study.
Context
Introduce the general area of study and identify the discipline(s) and or field/s of study within which it falls. This does not mean 'finance' or 'management' it is more likely to be, 'development studies', 'industrial relations' etc.
Include a brief note about yourself, why you are interested in the topic and how you are 'qualified' to undertake the research.
Literature review
You must demonstrate to us that you are aware of what has been and what is currently being written about your topic (i.e. the literature). We are looking for you to make links between a body of literature and your proposed area of study and in so doing articulate the gaps in knowledge your research will address.
A PhD thesis must be based on original research leading to new knowledge or that will make a significant contribution to existing knowledge. If you have some thoughts on how your research is likely to contribute to knowledge then include details in your proposal.
The research questions
The next task is to distil your ideas into a tentative set of research questions that are manageable and achievable within the time allowed for your PhD.
Research approach/ methodologies
There will be many research approaches open to you. In your proposal, suggest the methodological approach you might take and make a logical case as to why the research questions you have posed can best be answered by this approach.
Timescale/research planning
A full-time PhD should be completed within about three years, part-time will take up to five years. You need to demonstrate your plan for completing your research and managing your time within this timeframe (e.g. length of time for primary research/ fieldwork).
Bibliography
Please include a short bibliography (not included in the word count). This enables us to judge (at a glance) your comprehension of the relevant literature.